What is a Proof of Delivery (POD)?

Proof of delivery (POD) is the evidence that goods ordered by a customer were delivered to the agreed address at the agreed time. Traditionally captured as a paper signature on a delivery note, POD is increasingly collected electronically through mobile devices carried by drivers, producing a timestamped, GPS-located record of delivery. For UK distribution businesses, a clear POD process reduces disputed invoices, supports customer service queries and provides legal evidence in non-delivery claims. Electronic POD (ePOD) data can be integrated with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement to give the back office and customer service teams immediate access to delivery confirmation.

How POD integrates with Business Central

In a connected logistics operation, the driver's mobile ePOD application captures a signature, delivery photo and timestamp at the point of delivery. This data is transmitted back to the delivery management system and, via an API or Power Automate connector, into Business Central. The posted sales shipment in Business Central is updated with the POD reference, and the customer service team can retrieve delivery confirmation directly from the customer record in Dynamics 365 Sales or Customer Engagement without contacting the transport team.

Proof of delivery in practice

A UK food distributor captures electronic POD on all deliveries using mobile devices. When a customer claims non-delivery, the customer service team retrieves the timestamped signature and GPS location from Business Central within 30 seconds, resolving most disputes on the first call.
A logistics operator uses ePOD data integrated with Business Central to trigger automatic invoicing on delivery confirmation, reducing the gap between despatch and invoice by two days on average.
A transport manager uses POD timestamps to measure driver punctuality against scheduled delivery windows, identifying routes where vehicles consistently arrive late.
A finance team uses POD records in Business Central to support invoice disputes with customers, providing auditable delivery confirmation that reduces credit note requests.

How Advantage connects POD systems to Business Central

Advantage integrates ePOD and route management systems with Business Central using APIs and Power Automate connectors, mapping delivery confirmation data to posted shipments and customer records. We also help businesses configure automated invoicing triggers on POD receipt, reducing the manual step between delivery and billing.

See how we support logistics and distribution businesses →

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about proof of delivery and its integration with Business Central.

What is the difference between a POD and a delivery note?

A delivery note is sent with the goods describing what has been despatched. A proof of delivery is the signed confirmation from the recipient that those goods arrived. The delivery note originates with the sender; the POD is the recipient's acknowledgement. In electronic systems, both can be generated and stored digitally.

Is an electronic signature on a POD legally valid in the UK?

Yes. Under the Electronic Communications Act 2000 and EU eIDAS regulations (retained in UK law post-Brexit), an electronic signature captured at delivery constitutes a valid legal record of receipt. Most ePOD systems capture a signature, timestamp and GPS location, which provides stronger evidence than a paper signature in most dispute scenarios.

How does a POD dispute work if a customer claims non-delivery?

When a customer disputes delivery, the carrier or distributor retrieves the POD record from the delivery management system or from Business Central if POD data has been integrated. An electronic POD includes the recipient's signature, time, date and GPS coordinates. If the POD shows delivery to the correct address and the customer's name, the burden of proof shifts to the customer to explain the discrepancy.