What is Contactless Delivery Software? All You Need to Know

COVID-19 was a transformative experience that altered our routines and interactions. It also revolutionized how people purchase products, and online shopping started gaining more popularity than traditional in-store shopping. 

Safety-concerned people started looking for options that involve minimal interaction with delivery agents. 

Logistics businesses across the globe had to find a way to fulfill this demand for no-contact delivery. So, they implemented contactless delivery software to streamline touch-free operations while prioritizing customers’ safety.

In this blog, we’ll explore what contactless delivery software is, how you can implement it, and the key benefits it provides.

💡Try an Instant, Effective, and Completely Cost-Free Approach to Perform Efficient Contactless Deliveries.

What Does Contactless Delivery Mean and How Does It Work

Ever wondered how your packages arrive without you meeting the delivery person? That’s contactless delivery in action.

Contactless delivery means delivering an item without any face-to-face interaction. Your driver drops your customer’s package at their door, mailbox, or wherever specified. They get a message on their phone informing them of the successful delivery.

Think of it like this: Your customer orders something online. The delivery person brings it to your designated spot. They snap a photo as proof. You get notified instantly. No handshakes, no signatures, no small talk.

This whole system runs on mobile apps and real-time updates. Some places even use drones or smart lockers. Pretty cool, right?

Contactless Delivery and Its Evolution

Let’s be honest, COVID-19 changed everything about how deliveries are executed. 

Before it happened, contactless delivery was mostly for pizza and groceries. However, when staying safe became priority number one, it became widely popular. 

Here’s another interesting fact: Even as things got back to “normal,” people didn’t look back. They got used to the convenience and undoubtedly the “extra” layer of safety. They started loving not to wait around. 

The contactless delivery market is growing at 20% every year through 2030.

A study by McKinsey & Company revealed that not only during COVID-19 but also in the post-pandemic era

60% of consumers continued to prefer implementing contactless delivery options.

Additionally, contactless payments increased by a staggering 40%, underscoring the ongoing demand for safety and convenience.

It’s massive growth that shows this isn’t just a trend.

Key Drivers for Adoption: Safety, Convenience, and Operational Efficiency

1. Health and safety – your peace of mind matters

Remember when touching anything felt risky? That feeling hasn’t completely gone away for many people.

Contactless delivery takes away that worry. No person-to-person contact means fewer germs. Sealed packages and enhanced hygiene protocols make everything safer.

One delivery worker put it perfectly: “I’ve heard that some people have had to quit their jobs because of COVID-19, but in my case, as a delivery worker during the pandemic, I think it’s a prosperous time for my career.”

It’s not just about pandemics either. During flu season or when you’re feeling under the weather, contactless delivery is a lifesaver.

2. Convenience – because your time is valuable

Let’s face it: waiting for deliveries is annoying. You’re stuck at home, checking the window every five minutes.

With contactless delivery, you don’t need to be there. Set your preferences, leave instructions, and go about your day. Real-time tracking tells you exactly when to expect your package.

A delivery worker from South Korea remembers: “Face-to-face deliveries take a lot of time waiting for the customers to come out. Non-face-to-face deliveries are much easier. I can leave the delivery in front of the house. That’s all. Every second counts for us. This saves a lot of time.”

You can reschedule deliveries with a few taps. Choose specific time windows. Even redirect packages to different locations. It’s delivery on your terms.

3. Operational efficiency – everyone wins

Businesses love contactless delivery because it makes everything smoother. Less paperwork, faster deliveries, happier customers.

For instance, whenever delivery personnel or courier service providers are near the delivery destination, customers receive real-time notifications and live tracking links. It allows them to prepare for the delivery without needing to physically interact.

Digital proof of delivery replaces signatures. Route optimization gets packages delivered faster. 

The contact-free delivery technology is getting even smarter. Drones and autonomous vehicles are starting to handle deliveries. Industry experts say drone deliveries can cut costs by 40-70% compared to traditional methods.

Industry-Wide Expansion – It’s Not Just Food Anymore

Contactless delivery technology in the food industry started this revolution, but everyone else adopted it fast, especially after COVID-19.

Grocery stores now drop off your weekly shopping without you lifting a finger. Pharmacies deliver your prescriptions safely to your door. Retail chains bring everything from clothes to electronics.

Even medical supplies use contactless delivery now. Hospitals and clinics get critical supplies without delays or contamination risks.

Every industry is investing in contactless infrastructure. Customer expectations have changed permanently. Safety and convenience aren’t optional anymore; they’re non-negotiable.

The future of delivery is here, and it’s contactless. Whether you’re ordering dinner, stocking up on groceries, or getting important medications, the process is safer, faster, and more convenient than ever before.

How to Implement Contactless Delivery in Your Business (Step-by-Step Guide)

To implement contactless delivery, you need a structured approach.

Here are the steps you can follow.

Step 1: Audit your current delivery workflow

The first step begins with evaluating your entire delivery process. 

Identify issues, manual tasks, and areas where you can’t avoid physical interaction. It will help pinpoint areas where you can use contactless solutions. 

