How to measure delivery efficiency
In a world of Internet communications, e-commerce, and transportation accessibility, delivering goods, packages, and other supplies has never been easier, faster, and more efficient. From tulips to chocolate cakes to letters to Chihuahuas, it is now more possible to send almost anything in a short period of time. But with all these advances all around us, how do companies measure delivery efficiency? Do all couriers, freight services, and transportation networks follow certain industry standards? Find out how your packages are shipped from pickup to destination. And find out how businesses can benefit from delivering even the most delicate cargo.
Measuring the performance of a delivery company often involves key people researching, monitoring, calibrating, evaluating, and even interviewing customers regarding their services. These key people can be appointed by the company or an agency. Most of the time, however, the investigations are done at home. The process often involves the use of a method, a strategy, and physical resources, such as performance management software, to help them track the efficiency of their delivery. The main objective of measuring the efficiency of the delivery is to be able to obtain information about its speed, level of competition, customer satisfaction or feedback. This data will help a courier company make important decisions, such as improving service quality, upgrading equipment, vehicles, and manpower. And in some cases, the results will lead to the restructuring of the business organization.
Before the investigation begins, the process begins by identifying the key aspects of the operation. One of the areas to consider is the delivery points. Generally, it involves four delivery points: the point of production, the storage points, the point of sale and the point of use. Consumer goods such as canned goods, cosmetics, laundry products, and household chemicals are generally shipped from the source of production, for example the farm or factory, to the point of sale or the retailer where the buyer or end consumer purchases the products who are then responsible for bringing the goods to the point of use. Under normal circumstances, goods from the point of production may pass through the storage point in the form of warehouses before reaching the point of sale.
In other cases, such as e-commerce, factory sales, and catalog commerce, merchandise is delivered directly from the point of production or storage to the point of consumption, thus eliminating the number of points. However, not all companies are dedicated to delivering four points. A pizzeria, for example, participates in a retail-to-consumer delivery point.
The second aspect to consider is the mode of delivery or simply the means of transport of the merchandise. Basically, there are four modes of delivery: air, land, and water. Small jets, helicopters, cargo planes, water rafts, ferries, fishing or merchant boats, trailers, trucks, vans, motorcycles, and even bicycles are just some of the most common means of transportation. The third aspect involved is the delivery frequency. Investigators need to know the periodic delivery schedule to avoid delays or damage to the merchandise. Eggs, for example, need to be delivered more frequently, usually weekly.
By identifying these important elements, the investigator will be able to measure whether the goods are delivered intact and in good condition. If there are any weaknesses in the process, a recommendation will be made to improve the service, such as adding more vehicles, or adding more storage points, etc. The process can be complex, but it has actually helped hundreds of courier companies around the world to make more profit. Learn to measure delivery effectively, start by knowing the factors.