The Rise of Contactless Delivery Solutions During the Pandemic

17/07/2026
14:14

reading time : 2 min

Lucie Monnot

Content Marketing Manager

The delivery of goods remains possible during lockdown, but in order to combat the spread of Covid-19, companies are revising their practices. The aim is both to protect employees and customers, in compliance with the rules imposed by the government. Contactless delivery solutions have thus become indispensable.

New constraints for players in the delivery sector

Limiting contact between delivery drivers and buyers in order to minimize the risk of disease transmission is an imperative for businesses that deliver to homes. “Health precautions to be observed in the context of parcel delivery” were defined by the public authorities. They recommend prioritizing delivery to the letterbox and, when this is not possible, they stipulate:

the obligation to maintain a distance of one meter;
the prohibition on exchanging the parcel hand-to-hand;
the prohibition on manually signing a document.

These constraints have led to a disruption of processes and the widespread adoption of contactless delivery.

Solutions to limit contact between customers and delivery drivers

Most delivery companies now offer their customers collection of their parcels in exchange for the validation of a QR code. Once the code is scanned, the terminal used sends a notification to the system — and simultaneously to the sender — confirming that the parcel has indeed been delivered.

Some carriers use a photo of the parcel deposited at the customer’s location, at the exact spot specified by the customer, to confirm delivery. Others ask the customer to sign the parcel label, which is then photographed by the delivery driver. As an alternative to signing — for example for high-value items — some delivery companies require the presentation of a photo ID. Finally, consumers can fill in and sign a printed parcel drop-off authorization form to leave for the delivery driver.

That said, these measures, put in place within a relatively short timeframe, do not always prevent disputes, as they do not always constitute irrefutable proof of delivery.

Experimentation with autonomous delivery methods

In China in particular, the involvement of delivery drivers was reduced to a strict minimum. The drones of JD.com, one of China’s leading online commerce players, made it possible to transport medical equipment and essential goods safely while drastically reducing delivery times.

In Beijing, patients in several hospitals were served by autonomous robots in their rooms. Similarly, thanks to the absence of traffic during lockdown, intelligent vehicles from this Chinese giant were able to transport food products to Wuhan, being remotely operated from Beijing — a distance of 1,200 km away.

Another innovation developed by this e-commerce player: drop-off lockers were installed in closed residential complexes. Thanks to a mobile application, the deposit of a parcel triggers the sending of a barcode to its recipient, who can collect it at their convenience. The tool also allows parcels to be collected by a third party on behalf of residents who are unable to move around themselves.

Elsewhere, automated parcel lockers have been deployed. Singapore announced the creation of a network of one thousand automated collection points available to all e-commerce players and logistics providers. Not only does the system eliminate human interactions, but it also considerably increases the throughput rate of delivery drivers — making it a strategically valuable delivery solution in the event of a sudden spike in activity.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ – The Most Frequently Asked Questions About Nomadia

Why Choose Nomadia?

As France’s leading publisher of Smart Mobility SaaS solutions, Nomadia supports more than 175,000 field professionals every day. Our solutions are easy to use, quick to deploy, and deliver significant and immediate return on investment.

Drawing on the expertise of both a software publisher-integrator and a consulting firm, Nomadia’s teams provide tailored support, from data consulting to the deployment of mobile devices. Finally, our technical support team is available 24/7 to assist you.

Who Are Nomadia Solutions Designed For?

Nomadia solutions support the digital transformation of all mobile professionals: field sales representatives, delivery drivers, technicians, auditors, healthcare workers, inspectors, service providers, security patrol officers, experts, and more.

Whether for SMEs or large enterprises, our solutions adapt to businesses of all sizes and across all industries.

How Much Does It Cost?

Nomadia Delivery offers transparent and flexible pricing, which primarily depends on the number of users (for example, planners and dispatchers) rather than a fixed cost per parcel.

Thanks to this model, you can control your delivery costs based on the number of resources (users) involved in route management, providing great flexibility to adjust your subscription according to the size of your fleet and your operational needs.

Is It Compatible with My Current ERP System?

Yes! Nomadia Delivery has been designed to integrate quickly and easily into your existing environment thanks to our powerful and secure APIs. Our solution is compatible with most ERP systems on the market. API integration enables the automatic synchronization of your transport orders, customer orders, and customer information, ensuring smooth and error-free delivery tracking. The solution also offers user-friendly import capabilities with data validation controls, as well as export options in multiple customizable formats.

Is It Suitable for Our Delivery Volume?

Yes, Nomadia Delivery is ideal for companies that manage a high volume of deliveries and want to optimize their routes, create balanced territories for their drivers, and ensure precise tracking of every parcel. Nomadia Delivery adapts to fleets of all sizes!

Can Multiple Warehouses or Depots Be Managed?

Yes, our solution allows you to manage multiple warehouses or depots. It centralizes data and optimizes routes or service operations for each of them.

Is There a Limit to the Number of Stops in Route Optimizations?

No, there is no strict limit to the number of stops in route optimizations. Our solution can handle large volumes of stops and quickly calculate optimized routes.

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