Perhaps the biggest difference between a legacy enterprise and a modern one is that while the former is driven by business expectations, the latter is driven by its customers.
Today’s enterprises have access to a wealth of data and are driven by the insights generated from it. Traditional companies can still be oblivious to rapidly changing customer demands and use strategies that are quickly obsolete – but, such companies would do well to remember that, today, customer experience is the top brand differentiator.
Today’s logistics companies must focus on that part of the supply chain that is not only the most expensive but also the most complex and challenging, i.e., the last mile!
A company’s last-mile efficiency can actually make or mar it. Particularly so, because today’s customers are used to the “new normal” of same-day deliveries and 24-hour deliveries! However, due to significant improvements in the technology of the last-mile delivery management system, logistics and distribution firms are able to successfully adhere to customer demands.
Given below are the benefits of using last-mile delivery software
From tracking, managing, and scheduling last-mile logistics, to inventory and warehouse management, payments, and dispatches, let’s look at why it is so crucial:
1. Automated route-planning and optimization: Problems of poorly managed routing manifest as higher fuel consumption, delays, higher operating costs (etc.)
However, a last-mile system uses complex and comprehensive algorithms that take into account numerous variables such as traffic and road patterns, drivers and fleet vehicles available, road conditions, number of deliveries, and order returns along a route to come up with the most efficient route design. Thousands of orders can be optimized quickly due to automated route optimization.
2. Order-tracking: Today’s consumers have evolved into a demanding set! We live in the age of the instant i.e. everything needs to be faster, better, cheaper, and more! They demand that they be kept in the loop about the progress of their parcels in real-time via a live tracking function. Last-mile software easily provides this via SMSs, emails, and pop-up notifications thus giving customers real-time order visibility and accurate ETAs.
3. Data-driven decisions: Due to the advent of modern AI and ML algorithms, it is now possible not only to generate and collect vast amounts of data but also to crunch it for vital business insights. Key metrics such as distance covered, on-time deliveries, driver performance, safety measures maintained, tolls paid, and total operating cost (etc.) can be tracked via a centralized dashboard.
4. Supports growth and scale: For small businesses, managing logistics is relatively easy. However, once you start on the rapid path of growth – as you should! – your systems and resources are all under increased pressure. Failure to manage the challenges that scale brings will be disastrous. Using last-mile software goes a long way in managing the logistics and supply chain requirements as you scale.
Conclusion: As is evident, switching to last mile delivery software to manage your supply chain is not an option anymore but an absolute necessity. Without it, you cannot hope to successfully meet the demands of today’s customers.
