Transport and delivery: Inventory software for courier services
Inventory software for courier services that tracks where roll cages, scanners and other equipment are, what is reserved and what is genuinely available for tomorrow's runs.
Where stock drifts for courier services.
A courier service handles more than parcels; it also has its own equipment. Roll cages get left behind at a shipper, a scanner ends up in the wrong van and the spare batteries turn out to be flat. Nobody knows exactly how many roll cages are sitting at which customer until they are needed first thing in the morning. Scanners pass from driver to driver unrecorded, so a broken device only comes to light when a run grinds to a halt. Without an overview, equipment gets bought that is sitting idle elsewhere, and you cannot hold a shipper to account for cages that have not come back for weeks.
Inventory software for courier services
Example- 1
Make every item identifiable
DoneEach roll cage, scanner and piece of loading gear gets its own code, such as a sticker or label that the scanner can read.
- 2
Reserve kit per run or shipper
In progressWhen a run or regular collection round is planned, the equipment it needs is reserved: so many roll cages for this shipper, a spare scanner for that van.
- 3
Update issues and returns
NextDuring loading and unloading the driver scans what goes into and out of the van.
From receipt to use.
Make every item identifiable
Each roll cage, scanner and piece of loading gear gets its own code, such as a sticker or label that the scanner can read. For every item you record what it is, which depot it belongs to and what condition it is in. A collection of loose kit becomes a list you can search.
Reserve kit per run or shipper
When a run or regular collection round is planned, the equipment it needs is reserved: so many roll cages for this shipper, a spare scanner for that van. The system shows whether enough is free, or whether cages have to come back from another customer before the run can go ahead.
Update issues and returns
During loading and unloading the driver scans what goes into and out of the van. Roll cages left at a shipper are linked to that shipper. When one comes back, you see it immediately. A scanner reported as faulty drops out of the available list until it has been checked.
Alongside your purchasing and suppliers.
Equipment is usually tracked in a spreadsheet, on a whiteboard in the warehouse or in the shift lead's head. The scanners drivers already use for parcels can read the codes on cages too, so no extra device is needed. Where a shipper supplies its own roll cages, those are marked separately. The equipment belongs either to the courier or to the shipper; the register makes that clear item by item.
Track each item or just counts
Following every roll cage individually gives the most insight, but requires a code on each one and a scan at every movement. Keeping counts per location is simpler but does not reveal which cage has been missing for months. Many courier services track scanners individually and cages by count.
Charge shippers or agree returns
When roll cages pile up at shippers' sites, you can charge a fee or agree on returns. A fee only works if you can show per shipper how many are there and since when. The register makes that option possible, even if you do not use it yet.
One central depot or several
With one site a simple list will do. With several depots it matters to see where equipment is and whether it can be moved across. Start at the depot where most time goes on searching, and expand once the approach works there and drivers have picked up the scanning.
Clients in other industries.
No customer story from this industry yet. This is how the software works for businesses elsewhere.
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Read the storyWhich stock we record.
Roll cages and scanners get a code, and the software tracks where they are, what is reserved and what is standing at which shipper. Before going live we play through an ordinary morning when vans are loaded, and an exception you will recognise: a regular shipper holding on to more cages than agreed. Alerts for equipment that stays away too long and maintenance of scanners and batteries are among what you can switch on afterwards.
View pricingSupport and updatesGood to know.
Explore pricing and optionsDo we need new scanners to track roll cages?
Usually not. The scanners drivers use for parcels can also read a code on a roll cage. We check together whether your current devices can handle it and whether scanning equipment fits into what drivers already do when loading and unloading.
Can we see how many cages are at a shipper?
Yes. Every cage left at a shipper is linked to that shipper until it is scanned again on collection. You can see per shipper how many are there and since when, which helps when you raise the subject of returns.
How do we handle cages that belong to the shipper?
They get their own marking so they stay out of your own count. You can still track them, for instance to show they have been returned. That keeps it clear who owns which equipment when cages are counted or charged.
What happens when a scanner breaks?
The driver or shift lead reports the device as faulty. It drops out of the available list and planning sees that a spare is needed. Once repaired or replaced, it becomes available again. A run no longer stalls because of a device that had been playing up for a while.
What often connects to this.
- Digital job cards for courier servicesDigital job cards for courier services: each trip order with delivery instructions, contact and proof of delivery on the driver's screen, and back at the office.
- Website for courier servicesA website for courier services that explains delivery services and service levels clearly enough for a shipper to know in advance which one suits the consignment.
- Enquiry form for courier servicesAn enquiry form for courier services that asks for parcel dimensions, weight and collection and delivery windows, so the planner can judge whether a trip is feasible.
Know what is really there.
Start with a short intake. Then we schedule a call to show the software with your services, team and way of working.
WhatsAppinfo@vorlyo.com Inventory software for courier services: roll cages, scanners and loading gear tracked by location and trip, including what is still at shippers' sites.
- Make every item identifiable
- Reserve kit per run or shipper
- Update issues and returns