Top Problems With Labor-Intensive, Manual Management of High-Volume Shipping
Managing parcel shipping is among the most complex and riskiest parts of the modern supply-chain. Since parcel packages are smaller, they are easier to lose or mismanage. Failure to maintain control over parcels also effectively results in massive disruptions to e-commerce freight. Ultimately, parcel and e-commerce go together more than any other aspect of the omnichannel supply chain. Additional problems, including damage to parcels, misrouting, and package theft, continue to exist. As parcel shipping volume grows in anticipation of the forthcoming peak season, relying on manual management is ineffective. According to DC Velocity, the rate at which customers shop online is expected to increase in the 2020 peak season. As a result, interest in the automated management of small packages will naturally become a defining trend this year.
Automation Modernizes Parcel Management
How to Expand Usage of Automated Parcel Management
A robust automated parcel management strategy considers the whole picture, collecting and analyzing data across the logistics spectrum to streamline processes. This may include using robotic process automation (RPA) to route and bundle parcels, consolidate bundled parcel shipments into full LTL shipments, and more. The key to success lies in using a software-as-a-service (SaaS) transportation management platform that actively seeks out and addresses inefficiencies within the supply chain. Moreover, such platforms must be appropriately integrated with an application programming interface (API) that enables real-time data transfer and supply chain collaboration.
