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last mile

This tag collects all articles related to the topic of the last mile within the logistics sector written by the Hedyla team

How is last mile distribution applied in rural areas?

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Caja de transporte de hombre de tiro medio - retos de la última milla en zonas rurales foto

Last mile distribution is known to consist of the entire delivery process to the end consumer, i.e. the routes from a distribution center to the customer's home or business. In many cases, special emphasis is placed on distribution within large cities and other densely populated towns because of the challenges of traffic and delivery by assigned zones.

However, what about last-mile distribution in rural areas? Despite being places with low population density and less traffic, distribution of goods has its own challenges due to the long distances and lack of facilities that urban areas often have. In this case, how does last-mile distribution in rural towns differ from urban areas?

If you want to learn about the challenges of the last mile in rural areas and how it is distributed in such environments, read on.

Partnership with local companies

Nowadays, it is already common to see logistics operators and other companies having partnerships with small businesses and other local companies to use their physical spaces as urban hubs or delivery points. In rural towns, such partnerships are more frequent and essential to optimize the rural last mile.

This is because local businesses located in agricultural areas have a better understanding of distribution areas, such as logistics social services that facilitate the delivery of products to families. Therefore, they have the potential to offer better logistical support, such as temporary storage areas or delivery points for delivery routes that are very extensive or difficult to access.

Use of specialized vehicles

Due to the uneven topography and road conditions, transport vehicles must be adapted to the usual rural road conditions. Sometimes it is even necessary to have an off-road or four-wheel drive vehicle.

However, there are a number of trucking companies and other organizations with a fleet of vehicles adapted for rough terrain. Either having your own fleet of adapted vehicles or relying on the services of another company that offers them are suitable options for adapting last-mile distribution to the rural environment.

Ilustración de concepto de camión vintage - retos de la última milla en zonas rurales vector

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What are the keys to promoting cycling in cities?

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Vector de reparto en bicicleta - claves para impulsar la ciclologística vector

Conforme el sector de la logística y del transporte se va adaptando a las últimas tendencias como el auge del e-commerce, se va encontrando con retos cada vez más difíciles de pasar por alto. Uno de ellos son las congestiones de tráfico y la contaminación del aire a causa de las emisiones CO₂ y los … Read more

How to manage the logistics of an omnichannel industry

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feliz trabajadora negra revisando lista verificacion hablando su companero trabajo que lleva caja carton almacen distribucion - Cómo gestionar la logística omnicanal foto

Las estrategias de gestión omnicanal están a la orden del día, ya que ofrecen una experiencia de compra más completa a través de los canales como las tiendas físicas, tienda online, apps, entre otros. Además de que, según la Confederación Española del Comercio (CEC), más del 50% de los consumidores han visitado tanto canales físicos … Read more

What are the differences between Dropshipping and Crossdocking?

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Concepto de ilustración de negocio de dropshipping - Diferencias entre Dropshipping y Crossdocking vector

Nowadays e-commerce is one of the fastest growing sectors in Spain in recent years and this is due to changes in consumer habits at a time when they were not allowed to visit physical stores. That is why many companies and businesses have decided to take the leap and start selling online.

When deciding to sell online, it is important to choose the distribution model that best suits the characteristics and needs of your business or company. Dropshipping and Crossdocking are commonly discussed. But how do we know which is the right option for our online store?

Here are the definitions of both types of logistic distribution to understand the differences between Dropshipping and Crossdocking:

Dropshipping

Dropshipping consists of a type of distribution in which all the distribution and transportation of the products is carried out by the supplier or manufacturer instead of the business that sells on its own behalf. It should be noted that it is a very popular distribution model among small e-commerce because of its accessibility, since it dispenses with warehouses and all the management and expenses involved.

Crossdocking

Crossdocking is a type of distribution where the supplier or manufacturer sends the orders to the same seller or to a distribution center to be delivered to customers. It is certainly a distribution model recommended for stores with small warehouses where they can prepare orders.

