COURIER COMPANIES HAVE IT ROUGHEST DURING THE HOLIDAYS
Although the holidays are supposed to be about resting, this couldn’t be farther from the truth for some businesses. In the field of delivery and shipping services, companies face almost-universal changes that threaten to topple their profit margins.
Which ones face the most significant trials, and how do they live up to the challenges? Let’s take a look at why so many have come to rely on delivery software.
THE MAGNITUDE OF HOLIDAY CHANGE
It’s no secret that the shipping industry contends with some of the worst seasonal hardships. From increased parcel volumes due to end-of-year consumer shopping binges, to heightened orders from businesses that want to use up their remaining budgets before tax season, couriers, delivery services, and carriers have it tough.
THE TRIALS OF HR IN FLUX
It’d be bad enough if these were the only problems companies had to face, but they’re just the beginning. For instance, in 2018, UPS announced that it would hire 100,000 seasonal workers to deal with the rush. On top of already needing serious help, the firm took on a logistics nightmare. For the vast majority of enterprises, however, this isn’t a viable option, so their courier tracking software has to step up to the plate.
THE WOES OF PRICE-WRANGLING
Even firms that don’t bring on lots of extra help might still need to adjust their operating practices. Thanks to the fact that Amazon, Target, and other big retailers try to win holiday customers with free shipping offers, some carriers may feel increased pressure to provide their business clientele with competitive pricing. In other words, there’s no time like the present to start reviewing fulfillment lifecycle processes with a fine-toothed comb in a hunt for savings.
THE CURSE OF SEASONAL TRANSPORTATION
The picture starts to look even grimmer when we consider what it really means to fulfill orders during the holidays. In addition to having to handle outrageous parcel volumes, courier companies need to fight off the ravages of inclement weather and stop-and-go traffic. Neither of these factors is particularly good news for fleet vehicles. Enterprises that head into the rush as if they’ll be able to do business as normal usually end up learning harsh lessons.
HOW DO COURIERS STAY AFLOAT?
Considering everything it’s up against, it’d be no surprise if the shipping industry collapsed spectacularly during the holidays. Year after year, however, firms large and small somehow manage to survive.
The secret may lie in using comprehensive dispatch software to keep vital business processes chugging along. For instance, a firm might use a courier management system to adapt to shifting traffic patterns or better maintain its vehicles so that they don’t need emergency life support in the middle of snow storms. By using delivery software to get a baseline before the rush, these enterprises have a much easier time staying agile when the main event happens.
How does your company plan on making it through the holiday season? Learn more about ringing in the new year the smart way by checking out Key Software Systems.
