6 Requisites of Last-mile Delivery Software Solution
The present-day goal of all supply chains dealing with last-mile deliveries is “to ensure higher efficiency at lower costs” and this can barely be achieved by manual process management. Hence, the need for an efficient last-mile delivery software solution. Delivery software solutions not only automate the processes but also streamline the complete operation, bringing in full visibility & control over the movement of shipments. After analyzing the complexity and challenges of last-mile logistics and evaluating the software available, we have come up with a list of 6 requisites of last-mile delivery software solutions.
Route planning for last-mile deliveries
Efficient route planning and sequencing can improve a company’s delivery performance. Last-mile logistics usually deal with multiple deliveries on a daily basis. Thus, a proper route plan can help in achieving timely deliveries. This plan is usually finalized depending on the order density, delivery locations, traffic situation, and similar practical constraints of last-mile deliveries. Route planning using traditional tools results in trucks/riders traveling 10-30% more distance. Thus, an efficient route planning software solution is definitely the uncompromised parameter when selecting a last-mile delivery software solution.
Common Platform for all stakeholders
Whether you choose a web or an App-based solution, the last-mile delivery software solution should ensure a seamless flow of information between all stakeholders. In this segment of logistics, these include shippers, drivers, customers, and 3PL companies. Ease of communication eliminates the man-hours lost in coordination just to get a status update on deliveries. It brings increased transparency and efficiency to the delivery process. This leg of logistics unlike mid-mile and import/export operations needs to give direct access to consumers regarding their shipment location. Hence, the need to have a user-friendly interface that provides real-time status updates to all stakeholders.
Documentation Management
With shipments, moves the information. An efficient last-mile delivery software solution should capture every detail of last-mile deliveries like order bookings, generating LRs, vendor allocations, packaging, etc. This data record helps the company analyze its supply chain process, identify the low-performing areas, and take necessary corrective actions to streamline the whole logistics process. Today’s data is tomorrow’s information. An adept delivery software solution can result in simplified & documented data-driven processes that bring transparency and efficiency to the entire supply chain ecosystem.
Real-time communication
Data performs multiple roles in supply chains and the biggest one is to enable immediate action. Real-time data communication enables more visibility and control over the entire supply chain process. Instantaneous communication helps in taking both preventive actions and corrective actions. Resilient supply chains are based on their ability to gain real-time data visibility & ensure timely communication. This solution helps in sorting all logistics issues like delayed deliveries, higher detention costs, higher waiting times, etc. Last-mile delivery software solutions are capable enough to communicate the right information at the right time to the right person.
Order consolidation & Management
The key differentiating factor between the last-mile and other logistics segments is the high volumes of daily shipment deliveries. We cannot even pre-plan the dispatch and distribution of the packages. This is mainly because of the following 2 reasons. First, a typical last-mile delivery plan will have multiple shipment deliveries along newer routes as per the available time slots. Secondly, due to the new delivery trend of same or next-day deliveries. Proper load & delivery planning can also reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse emissions as lighter vehicles utilize lesser fuel & release lesser CO2. Hence, the need for an agile last-mile logistics software solution, that can help in sorting, consolidating, and dispatching the orders based on various parameters like shipment type, delivery location, delivery time slots, loading & unloading plan, etc. An intelligent & coherent software solution is a pre-requisite when it comes to the selection of last-mile delivery software solutions.
Demand Planning for last-mile logistics
Logistics is not a self-thriving industry, especially last-mile logistics. Any shift in the volume of goods that move around the world can impact this industry. Thus, the logistics industry needs to prepare itself for the highs and lows that other industries go through. For example. Holiday seasons are the toughest for suppliers. Logistics operations should be planned to tackle the problems like driver shortages, higher delivery costs, last-minute order cancellations, etc. Logistics software helps shippers and vendors plan their deliveries by consolidating the orders, managing the manpower, planning the routes and deliveries, and most importantly negotiating the transportation costs by comparing market rates & prices paid for previous deliveries. This helps both parties stay put on common ground and face the logistics challenges of high-performing months. Similarly, last-mile delivery software solutions can help optimize logistics processes for lower-performing months. During this time, they can help the supply chains remain faster and competitive in the market.
Elixia’s Smart & Intelligent delivery management platform for the last-mile delivery and distribution phase provides you with end-to-end process visibility and actionable business insights to help you bring in increased process efficiency at optimized logistics costs. Its key features include advanced algorithm-based load & route planning for multi-pickup & drop, bidding or contract-based vendor allocation, live delivery tracking, electronic proof of delivery with instant communication, a mobile application to manage rider & payments, logistics cost management solution, an analytics module to get an overview of the whole logistics processes from both, operational and cost perspective.
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