What is last-mile delivery?

The last step of supply chain operations is often referred to as Last-mile delivery. In simple words, we can define it as a product’s journey from a warehouse all the way to the doorstep of the customer. However, this last step of the delivery process should be appropriately managed for fast and efficient shipping. 

Due to a rise in consumer demand, many businesses have started considering strategizing this last step of the delivery process for speedy shipping. So, be it your residence or retail store, the final yet one of the most crucial steps of the supply chain should be managed well to satisfy customer demands.

Resource optimizations should be done carefully as the last mile happens to be a costly step.

What is the last mile delivery process and steps involved in it?

When a customer places an order online, their browser communicates directly with the retailer’s server. The order is later sent to a centralized order management system that confirms stock availability and provides different payment options. It then sends a message to the warehouse so the products can be dispatched to the end customer. It is this stage where the last mile plays its part. An agent is sent to pick up the desired item from the warehouse, which is later loaded in the van and delivered to a hub. The last step is delivering the parcel to the customer’s doorstep.

These steps often appear simple, but in reality, they are not. There are several moving parts in the complex last mile ecosystem where external and internal factors play a role in the quality of execution.

In order to ensure an efficient last-mile delivery process, businesses go for modern logistics solutions.

STEPS

There are six steps involved:

• The sender’s orders are recorded into the carrier’s system
• The orders arrive at the transportation hub
• The order is then assigned to the delivery person with the necessary information 
• Orders are scanned for record-keeping and loaded on the vehicles.
• The desired item is delivered to the recipient’s doorstep.
• The delivery status is recorded and updated.

Conclusion 

After looking into all the details of last-mile delivery, we see that it involves multiple steps to ensure seamless execution. As we know, logistics is a touchpoint between a business and its customers, so the last mile plays a crucial role. For more information, you may visit Gillson Solutions.