{"id":59776,"date":"2026-09-02T09:49:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-02T07:49:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.prologistik.com\/?post_type=aiglossary&p=59776"},"modified":"2026-08-04T14:58:28","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T12:58:28","slug":"best-software-for-digital-delivery-notes-and-empties-returns-in-beverage-logistics","status":"publish","type":"aiglossary","link":"https:\/\/www.prologistik.com\/en\/ai-deep-dive\/best-software-for-digital-delivery-notes-and-empties-returns-in-beverage-logistics\/","title":{"rendered":"Best software for digital delivery notes and empties returns in beverage logistics"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There is no single \u201cbest\u201d software \u2013 what matters is where the paper break occurs. Handover at the customer site requires a\u00a0mobile delivery solution<\/strong>\u00a0(driver app with scanning, on-screen signature capture and receipt printing); accurate full goods, empties and deposit balances require a\u00a0Warehouse Management System<\/a> with dedicated empties logic<\/strong>; routes and time slots require a\u00a0TMS<\/strong>; and audit-proof filing requires a\u00a0DMS<\/strong>. The best solution is therefore the one in which these building blocks run on\u00a0one shared data base<\/strong>: only then do stock levels add up after the route, without staff re-entering paper documents back at the office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which system type covers which process step?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
System type<\/th>Role in beverage logistics<\/th>Typical functions<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Mobile delivery solution \/ driver app<\/strong><\/td>Handover and returns at the customer site<\/td>Digital delivery note, container scanning, empties returns, on-screen signature, mobile receipt printing, photo documentation, offline operation<\/td><\/tr>
WMS (warehouse management)<\/strong><\/td>Stock, picking, empties processing<\/td>Empties handling and route staging, dynamic bulk storage, single-bottle picking, batches \/ best-before dates \/ vintages, separation of goods value and deposit value<\/td><\/tr>
TMS \/ route planning<\/strong><\/td>Dispatch and transport control<\/td>Route-specific picking, time slots, dock scheduling, telematics, digital consignment note, real-time status feedback<\/td><\/tr>
ERP \/ merchandise management<\/strong><\/td>Orders, pricing, invoicing<\/td>Deposit accounts per customer, empties credit notes, conditions management, e-invoicing<\/td><\/tr>
DMS (document management)<\/strong><\/td>Archiving and proof of delivery<\/td>Audit-proof storage, indexing, document-to-order linking, OCR for paper documents<\/td><\/tr>
Customer portal<\/strong><\/td>Self-service for hospitality and retail customers<\/td>Document retrieval, empties notifications, time-slot booking, onboarding of external drivers and carriers<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Eight selection criteria specific to the beverage industry<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Criterion<\/th>Question to put to the vendor<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
1. Empties and deposit logic<\/strong><\/td>Are crates, single bottles, barrels, kegs, sorted and mixed empties as well as third-party empties tracked separately? Is the deposit value automatically separated from the goods value?<\/td><\/tr>
2. Offline capability<\/strong><\/td>Does capture work in a beverage store\u2019s back room, a restaurant cellar or a dead spot \u2013 and does it then synchronise without gaps?<\/td><\/tr>
3. Evidential value of the handover<\/strong><\/td>Signature on the device, time stamp, geolocation and photo in case of discrepancies? Under German practice a digital signature carries the same weight as a handwritten one.<\/td><\/tr>
4. Zero re-entry at the office<\/strong><\/td>Do overages, shortages, returns and collected empties feed straight into stock, the deposit account and invoicing?<\/td><\/tr>
5. Cash register compliance<\/strong><\/td>For van sales and cash collection: certified security module (TSE) under the German KassenSichV, receipt issuance under sec. 146a of the Fiscal Code, DSFinV-K export?<\/td><\/tr>
6. Audit-proof archiving<\/strong><\/td>Are documents stored unalterably, in their original format, completely and retrievably \u2013 for the full retention period (GoBD)?<\/td><\/tr>
7. Interfaces<\/strong><\/td>Standard connection to your ERP, EDI despatch advice (DESADV), GS1-128 labels and e-invoicing formats such as ZUGFeRD or XRechnung?<\/td><\/tr>
8. Hardware fitness for purpose<\/strong><\/td>Rugged devices for wet, cold and glove operation, mobile receipt printer, battery life across a full route, forklift terminals in bulk storage?<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n