Transport and logistics operators are taking full advantage of technology trends involving their drivers.According to Renko Bergh, Forte Group COO, Covid-19 has fast-tracked driver mobile technology.The company recently launched a new driver mobility application called FLOW mobility, a custom driver form application, completely self-maintainable by clients. “With the ability to drag and drop questions and actions to create a driver interface via a driver device for forms like electronic proof of delivery, driver daily inspection, Covid screening, as well as driver handover and leave and incident forms to name a few, we are very excited about this latest development.”Bergh told Freight News that mobility solutions were taking the transportation industry by storm.“They can increase the efficiency of a f leet and help tap into analytics many did not even know were possible.”One of the biggest benefits, with the most impact for transport operators, was the acceptance by cargo owners (consignors and consignees) of electronic proof of delivery for payment processing. “The industry norm before Covid-19 disrupted operations required transport operators to first collect an original proof of delivery document from drivers who executed the trip and then send the actual documentation to the relevant consignor and consignee for payment process,” explained Bergh. “This was a very time-consuming process with multiple delays. During the lockdown this process was, however, halted and digital copies of documentation were more broadly accepted for the payment process.”According to Bergh, this has set the base for the long-awaited broadscale adaptation and acceptance of the transporter electronic proof of delivery.“Use of this digital delivery note does still vary amongst operators, with some taking pictures of the written proof of delivery and customer-supporting documents while others are replacing the actual pre-printed delivery note with a purely electronic proof of delivery application, matching the layout and design of the pre-printed documents. Regardless of the slight variation of adaptation, the result is the digital processing of required documentation of the transport process from when goods are delivered to when payment is set in action,” said Bergh. “Transport operators can now experience fewer delays with processing of documentation and increase the kick-start of payment terms.”He said the benefit of this transition was clearly understood at Forte Transport Solutions. “We know that there is no silver bullet in terms of this transition to electronic submissions – consignees and consignors still have different requirements on how these digital documents should be submitted, in which format and what regulations should be in place. We are however confident that FLOW Mobility in its design is f lexible enough to tailor to customer needs.”More importantly, he said, the application was made to be self-maintainable by their clients. “There is no need to wait for a development team to create new driver form requirements or layout.”Accessability to the driver application was instant on all devices, said Bergh.Renko Bergh