Once the types of distribution are known, you should take a look at the following points that mark the differences between Dropshipping and Crossdocking:

Logistics costs

Undoubtedly, the most economical model for the distribution of orders to end customers is Dropshipping because it is not necessary to have available space to store all the merchandise. And this is because orders are shipped directly from the supplier's warehouses to the end user, without the need to go through so many intermediaries, which means that they also take care of the logistics costs except for reverse logistics.

However, Crossdocking is also a relatively inexpensive system because of the short time shipments spend in your inventory. That is, once the order is received from the supplier, you go to a carrier to pick it up and ship it to the end customer. Although it takes an additional day for the package to arrive, the inventory holding costs are less than the cost of a warehouse to store the merchandise.

Agreement with suppliers

It is worth mentioning that each supplier has its own preferences in terms of the type of distribution it offers to merchants and businesses. In general, Crossdocking is the most accepted system by suppliers and the most compatible with a relatively high volume of orders and more variety in the e-commerce catalog.

However, this does not mean that there are several suppliers that ship using the Dropshipping model, which is especially focused on small online stores, but they are limited. In this regard, choosing one type of distribution or another depends entirely on the products themselves and the volume of orders received by the online store. 

Mujer joven asiática vende ropa empresaria que trabaja en casa. sta - Diferencias entre Dropshipping y Crossdocking foto

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What are the challenges for the Supply Chain at Christmas?

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Logistics, Supply Chain and Delivery Concept - Retos de la Supply Chain en Navidades

Se conoce que las épocas del año en el que la cadena de suministro se enfrenta a muchos desafíos son, sin duda, los picos de demanda acompañados con festividades como el Black Friday y Navidad. Estos últimos años, a causa de los cambios en la economía provocados por la pandemia, la cadena de suministro ha … Read more

How can carriers and delivery drivers be helped with a voice assistant?

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Mujer usando el teléfono mientras conduce en el coche. Ayudar a los transportistas con un asistente virtual foto

En uno de nuestros webinars se ha hablado sobre cómo facilitar la vida de los transportistas con un asistente virtual. En él, Gandolapp y Washa Logistics han debatido sobre las condiciones que viven los transportistas y repartidores actualmente y cómo, con un asistente virtual, se vería beneficiado su desempeño laboral. Dicho tema nos resultó muy … Read more

4 advantages of Click and Collect in logistics operations

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vehículo de transporte furgoneta de reparto dibujos animados. Ventajas del Click and Collect

The importance of implementing sustainability in supply chain processes is often discussed from the point of view of the logistics and transportation industry. In this case, in terms of sustainability, users demand both commitment and convenience in the delivery of their orders. However, these desires are not compatible with a genuine commitment to the environment, at least not with the technology currently employed.

One of the rising trends in the retail sector is Click & Collect, an option that has gained prominence in recent years and offers several advantages for both the store and the consumer, including reducing carbon emissions.

If you want to know the advantages of Click and Collect in logistics operations, take a look!

Accorciare l'ultimo miglio

The last mile often has a number of challenges that have arisen in recent times, which are difficult to circumvent and employ good capillarity in delivery. For example, restrictions on the entry of large vehicles into urban centers and difficult access to certain addresses with very narrow streets along with the common challenge of facing the usual traffic congestion of large cities.

With Click & Collect , the final destination is shortened, being its ultimate transport objective that it arrives at the establishment meeting the established objectives. However, it still depends on the location of the premises, which will be easier if it is located in a shopping center on the outskirts with a good platform for unloading goods or just as difficult if it is in a pedestrian area in the heart of the city. Nevertheless, it is still a very economical option for both the logistics operator and the company.

Avoid missed deliveries

One of the biggest inconveniences faced by deliveries to the end customer is that they are not completed successfully. Among its main causes are the absence of the end customer at the home or office, generating more inconvenience for redelivery, which results in more reverse logistics costs. In addition, not all logistics operators can guarantee that the order will arrive in a very specific time slot requested by the customer.

El Click & Collect gives the guarantee of successful delivery of the package and the freedom to pick it up at the store or post office when the customer is available. This is as long as it does not exceed the order booking period (usually about 15 days) and within the business hours of that establishment. Although time restrictions can be eliminated with the option to store them in automatic lockers accessible 24 hours a day.

