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Thanks to tech-first delivery players such as UPS, DHL, Amazon and the like, customers now expect much more when they order online – including delivery flexibility and real time tracking of packages.
Access to a modern mobility platform is therefore critical if delivery companies are to meet customer expectations.
Modernised mobility is arguably also at the core of a delivery company’s business model, as modern technology enables a range of value-added services alongside cost savings.
Yet logistics software usually comes with a large up-front investment. What can independent delivery companies do to modernise their mobility platform?
What does a modern delivery platform look like?
Modern mobility transforms the entire delivery experience, from the dispatcher's screen to the customer's doorstep. That starts with a move away from vague delivery windows to precise time slots.
Customers also expect to track their deliveries in real-time, alongside proactive issue resolution, such as notifying customers of delays or providing alternate delivery options.
Sophisticated algorithms perform real-time analysis of traffic patterns, delivery density, and vehicle capacity to dynamically determine the most efficient routes – changing routing on the fly to save both fuel and time.
To build or to buy
The age-old debate of "build or buy" also applies to modernising logistics software. Each delivery company is unique and may benefit from building a system on the ground up so that it is perfectly tailored – but arguably at great expense.
When building from scratch there is also a greater risk of failure: building a solution can involve extended timelines and delays, and a newly built yet untested solution may fail in practice.
Conversely, buying an off-the-shelf solution offers quicker implementation and potentially lower upfront costs. However, in the past pre-built solutions lacked flexibility, forcing companies to adapt their processes to the software instead of the other way around.
But the debate has changed. Today’s cloud-based solutions are far more malleable. The landscape has shifted with the rise of cloud-based platforms and APIs, with a new era of "plug-and-play" options – with broad potential for customisation, irrespective of the technical skills a company possesses.
How Google alongside Oni, provides a new seamless option
Google Maps & Cloud Platform (GCP) offers a suite of powerful tools and services that can be leveraged to build a modern delivery management system without the need for extensive in-house development.
At the core lies Google Maps Platform Mobility services, a suite of logistics first cloud services that provides everything from address and location context through to task tracking.
That includes, for example, Google Maps Route Optimization. a new, powerful API designed to revolutionise fleet management. It tackles complex vehicle routing problems by considering real-world constraints like vehicle capacity, driver schedules, and traffic conditions.
Google Maps Platform Mobility is pre-built, but nonetheless highly customisable – with API functionality that provides much of the flexibility of a solution that was built in-house.
Choosing a development model
The extensive Google platform provides a middle ground between the extremes of building and buying. For example, a delivery company can utilise pre-built components like Google Maps Route Optimisation for intelligent routing while still tapping value out of a legacy GPS tracking system.
A small to medium sized delivery company with its own development team can therefore execute long-term transformation of expensive legacy systems by leveraging the Google Maps Platform APIs to evolve components and processes using real time data and intelligence.
At the other end of the scale, a large traditional multinational with high CAPEX looking to modernise their legacy systems can choose to evolve their mobility stack module by model, based on priority, and achieve their goals using either or both of Google Maps Platform, or Google Maps Route Optimization.
Technology focused startups will find that Google Mobility Platform will help focus development resources directly into steps that accelerate go-to-market, with less time spent on technology R&D.
Expert partnership matters
Google offers a compelling alternative to traditional build or buy but partnership matters. At OniGroup, we work closely with you to understand your unique logistics challenges and goals.
With exclusive access to Google's cutting-edge mobility technology, we tailor solutions to drive innovation and sustained success. As part of our Mobility Program, we also offer marketing support to enhance your brand visibility and attract a wider customer base.
You'll have opportunities to participate in Oni & Google's logistics-centred events across Europe, connecting you with potential customers. Our Google-powered technology ensures scalability, and we provide the resources and technical support needed for success.
We’ll help you deliver premium, customised services that cater to even the most discerning customers. Additionally, we expedite the implementation of complex MVPs, helping you bring innovative mobility solutions to market faster.
By leveraging the power of Google and the expertise of integration partners, delivery companies can level the playing field and meet evolving customer expectations.
Getting started with modernised mobility
One of the most attractive aspects of using the cloud for modernising delivery operations is the low barrier to entry. Signing up with Oni and accessing Google Maps Platform Mobility services does not require significant capital expenditure.
What’s more, the hardware needed to interact with the system can be as simple and affordable as lightweight mobile devices or your existing scanners.
By combining the cost-effectiveness and flexibility of Google with the integration expertise of OniGroup, independent delivery companies can embark on a transformative journey toward modern mobility without breaking the bank or sacrificing their unique requirements.
With the fast pace of development in logistics technology, there is a need for quick time to market with modernised mobility solutions. Get in touch with OniGroup now to find how we can help you rapidly build a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) that modernises your mobility platform.