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4 Challenges of Last Mile Deli...There are more than a few services that can be outsourced today. From finding a virtual assistant on Fiverr to a website designer on Upwork, the day-to-day activities handled by most people are getting easier to pass on to others than ever before. Now, individuals can focus on what they want to do while delegating other tasks to someone else.
While this is true, there are still some who wonder if they should outsource last-mile delivery services to companies like ACERTUS. For those in this position, it’s a good idea to learn about some of the challenges of last-mile delivery and why outsourcing may be the best option.
1) The Cost
Many don’t realize that up to 28 percent of the total delivery cost to businesses comes in the last mile. Generally, this cost is passed on to the customer. If it isn’t, it may have a negative impact on the business’s bottom line.
While cost isn’t a new issue, new expectations, particularly those related to same-day or on-demand delivery, are putting more of a strain on budgets. Also, with online retail, there is often inconsistent demand, creating other issues.
While there’s no perfect solution to offset these costs, a third-party service provider may be helpful. It’s worth looking into.
2) Transparency
People want to know when to expect their packages. Therefore, many businesses that deliver something started using tracking codes, giving consumers a higher level of visibility over where their delivery was in the transit process.
With today’s on-demand era, tracking codes aren’t enough. Instead, people want full visibility of what is going on, which is another benefit of third-party tracking service. These companies can provide mile-by-mile tracking for customers, which is something not only appreciated but demanded by savvy customers today.
3) Efficiency
As with any other new challenge, customers are the driving force when it comes to increasing efficiency. Along with other reasons, more efficiency is predicated on the need for faster delivery times. Efficiency can be increased through the supply chain, but with last-mile delivery solutions, technology innovations are key.
4) Friction
Having a delivery experience that is friction-free will help streamline efficiency while reducing costs. One of the main sources of friction in last-mile delivery is the process of handling customer inquiries regarding their delivery and requests. Usually, this involves how it should be delivered to them (i.e., don’t ring the doorbell, put in the gate code, etc.).
To create a friction-free delivery experience, technology enables open communication between the delivery person and customer, along with full visibility over the delivery being made. Doing this is going to reduce the likelihood that a customer will call and speak with a customer service professional, who will then have to go through the system to find the information related to the delivery.
Is Outsourcing a Smart Move?
When a business is faced with outsourcing the last-mile delivery services, there are several factors to consider. While this is another business expense, these outsourced services are typically better equipped to handle this “leg” of the delivery process and able to ensure the customers are fully satisfied with the end result.
Keep in mind, though, finding the right service provider to handle this is a must. Take time to make this decision to ensure the company found and hired can meet the needs of the company and the delivery expectations of customers.