What Is ePOD (Electronic Proof Of Delivery) 2023

Delivery confirmation is key to running a successful business these days. Having proof of delivery will help you overcome a wide range of issues, such as lost packages, late deliveries, and customer disputes.

There are two main types of proof of delivery;

1. Traditional paper delivery confirmation, which typically involves a signature and paper forms.
2. Electronic proof of delivery is also known as ePOD.

While the traditional approach is still used today, securing accurate and real-time delivery confirmation is becoming easier than ever, thanks to electronic Proof of Delivery software.

More streamlined, time-efficient, and eco-friendly, electronic proof of delivery eliminates the need to carry around paperwork that could become damaged, lost or subject to human error.

ePOD is also becoming the norm, especially due to the global pandemic, and helps small and large scale companies manage national and international deliveries. When a recipient electronically signs a document, they will be sent a copy via email, reducing any future disputes that the package never arrived.

This means less time spent managing customer complaints and more time allocated to streamlining your business and maximizing profit margins.

Why is proof of delivery important?

So, why is proof of delivery important in the first place? Well, we’ve just touched on some of the main benefits of ePOD, but there are many more advantages left to explore.

Delivery confirmation acts as digital evidence that a company has fulfilled order and a customer has received their goods.

This evidence will show what was delivered when it was delivered, and where it was delivered to. This, therefore, leaves no room for delivery customer disputes and will save your business time and money in the long run.

This becomes increasingly important when the goods are valuable, fragile, or contain important documents. When the customer electronically signs the package, they confirm that the item(s) has arrived on time and undamaged.

An additional benefit of digitizing your proof of delivery is the ability to collect valuable customer data. Collecting your customers' data will help you better understand who your target market is and their specific location.

Let’s say you collect 6 months’ worth of customer data and realize that you deliver many orders to a particular city. You can then use this demographic data to optimize your online ad campaigns and social media marketing strategies.

You might also be able to send traditional advertisements and discount codes directly to your customer’s address, allowing your business to become more personal with their offline marketing tactics.

ePOD is eco-friendly since it removes the need to use paperwork to record each delivery confirmation. When you stop using paper, you are also removing the possibility of human error from either your customer or your delivery driver.

You can also speed up your deliveries. Traditional proof of delivery can eat up a lot of your driver’s time as they search for the relevant paperwork, scramble for a pen, and then wait patiently for the customer to sign and date the forms.

ePOD uses technology and real-time information to make this process fast and efficient. Your customers will also be pleasantly surprised when you present them with a screen and e-signature requirement over a paper form. This is a big step in logistics transformation that every delivery business will need to complete in 2023.

3 workflows with Proof of Delivery

At Track-POD, we have three specific ways that you can achieve proof of delivery using ePOD technology. So, if you want to transform the way you deliver goods, it’s time to take advantage of QR and barcode scanner apps. Each workflow has been specially designed to save your business time and money, so let’s look at our three innovative Track-POD processes.

1: Load check & Proof of Delivery with QR scanner

This first process involves three distinct steps.

Step 1: Load Check

The delivery driver will start their route and pass the load check to confirm that they have loaded the order(s). If your packages have not been loaded, the driver can alert you and assign the rejected status.

The driver will then use a QR scanner or barcode scanner app for load confirmation. This makes it easy to track when your order has been picked up and out for delivery.

Step 2: In Transit

Once the delivery driver has passed the ‘load check’ and has confirmed they have collected your package(s), you will receive an ‘in transit' notification. This tells you that your goods are on their way to their end destination.

Step 3: Proof of Delivery

Once the driver has arrived at the end destination, they will use a smartphone and ask for the recipient’s e-signature. This provides you with valuable proof that your goods have been successfully delivered. Now the driver can close the route.

2: Load check & ePOD signature

This second way to upgrade your delivery process with Track-POD is through scanning the packages again at the delivery location to guarantee that the right items were delivered to the right customers. So let’s see how this process works;

Step 1: Load check

Like the first approach, the delivery driver will start their route and update you when they have loaded the order(s). If your packages have not been loaded, the driver can alert you and assign the rejected status. The driver will use a QR scanner or barcode scanner app to track the packages that have been loaded.

Step 2: In transit

Once you’ve received your confirmation of collection, you will receive an ‘in transit’ notification.

Step 3: On-site scanning

When the driver reaches the customer’s address, they will use the barcode scanner app or QR scanner to confirm that the right packages have been delivered to the relevant addresses. This is key if you are sending a wide range of goods to multi-destinations.

This helps prevent packages from being delivered to the wrong addresses, which can cause significant problems and cost a company time and money.

Step 4: Proof of delivery

Once the driver has arrived at the destination, they will again use a smartphone device and ask for the recipient’s e-signature. This provides you with proof that your goods have been successfully delivered. Now the driver can close the route.

3: Individual item check & ePOD signature

The final method of using ePOD technology with Track-POD as a business combines ‘scanned’ notifications. Once the driver has collected your packages, you have received the ‘in transit’ alert.

They have successfully scanned your goods using a QR scanner or barcode scanner app at the relevant location. The order will automatically be assigned the status ‘scanned’.

This auto alert helps you keep track of your deliveries and know exactly when your goods have been scanned and handed over to your recipient.

With three routes to proof of delivery to choose from, you now have all the information you need to make the right decision for your unique business needs. Track-POD’s checking, scanning, and proof of delivery process will help take your delivery system to the next level.

So take advantage of QR scanners, barcode scanner apps, and e-signatures, and save your business time and money whilst providing a digital, modern delivery service.

Sign up for your free electronic proof of delivery trial today and test runs our simple and straight-forward ePOD system—risk-free logistic solutions across the US, UK, Europe, Australia, Canada, and Asia.