Step 2: Select the right contactless software 

Once you have identified areas where you can implement contactless delivery, it’s time to select the right contactless delivery platform. 

Ensure your software aligns with your unique business requirements and has features to support contact-free delivery operations.

Here are the ones you can look for: 

• Automated route planning to create efficient routes for multiple stops while avoiding human error
• Electronic proof of delivery (ePOD) lets you collect photos and signatures to serve as digital evidence of completed deliveries. 
• Real–time tracking to view drivers’ live locations to track delivery progress, identify deviations, and act proactively to avoid disruptions
• Customer notifications to inform your customers of accurate estimated arrival times, schedule changes, and reasons applicable
• Curbside delivery to let the driver drop off the package at a specified location without interacting with the recipient in person.

Remember, the software you build must be scalable to support your expanding operations and provide excellent customer support. 

Step 3: Integrate with existing systems 

Once you have chosen the contactless delivery software, integrate it with your existing business systems, including:

• CRM, such as Zoho
• Inventory management software like Odoo, SAP
• eCommerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce
• Accounting software like QuickBooks

Seamless integration with existing platforms ensures connected workflows, minimizes manual entry, and provides a bird’s-eye view of your operations. 

Step 4: Train your staff on new software and contactless delivery protocols 

To keep your customers and drivers safe, establish rules, such as:

• Mandate the use of personal protective equipment, including gloves, face masks, and hand sanitizer. 
• Check your workers’ temperature and blood oxygen level before they start their shift. It will help detect and isolate infected individuals beforehand.
• Encourage employees to follow social distancing measures so they stay safe.
• Train your staff on how to use the software’s mobile app to capture ePOD and communicate with customers via notifications. 

Step 5: Communicate your contactless delivery option to your customers

Once you launch your contactless delivery service, inform your customers about it. You can use multiple channels, like your website, mobile app, email campaigns, and social media, for that. 

Explain why you are offering contactless delivery and explain the safety this option provides.

Guide them on how they can opt for the contactless delivery option during checkout, enable notifications, and provide specific delivery instructions if needed. 

Step 6: Monitor performance, gather feedback, and take appropriate improvement measures

Tracking the performance of your delivery operations is crucial for identifying and eliminating inefficiencies. 

Here’s a list of crucial KPIs:

• On-time shipping rate: The percentage of orders delivered on or before the expected date. It indicates how efficient your last-mile delivery operations are. A low number indicates issues you need to fix.
• Order accuracy: It’s the number of orders shipped correctly, on time, to the right address, without damage or missing items. It helps evaluate operational efficiency.
• Average cycle time: The total time from order placement to customer delivery. Minimize it to enhance your delivery speed and customer experience. 
• Transportation costs: These constitute the total expenses throughout the fulfillment process from order processing to delivery. It helps identify the more profitable stops and optimize delivery routes accordingly.
• Shipment volume: The total number of orders shipped out of the warehouse in a given period. It will help identify peak seasons for efficient resource allocation.
• Customer satisfaction score (CSAT): This metric indicates how satisfied a customer is. A higher number indicates your customers love your service and find no major issues. 
• Drivers’ feedback: It can help determine whether they can complete contactless delivery easily while following protocols.

Based on all these metrics, you can make informed decisions to improve your contactless delivery system. 

How Does Contactless Delivery Work: Features and Core Functionalities

1. Seamless online ordering and secure digital payments

Contactless delivery software provides a user-friendly interface. It helps make the entire online ordering process from product selection to checkout easier and faster for customers.  

The software also integrates with existing POS systems to protect sensitive financial data and secure transactions. It helps protect you and your business against cyberattacks. 

2. Automated route planning and optimization

Contactless delivery software lets you upload a CSV/Excel file with multiple delivery stops in one go. It removes the need for manual address entry and expedites the process.

It optimizes routes automatically using smart route optimization algorithms.

These algorithms consider time windows, service durations, and stop priorities to create the most efficient paths.

You can add specific instructions like curbside delivery or contactless drop-offs to personalize your customers’ delivery experience. This software helps configure drivers’ preferences (e.g., avoiding highways, tolls, and ferries) to enhance their convenience. 

Upper streamlined our route planning process, allowing us to import address lists from Excel directly. This automation saved about 10 hours of office work every week. Tasks that used to take hours now only take minutes.

— Nathaniel, Partner at Chef Nicole Miami

It further lets you assign delivery tasks to drivers efficiently, ensuring deliveries are quickly dispatched and with minimal manual intervention.

3. Automated customer notifications and alerts

Contactless delivery software provides full visibility into your drivers’ locations to track their progress, identify delays, and make quick adjustments if needed. 

For instance, it lets you swap, alter, or reassign routes to other available delivery executives in case of emergency, accident, or last-minute call-in sick. It, thus, helps ensure timely and efficient deliveries.

Upper’s live tracking feature has completely transformed how we manage deliveries. With real-time visibility, we can proactively address delays and ensure on-time deliveries, enhancing transparency and customer satisfaction.