Empresaria preparando el envío de paquetes. Ventajas del Click & Collect

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3 sectors that need to optimize their logistics in e-commerce

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Do you know the sectors with e-commerce potential that need to consolidate their logistics operations? Discover them in this list.

We are already familiar with one of the key events that has affected the economy and most of the known sectors on a large scale: the confinement and restrictions due to the pandemic. With the impossibility of opening dispensable physical stores and offering face-to-face services, both large and small companies have had to reinvent their models against the clock to circumvent and adapt to this scenario.

As a result, the e-commerce sector is one of the sectors that is gaining more and more relevance due to the changes that consumers have made in the face of this abrupt change in their habits and are now accustomed to this way of consuming. However, there are important sectors that are not progressing as much in the e-commerce section as expected despite the demand to offer this type of business.

If you want to know some of the sectors with e-commerce potential that need to mature their services, take a look!

Pharmacy

According to this study, more than 75% of patients prefer to use the services of a telepharmacy or receive their medicines at home instead of going to the pharmacy in person, with 9%. However, pharmaceutical e-commerce in Spain has only experienced a growth of 2% compared to other countries such as Italy and Germany, which have had a growth in turnover of 34% and 10% respectively.

This is because infrastructures still need to be improved to ensure data protection on the part of patients and to enable them to use these services at home. Despite this, the pharmaceutical sector has had very good communication in the supply chain to cope with the health crisis and ensure the supply of several drugs.

It is worth noting that one of the solutions that has potential in the face of occasional drug shortages is FarmaHelp, a digital platform that allows a pharmacy to notify and contact other nearby pharmacies when a drug is out of stock and there are supply problems so that the patient can receive it in time. 

ilustración del concepto de dropshipping amplio. sectores con potencial en el e-commerce

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Which route will get you to your customer first?

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Tiro medio hombre hablando por teléfono. cómo llegar antes a tu cliente foto

One of the most important and, at the same time, tedious tasks to perform in a company with logistics and transportation is the calculation and planning of routes for a specific day or week. With the increasing number of challenges in the industry such as low-emission zones, high fuel prices and higher demands for satisfactory customer service, it is necessary to re-manage routes to adapt and become more efficient.

Para encontrar la ruta definitiva que hará llegar antes a tus clientes se deben de tener en cuenta varias características de las paradas, vehículos y restricciones, entre otras. Además de mantener una comunicación sólida ante cualquier incidente que pueda ocurrir, ya sea un factor interno o externo.

If you want to know the key factors for optimizing delivery routes and how to reach your customer faster, take a look!

Distances between delivery points

Entre los principales factores que se piensan primero cuando se habla de optimizar rutas de reparto son las distancias entre el centro logístico y los puntos de entrega. Además de que es más sencillo calcular una ruta concreta en cuanto echamos un vistazo a la proximidad entre varios puntos de entrega.

Generally, if other factors and constraints are not taken into account, one of the best routes is the one that starts with the stop closest to the warehouse. And then follows the second stop close to the first, and so on until you have finished with all orders and return to the logistics center.

However, a simple glance at delivery points can hide narrow and difficult to navigate last-mile streets that can significantly delay deliveries. Consequently, this factor is one of the first to be considered when creating a "sketch" route and then assigning drivers, vehicles and other constraints.

Delivery and staffing schedules

It is known that, with a number of batches or individual orders for a specific day, a delivery time zone is agreed with the users when calculating routes. However, these customers are increasingly requesting more precise time zones, according to their needs. Therefore, such orders must be assigned to the carrier with shifts and agreements that are compatible with the assigned time slot.

It should be noted that special attention must be paid to labor restrictions for carriers. For example, drivers are not allowed to work more than 6 hours at a time without a break in a day, so they must rest for a minimum of 30 minutes. If it is a very long route, the appropriate time slot would be assigned in accordance with the regulations and, if necessary, another carrier would be assigned to cover the shift. Not to be forgotten are the hours when loading and unloading is allowed in the cities or at the logistics center receiving the delivery.

