Table of Contents
Final-mile delivery logistics
At some point, freight has to arrive. And sometimes a delivery service falls short. For many businesses, shipping is just one part of the overall supply chain, serving as one link that doesn’t necessarily have to affect the end-user until much later. But when the package finally gets to the front door, things get tricky. What happens in the “last mile” can have lasting effects.
For example, a late delivery, a broken box, or even a confusing delivery process could be the difference between getting a good rating, or none at all. That’s why final-mile services are more than a matter of picking up packages and driving around to deliver them. There needs to be a lot of thought and coordination involved.
This is especially true for shipments that are fragile, oversized, time-sensitive, or ready for installation. The final mile isn’t an afterthought. In fact, it’s arguably the most important part of the supply chain.
What Makes Final-Mile Logistics Different?
There are plenty of reasons why final-mile logistics (keep https://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki open if you’re going to need the details) are unique, compared to other types of shipping. The main one is that there are so many variables. For instance, final-mile services are often dealing with residential customers, construction sites, retailers, etc. In any of those cases, you might be facing a different situation than you would in your typical warehouse setting. The recipient may not be home or available to receive the delivery, and the package may not be safe to leave in certain areas. All of this means that the delivery process may take longer than normal.
Final-mile deliveries also tend to have additional requirements, such as:
- Appointment scheduling
- Notifications to the recipient
- Placement inside the house/room
- Liftgate service
- Packaging removal
- Proof of delivery
If these things aren’t taken care of ahead of time, then the driver is going to have to figure out what to do when he/she arrives at the destination. That’s why it’s important to have a team that knows how to plan for the final mile, in order to avoid delays and extra charges.
Preparing Before the Truck Arrives
One thing that’s common for final-mile logistics is that the recipient may not be available to receive the shipment. This is especially true if the shipment is being delivered to a business. For example, maybe the delivery needs to happen after hours or the recipient isn’t home. To avoid these issues, it’s best to have a contact person that can communicate with the driver if necessary.
You’ll want to make sure you have the phone number and email address of this person, as well as their name. Another thing that needs to be done ahead of time is to figure out if the package will fit through the door. If it won’t, then you’ll need to make sure that the right equipment is used.
This includes figuring out if you need to use a liftgate, or if the package will be able to go through the door without assistance – Associated Logistics has more on Experts in Final Mile Delivery Solutions if you want that route. You’ll also need to find out if the place is open to trucks at the time of delivery, or if it needs special clearance.
You don’t want to show up at a building only to find out that trucks can’t enter. Finally, it’s important to communicate with the recipient. This can be done via email, phone call, or text message. You’ll want to give them a heads-up about when the package will arrive, and how long it will take to be delivered.
This way, they can be prepared to receive it. This also helps to avoid situations where the recipient isn’t home, and the package is left on the porch. Finally, it’s important to send out confirmation messages to the recipient, and to provide a tracking number so that they know when to expect the delivery.
Choosing and Tracking the Service Level
As I mentioned above, there are several different levels of service that can be offered for final-mile deliveries. It’s important to understand what each level entails before you decide which one to choose. Here are the three main options:
Threshold: The package is delivered to a specified threshold area (e.g., a sidewalk, driveway, etc.)
Inside: The package is brought inside to a specific room
White glove: The package is brought inside to a specific room, unpacked, placed, and debris is removed
It’s important to keep in mind that different levels of service will cost different amounts. Choosing the wrong service can lead to higher prices, increased chances of damage, and even liability issues. So, it’s important to choose the right service based on the size and type of the shipment.
Once the package has been delivered, you’ll want to keep track of the delivery process. There are a few different things that you should look out for. These include:
- Successful delivery
- Exceptions
- Damage
- Contacting the recipient
- Requests for additional service
A Final Pre-Shipping Check6
As you can see, final-mile deliveries are a big deal. They can be costly, time-consuming, and risky. So, it’s best to prepare for them before shipping. Make sure you have the proper service level, address, phone number, and contact information.