An effective final mile logistics strategy must consider all variables, defining what is necessary to provide a superior customer experience. Unfortunately, not all final mile carriers are equal, and services may vary widely between geographic regions. However, this is not enough to abandon the management of final mile logistics, especially as Amazon rolls out newer, faster delivery windows. As a result, shippers need to understand why the problem of transparency continues to affect final mile logistics, what benefits can be realized through effective management, and a few best practices to maintain it.
Lacking Transparency Still Plagues Final Mile Logistics
Transparency is a significant problem in final mile logistics. Everyone has experienced the annoyance of receiving the notification, “out for delivery.” It provides little insight into when a package will be delivered, and not everyone has the luxury of waiting all day to see if it arrives. At the same time, the incidence of theft and fraud continues to increase, and customers expect more transparency within the final mile. In addition to reduced transparency, final mile remains the most expensive and invasive aspects of shipping. In rural areas, deliveries may be miles apart, eating away at valuable delivery time, explains Trucking Info. Yet, more frequent, proximate delivery locations in urban areas open the door to delays and risks.