Package receiving software: Everything you need to know in 2026

What is package receiving software?

Package receiving software is a digital tool that captures and records data about incoming packages. When a parcel arrives at a warehouse, apartment complex, retail store or multi-tenant office, a mailroom worker confirms the delivery by scanning its label. The package tracker software then notifies the recipient via SMS or email and logs the event for record-keeping purposes.

What tasks can package receiving software perform?

• Inbound package tracking: Package receiving software provides detailed updates about the status and location of parcels through every step of the fulfillment process.
• QR/​barcode scanning: Package scanning features enable mailroom workers to scan inbound packages using a smartphone or handheld scanner to confirm delivery.
• Real-time notifications: Once scanned, the package’s status will be updated in the parcel tracking software and an SMS or email notification will be sent to the recipient.
• Automated record-keeping: Inbound package tracking software keeps detailed logs of all registered parcels that administrators can review in real-time or at a later date.
• Multi-site inventory tracking: Package receiving software can track parcels across multiple locations and create detailed reports to support multi-site inventory tracking.

Five reasons why parcel tracking software is important

As many as 1.7 million packages are lost or stolen in the U.S. each year, costing businesses an estimated $8 billion. Package tracking software helps business owners, office managers and apartment mailroom workers keep track of packages, quickly identify delivery issues and ensure important packages reach their intended recipient with minimal complications.

1. Reduced risk of lost or stolen mail

Internal package tracking systems provide real-time updates at each stage of the fulfillment process, enabling administrators to quickly address discrepancies. By maintaining a digital chain of custody, operators can pinpoint where packages should be and where issues occurred, supporting swift investigations and ensuring accountability from all involved parties.

2. Optimized inventory management 

Package tracking system software can create detailed digital records of all registered parcels across multiple locations. Businesses that store goods in external warehouses and storage facilities can access their package tracking software at any time to gain insight into inventory levels, average parcel delivery times and related metrics to inform necessary improvements.

3. Fewer customer inquiries and complaints

Business owners and property managers who use inbound parcel monitoring software can provide customers with real-time updates about packages in transit. By enabling recipients to check the status of their parcels and receive SMS or email alerts on delivery, operators can reduce the volume of inquiries sent to customer support teams and mailroom workers.

4. Enhanced decision-making capabilities

Real-time data provided by package tracking software systems can help business owners navigate delays and supply chain issues. Live alerts warning of issues at specific points in the supply chain can help leaders inform customers and take corrective action with prompt efficiency, reducing delay-related costs while maintaining business continuity.

5. Improved operational efficiency

By enabling mailroom staff and authorized employees to check package statuses and view data insights remotely at any time, internal parcel tracking software can help business and property owners streamline fulfillment operations. Resources previously allocated to manual parcel tracking can be diverted to more complex tasks, improving operational efficiency.

Who benefits from package tracking software?

Accessible, well-implemented package tracking software benefits all parties involved in the fulfillment process by providing visibility into the sorting, delivering and receiving of mail.

Specific parties who benefit from good parcel tracking software include:

• Managers: Package tracking software streamlines mailroom operations by automatically notifying staff of deliveries, enabling managers to use resources more efficiently.
• Employees: Real-time parcel tracking software alerts enable staff to remain focused on more important aspects of work without regularly looking for parcels.
• Suppliers: Operators can access package tracking software to check if deliveries are on time and accounted for, as well as use logs to investigate reports of lost packages.
• Landlords: Owners of multi-tenant properties can provide tenants a secure way to check for and collect mail, allowing property managers to focus on more complex tasks.
• Tenants: Inbound delivery tracking platforms that can be accessed online remove the need for tenants to physically check for parcels and can help to reduce mail theft.

Key features of the best package receiving software

Alongside expected attributes like parcel tracking, scanning and record-keeping features, the best package receiving software will support custom workflows and enable administrators to integrate package scanning systems into wider existing business management technologies.

When reviewing the pros and cons of internal package tracking software, business leaders and operations managers should consider options with the following capabilities. 

