E-commerce
A lot of emphasis is placed on getting a package to the customer. The last mile is what it is usually called and a lot of money and time is invested in perfecting it. However, e-commerce order fulfillment doesn’t just start when a customer orders something. There is a lot to do even before so that the system works like a well oiled machine throughout the entire process.
Imagine your customer makes an order, but the product isn’t ready to ship. Maybe it’s not in the right place, or you’ve got the count wrong. These fulfillment issues can slow everything down and leave your customer waiting. This is only one of the problems that occur when the first mile delivery is not optimized. In this article, we will go over a few ways to optimize things for a smoother process from start to finish.
1 – Use automation
If you are not using automation in your supply chain logistics, then you are missing the boat on truly optimizing the first mile delivery system. Automation will reduce human error, and speed up the process among other benefits.
These are software solutions that manage the lifecycle of an order. They track everything from when a customer places an order to when the product is dispatched. By automating this process, you can eliminate the need for manual tracking. This reduces the chances of errors, such as misplacing an order or sending the wrong product. An advanced order management system can also speed up the delivery process, as you’ll know exactly where every order is at any given time.
Automated systems can now handle tasks like picking products from shelves, packing them, and preparing them for dispatch for those e-commerce owners with a warehouse. This can reduce the time taken to process an order.
2 – Streamline packaging processes
The way you package your products can significantly impact the speed and efficiency of your first mile delivery.
Standardizing your packaging can speed up the packing process because your team will be dealing with fewer variables. This means using uniform sizes and types of packaging for your products whenever possible. This way they won’t have to spend extra time figuring out which box or envelope to use for each product.
Efficient packaging uses just the right amount of material needed to protect the product without wasting resources or adding unnecessary weight. You’ll save money in the long run in addition to streamlining the process.
3 – Implement real time tracking
Keeping customers in the loop is one of the most important factors to build trust. And trust is what keeps people coming back to your site to buy what they need instead of your competitor.
Customers appreciate transparency. They want to know when their package has left your facility, where it currently is, and when it will arrive at their doorstep. Providing real-time tracking information can give your customers a sense of control over their order.
