The importance of real-time tracking and visibility in Delivery Management Software(DMS)
Real-time tracking and visibility in Delivery Management Software
According to the BCI Supply Chain Resilience Report, 69% of companies lacked complete visibility over their supply chains. Meanwhile, in today’s fast-paced business environment, 97% of customers want to track orders and receive communication throughout shipping. Providing real-time alerts on the movement of their shipments from warehouse to doorstep improves delivery visibility and increases customer satisfaction by providing peace of mind and reducing the number of “where’s my package” inquiries. Therefore, providing efficient, on-time delivery with end-to-end visibility of shipments has become critical. In today’s highly competitive market, staying connected with customers is crucial to success, as failing to do so could result in customers losing brand loyalty. According to research, retail supply chain executives plan to invest in areas such as these in 2021.
What is Supply chain visibility and real-time tracking?
Real-time tracking and visibility in the supply chain leverage technologies such as GPS (API), SIM, and mobile tracking to enable businesses to plan, schedule, and monitor their logistics processes at every stage.
For businesses: Supply chain visibility and real-time tracking enable better decision-making and more efficient operations. With real-time information on the movement of goods and the status of orders, businesses can identify and address bottlenecks, optimize their processes, and reduce costs. This increases on-time delivery, resulting in improved customer satisfaction and loyalty.
For customers: Supply chain visibility and real-time tracking provide transparency and peace of mind. Customers can track the status of their orders in real-time, receive accurate and timely information about delivery times, and be informed of any delays or issues that may occur. This enables customers to make informed decisions and plan accordingly. It also builds trust and confidence in the delivery process, resulting in increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Overall, supply chain visibility and real-time tracking provide benefits for both businesses and customers. Implementing these technologies benefits companies by improving operations, lowering costs, and gaining a competitive edge. Simultaneously, customers benefit from real-time information and an improved experience.
Challenges in Delivery Businesses Due to Lack of Tracking and Visibility
The inability to meet customer demands with real-time updates and alerts leads to inefficiencies in the supply chain leading to several challenges.
For businesses: Lack of tracking and visibility in delivery businesses can lead to inefficient operations, a poor customer experience, increased costs, an inability to address issues, and a lack of competitiveness. Without real-time information about the status and location of shipments, businesses may struggle to optimize processes, provide timely information to customers, and address supply chain issues. Rescheduling deliveries due to lack of information can result in losses and impede business growth.
For customers: Lack of tracking and visibility in delivery businesses can lead to challenges for customers, including uncertainty about the status of their orders, a lack of control over delivery times, and difficulty planning for their deliveries. Lack of real-time information on orders can cause customer anxiety and frustration, resulting in a poor experience. Additionally, missed deliveries and the need for rescheduling can result in inconvenience and additional costs for customers.
Key Benefits of Real-time Visibility in Supply Chain
Real-time visibility in the supply chain is a game-changer that has revolutionized the way companies conduct their logistics operations. This technology has become a vital tool for companies looking to stay competitive and deliver exceptional service to their customers. Let’s explore some of the key benefits of real-time visibility in the supply chain.
Improved Delivery Time Accuracy
One of the main benefits is improved delivery time accuracy. With real-time tracking and visibility, customers can receive accurate and up-to-date information about their delivery status and estimated delivery time. This eliminates the need for customers to call/email the delivery company for the package’s status. Thereby reducing the workload on customer service representatives and improving the customer experience.
Enhanced Customer Experience
Real-time tracking and visibility enable businesses to provide accurate and timely updates to customers about the status of their shipments. This empowers customers with greater flexibility, control over their deliveries, and security by allowing them to track their package’s progress and ensure its safe and timely arrival. This results in an improved customer experience heightened satisfaction, and increased brand loyalty.
Enhanced Safety and Security
Real-time tracking and visibility enhance safety and security by enabling companies to monitor the location and movement of their vehicles and drivers. This helps prevent theft and accidents by monitoring driver behavior for safe driving practices. As a result, customers are likely to maintain loyalty and have a better experience with the delivery company.
Improved Decision-Making
Real-time tracking and visibility provide companies with data that they can use to make informed decisions about their delivery operations. This data can help them identify bottlenecks, optimize their routes, and improve their overall delivery performance. Real-time data helps companies make operational decisions, such as adjusting delivery schedules and routes for faster and more efficient deliveries. It also enhances customer service by providing insights into customer behavior and preferences, enabling personalized services to meet their needs.
About Elixia’s Intelligent Delivery Orchestration Platform
It provides end-to-end visibility of your consignments(first-mile, mid-mile, last mile). With this software, you can track all sorts of deliveries whether it happens via –
- Your own vehicles
- Dedicated fleet from your vendors
- Market vehicles
To learn more about how the platform can help manufacturers & shippers automate their supply chain and gain visibility schedule a demo with Elixia.