ADVERTORIAL
THE FUTURE OF DELIVERIES The ability to get purchases delivered within 15 minutes through an app may seem like the ultimate in service that drives demand, but is that sustainable? Especially given the increasing pressure on delivery businesses and retailers to move to net zero. For companies already struggling to meet current customer demands due to driver deficits and escalating costs, more sustainable operations may seem impossible. How can they investigate new initiatives such as the potential of drones, self-driving robots or electric vehicles when business as usual is a challenge? Andrew Tavener, Head of Marketing, Descartes discusses how to futureproof delivery operations in a world where the future is uncertain. DELIVERY ESSENTIALS & INNOVATION CHALLENGES Consumers transitioned to home delivery extremely quickly through the pandemic. Whilst a lifeline for many retailers, it also created logistical, financial and environmental challenges. The roads are now filled with home delivery vehicles and emissions are rising. With a lack
36
of customer communication and poor scheduling, expensive redelivery is a frequent occurrence. Empty miles are a financial and environmental problem for anyone involved in home delivery. Consumer demand and expectations for home delivery will remain high. So how do retailers meet the challenge from an economic and environmental perspective? Businesses are trialling new vehicle options in an attempt to cut emissions and increase efficiency. Many are transitioning to Electric Vehicle (EV) fleets whilst others turn towards drones, autonomous delivery robots or peddle power. These innovative options are exciting, but there are concerns such as rising electricity costs, making the decision more complicated. How do you find the right approach that meets current demands and prepares businesses for an uncertain future?
Companies cannot afford to wait for the future to become more defined: they need to meet customer expectations today with the capacity available within their existing fleets. Effective real-time scheduling and routing to optimise available delivery capacity in line with demand is vital. A solution should maximise the performance of the existing fleet but also be adaptable for a future fleets however it is powered. IMMEDIATE CHANGE Companies should take action now, for example, automatically routing EVs into Clean Air Zones or including shorter cycle specific routes for cargo bikes. This maximises the investment and utilisation of the current fleet and any new vehicles being trialled due to the ability to factor in relevant parameters such as electric charging times, range and locations into the routing and scheduling software.
February/March 2022