Fortune favors the bold. As modernization has taken its course, we see humans slowly embracing and co-existing with technological innovations around us, particularly AI and Machine Learning.
Consumers today have raised the bar to what acceptable goods/services standards should be, especially regarding accuracy and speed of delivery. Machine learning has proven to be the pivotal solution to enable that.
This article briefly overviews how machine learning can optimize order allocation to couriers, reduce delivery times, and improve accuracy. It has been written with the expertise of Lab42 software development experts, including considerable insights from Alexander Zakharenko, Head of Development and Application Architect.
How Machine Learning Enhances Your Delivery
When it comes to determining which courier will deliver which orders, in what order, whether they will be on time or have the least amount of delay, machine learning is a big help. Here’s how platforms can help make the most out of your delivery schedules.
Automated route optimization
By streamlining this task, companies no longer need to manually assign orders to couriers. Machine learning now does the heavy lifting, processing a variety of factors including previous delivery experience in a given city or area, distance, estimated delivery time to make a forecast of delivery time and, based on this data, build a delivery order so that all orders are delivered with maximum accuracy and efficiency.
Doing so enables you and your business to focus more time and effort on core business functions, including people management, future training programs, and strategic implementations for future business development that require critical thinking—functions that humans excel at.
Real-time tracking
As soon as the customer orders, your business’ couriers receive real-time or live information, including the distances needed to be covered, forecasted times, pick-up and drop points, and which route to take without manual searching and waiting.
Doing so efficiently requires the complementary functions of automatic order distribution, which enable couriers to get equal and set delivery quantities while leaving the technicalities, including navigation and route determination based on distance, time of day, and travel time.
This is crucial, especially during peak business seasons when orders are high and couriers are limited. It enables decisive action to cut down the idle time couriers spend getting an order from the business to the customer’s doorstep.
Automated Order Distribution
Machine learning alone cannot optimize your delivery times solely; it also needs the proper order distribution system to complete orders and leave customers satisfied with your purchase. Couriers are limited, so making the most of their capacity and order load is vital. With order distribution, you can now determine whether your couriers can manage single or multiple sequenced orders based on distance and delivery times.
However, every business has different needs and preferences on what works best for their business, which is why varying offers on levels of automation can be chosen, including:
1. Couriers receive orders independently.
2. Dispatchers assign the orders.
3. The system automatically distributes orders (human intervention is required in the initial stage).
Key Business Impacts of Optimized Delivery Routes
These critical aspects of machine learning sound great and promising, but how does it affect your business? Below are some of the benefits your company can receive if machine learning is utilized the right way.
1) Cost optimization: Route optimization significantly reduces the distance and fuel consumption required to deliver goods from business to doorstep, ultimately driving down operational costs in the long run.
2) Enhance courier efficiency: Automated order distributions among couriers minimize downtime while maximizing the total number of completed orders, reducing idle time.
3) Mitigate Environmental Impact (from deliveries): As consumers worldwide gain awareness and put more value into eco-friendly businesses, route optimization allows your business to reduce carbon emissions through a lesser carbon footprint.
Challenges and Considerations
Despite the advantageous leverages gained from machine learning, it may be challenging for some businesses to integrate this into their existing IT systems seamlessly. This makes it vital for businesses to get a proper assessment and guidance on how their company can move forward as technology advances.
Optimizing Your Business’ Delivery Routes with Machine Learning
Machine learning is here to stay, whether we like it or not, as it continues to prove itself in revolutionizing the world of delivery and logistics with cost-saving and efficiency as its primary business benefits.
Like any high-rise building, its solid, sturdy foundation is the most crucial part. No matter how quickly any business can adapt to technological changes, it will prove to be nothing without a proper foundation set from the start.
