Does it understand empties and deposits?
This is the test that rules out most generic tools. Water software must track empties and deposits per customer; if it can't, you'll be running a second spreadsheet within a month.
Routes, riders, and proof of delivery
Look for zone-based routing, a rider app for capturing deliveries, and proof of delivery at each stop. These turn a list of customers into a daily operation.
Ledgers and cash reconciliation
Every delivery should update the customer's balance, and cash collected should reconcile per rider. Without this, your books drift away from reality.
How fast can you start?
A long implementation kills momentum for a small business. Favor software you can configure and route deliveries on within a day.
FAQ
- What is the most important feature in water delivery software?
- Per-customer empties and deposit tracking. It's the one thing generic delivery tools usually lack, and it's central to a bottled-water business.