Understanding shipment tracking software involves appreciating the backbone technologies that facilitate seamless logistics operations. The intricacies of shipment tracking software, requires diving deep into the technologies and algorithms that keep your deliveries transparent and on track, customers informed, CS teams in the loop while generating brand affinity and additional revenue.

Under the Hood

Shipment tracking software functions through a complex integration of carrier APIs, data normalization processes, and user interface designs that collectively improve the logistics chain’s efficiency and transparency.

At the heart of these technologies are carrier APIs which allow real-time tracking of shipments by regularly fetching status updates. Some advanced setups leverage webhook notifications, providing real-time push notifications to keep all stakeholders informed as soon as status changes occur.

Carrier APIs

Carrier APIs are the linchpins in the architecture of shipment tracking systems. These APIs provide essential access to carrier databases, allowing software systems to retrieve real-time information about the status and location of shipments. The software utilizes RESTful APIs, a standard in modern web services, which supports XML and JSON formats ensuring flexibility in data handling.

Handling Diverse Carrier Responses

A significant challenge when interfacing with multiple carriers is that each carrier’s API may provide responses in different formats, use different status codes, or contain varying levels of detail about shipments. This variance can complicate the process of presenting a coherent view to the customers who expect uniform information regarding their orders.

Why This Variation Occurs

Carriers develop their systems independently, leading to discrepancies in how data is reported and what data is available. For instance, one carrier may provide detailed step-by-step tracking, while another only updates at major waypoints. Moreover, the terminology used to describe shipment statuses can differ from one carrier to another, adding another layer of complexity.

How Shipment Tracking Software Alleviates This Issue for Retailers

Shipment tracking software addresses these challenges through a process called data normalization. This process involves translating different carrier responses into a standardized format that the tracking software and its users can easily understand and use. By doing this, shipment tracking systems ensure that regardless of the carrier used, the retailer and the end customers receive consistent and actionable information.

This normalization enhances the user experience by providing clear and consistent communication and reduces the workload on customer service teams who otherwise would have to interpret and relay various formats of data manually. Consequently, it supports retailers in managing their logistics more efficiently, fostering better customer relations, and enhancing overall satisfaction.

WISMOlabs shipping tracking software for example, has predefined logic to address data inconsistency combined with large language models and AI to process complex carrier data, distilling it into actionable insights for customers and retailers. This simplifies vast amounts of shipment information, providing valuable visibility and real-time updates on delivery statuses.

Additional benefits of using shipment tracking software

Shipment tracking software often includes several key features that enhance its utility for retailers and customers alike. Here are some additional features:

• Real-time Tracking: Allows users to see the current location of their shipments in real-time.

• Predictive Analytics: Uses historical data to predict delivery times and potential delays.

• Automated Notifications: Sends automatic updates to customers about the status of their shipments via email, SMS or via push notifications or integrations.

• Tracking Pages: Offers the ability to customize tracking pages that match the retailer’s brand, enhancing the customer experience.

• Shipment Exception Management: Identifies shipments that are off-schedule or lost, enabling proactive customer service.

• Analytics and Reporting: Provides detailed reports and analytics on shipping performance, customer satisfaction, and logistical efficiency.

• Mobile Access: Includes mobile app or mobile-friendly web access for tracking on the go.

• Multi-language Support: Offers interfaces in multiple languages to cater to a global audience.

• Environmentally Friendly Options: Provides insights into the most sustainable shipping routes and practices.

• Revenue generation automation: Upsell and cross sell additional products to customers during the post-purchase journey.

• Carrier Audit: Helps retailers request refunds based on their terms and contracts with carriers, ensuring financial accountability and savings.

These features collectively help improve the efficiency of shipping operations and enhance the customer experience by keeping them informed and engaged throughout the delivery process, build brand loyalty and generate additional revenue.

The Retailer’s Dilemma: Choosing the Right Approach

Retailers seeking to enhance their post-purchase customer experience face a pivotal decision: choosing the right tracking solution that meets both their operational needs and customer service goals. The choices can broadly be categorized into three main types, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

Firstly, there are Built-In Shopping Cart Shipment Tracking Functionality options available through platforms like BigCommerce, Magento, Shopify, WooCommerce plugin, and Salesforce. These solutions are generally low-effort and low-cost, making them accessible for businesses of all sizes. However, they often come with limited features, which might not suffice for retailers requiring more comprehensive capabilities to optimize their performance.

On the other end of the spectrum, Custom Integration Solutions offer retailers total control over their tracking experiences. These solutions enable highly customized interactions tailored to the specific needs of the business and its customers. While this approach provides a high degree of customization and integration with existing systems, it also comes with significant costs and requires a substantial investment of time and resources to develop and maintain.

Lastly, Off-the-Shelf SaaS Shipping Tracking Solutions present a middle ground, offering quick deployment and immediate access to advanced features that might otherwise be unavailable through built-in options. These solutions are typically more robust and come with a suite of advanced tools designed for efficiency and scalability. However, they may also impose certain limitations by requiring businesses to adapt to their predefined functionalities, which can restrict flexibility in some cases.

Each of these approaches offers distinct benefits and challenges, and the choice ultimately depends on the specific requirements, budget constraints, and strategic objectives of the retailer.

See our comparison of most popular shipping tracking SaaS solutions on the market today.

Solution Type	Pros	Cons
Shopping Cart Shipment Tracking Functionality	Low effort, little to no cost	Limited features, may not provide the comprehensive capabilities needed for optimal performance.
Custom Integration	Total control	High cost and significant time investment
Off-the-Shelf SaaS Solutions	Fast access to advanced features	Most solutions require businesses to conform to predefined functionalities, which can limit flexibility

Why Choose WISMOlabs?

WISMOlabs distinguishes itself by combining the simplicity and scalability of SaaS platforms with the level of deep customization typically found only in bespoke solutions. This unique blend allows retailers to enjoy the benefits of a sophisticated tracking system tailored precisely to their specific needs, without the significant expenses usually associated with custom-built systems. WISMOlabs’ platform enables full customization of all customer-facing components that goes far beyond logo, color and banner updates. Retailers can segment their customers and present different personalized stories to various segments at different times, enhancing the relevance and engagement of each interaction.

Moreover, WISMOlabs integrates custom logic throughout the shipping process, automating communications during edge cases—situations that might otherwise pose risks to customer service. This proactive approach ensures that potential issues are addressed before they affect the customer experience. The post-purchase journey, crafted using the WISMOlabs platform, can be based on best practices or entirely customized. Retailers have the freedom to treat the post-purchase experience as a blank canvas, designing their ideal vision and tracking its success with comprehensive reports.

Additionally, WISMOlabs is known for its competitive pricing and comprehensive support, making it an ideal choice for businesses aiming to enhance their post-purchase customer experience.

For more about enhancing your customer post-purchase experience with WISMOlabs, check their detailed solutions on post-purchase logistics and learn about their branded tracking page to see how they can transform your delivery processes.