As the delivery landscape continues to evolve at speed, enterprise retailers are under pressure to balance customer expectations with operational efficiency.
Delivery Management Software (DMS) is a crucial tool in making that happen. Whether you’re just beginning to explore options or actively comparing systems, this guide addresses the key questions retailers should ask.
1. Understanding Delivery Management Software
What is delivery management software?
Delivery Management Software is a digital platform that helps retailers connect, execute, and monitor delivery operations. It streamlines everything from order dispatching and carrier selection to real-time tracking, delivery performance, and reporting. It can often connect a retailer to a network of carriers and can integrate with post-purchase solutions.
What are the key benefits of using delivery management software?
Faster, more efficient deliveries
Lower operational and last-mile costs
Improved visibility across the delivery journey
Better communication with customers
Data-driven insights for ongoing optimisation
What core features should a delivery management solution include?
What are the main criteria for selecting the right delivery management software?
2. Regional & Industry-Specific Considerations
What delivery management software options are available in the UK?
The UK market offers a range of DMS providers, each with varying strengths. Retailers should evaluate based on regional carrier integrations, compliance with local regulations, quality of support and reviews from existing customers. Some providers are more suitable for smaller retailers, while more robust solutions are suitable for enterprise retailers.
What is the best delivery management software for UK fashion retailers?
Which delivery management software is most suitable for UK food retailers?
Food retailers need ultra-reliable, time-sensitive delivery coordination. A DMS that connects with a wide range of carriers is helpful – so orders can be fulfilled based on needs. For example some carriers will be able to fulfill orders with temperature or freshness considerations. A good DMS in this space should connect to retailers that support tight delivery windows and real-time issue resolution.
3. Questions to Ask When Considering a Purchase
What is the best delivery management software on the market?
“Best” depends on your business needs. Focus on a platform’s ability to support your goals: efficiency, customer experience, and scalability. It’s worth comparing case studies, costs and features of your shortlisted providers.
Which delivery management software offers the fastest performance?
Speed is not just about software load times; it’s about how quickly orders are processed, dispatched, and delivered. Look for systems with automation, real-time data, and minimal manual intervention. Delivery management software that offers a no-code or low-code interface can greatly speed up how retailers can make required changes, which in turn can have a positive knock-on effect to delivery times.
How much does delivery management software typically cost?
Pricing varies by scale, features, and service level. Most vendors offer customised pricing, so it’s important to assess total cost of ownership, not just license fees. Often, a fee will be based on the volume of labels generated or orders processed throughout the year – and if additional labels are generated there may be additional charges such as cost per label.
Where can I compare different delivery management software providers?
Independent review sites, analyst reports, and logistics industry publications are a good place to start. However, in-depth evaluation should involve direct conversations and demos. Often, suitability can best be determined during a discovery call, during which bespoke needs can be discussed.
What kind of customer support is included with delivery management software?
Support can range from basic ticketing to 24/7 live help and dedicated account management. Enterprise retailers should look for responsive support that understands the nuances of large-scale retail logistics. Ask about SLA performance and CSAT ratings.
How can I assess if delivery management support is good?
Check out the CSAT rating or Customer Satisfaction Score. A CSAT rating, or Customer Satisfaction Score, is a key metric used to measure how satisfied customers are with a product, service, or specific interaction. Reputable delivery management software providers should have a strong CSAT sore. It may also be possible to ask the provider if you can speak to an existing customer directly.
4. Suitability by Business Size
Which delivery management software is best suited for small retailers?
Smaller retailers need affordable, easy-to-deploy solutions with essential features. Simplicity and speed of implementation matter more than deep customisation. Often with these solutions, there is less hands on support which helps keep the cost down.
Which solution is ideal for mid-market retailers?
Mid-sized retailers often benefit from modular platforms that can grow with them. Look for configurable tools that don’t require enterprise-level complexity.
Which platforms are most appropriate for enterprise-level retailers?
Enterprises retailers require high-performance platforms with deep integration capabilities, custom workflows, strong analytics, and full support for multi-carrier strategies.
5. Integration & Connectivity
How does delivery management software connect with WMS, ERP, and carrier systems?
This can vary from provider but integration typically happens through APIs or middleware, allowing systems to exchange data in real time—orders in, tracking out, and everything in between.
What delivery carriers and third-party logistics providers do these platforms typically integrate with?
What is an API, and what role does it play in connecting delivery management software to other systems?
6. Impact & Performance
How can delivery management software enhance the overall delivery experience?
It improves transparency, can provide retailers with control through notifications and tracking, and increases first-time delivery success by enabling flexible delivery windows. It can also enable more delivery options and integrate with post-purchase software.
How can delivery management software help reduce operational and delivery costs?
What performance metrics should be used to evaluate delivery management software?
Key metrics include delivery success rate, on-time delivery rate, cost per delivery, average delivery time, and customer satisfaction scores. Monitoring customer satisfaction in relation to delivery, and quantifying the volume of customer queries relating to delivery can also be helpful.
7. Reporting & Analytics
What kind of reporting is typically included in delivery management software?
Most platforms offer dashboards and reports on delivery times, carrier performance, delays, exceptions, and cost analysis. Some advanced features include dashboards that highlight carrier SLA performance, volume trends over time and destination reports.
How can I use delivery management software reporting to improve delivery performance?
What are the advantages of delivery management software from a reporting and analytics perspective?
Delivery Management Software reporting centralises logistics data and translates it into actionable insights – enabling faster, smarter decisions that drive business outcomes. This in turn enables retailers to further configure their software and make tangible improvements, such as reducing carrier costs or improving delivery speed.
Final thoughts
Delivery is more than a logistics function – it’s a critical part of the customer experience. A reliable, flexible, and insight-driven delivery management platform can transform operations.
At Scurri, we believe in giving retailers the tools to deliver better, smarter, and faster. While every business is different, the right DMS should empower your team to achieve more.
If you’re exploring your options, make sure you’re asking the right questions – and getting the right answers.