Punto de entrega concepto abstracto ilustración vectorial. cómo llegar antes a tu cliente vector

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How vacations affect logistics and distribution

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Worker loading a box onto a truck-vacation in the logistics vector

El verano ya está aquí y sin duda, es la época del año en la que la mayoría de la gente tiene y/o decide coger sus vacaciones. Se conocía que tiempo atrás gran parte de las empresas, incluidas con logística, cerraba por descanso del personal durante el mes de agosto, con la excepción de sectores … Read more

Hedyla en el e-Show de 2022

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stand de Hedyla e-Show 2022

La semana pasada parte del equipo de Hedyla ha estado presente una vez más en el e-Show de 2022 que tuvo lugar en la Fira de Barcelona, en particular en el recinto de Montjuic. Este año se ha notado más afluencia que el año pasado gracias a la relajación de las restricciones de la pandemia. … Read more

What are the most sought-after professional profiles in logistics?

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perfiles-profesionales-de-logistica-1

Currently, the logistics and transportation sector is becoming quite relevant due to the growth of e-commerce. In addition to the fact that in Spain it is one of the most important sectors of the economy for having a GDP of 10% and managing more than 500 thousand shipments per year.

Looking at this panorama, it can be stated that it is an industry that employs more than 950,000 people, a very attractive figure for people who wish to start or change their professional career. But, specifically, what are the professional profiles in logistics, and is any specific training required to be able to exercise these professions?

If you are interested in knowing the details of the most in-demand logistics professional profiles, take a look!

Warehouse handler

Undoubtedly, this is the most sought-after profile in the logistics sector. Their tasks are based on assisting in the loading and unloading of trucks, checking and ordering merchandise, controlling the stock of products, preparing them and keeping the warehouse register up to date.

These professional logistics profiles require a minimum of compulsory secondary education. However, there are specialized training courses such as forklift or warehouse handler that help to have a solid foundation for the job performance and improve the curriculum. Not to mention the physical ability to move heavy objects from one place to another. cursos de formación especializados como la de carretillero o la de mozo de almacén que ayuda a tener una base sólida para el desempeño del trabajo y mejoran el currículum. Sin olvidar que se debe poseer la capacidad física para mover objetos pesados de un lugar a otro.

Forklift operator

The second most sought-after profile in the sector is the warehouse foreman. These are people who handle forklifts and are responsible for receiving, placing heavy packages on pallets and preparing orders and packaging.

Despite what the name suggests, the professional is not only focused on a specific task. In the case of forklift operators, they perform other complementary tasks such as reviewing delivery notes. In order to access this position, it is required to have passed the ESO and to undergo forklift training to be able to handle the machinery.

Delivery person

This is probably one of the professional logistics profiles that has gained much relevance in recent years due to the considerable growth of e-commerce. The delivery driver is in charge of getting the goods to their destination, as well as planning the most efficient schedules and routes. This task can be much easier if a route optimizer is used.

In addition to that, he also organizes the merchandise in his van and communicates directly with customers, having a certain profile of a salesman. To be able to work as such, you need a type B driver's license, own your own van and have all the documentation in order to be self-employed.

perfiles-profesionales-de-logistica-2

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Are urban hubs the solution to last mile challenges?

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hubs-urbanos-1

With the increasing number of constraints within large cities and greater commitment to the environment, ways are being sought to circumvent these difficult challenges. Among several proposals to remain efficient in the last mile, urban hubs stand out.

Urban hubs are not much of a mystery, as they are small warehouses located in the centers of large cities. With this, they are expected to reduce route distances and also increase the capillarity of the last mile. If you want to know more about their other advantages, take a look!

Taking advantage of underutilized premises

One of the most prevalent problems in cities with respect to urban distribution is the increase in underutilized space that is unlikely to be re-let. Given the innovative nature of being an urban hub, re-using such spaces has many advantages.

However, for urban hubs to perform their function properly, they have to be located in strategic points of the city. Moreover, this may not be easy, as they require the rental of space in the center, which is a fairly high cost that not all companies in the sector can afford.

Helping to reduce carbon emissions

Undoubtedly, this is one of the main reasons why this initiative has started to be used in large cities. Reducing the miles needed to meet last-mile demand goes a long way toward reducing CO₂ emissions.

