A mobile app for logistics companies: tracking and requests in the client's phone.
A corporate client wants to see where their cargo is without calling the manager. The app gives real-time tracking, shipment history, documents and a new request in two taps — and ties the client to your company more firmly than any price list.
The main value of a mobile app in logistics is not a new sales channel but a tool for retaining corporate clients. A buyer who sees the status of their cargo in their phone, gets documents without calls and creates new requests in a minute won't look for another carrier to save a few percent on the rate.
The second task is reducing operational load. In our experience and according to market data, up to 40% of inquiries to a logistics company are “where is the cargo” and “send the documents”. An app with tracking and documents takes this load off managers and dispatchers without hiring more staff.
An app makes sense for companies with regular corporate clients and their own or a partner TMS. If the client base is small or shipments are irregular, a client portal on the website and a WhatsApp bot are enough. We'll tell you honestly what works better in your case.
What a logistics company app must include.
Shipment statuses on a map or as a timeline: accepted, at customs, in transit, delivered. Data comes from the TMS or 1C and updates automatically.
A form with cargo parameters: route, weight, type, date. The request goes to the CRM and to the manager with a push notification; the client sees its processing status.
All of the company's shipments with filters by route, date and status; search by request or waybill number.
CMR, invoice, completion acts, bills — download or forward right from the app without calling the office.
Push notifications about cargo status changes, documents being ready, delays and new offers from the manager.
Kaspi Pay for small businesses and sole proprietors, invoices, reconciliation statements by period — for corporate clients on deferred payment.
Messaging with a dedicated manager inside the app, with photos of the cargo or documents attached.
Managing requests, statuses and documents for managers; reports by client, route and revenue for the head of the company.
App screens.
- Sign-in with phone number and OTP
- Home: active shipments, notifications, quick request
- Tracking: map or statuses by request number
- My shipments: history and filters
- New request: route, cargo, date
- Documents: download and forward
- Payments and reconciliation statements
- Chat with the manager
- Company profile and details
Honestly: who won't get a return on an app.
If you don't have regular corporate clients who ship often, nobody will install the app: a one-time shipper won't download an app for one delivery a year. In that case, tracking and documents are covered by a client portal on the website at 5–7 times lower cost.
An app pays off with a base of 50–100 active corporate clients shipping once a month or more often, when managers spend a significant part of their time answering questions about statuses and documents. If you are somewhere in between, we'll suggest a PWA: client portal functionality in the browser without publishing to the stores, from ₸1,200,000.
How we build it and how long it takes.
Brief and screen prototype — 1–2 weeks: we agree on the logic of tracking, requests and documents for your processes. Design — 2 weeks. Backend, iOS and Android development, TMS or 1C integration — 6–10 weeks. Publishing to the App Store and Google Play with review support — 1–2 weeks. In total, 10–14 weeks or more to the first version; the key factor at this stage is whether your TMS or 1C has an API for real-time tracking.
What affects the app price.
An iOS and Android app for a logistics company's clients with tracking, requests, documents and Kaspi Pay starts from ₸2,500,000 and 8 weeks. A PWA version without the stores starts from ₸1,200,000. Support and further development are covered by a separate contract.
The price goes up with TMS integration without a ready API, real-time map tracking, complex pricing logic in the request, several roles (client, manager, dispatcher) and ESF integration. Base prices are on the mobile apps page.
The short version.
How much does an app for a logistics company cost?
A native iOS and Android app starts from ₸2,500,000, a PWA without the stores from ₸1,200,000. Timeline — from 8 weeks. We give an exact estimate after the screen prototype and an assessment of integrations.
Can tracking be integrated with our TMS?
Yes, if the TMS has an API for passing statuses. Then the client sees the current cargo position automatically. If there is no API, managers update statuses by hand through the app's admin panel.
Will clients install the app?
Corporate clients with regular shipments who value tracking and quick access to documents do install it. We encourage installation at the first shipment and with a sign-up bonus — for example, a discount on the next request.
Can we accept payments in the app?
Yes, Kaspi Pay for sole proprietors and small businesses; corporate clients on deferred payment get invoices and reconciliation statements in the app and pay by bank transfer.
Who publishes to the App Store and Google Play?
We do, on your behalf: we set up developer accounts (Apple — $99 a year, Google — $25 one-time), pass review and release updates.
Same service for other industries
Have regular corporate clients? Tell us about your base and TMS — we'll tell you whether an app will pay off.
Tell us the number of active clients, how often they ship and which TMS or 1C you use. We'll reply with an assessment and a screen prototype within 2–3 business days.