Last-Mile Delivery and Improved Visibility In the Supply Chain - The Key to Higher Customer Retention

Last-mile visibility is the most significant key factor to get corporate success as many customers are shifting to processes which tend to be more visible. From packaging to getting the parcel at their doors, customers indicate their desire for better visibility and information about the whole delivery process, from the location of the package to the scheduled arrival date.  

Thus, to improve the last-mile delivery and enhance visibility in the supply chain, it is essential to focus on higher customer retention. And knowing the customer's ideology, being the king of the market, it is fluently clear that most customers will not prefer to place a second order with a company that has impaired delivery visibility.  

As customer satisfaction can surpass everything from price to brand. That’s why almost all companies are shifting to data science for supply chain management to improve themselves from traditional to machine learning solutions. 

However, to go into further detail, we need to understand. 

The common  challenges of last-mile delivery faced by the current world 

When the world got hit by COVID 19, the demand for last-mile delivery boomed, as it directly delivers the parcel through transportation to the customer while making the process efficient.  

However, As estimated by researchers, many businesses claim that the last mile is the weakest link and need to work on it, especially when it is in demand. 

• Lack of transparency 

• Route optimisation  
• Delayed or Failed Delivery 

Challenges of supply chain visibility 

The journey starts when raw material and its components are passed on to the organisation's manufacturing facilities and then later on to the customer through various stages. Thus,It is important for you to understand what the common challenges are that affect the smooth transition of supply chain visibility. 

Transmitting information and data  

A smooth procedure to share information and data is crucial to supply chain visibility. And if you are facing any difficulty in providing visibility across all regions, then you should focus on how to improve it. 

Interims in the supply chain 

Any business can lose control of the lack of visibility when they do not use AI technology to monitor all the stages. That's why it is essential to have everything under control. The lack of demand forecasting in supply chain management can cause mismanagement at the inventory level at the different supply chain points. 

Ability to analyse data  

It is essential to understand which data is helpful and which should be left out when building visibility into the supply chain because it is hard to increase visibility without good data. Therefore, to analyse more proficiently, businesses can use data science for supply chain forecasts to increase visibility and response time. 

Key benefits of increased visibility of the supply chain in last-mile delivery 

With more visibility, any business can last in the cut-throat competition as it not only boosts business productivity but also provides customer royalty, which is the ultimate goal of any business. 

Enhanced productivity 

Last-mile visibility not only eliminates the old ways of route delays but also allows delivery managers to ensure the planning is in the most efficient way for speedy and efficient deliveries. 

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) for the supply chain are enhancing the face of the supply chain sector while giving proficient results to enhance your business to another level. 

Moreover, last-mile visibility software provides transparency at all levels, no matter whether they are narrow or wide, and also assists in improving common issues related to delivery (route planning, diversions, delays) that further slow down business operations. 

Anticipative visibility 

Real-time supply chain visibility can only happen when businesses follow the algorithms and anticipate predictive analysis to improve the visibility. So that the customer won’t face any trouble while getting the delivery at the right time and correct address. 

Innovative tools for last-mile visibility, like route optimisation software, rely on machine learning algorithms and predictive analytics to give delivery managers predictive visibility. You will know whether your delivery will be on time or experience delays well before it gets close to your customer's address. 

However, many companies still work on the old pattern of giving tracking numbers to provide visibility. That’s why they may be left behind in this competitive market. As these tracking numbers don’t provide supply chain visibility solutions, they also do not notify customers at every stage of delivery.  

Accurate KPI Benchmarking 

Last-mile delivery and improved visibility in the supply chain not only facilitate your business's growth but also aid in getting accurate KPI benchmarking. Suppose you have any trouble keeping track of the costs that a company bears to deliver the goods to the customer’s door. In that case, you can use KPI benchmarking as it keeps track of delays, route efficiency, first-attempt success rates, and unsuccessful deliveries with an ETA logistics solution. 

Efficient and effective supply chain management 

Visibility in last-mile delivery by using EDI in supply chain management can facilitate accurate data exchange among many business trading partners through a business communication network. It will save not only time but also the documentation fee with fewer errors. It will also make the supply chain management efficient and effective by strengthening the strategic relationship. 

Takeaway  

Any business can not sustain itself in the long run if it only follows the same old patterns that do not match the current criteria of a technology-driven world, especially when data science in supply chain management is robustly helping businesses to reach the top in the current market. However, understanding customer demand and fulfilling it at the right time while maintaining operating costs can be a tough act to play. However, it is also an ultimate goal for any business to mark its presence in the cutthroat competition by increasing the percentage of customer retention and making them satisfied so that they can sky-rocket their business and expand their coverage of the market more efficiently.