Are you facing trouble dealing with the last mile delivery ? If that's the case, this article will be your go-to guide.
Last-mile delivery, which is often called “last mile logistics”, is the final stage of the delivery process. It refers to a parcel being picked from a fulfillment center and delivered to the customer's doorstep. And making this process efficient means making the delivery affordable, swift, and precise.
This stage also holds great significance
can as it directly affects how customers perceive a business. Yet, every business faces some common last-mile delivery problems . In this article, you'll read about the same. Additionally, you'll read some ways to improve last mile delivery . So, keep reading without distractions.
Significance Of Last Mile Delivery
Now that you know the last mile delivery definition , let's move ahead with why it is essential. Basically, it is crucial when it comes to logistics and customer satisfaction.
Here are some major points that highlight its importance.
- It influences how a customer thinks about a business.
- Timely deliveries boost the company's brand image and credibility.
- It gives a business a competitive advantage.
- It fosters customer loyalty as after a positive experience, a customer always wants to go back to a business.
Moving along, let's get into how much last-mile costs.
How Much Does Last Mile Delivery Software Cost?
The cost of last mile delivery depends on various factors. The very first thing that has a great impact on last mile cost is distance . The farther the delivery, the higher the cost due to fuel and time. The delivery volume also plays a role. Larger volumes may require more resources, impacting costs.
Apart from these, urgent deliveries incur higher costs. Last but not least, investments in tech and logistics infrastructure affect expenses. Therefore, understanding these factors helps businesses strategize and reduce last mile delivery costs .
What Are Last Mile Delivery Challenges?
In order to optimize last mile delivery, it's necessary to first understand the challenges that businesses often face.
- In urban areas, vehicles often struggle with traffic congestion. There's a high rush on the roads because of poor infrastructure as well.
- Businesses find it hard to make deliveries in isolated or rural areas.
- Incorrect addresses also cause issues. It sometimes leads to delayed deliveries.
- For business, it's hard to manage both speedy/on-time delivery and costs.
Overall, these are some common last-mile routing challenges . Now, let's proceed with how businesses can optimize last mile delivery.
How can Businesses Optimize Last-mile Delivery?
In the fast-paced world, technology is present everywhere. Similarly, employing technology can help in the optimization of last mile delivery. And the best way to do this is to incorporate last mile delivery software .
A last mile delivery software, like TrackoMile , is a robust software created to deal with the challenges of last mile delivery. It uses advanced technologies to provide real-time visibility and route optimization. It also offers integrated communication tools that give a seamless experience for both businesses and customers.
Read Blog : How To Buy Last-mile Delivery Technology
Here are some ways last mile delivery software helps-
- Optimize routes for faster delivery
A last mile delivery software makes sure that an order reaches its destination as soon as possible. To do so, it guides the driver about the fastest and most direct routes. It also means that customers can count on swift and efficient deliveries, even for those last-minute requests. The system basically optimizes routes to save time. It ensures that your delivery driver navigates through the city in the best way possible.
- Carrier management
There are some last mile delivery software like TrackoMile that helps in carrier management as well. In the last mile delivery process, there's no guarantee of order size. For example, sometimes the parcels are too big and heavy. In such cases, last mile software considers factors like parcel size, road size, etc., to choose the best vehicle for delivery. Other than that, a driver may get too many small parcels to deliver. But there's no need to worry if you're using software to manage all this.
- Comprehensive rider application
A last mile delivery software like TrackoMile also provides a rider application. This app plays a crucial role in optimizing last mile delivery. It helps in streamlining the operations with features like attendance tracking and more. It further facilitates quick order acceptance. In simpler terms, the application assures real-time visibility into the delivery process. The best part about this is the performance insights dashboard. It offers comprehensive analytics for assessing and enhancing delivery efficiency.
- Staff roster management
Last mile delivery software often helps in managing staff rosters for your delivery team. In other words, the software automates the rider schedule. It shows you how many riders and vehicles are ready for each shift and day. This also means you don't have to manually juggle schedules. With just a glance, you can see who's available and when. This feature ensures that your delivery operations are well-organized, saving you time and effort. Whether it's morning, afternoon, or evening, TrackoMile keeps track of your team's availability.
- Proof of delivery
Proof of delivery is necessary as it confirms that the parcel has reached its destination. A last mile delivery software uses multiple ways like electronic signatures and photo verification to ensure that the delivery process is completed.
Conclusion
Overall, an efficient last mile delivery is crucial for businesses. That is why the demand for last mile delivery software is increasing every year. However, beyond software, businesses can further optimize the last mile delivery in multiple ways. For example, businesses can consider the warehouse location or use eco-friendly vehicles.
These added strategies will only contribute to a comprehensive approach. Hope this article helps.
Source : Last-Mile Delivery: Costs, Definition & How to Optimize
