Assume you have lost money on a shipment that is disputed, while scrambling for missed documents or felt helpless during a chargeback. So, how do you deal with it? These pain points are all too common for organizations that only rely on paper-based systems or legacy digital systems that are outdated, where digital records are fragmented.
However, there’s a way out. Here comes digital documentation that is revolutionizing the way you maintain and process documents, optimizing the supply chains processes worldwide. With digital records and documentation, you enjoy high-level transparency, control, and above all peace of mind.
So, how do you go about digitizing your physical records, while enforcing strict compliance? That’s where the ShipProof feature of Propel Apps’ mobile supply chain management comes into picture to help you make this transition. This blog thus throws light on this aspect, introducing you to the hidden costs of paper-based shipping and how digital documentation using the ShipProof feature can make this a seamless process.
The Hidden Costs of Paper-Based Shipping
Paper-based shipping is always fraught with challenges. Some of them include:
Lost or mutiliated paperwork: It’s a human habit to misplace paper bills of lading, proof of delivery slips, and inspection certificates or worse getting destroyed due to a couple of reasons. This leaves you stranded during disputes.
Scattered records: With multiple devices or systems at your disposal, it’s quite inevitable that your shipment photos, signatures, and shipment details could be scattered across these devices or even in your email threads. This makes it difficult to retrieve the information when needed, ending up with hefty fines.
Manual errors: Handwritten notes and manual data entry lead to mistakes that can cost you dearly.
Slow dispute resolution: With lack of quick access to proof, resolving claims and chargebacks can take weeks, tying up resources and damaging relationships.
According to a study by the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals, companies relying on manual processes spend up to 40% more time resolving shipment disputes compared to those with digital systems.
How Digital Documentation from ShipProof Solves These Problems
As discussed before, digital documentation features like ShipProof within the Propel Apps’ mobile supply chain management solution can mitigate logistics challenges, while offering a slew of benefits. These include:
Centralized, searchable records: Every shipment at various touchpoints – packing, loading and delivery is documented with time-stamped, geo-tagged photos and digital files, while saving them on the cloud.
Instant access: Retrieve proof in seconds that helps resolve claims in a jiffy.
Automated workflows: This feature triggers alerts for certain exceptional conditions such as spoilage or shortages, thereby ensuring that your shipments are always damage free, while maintaining fool-proof documentation.
Contactless proof of delivery: This has become quite popular and widespread post pandemic. Using this feature, you can easily share digitally signed PoD and photos with all your relevant stakeholders, so everyone will be on the same page.
To appreciate the real impact of the Propel Apps’ ShipProof feature, consider a brief case study.
ShipProof Case study
A reputable consumer products company suffered constant charge backs and freight claims, losing more than $2 million annually. The company, after evaluating various options, zeroed in on the Propel Apps’ ShipProof feature of the mobile supply chain management solution. After successfully leveraging this feature, the client experienced the following positive outcomes:
Every shipment was digitally documented (photos and records) and uploaded to the cloud, avoiding paper-based documents and receipts.
Whenever a retailer complained about damages, the client provided time-stamped photos, displaying the shipment’s intact condition at its departure.
Freight claims reduced by 80%, chargebacks by 75%, and dispute resolution period reduced from weeks to a few hours.
The company enjoyed savings of over $1.5 million in the first year, while ensuring the highest levels of customer satisfaction.
Key Features of ShipProof
Intuitive mobile interface: ShipProof’s smooth and intuitive interface eliminates the need for extensive, complex user manuals. This way, even temporary workers can quickly document shipments with minimal training.
Granular tracking: With granular level tracking, you can drill down from customer orders to individual boxes, capturing photos at every touchpoint.
Role-based access: Offers high-level security, while ensuring you share only what is needed, protecting sensitive data.
ERP integration: This feature offers seamless integration with SAP S4 HANA, Oracle SCM Cloud or Oracle EBS delivering unified data flow and accessibility.
Why Digital Documentation Is Now a Priority
Supply chain disruptions are all too common in an interconnected global supply chain landscape, where paper-based processes no longer suffice. In this context, digital documentation assumes greater importance – it's no longer a luxury, but a necessity. With digital documentation, you enjoy:
Transparency: Get real-time insights about what happened, when, and where.
Control: Resolve disputes quickly and confidently within hours – not days or months.
Efficiency: Enhance the efficiency of your team by eliminating complete paperwork and manual processes, optimizing the operations of your shipping warehouse.
To learn more about the ShipProof feature of Propel Apps’ mobile supply chain management solution and how it can instill confidence, while ensuring high level transparency and compliance, schedule a free demo with us.
