Manual Proof of Delivery (POD) and Proof of Collection (POC) continue to drain time and patience across the logistics sector. From illegible paperwork and unclear delivery statuses to poor driver communication and delayed cashflow, the challenges feel endless.
And it’s not just speculation. We spoke to 250 logistics and transport managers in a recent in-depth study. Their message was clear: manual POD is a major roadblock to operational efficiency and business growth.
The real cost of manual POD processing
Only 16% of logistics professionals we surveyed had fully automated their Proof of Delivery (POD) workflows, meaning a staggering 84% still spend time on manual processing every single day.
And the amount of time? Eye-opening:
- 6% spend under an hour daily
- 57% spend 1–2 hours
- 18% spend 3–4 hours
- 2% spend 5+ hours
Time isn’t the only thing lost – money is, too. When asked about the daily cost of this manual effort:
- 6% said £50 or less
- 57% estimated £51–£150
- 30% said £151–£250
- 8% reported over £250
On average, businesses are losing 1.7 hours and £141.40 per day to manual PODs. Multiplied across the year (364 operational days), that adds up to a hefty £51,469.60 annually – per company.
Why simple ePOD isn’t enough – and how visibility of your entire execution schedule changes the game
Something has to change. The future of logistics depends on moving beyond outdated manual processes. And while ePOD is a step forward, basic ePOD alone won’t cut it. Logistics businesses need a smarter, more connected solution.
That’s where Microlise’s solution comes in.
A fully connected logistics journey
Microlise transforms operations by eliminating paperwork, reducing admin, speeding up delivery cycles and unlocking faster cashflow. But it doesn’t stop at digitised signatures.
Unlike basic ePOD tools that only record the essentials — like delivery images and signatures – Microlise’s solution integrates into your entire operation.
From dreams to daily reality: the power of the Schedule Execution Board
For years, the logistics industry has been chasing true visibility, from the days of watching a lone GPS dot on a map to today. Now you can take your plan and action it with real-time visibility of your vehicles – and entire day’s activity – whilst sending jobs direct to drivers and feeding all ePOD information back to the same screen to close the loop. Now that’s a game changer.
Our Schedule Execution Board brings clarity to the chaos with real-time answers to the when, where, what and how of every delivery. It transforms risk management from reactive to proactive, putting logistics teams firmly in control.
Real-time visibility, end-to-end
With Microlise, logistics teams gain live visibility of every job and driver activity, allowing for real-time updates, responsive decision-making and pro-active customer service. PTA, ETA and ATA information is all delivered in a single screen giving you the ability to manage by exception.
Proof of Delivery is captured instantly and digitally, eliminating the need for paper documentation and streamlining record-keeping.
As soon as a job is completed, delivery notes are instantly sent electronically to the Schedule Execution Board, removing the need for drivers to return to the depot before invoices can be issued, accelerating the entire cashflow cycle.
Built for drivers
Our solution also enhances the daily experience for drivers, making their work easier, safer and more efficient.
Job lists are fed directly through to a driver’s in-cab device where, having carried out their vehicle checks, they simply tap on the first job to launch truck specific SatNav to guide them on their journey.
Messages from base are delivered in a way that avoids risky mid-route distractions, helping drivers stay focused on the road.
The ability to compare what was planned against what actually happened not only helps with route adherence but actively reduces mileage run.
Smarter operations, lower costs
Efficiency matters more than ever. Our Delivery Execution solution helps cut waste and streamline journeys, saving time, money and stress across the board.
Nearly foolproof
No system is perfect, but our solution gets remarkably close. It blends powerful automation with human input to dramatically reduce errors and elevate performance.
It’s not just another tool; it’s the visibility the industry has been waiting for.
Want to find out more? Register now for our free webinar on Wednesday 2nd July: Beyond ePOD: The Power of Connected Journeys.
