Online shopping has become the norm for millions of consumers across the country and with it comes an expectation of quick delivery. Speed of delivery is something that customers value, and statistics show that 90% of customers will not purchase from a company with lower than a four-star rating. The technological landscape is always changing and influencing other sectors, including delivery services. If you have the capability to fulfil orders for same-day delivery, then you may want to consider these methods to get them to your customers.
Drone deliveries
Delivery drones, or unmanned aerial delivery systems, are equipped with GPS, cameras and sensors to help them transport packages from one place to another.
The use of drones allows businesses to dispatch orders quickly and efficiently. By flying over roads and streets, they are not hampered by traffic or roadworks and are able to keep moving. This is an ideal set-up for when customers select same-day delivery at the checkout.
Currently, the UK drone laws state that drones may not fly higher than 400m, or within a 5km radius of an airport. The law also states that the drone operator must be always within sight of their drone. This poses an issue for delivery companies doing longer-distance parcel drop-offs.
Autonomous vehicles
Having a fleet of autonomous vehicles would benefit any delivery company. Once the customer’s order is packed it can be stowed in a car and sent within minutes. Investing in autonomous vehicles may be a large initial outlay, but you will not have to pay wages for drivers so they could be more cost-effective for your business.
Autonomous vehicles do have some challenges compared to drones. Like all road users, they are at the mercy of traffic, roadworks and other delays, so they may not be as efficient as flying drones. There is also the issue of driverless cars being safe on UK roads. Whilst there is still testing going on by various companies, they are not yet road-legal.
Smart routing algorithms
AI has a presence in our lives already; from smartphones to home systems and software, AI is constantly learning and finding ways to improve our lives. By using AI to create routes for delivery vehicles you can maximise the efficiency of your fleet.
The algorithm is able to look at the distance to the customer, traffic patterns, and even group together orders in the same location to prevent lots of different drivers from being in the same area. This software is able to be fully flexible and adjust as conditions change in real-time which means deliveries will be on time and the customer will be kept happy. This same software also allows the customer to have updates about their package and some even allow them to track the direct location of the van delivering their parcel.