Finding the best way for a business to ship its products requires optimizing every step of the process. That may sound complex but thanks to the tools available today, businesses can find the right approach for their shipments. Partnering with professional transportation partners, such as freight transportation services, allows businesses to ship goods more accurately and productively. However, today’s technology gives businesses even more control over their delivery, right down to the last mile.
The final mile of a package’s delivery might sound like the simplest step, but it can be quite complicated. Today’s technology helps shipping services make that step easier; last-mile delivery software is a go-to tool for optimizing the delivery process. If your business doesn’t currently utilize this technology, or you are unclear about its effective properties, explore these ways last-mile delivery benefits your business. No matter your scenario, expanding your understanding of delivery software will only add more tools to your inventory to ensure better deliveries.
Communication with customers is essential, but there are different forms of communicating in this business. For instance, customer service representatives help customers easily contact the manufacturer with questions or concerns. Likewise, the online product listings for an item need to successfully communicate what the product is. In this scenario, we will focus on communication during the delivery phase.
Last-mile tracking software provides companies with the precise location of their shipments at all times. This level of transparency between a business and its shipping team is critical, as it ensures everyone has a clear view of where a shipment is at any given moment. Not only does this give the business a way to assess the shipping service’s performance, but it also enables them to pinpoint where issues in the production chain are occurring.
For example, having a last-mile delivery software system in place during instances where a shipment reaches its destination well after its intended delivery date can enable you to find where delays or diversions occurred in transit. There are many moving parts in the last-mile delivery process, from ensuring shipments can make it onto the next delivery truck in a timely manner to ensuring they wind up at the right address. A lot can go wrong in this final stretch of transit, but the titular software solution will help you avoid those issues in the field. In the next section, we will explore how you can assess your data and start making improvements for a better customer experience.
One benefit that any business gains from analyzing its current productivity level is the opportunity to become a better service provider. An example of this improvement is finding the best route for every shipment. If you notice that the driver delivering the shipment took a particularly out-of-the-way route that results in an unnecessarily long delivery time, you can start taking steps to reduce that excessive travel time.
Many companies listen to feedback for a reason—they want to make improvements to ensure a better customer experience. Hearing ample customer feedback about shipping delays gives you the chance to analyze your last-mile delivery software to determine whether the optimal techniques are being used in transit.
Of course, the issue may not be within that last-mile delivery process but having the tools to make an informed decision about where the issue occurs is invaluable for improving as a company. Remember that having the data is one thing, but it takes more effort to strategize and complete updates to your last-mile shipping process. The topic of finding the perfect route doesn’t stop here; let’s take a closer look at how the titular software allows for an easier experience.
“Perfect" may seem like a daunting standard to strive for because it isn’t always impossible. When it comes to finding the perfect last-mile delivery route, the tools are certainly available for achieving the aforementioned standard.
The perfect route is essential for the entirety of a shipment’s travel, but it becomes particularly critical during the last mile since taking the wrong road can lead to a worse customer experience. The sooner the customer gets the item, the better. In addition, the sooner the delivery team can get the package to the customer, the sooner they can focus their efforts on more of their ever-growing incoming shipment list. That sounds like an excellent goal, but how do you actually approach improvements?
This is where paying close attention to the features of your software becomes particularly beneficial. For instance, you can choose a last-mile delivery software that presents the most productive delivery route available at any given time. The best route for any shipment can change at a moment’s notice, and the right software can account for this fact. By putting this last-mile delivery software in your drivers’ hands, you ensure they can always follow the best path and provide the speediest experience for the customers waiting at the end of the last mile.
The next way last-mile delivery benefits your business is by impacting the fuel costs associated with each shipment. If your driver is taking unnecessarily long routes to reach their destination, they are mismanaging both time and fuel consumption. However, the shorter the distance, the less gas your delivery trucks need to use to reach their destinations. Following the quickest route is helpful for the customer experience but it can have a substantial effect on your company, too. If you want that effect to be positive, use your last-mile delivery software to make any necessary changes to the shipment process. Thankfully, you shouldn’t have to take too many extra steps to optimize fuel consumption. If the driver is taking the quickest route, the gas tank will exemplify those benefits.
At Diversified Transportation Services, we specialize in freight transportation services. Our team uses modern tech and substantial experience to keep shipments productive and problem-free, but we want to pass these essential tips on to you so that you can also avoid pitfalls in the shipping process. Make the most out of your last-mile delivery software today to ensure you’re experiencing the above benefits during every shipment.
Whether you're a company looking to improve one facet of your supply chain, your entire supply chain, or simply looking for a transportation and logistics consultation, we can help.
