In today’s digital world, it is crucial to adapt to new technologies and trends to remain competitive. One way to advance digitalization in the logistics industry is the electronic delivery note. Learn here what a digital delivery note is, how it works, and what benefits it offers.
Why the electronic delivery note is crucial
Traditionally, the delivery note is printed on paper and carried along the transport route. This often leads to problems such as illegible handwriting, loss, or damage to the document. The electronic delivery note reduces these risks by digitizing the document, making it safer, more reliable, and more efficient. Furthermore, the delivery note in digital form is an important component of the digitalization of logistics processes and can help you save time and costs.
Benefits & Functionality
What is an electronic delivery note and how does it work?
An electronic delivery note is the digital version of the traditional delivery note. It contains all the important information that is also included on the paper document, such as the delivery address, the delivery date, the goods delivered, and the recipient’s signature. The difference is that the delivery note is digitized and can thus be transmitted and archived virtually.
An electronic delivery note is either automatically generated by a system or manually by an employee. It is then transmitted electronically to the recipient. The recipient confirms receipt with a digital signature (electronic signature). The electronic delivery note is then stored in a digital archive and can be retrieved at any time if needed.
Benefits
Switching to a digital document not only solves the aforementioned problems such as illegible handwriting, crumpled paper, or the loss of the note, which is also risky from a data protection perspective. The advantages extend further and benefit both transport management and the recipient of the goods.
- Paperless: An electronic delivery note reduces paper consumption and thus supports sustainability in logistics. For example, Solvares Logistics customer Otto Dörner saves around 100,000 printed delivery notes each year and, consequently, expensive printer cartridges. (Click here for the case study.)
- Time and cost savings: The digital delivery note saves time and costs, as manual shipping and processing of paper documents are eliminated. Archiving digital documents is easier and faster; for example, scanning is no longer necessary.
- Streamlined invoicing: The digital solution not only improves the delivery process. Through direct online transmission after the customer’s signature, the invoicing process can also be accelerated.
- Enhanced security: The electronic document offers more security than the paper note. It cannot be lost or damaged and is protected from unauthorized access through encryption and authentication.
Improved transparency: The electronic delivery note offers greater transparency, as it can be accessed at any time. Furthermore, it contributes to digital networking in logistics , a key competitive advantage and a factor that promotes customer satisfaction.
How can a company introduce or integrate the electronic delivery note?
To leverage the benefits of the electronic delivery note, companies should seek a suitable solution that matches their requirements and needs. It is not advisable to immediately switch the entire data management in logistics, but rather to implement a pilot phase in which the solution is tested.
Better Faster
Overall, the electronic delivery note is an important innovation that will further shape the logistics industry in the future. Companies that rely on the digital document can make their processes more efficient, faster, and more sustainable. Crucial is a holistic system that connects all parts. This way, you not only achieve improved communication in transport management but also accelerate downstream processes.
The Electronic Delivery Note with Solvares Logistics
With our opheo dispatch software and our LP2 Transport Management System, you can digitally map the delivery note throughout the entire process: Drivers confirm delivery via sign-on-glass, add photo and damage documentation as well as scans of packages/loading equipment if required; all data flows back into dispatch and tracking in real time, is archived in an audit-proof manner and is available for invoicing. Via interfaces, the proofs can be seamlessly integrated into ERP/DMS processes, thus shortening the processing time from proof of delivery to invoice, eliminating media breaks and enabling recipients to benefit from maximum transparency.