Top 7 Things Supply Chain Businesses Are Missing Without Logistics App Development

9 min readApr 12, 2024

“Revenue in the Supply chain management software market is projected to reach US$20.27bn in 2024. Customers are increasingly demanding more visibility, transparency, and control over their logistics and supply chains. This has led to the development of a software market that provides real-time tracking and monitoring of shipments, inventory levels, and delivery times.”- Statista

Introduction

Logistics businesses need software or apps that are adaptable and make greater use of their data to plan routes and shipments more efficiently to ensure efficient and streamlined supply chain management. Additionally, rather than being an expense, these apps need to be an investment to update your supply chain management procedures and adapt to shifting consumer behavior and purchasing preferences. Logistics app development can save expenses and boost speed significantly. For logistics businesses, it offers numerous benefits, including process automation and streamlining, a reduction in internal bottlenecks, and the ability to create custom applications to meet specific demands.

Mobile App for Supply chain and Logistics

So, what are the primary benefits of logistics and supply chain app development and how can businesses use this for effective app development? With this extensive blog, let’s talk about this!

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Overview of Mobile Logistics & Supply Chain App

A logistics and supply chain management app is made especially for smart mobile devices. Several components of the logistics and supply chain management process can be improved and streamlined with the aid of these apps. It is one of the most useful tools available to improve the productivity of supply chain experts and logistics managers in businesses of all sizes. Investing in logistics app development can help businesses improve their overall operational efficiency by enabling them to make data-driven choices more quickly.

As you can see, the market is evolving, with an increase in businesses using digital transformation services to improve supply chain operations.

“By 2028, global supply chain management is projected to grow at a CAGR of 12.6% to $33.9 billion.”

After identifying the target market, businesses can decide to custom-build their supply chain app and join this growing market.

Further Read: Top 8 Ways AI Is Transforming Logistics & Supply Chain Industry

Why do Logistics & Supply Chain Businesses Need Mobile Apps?

Efficiency and real-time data are paramount in logistics, with 79% of supply chain professionals citing mobile technology as critical for their operations. To meet client demands and address supply chain challenges effectively, the industry requires agility and precision. Mobile apps play a vital role in achieving these goals. NextGen Invent excels in logistics and supply chain app development services that are swift and cost-effective.

For example, according to a Harvard Business Review study, companies adopting mobile apps for warehouse workers saw an average productivity boost of 30%. Mobile apps are indispensable for success in today’s logistics landscape, empowering businesses to adapt quickly and operate with greater efficiency.

Further Read: How Artificial Intelligence Is Impacting Supply Chain Management

Types of Apps Required in Logistics & Supply Chain Businesses

Before we get into the benefits, let’s have a look at the several types of logistics and supply chain apps:

On-Demand App: Utilizing on-demand logistics app development enhances product delivery precision, meeting client specifications efficiently. This fosters stronger customer identification, potentially benefiting organizations through improved service and customer satisfaction.
Warehouse Management App: Another aspect of the logistics and supply chain business is warehousing operations. The app keeps things simple and workable for administrators by keeping track of fleets and allowing users to return to the warehouse.
Fleet Management App: Fleet management apps offer real-time insights, enabling efficient vehicle allocation and task tracking. These apps capture and transmit fleet-related data to executives seamlessly. Assignable to drivers, the application streamlines operations from initiation to completion, enhancing overall efficiency.
Process Tracking App: These applications enable precise driver tracking, providing real-time updates on fleet movement and routes. By integrating GPS technology, a logistics mobile app empowers businesses and customers to monitor orders in real-time. Geolocation features facilitate effortless tracking, editing, and management of shipments directly within the app interface, enhancing operational efficiency with minimal effort.

Further Read: How Computer Vision is Revolutionizing AI Inventory Management

Top 7 Benefits of Logistics App Development for Your Supply Chain Business

Choosing logistics app development has several advantages beyond merely being a technological innovation in the logistics industry. Let’s take a closer look at these advantages to see why customized app development is something that any logistics company, no matter what kind of services they provide, must be thinking about.

1. Quick & Flexible Delivery Process

Businesses engaged in supply chain management and logistics services can alter delivery schedules and routes while on the road with the use of mobile solutions, giving their organization incredible flexibility.

Enhancing the management of their supply chain processes boosts customer loyalty and opens doors for additional tiers of cooperation between logistics suppliers and clients.
Logistics businesses can enhance their supply chains with real-time data from mobile app solutions, allowing drivers to report any delays.
Real-time data may help businesses with a variety of tasks, including dispatch operations, record keeping, inventory management, tracking goods, inspections, and more.

They can improve their supply chain operations as a result.

2. High Accuracy & Productivity

Logistics app development provides businesses and employees with a real-time, on-location picture of the protocols.

With real-time data, analytics, and production-level displays businesses can quickly adjust their course.
To address every area that needs to be improved and make the supply chain and logistics function more effectively and efficiently, businesses can prioritize their attention.

The supply chain process is completed more quickly when individuals at the bottom of the ladder use mobile-based supply chain software to reach the top of the chain. When the business achieves better outcomes and quickly boosts productivity, it can direct its resources to the area of logistics and supply chain that needs improvement without worrying about creating bottlenecks elsewhere.

