Technology is used throughout many industries in the modern-day, and most companies are utilizing technology to optimize their delivery process. This article will look at eight ways to stay competitive in the marketplace by improving your delivery optimization process. Delivery Optimization Your company may be able to improve the delivery process by looking for gaps in the current system. It’s essential to have processes in place that deal with orders quickly and efficiently, from the moment a customer places an order until the package arrives on the customer’s doorstep.
- Get deliveries ready The first step in the delivery process begins in the warehouse, where employees will pick and pack orders. Ensure that everything is packaged safely and securely so that it doesn’t get damaged in transit. Also, make sure that the customer’s address is printed clearly on the package using dymo 4×6 labels.
- Input Orders into the Delivery Company’s System Ensure that you have the correct technology in place to input orders and information into the parcel delivery company’s centralized system. All delivery companies will work in slightly different ways. You may need to use an API or upload a CSV and should ensure that everything you’re sending is clearly marked. This will allow your deliveries to be assigned to drivers rather than being outsourced to a third party.
- Create Efficient Task Dispatch and Routes When orders are uploaded to the delivery system, it’s important that drivers use the most direct route. Large companies can automate their delivery process using goods dispatch software. This will allow you to be able to quickly and easily expand your operations as your business expands, and you receive more orders. It’s a good idea to input deliveries and assign them to drivers at the beginning of the working day. Create a system using technology that will allow drivers to view their shifts and routes before they start work.
- Sort Parcels Parcels must be sorted before delivery can begin. You’ll need to either employ a third-party logistics service or get your employees to sort packages into locations. Local packages can be separated and delivered by a local driver. Having an effective sorting process will stop parcels from going astray. You may like to add special bar codes to your packages so that employees who are sorting can scan the packages to identify local deliveries. The packages can then be put onto the correct truck or local delivery van.
- Scan packages before Loading Check that you have no blind spots in your supply chain. Many companies fail in the last mile, and this slows their deliveries down. Create a system that ensures you have full supply chain visibility. Scan all items before they go on the track and get drivers to scan items when passing to other drivers or third-party companies. This will allow you to track exactly where each of your parcels is on their routes.
- Customer Visibility Customers like to be able to see where their parcel is before its delivered. It’s a good idea to give the customer an estimate of when their package will arrive. Create a tracking system that allows for both customer and internal visibility so that everyone can check where the parcel is in the supply chain. It’s a good idea to include a real-time map that can be viewed via a mobile app to tell the customer where the delivery driver is on their route and when their parcel will arrive.
- Customer Engagement Create a model that allows customers to engage with the delivery driver. Many customers want to give delivery drivers instructions about where to leave the parcel. Allowing them to do so will increase their loyalty to your company.
- Proof of Delivery Process If your company is delivering hundreds of items daily, it’s essential that you keep accurate records of when and where deliveries were made. The records need to be verifiable and easy to check and look back on. This may include asking drivers to collect signatures or scan a bar code when they deliver the item. Having a smart sign option is a good idea, such as the eOriginal Smart sign service. This information should all be logged into a central system. It’s essential to have a delivery process in case a customer claims that their item wasn’t delivered.