Automatic notifications

Effective package receiving software will automatically notify registered recipients as soon as their parcel has been delivered. Look for automated package receiving software that sends instant text or email alerts to recipients in response to parcels being scanned.

Customizable settings

The best package tracking software will support custom workflows for different types of mail receiving tasks. Prioritize solutions that enable operators to create custom permissions and handling rules based on the package type received and the intended recipient’s role.

Cloud-based management

Opting to use a cloud-based inbound parcel monitoring platform empowers operators to view fulfillment data, analyze insights and receive live alerts remotely. It also limits maintenance requirements by removing the need for costly on-premise servers.

Additional verification

To help reduce parcel theft and improve record-keeping capabilities, look for package tracker software that supports photo verification for received packages, as well as additional ID and biometric verification features for valuable packages sent to high-security business locations.

Integration capabilities

By integrating package receiving software into wider security technologies, practical automations can be developed. For example, couriers can be granted temporary access to the property on arrival and footage of deliveries can be logged for security and record-keeping purposes.

What industries benefit from package tracker software?

Various industries utilize package tracker software to improve efficiency, streamline inventory management and help reduce parcel theft. Below are some examples of modern industries that benefit from intelligent package receiving software.

Multi-tenant housing

Parcel tracking software helps to streamline the package receiving process for residents and reception staff in multi-tenant housing. Desk staff can scan mail upon arrival and residents can be notified remotely to help limit mailroom clutter and ensure parcels reach the right tenants.

Commercial real estate

Internal parcel tracking software enables office managers to keep on top of regular deliveries without needing to frequently visit on-site mailrooms. Managers can be notified when parcels arrive and instructed to check cameras for confirmation from anywhere on or off the property. 

E‑commerce and retail

Business owners can utilize package receiving software to manage inventory across multiple sites and gain insight into orders at every step of the fulfillment process. Live data is sent to customers to help reduce the workloads shouldered by customer service personnel.

Construction

Shipping and receiving software helps construction managers ensure valuable equipment and materials are accounted for across different projects and sites, with data insights enabling leaders to navigate supply chain issues and adjust operations to minimize unwanted downtime.

Healthcare

Inbound package receiving software can be used to prevent unauthorized access to valuable and highly regulated medical resources. Automated logs help meet record-keeping requirements and biometric verification features help restrict access to regulated items.

Why Avigilon Alta Mailroom is the right choice

Avigilon Alta Mailroom is an agile and intuitive package management solution for tracking inbound parcels and improving handling efficiency. From an easy-to-use web dashboard and app, gain insight into mail operations and help ensure every delivery reaches the right person swiftly and securely.

1. Scan and register parcels in seconds

Use any smartphone to scan and register parcels upon arrival, with advanced optical character recognition (OCR) technology enabling operators to process multiple labels at once. Alta Mailroom provides staff of all skill levels the ability to manage, record and secure deliveries swiftly, streamlining mailroom operations.

2. Send automated pickup reminders

Ensure registered recipients are informed of deliveries as soon as they arrive to help reduce mailroom clutter and combat theft. Recipients are notified when their package is scanned and automatically warned of lingering parcels to help prevent mail from piling up.

3. Investigate deliveries from anywhere

Filter records by parcel status to quickly find information about deliveries at any time. From an easy-to-use web dashboard, search by time, date, courier, recipient, and more to check that parcels are accounted for and to support fast investigations into potential delivery issues.

4. Integrate with wider security systems

Unlike other parcel receiving software, Alta Mailroom supports native integration with wider business security systems to provide greater insight into deliveries. Grant temporary access to couriers and view real-time deliveries remotely from a centralized management platform.

Optimize package management with parcel tracking software

Package receiving software provides business owners and property managers with the tools they need to ensure important packages reach the right people swiftly and securely. With the right system in place, administrators can run efficient and cost-effective mailroom operations.

When choosing a parcel tracking software to implement, look for a system that is easy to use with package scanning, automatic record-keeping and real-time notification capabilities that can be integrated into wider security and business tools to drive practical safety and efficiency improvements.