3. Efficient Warehouse Management

In addition to the anticipated twofold increase in mobile application adoption within the logistics industry, it is projected that up to 50% of the demand for logistics mobile app development will stem from emerging startup sectors. Warehouses stand out as the primary areas where the development of mobile applications for logistics and supply chain will significantly impact the establishment of error-free systems and the flawless processing of commodities.

Warehouse managers can swiftly mitigate errors and inaccuracies resulting from human efforts by leveraging mobile apps equipped with industry-specific capabilities.
Through functionalities such as scanning item IDs, tracking storage locations, and managing equipment details, mobile applications automate these processes, enabling managers to efficiently review transactions and update inventory details within the original database.

4. Real-time Inventory Status

One of the most crucial elements of any supply chain business is timely delivery, thus the logistics app development makes it simple to track your fleets. Mobile applications save businesses and customers a great deal of time, money, and labor by giving them access to real-time information about goods inventories. Logistics businesses can use mobile apps to improve customer service by providing accurate GPS-based information and tracking the movements of their field workers.

Logistics mobile app development made real-time access to all details possible, which include:

Inventory Management
Route Optimization
Dispatch Operations
Location Management
Record Keeping
Tracking Deliveries

5. Regulatory Compliance

Every business owner aims to evade fines and penalties stemming from regulatory non-compliance, irrespective of their industry. Logistics app development offers a solution by enhancing regulatory compliance measures. By automating and streamlining processes, these apps ensure adherence to regulations, mitigating the risk of non-compliance. This helps businesses avoid financial repercussions and maintain a positive reputation within their respective industries.

Some of the features that logistics mobile app development facilitates and leads to unparalleled regulatory compliance are as follows:

Regulatory Updates Integration
Automated Compliance Checks
Timely Alerts & Notifications
Enhanced Data Accuracy

6. Efficient Fleet Management

The fleet is the center of a logistical operation. Nonetheless, considering the multitude of variables that could impact the vehicle’s operation and performance, handling it is an enormous undertaking. The stakeholders can be able to track and monitor the shipment with the use of technologies like QR codes and RFID/NFC technology.

These are a few benefits that come with effective fleet management:

Extended Fleet Lifespan
Improved Resource Utilization
Real-time Monitoring

7. Data Analytics & Insights

Logistics apps compile various data, including delivery times, routes, and key performance metrics. This data serves as a foundation for analytics, accessible either through third-party tools or built-in dashboards with diverse visualizations.

Administrators and business owners gain invaluable insights into demand trends, resource management, cost control, and strategic planning.
These data-driven insights facilitate the identification of patterns, obstacles, and growth opportunities.
Consequently, businesses can enhance operational efficiency, minimize delays, optimize resource allocation, and make agile adjustments to logistical plans.
By leveraging these capabilities, businesses can streamline processes, improve decision-making, and remain cost-effective in a dynamic market landscape.

This harnessing of data analytics not only fosters smoother operations but also enables companies to stay competitive and responsive to evolving industry demands.

Further Read: 10 Most Crucial Use Cases of Generative AI in Supply Chain

Cost of Supply Chain & Logistics App Development

Development costs for logistics apps can vary significantly depending on factors such as the chosen development business, location, development team composition, tech stack preferences, UI/UX requirements, platform selection, and the complexity of the app.

To effectively manage budget constraints, starting with a Minimal Viable Product (MVP) is recommended. An MVP offers a stripped-down version of the logistics mobile app with essential features.
When deciding between native app development for a single platform or adopting a cross-platform strategy, consider project objectives, user experience needs, and long-term maintenance considerations.
Android apps are typically coded in Kotlin or Java, while iOS apps use Swift or Objective-C. Cross-platform frameworks like Flutter can provide cost savings and wider audience reach with modest investments.
Additionally, collaborating closely with UI/UX designers to address design intricacies such as interface details, data visualization, and real-time tracking integration is crucial.
Lastly, the choice of personnel for the logistics app development team can also impact overall investment, emphasizing the importance of careful consideration and strategic planning in the development process.

Further Read: Everything Businesses Need to Know About Warehouse Management Systems

NextGen Invent Expertise in Supply Chain & Logistics App Development

As a leading supply chain and logistics app development company at NextGen Invent, our work entails developing and providing bespoke logistics software solutions to companies of all sizes. These solutions help logistics and supply chain businesses optimize their transportation management, improve supply chain efficiency, lessen the need for labor-intensive manual labor, reduce delivery times and expenses, and more.

What NextGen Invent provides to customers:

With the use of scalable logistics apps, businesses can streamline their distribution and transportation procedures with the aid of custom logistics software development services.
Consultation with our IT specialists with expertise in logistics, who can offer advice and direction on creating and implementing a logistics app.
Proficiency in the smooth integration of recently created logistics solutions with third-party services and internal logistics systems (TMS, WMS, CRM, ERP, etc.)
Dedicated team, time and material, fixed pricing, and other flexible partnership models are available for selection.

At NextGen Invent, our skilled engineers specialize in developing solutions for the logistics and supply chain industry. Whether it’s an ERP, TMS, SCM, LMS, or any other system, our software development team is equipped to deliver. Our logistics software architecture is pivotal in streamlining supply chains, reducing costs and risks, enhancing customer satisfaction, and automating operations.

Thought Leadership Quote

“In today’s fast-paced world, embracing logistics app development isn’t just a choice — it’s a strategic imperative. By harnessing the power of technology, businesses can optimize operations, enhance efficiency, and stay ahead in the evolving landscape of supply chain management.”

Ruchi Garg