— Kam Kendell, Northern Express Logistics

Based on live tracking insights, this software also triggers delivery notifications to inform customers about order statuses. Automated SMS and email messages minimize the need for manual follow-ups with drivers and WISMO queries from customers. 

Using this delivery software, you can even personalize email or SMS messages to match your branding. For example, you can write, “Hey, our delivery partner has left for your address. Expect your delivery in around 10 minutes”. It will help your recipient stay available and prepared to prevent missed deliveries. 

With FrostFare’s frozen meal deliveries, timing is everything. Upper’s ‘out for delivery’ notifications ensure our customers are prepared with ice bags when their orders arrive, maintaining the freshness of our products.

— FrostFare Team

4. Electronic proof of delivery

Contactless delivery software lets you use photos, QR codes, or digital signatures to capture proof of delivery digitally. 

This feature eliminates the need for physical interaction between delivery agents and customers. It further accommodates specific delivery instructions, such as conditions or special requests, which can be added as notes.

💡 Want to dive deeper into how proof of delivery can document confirmed deliveries? Explore our blog on ensuring safe and reliable delivery with proof of delivery.

Admins can easily access all proof of delivery details, including signatures, photos, and notes. It ensures complete transparency and enables informed decision-making.

Upper helped us go fully digital—no more manual manifests or paper signatures. Everything is now seamlessly handled through the app, making our contactless delivery services much more efficient.

— Jacob Turner Steele, Supply Chain Manager, Parkwood Products Ltd.

5. Curbside delivery option 

This feature ensures a seamless, safe, and convenient experience for businesses and customers. It lets your customers pick their orders without leaving their vehicle.

How It Works: Customers simply choose the curbside delivery option at checkout. Once the driver is near, they receive an automated notification, such as “Your order is ready for curbside pickup. Please pull up to the designated spot.” This reduces wait times and improves the overall efficiency of the process.

💡 Interested in learning more about curbside pickup and delivery? Our guide on curbside pickup delivery covers all you need to know.

6. Easy-to-use mobile app for drivers 

Contactless delivery software simplifies the workload for on-field service agents with the help of field service management software. A reliable mobile app is essential for drivers to navigate routes, collect proof of delivery, and update delivery status. An intuitive app allows drivers to focus on tasks without dealing with complicated interfaces, making it as easy and efficient to use as their favorite game.

How It Works: The driver app is often installed on drivers’ mobile devices. Through the app, drivers can access their assigned routes, navigate with in-app directions, and update dispatchers by marking deliveries as completed, failed, or missed. 

The app also supports real-time communication via live crew chat, allowing drivers to stay in touch with dispatch or delivery managers throughout the process, ensuring smooth coordination.

Upper’s driver app has been invaluable for tracking deliveries. We can monitor routes in real time, check how many stops drivers have completed, and manage their return times more efficiently. The app truly streamlined our operations.

— Derek Neill, Founder of Neill’s Home Store

7. Compliance, reporting, and analytics features

Contactless delivery software provides specialized compliance apps with safety features, such as disinfection reminders for delivery bags and temperature checks for delivery drivers. 

It further provides detailed reports on delivery times, driver performance, and customer satisfaction. These insights enable businesses to track these valuable KPIs and optimize their operations.

Upper’s reporting feature was a game-changer. It allowed us to communicate efficiently with our customers and optimize waitlists. We were able to put clients in the right place at the right time, which they truly appreciated, and it led to more efficient deliveries.

— Phred Swain-Sugarman, Wishlist.Delivery

Key Benefits of Contactless Delivery Software

Businesses that fail to provide efficient contactless deliveries might lag in the competition, face a declining customer base, and poor delivery experience.

Here are the advantages it provides:

1. Enhanced customer loyalty & satisfaction

Customers value safety and convenience more than ever. Contactless delivery shows you care about their needs. It helps build stronger relationships and keeps them coming back.

Words of fellow courier guys who delivered during a pandemic, 

“I’ve heard that some people have had to quit their jobs because of COVID-19, but in my case, as a delivery worker during the pandemic, I think it’s a prosperous time for my career.”

2. Improved operational efficiency & cost savings

Implementing contactless delivery eliminates the need for face-to-face interactions, streamlining the process and saving time for customers and delivery drivers. 

Further, it provides real-time delivery notifications so customers stay ready to receive orders, reducing missed deliveries and redelivery costs.

3. Increased safety and hygiene standards

Reducing physical contact protects both your customers and your delivery staff. 

It also shows your business takes health and safety seriously, which builds trust.

4. Greater business adaptability and resilience

When things change quickly, as it happened during COVID-19, contactless systems help you adapt fast. It lets your business stay resilient and reliable while ensuring safe operations.

5. Reduced disputes due to proof of delivery

Digital proof, like photos, signatures, and timestamps, helps maintain a good record of deliveries. It also helps you identify the underlying issue when a delivery doesn’t happen as expected.

6. Digitization of payment methods

Contactless delivery software lets your customers pay for orders online, eliminating the need for cash handling. It gets drivers rid of the physical interaction and exchange to collect cash upon delivery.