Product updates

With multiple clients, it can be difficult for courier companies to satisfactorily meet each client’s delivery needs. Some clients may require specific forms of POD to be collected, while others may be happy with a simple signature.

For example, a client who ships high-value items may not want delivery drivers to have the option to ‘leave the package in a safe space’ and may insist on capturing a signature and photo as POD.

It’s now possible to specify what delivery method is permitted for a stop and what type of POD needs to be collected for that method.

How to set POD and delivery method preferences⁠

• Go to > Settings > Operations > Proof of delivery
• Toggle on/off all the delivery methods you want to be available
• Select the type of POD you would like collected
• Use the drop-down menu to specify if POD collection is optional or not

Formerly, drivers who used navigation while delivering had to use the Spoke driver app along with a navigation app of their choice. Using two apps simultaneously isn't easy or stress-free for the driver.

Drivers can now navigate using Google Maps within Spoke Route Planner so that they can carry out every task along their delivery route with just one app.

How to select Internal Google Maps for navigation⁠

• In the Dispatcher dashboard go to > Settings > Operations > Driver Settings
• Under Preferences > Navigation app select Internal Google Maps from the dropdown
• In the driver app go to Settings > Navigation app > Select Spoke internal navigation

Until now, users had to create a route before being able to import stops, which would then be assigned to that route. This meant that time had to be spent organizing stop data into routes before being able to upload it.

The latest unassigned stops list feature allows stops to be imported without creating or assigning them to any route.

Simply import stops directly into the unassigned stops list and use the list's functions to filter, select, and assign stops to a route as and when required.

Stops already assigned to a route can also be moved back onto the unassigned stops list, ready to be reassigned to a different route.

Future versions of this feature will enable dispatchers to bulk upload unassigned stops and drivers will be able to scan a barcode to automatically pull an unassigned stop from the list onto their route.

Previously, all operational team members had access to change global account settings.

With the introduction of a new Depot Manager team role, restrictions have now been placed on the level of settings access each role type has.

Depot Managers can only manage settings related to their assigned depot. This prevents team members in various locations from changing settings that have an account-wide impact.

When tracking updates are sent, recipients can add delivery instructions for their driver. When used correctly, this is a beneficial feature, and the recipient can provide useful delivery instructions.

However, some recipients submit unrealistic and demanding delivery requests, which can delay and disrupt drivers. Our latest update lets you turn off the ability for recipients to add delivery instructions.

How to turn recipient delivery notes on/off⁠

• Go to Settings > External parties > Customer notifications
• Toggle the setting for Enable recipient delivery notes to on/off

When customers are provided with detailed tracking information, they can accurately anticipate when and how their delivery will arrive, which leads to higher delivery success rates and happy customers.

Our latest update allows you to select the level of tracking information shared with customers. These preferences can be set for individual stops or complete routes.

Choose what level of tracking detail to share in your customer notifications:⁠

• Provide customers with a delivery ETA
• Provide customers with a delivery ETA and their position in the delivery queue
• Provide customers with a delivery ETA, their position in the queue and show them live driver tracking when they are the next stop on the driver’s route

Previously drivers had to select and set a map view type, which they could only change in the driver app settings.

Now, drivers can tap a button in the driver app on the map to switch between a detailed satellite map view and a simplified route view, making it easier than ever to see more or less detail when needed.

Changing to a satellite map view when approaching a stop provides additional visual context, and drivers can instantly switch back to a simplified view when navigating longer distances between stops where photographic imagery is not required.

Some stops require delivery to a pickup point, such as a parcel locker or retail partner who takes in deliveries. Previously, drivers could not specify this type of stop when collecting proof of delivery.

Now, proof of delivery can be collected for pickup points and automatically shared with dispatchers and recipients.

How to collect proof of delivery for pickup points⁠

• Tap a stop to mark it as delivered
• Select > Delivered to pickup point
• Add and submit proof of delivery
• Proof of delivery is instantly visible to dispatchers and recipients

Previously, dispatchers could only copy stops from one route to another. A copied stop could be added to an alternative route and would also remain on the original route unless manually deleted.

Dispatchers can now move stops between routes. When a stop is moved from one route to another, it is automatically deleted from its original route.

Depending on their needs, Dispatchers may want to keep a copy of stops on their original route and they can do this by toggling the relevant settings on or off.

How to move stops⁠

• When creating/managing a route click > Move stops
• Turn the setting on/off if you want to keep stops assigned to the same drivers
• Turn the setting on/off if you want to keep a copy of the stops in the original route
• Select the route you want to move stops from
• Select an existing route or create a new route to move stops to
• Click > Move Stops
• Selected stops have now been moved to the chosen route

On busy routes with many similar deliveries, it can be tricky for drivers to remember when certain stops have special conditions attached to them.

Now, drivers can choose to color-code specific stops with special requirements to help highlight them better on their route.

Within the driver app there are four different colors to choose from, and when a stop is color-coded, the pin on the map and progress bar change color.

This feature is currently only available within the driver app.

How to color code a stop in the driver app⁠

• Tap on a stop to edit it
• Tap the default blue color icon in the top left
• Select a different color from the list for that stop
• Your color coded stop will now show as the chosen color on the map, and the progress bar will update to this color as you approach the stop