However, there are extra steps that need to be taken for pollution minimization to be effective. For example, the use of zero-emission vehicles such as electric vehicles and the approach of making deliveries at night in order to reduce traffic congestion are being considered. Apart from the use of a route optimizer to save time and money.

hubs urbanos 2

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5 aspects to promote Competitive Sustainability

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Camiones eléctricos concepto abstracto ilustración vectorial. sostenibilidad-competitiva-1

Many companies in all types of sectors are already committing to more sustainable actions in their activities. However, it is not enough to want to be more environmentally friendly; we must also strive for competitive sustainability. In other words, actions and initiatives must be sufficiently competent and attractive for companies to start applying them.

This issue is very relevant for the logistics and transportation sector due to its relatively high environmental impact and the increase of vehicle restrictions in cities. Here are some competitive sustainability initiatives to make a difference:

Urban warehouses

If transportation costs are higher, the longer the distance to be traveled, the greater the outlay the company will have to make. One of the most effective solutions to this problem is urban warehousing. What is different from a conventional warehouse is that urban warehouses are located in or around large cities in order to be close to demand.

Notably, they have been a growing trend in the e-commerce sector and in any industry that requires last-mile delivery. While it is true that reducing distance reduces emissions, the supply chain would not be efficient if warehouse operations are not efficient either. Therefore, a picking optimizer can help streamline your urban warehouse.

Unify shipments

Tal y como se mencionó en el webinar de movilidad sostenible, no es ecológico comprar de 4 e-commerces distintos y que el envío lo efectúen 3 empresas de transporte diferentes para que lleguen a tu dirección a una hora similar. Por lo tanto, algunas empresas, sobre todo las grandes, han considerado otorgar la posibilidad de unificar los envíos.

That means that several shipping companies would have to agree on who does the shipping or give the consumer the option to choose the company itself. Such actions are currently very difficult for SMEs to carry out, unlike large companies such as Amazon, which already provide this possibility of applying competitive sustainability.

sostenibilidad competitiva 2

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4 Smart City initiatives that drive sustainable mobility

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Ilustración vectorial del concepto de mensajero autónomo. movilidad sostenible Smart City

Currently, one of the issues we are most aware of and concerned about is global warming and measures to reduce its impact. Whether it is minimizing carbon emissions, eliminating plastic and opting for renewable energies, and among them is to achieve sustainable mobility.

One of the most important initiatives is to promote smart cities in cities. It consists of managing all the usual things that are taken into account in a city but adding the plus of sustainability.

Here are some examples of how to promote sustainable mobility applied to logistics:

Electric vehicles

Given the increasing traffic restrictions on distribution vehicles in terms of number allowed, length, capacity, vehicle model, level of congestion and other aspects, it is becoming increasingly common for companies to renew their vehicle fleet to pursue an ideal level of sustainable mobility.

Among the most notable changes are electric or hybrid trucks that significantly reduce CO₂ emissions and minimize noise pollution.

Some last mile companies have also opted for more unusual vehicles such as scooters and electric bicycles because of their ability to access difficult urban areas that even a van could not enter, thus considerably reducing the impact of the carbon footprint.

DUM monitoring and optimization

Given the increasing difficulties faced by last-mile distribution (LMP) due to the growth of large cities, the increase in traffic restrictions and the great momentum of e-commerce, solutions to these problems are becoming increasingly complex.

Among the initiatives to reduce these inconveniences, deliveries are made during off-peak hours to avoid congestion.

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How Santa carries out his logistics for Christmas

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Retrato de hombre en Traje de Santa Claus - logística para Navidad

It is one of the most important times of the year and Santa Claus along with the heads of each department's help prepare well in advance their logistics for Christmas so that all the gifts arrive on time to their homes.

Looking at how demand has grown in recent years, it is no longer enough to manufacture and distribute toys with his sleigh alone. The logistical processes have become increasingly complex and demanding, so Santa Claus has an army of elves and reindeer ready to facilitate such complex logistics management for Christmas.

From raw materials

When Santa Claus has an idea in mind for a new toy, he works with the development department to get the product into production. He makes sure that the elves get the raw materials they need for manufacturing thanks to his good relationships with suppliers.

