WHAT IS THE NEXT BIG TREND IN LOGISTICS?
The logistics industry has been witnessing a constantly growing demand over the years. It has given rise to technological advancements and automation to keep up with the demand. However, one of the main areas of interest for the logistics companies in this industry has been last-mile delivery optimization. A recent report indicates that this last stage of the delivery process accounts for almost 53% of the total delivery costs. So, the technologies and process innovations related to the last-mile delivery stage demand special attention in the coming years.
One such interesting development in this field has been the growing use of critical algorithms and analytics based on the data gathered from the last-mile delivery platforms. Most logistics companies are relying on data analytics to improve their services and address the rising customer expectations.
HOW DATA ANALYTICS IS TRANSFORMING LAST-MILE DELIVERY
Automation
If you are in the logistics business, you can no longer rely on waybills and hand-written receipts or notes without barcodes. It is not only time-consuming but also runs the risk of human errors. And, if you are using last-mile delivery software for dispatching orders and effectively tracking them, then you need to make use of the huge volumes of collected data to maximize benefits.
You can trust analytics to quickly come up with the best solutions to optimize the delivery process. For instance, you can use the delivery management platform to auto-select the best fleet option and route for each shipment while ensuring efficient load-planning and enabling real-time tracking of shipment.
Route Optimization
Being in the logistics industry, you need to always stay updated on the traffic and weather conditions to ensure timely deliveries. This is where data analytics can help. With access to real-time data, you can utilize your delivery software to quickly adapt to changes in delivery requirements and traffic information. If any upcoming traffic jams or bad weather is anticipated based on the data, you can take the benefit of dynamic routing to come up with an alternative and more efficient route.
Warehouse Management
Data analytics can help with the inventory management at the warehouses as well so that you can minimize the time required to make same-day and instant deliveries. With abundant real-time data at hand, your delivery managers get access to accurate information regarding product availability and expected delivery time to your customers. You can also keep your customers apprised of their order status at all times and alert them of any potential delays. They can easily access all information related to their order including when their order has been shipped, the expected delivery date and time, and whether a customer signature is required. It will ensure better expectation management and trust among your customers.
Rating System
Another benefit of data analytics is that you can encourage customers to provide feedback regarding their overall experience with the delivery process. This rating system allows new customers to trust your delivery company and maintain the loyalty of existing customers. If any customer faces any issues such as lateness or damaged/missing items, you can use this data to identify the weaknesses in your delivery chain and improve your services.
The last-mile delivery industry is constantly going through changes in recent years. Automation and delivery optimization are becoming crucial for the success of every business in this industry. Data analytics is one promising tool that can allow you to boost your logistics business and enhance customer satisfaction.
