Industries

Logistics software development

Logistics software gets used in cab, on a loading bay, in poor signal and by people in a hurry. If it isn’t quick and dependable, they’ll go back to paper.

Discuss Your Project

Designing for the depot is different from designing for the office. Screens are viewed in bright sunlight, and they’re being used with gloves on. Mobile signal disappears in the middle of a delivery. An app that needs a connection to record a delivery isn’t going to work. Offline-first design, where the device stores everything locally and syncs when it can, is often essential, along with careful handling of conflicts when two updates arrive out of order.

The other big challenge is integration. Carriers, customers’ systems, telematics, warehouse software and finance all need to exchange data, and they do it in every format from modern APIs to EDI and emailed spreadsheets. Most of the value in a logistics project often comes from automating these connections, as they take out the phone calls and re-keying that cost so much time.

Buy what you can, build what makes you different

Good route optimisation engines and telematics platforms already exist, and they’re usually better bought than built. Custom work earns its keep in the workflow around them: how your particular jobs are planned, how customers are kept informed, and how exceptions are handled. If your operation is a good fit for a standard transport management system, we’ll tell you.

What shapes logistics software

Drivers’ hours and tachographs

GB and EU rules limit driving time for many goods vehicles, so planning tools that ignore these can produce plans that drivers can’t legally carry out.

Customs after Brexit

The Customs Declaration Service and the Windsor Framework arrangements affect data needed for cross-border movements.

Poor connectivity

Drivers need to record collections and deliveries with or without signal, so offline operation is a basic requirement.

Data protection for tracking

Monitoring drivers’ locations is personal data, and needs a lawful basis, transparency and proportionate use.

What we can build

Driver apps

Job lists, navigation hand-off, proof of delivery with signature and photos, offline by default.

Dispatch and planning

Job allocation boards, integrated with route optimisation services.

Customer tracking portals

Live status and delivery windows, cutting down on “where’s my order?” calls.

Warehouse tools

Barcode-driven picking, goods-in and stock checks on rugged devices.

System integrations

Connecting carriers, customers and finance through APIs and EDI.

Related services

Custom SoftwareBespoke systems built around how your business actually works, for when off-the-shelf tools no longer fit. Android AppsNative Kotlin apps tested across the real range of Android phones, tablets and rugged devices. ERP DevelopmentCustom ERP modules, integrations and replacements covering stock, production, purchasing and finance links. Software IntegrationConnecting your CRM, finance, stock and web systems so that data flows reliably between them.

Logistics questions

Can a driver app work without signal?

Yes, if it’s designed offline-first. Data is saved on the device and syncs automatically once there’s a connection again.

Can you integrate with our telematics system?

Most major telematics providers offer APIs. We’d check what your provider supports and what’s included in your contract.

Should we build our own route optimisation?

Generally not. It’s a hard problem, and specialist services do it well. We’d integrate one and focus custom work on your own processes.

Building for logistics?

Tell us what the software has to do. We will read it properly and reply by email with sensible next steps.

Discuss Your Project