To fullfill this, the materials travel through a complicated network of logistics from the time they are mined for processing in a factory and so on until they reach the hands of the elves, who make the final product. In addition, their magical staff has a warehouse for all those goods used for the manufacture of toys.

Inventory storage

From raw materials to toys ready to be shipped, all this inventory must be stored in their respective warehouses. There all the items are packed, sorted and well ordered so that they can be easily located in a warehouse as big as Santa's.

Thanks to the latest technological advances, Santa Claus has not hesitated to automate the ordering systems and to optimize the stock databases in order to have total control over the inventory and avoid stock-outs.

Warehouse operating processes

When one of the thousands of warehouses Santa Claus has all over the world orders a certain amount of toys, the elves in charge of the warehouse get down to work. First they check the available stock, locate the order and pack it carefully so that the products are not damaged in transport. For this, a picking optimizer proves to be very helpful in locating the inventory quickly.

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How to tackle Black Friday with last mile delivery

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Black Friday -Foto-de-Fondo-creado-por-Hello-Pixel.jpg

Black Friday is the big event of the year when Christmas shopping comes early and last-mile delivery plays a key role. During 2020, more than 50 million shipments were recorded thanks to the e-commerce drive (Source: UNO Logística, 2020). Therefore, logistics companies expect this trend to continue to grow.

If last-mile delivery is a challenge for companies at other times of the year, at a time when shipments are skyrocketing, it will be even more evident. If you want to know how to prepare your capillary distribution for Black Friday, take a look at the following tips:

1. Prepare well in advance

Companies specializing in capillary logistics distribution have been preparing for months for the disproportionate increase in sales and possible saturation of the system. Everything that you organized 15 days or a month in advance will have to be structured twice as far in advance.

This is because the possible setbacks and errors that you may encounter in your planning will be easier to correct. Besides, you can continue adjusting the preparation as the trends of this Black Friday are known.

2. Analyze past exercises

It has already been mentioned above that the pandemic has driven e-commerce and, consequently, last-mile delivery to unexpected levels. But how has your logistics been affected during previous Black Fridays, and has your industry been impacted to a greater or lesser extent?

In order to clarify all these doubts, there is nothing better than looking at the logistics exercises of previous years. Has a noticeable or very gradual increase been detected? Are pick-up points being used more or do you prefer home delivery? With all this data, a rough estimate can be made of what will happen on Black Friday with last-mile delivery.

3. Make an estimate of delivery times based on actual capacity

Optimizing delivery routes alone is not enough to be able to deliver efficiently and on time. You must calculate the maximum delivery capacity to be able to match the amount of shipments affected by your customers due to Black Friday with the usual distribution volume.

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Optimizing Delivery Routes: 6 Strategies for Successful Delivery

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Last mile distribution

One of the most important and costly processes for companies is optimizing product delivery during the last mile. 

With an increasingly demanding customer and the constant advancement of technology, a simple mistake in delivery can have serious consequences for the company.

The focus of organizations is now on the end customer. A satisfied customer is a sure value. 

If we want to provide a last-mile service in line with demanding customers, we must consider the following strategies:

  • Implement the use of artificial intelligence. Both AI and machine learning son dos herramientas fundamentales en la gestión de las plataformas de logística. Con ellas la mejora de precisión en el pronóstico de envíos es de hasta un 90%. En temporada alta, ya sea Navidad o fechas señaladas como el Black Friday, las ventas pueden aumentar hasta un 300% y tanto los procesos como los equipos deben agilizarse más que nunca. Gracias a las previsiones inteligentes se puede mejorar la organización de las rutas, la optimización de los vehículos y qué repartidores hay disponibles. Invertir en Inteligencia Artificial merece la pena, ya que también su uso conlleva una reducción de los costes.

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Hedyla is a software company dedicated to optimize logistic processes of medium and large-sized companies through Artificial Intelligence.

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Hedyla Technologies S.L. ha sido beneficiaria de un Proyecto subvencionado por el CDTI con la colaboración del Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación. Número de expediente SNEO-20201090
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