“RFID technology, RFID-based warehouse management, and order delivery software can provide retailers with real-time visibility, audits and verifications, delivery route optimization, order tracking, and quick returns while saving on costs.”
The logistics and supply chain industry is going through a massive transformation in recent ages, more so when it comes to technology-based digitalization and automation. Warehouses, especially in retail, are now focusing on optimizing day-to-day operations in order to bring item-level visibility on the floor and to maximize delivery accuracy, the order fulfillment aspect.
As per the latest estimates, the use of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) in retail is at a time high. Replacing barcoding, RFID has proven to be a more efficient and more accurate solution when it comes to warehouse management, item-level tagging, on-floor visibility, and order fulfillment.
RFID is an advanced AIDC solution that uses radio frequency signals and the remote scanning of an RFID tag by an RFID reader, not requiring a clear line of sight and close proximity is what makes it the go-to choice for retail and other businesses such as hospitality, healthcare, asset management, manufacturing, etc.
When it comes to delivery accuracy, a process that is crucial not only for customer satisfaction part but also for business processes as the production entirely depends on the timely delivery of raw goods, the use of technology such as RFID and IoT offers a competitive advantage.
The need for optimizing delivery through careful inventory control and throughout supply chain and logistics tracking is more prominently felt due to the e-commerce boom in this digital age. The business-to-customer (B2C) and direct-to-customer (D2C) models have been very successful in retail growth and providing customers with easy delivery and returns, enhancing the customer experience and profitability.
Maximizing Delivery Accuracy with RFID
When retailers align their resources to optimize their delivery accuracy whether it is getting goods to the inventory or order fulfillment, their main focus should be on strengthening their supply chain and logistics as well as warehouse management.
In order to maximize their delivery accuracy and this is not just true for retailers but manufacturers, hospitality, and healthcare businesses as well, business owners can implement RFID and similar technologies throughout the delivery process which includes:
1. Processing the order
2. Packaging and labeling
3. Order consolidation (if there are multiple orders for the same delivery address)
4. Clearance (as required)
5. Transportation and tracking
6. Final delivery to the customer
7. Confirmation and feedback
8. Returns (as applicable)
Now, delivery accuracy can be achieved by automating each one of these processes and eliminating any kind of human error.
With the help of RFID tagging and an RFID-based order management system, businesses can unlock far greater accuracy than previously available.
Reasons Affecting Delivery Accuracy
Many retailers and warehouse managers have espoused the same opinion that delivery accuracy matters for myriad reasons and the growing competition in retail and e-commerce is one of the most important ones. Nowadays, customers want to be kept in the loop and want to have constant updates on their orders and their delivery status.
Various reasons affecting delivery accuracy involve-
1. Human-errors
2. Manual processes and data entry
3. Lack of proper route planning
4. Lack of proper data flow within the business
5. Poor inventory management
6. Lack of safeguards
7. Inaccurate vehicle assignment to delivery consignments
8. Poor order scheduling
Steps to Maximize Delivery Accuracy with RFID technology
In order to utilize RFID technology to maximize delivery accuracy, follow the following steps:
1. Assess the current processes and identify bottlenecks.
2. Gather feedback from staff and vendors involved.
3. Evaluate the efficacy of existing technologies and tools being used.
4. Forecast the future challenges.
Once this is done, implement RFID technology in the following ways:
Tag All Assets with RFID tags
The first step, in order to implement RFID technology, is to tag all assets with RFID tags and labels. UHF RFID tags provide maximum read range while being cost-effective. Choose the best RFID tag depending on the assets, and indoor and outdoor environment, and create a database of all tagged items.
Select RFID Readers and Antennas
Once a database is prepared, select the best-suited RFID readers and antennas that fit your identification and tracking needs. You can choose RFID handheld Readers as well as RFID fixed readers for portable and fixed-use cases. Selecting the best antennas is also crucial. You can choose a circularly polarized antenna with high gain or linear polarized antennas with moderate gain, depending upon the read range requirements at distinct sites.
Use a Comprehensive Inventory Management and Order Delivery Software
The next step is to choose comprehensive inventory management and order delivery software that is integrated with the RFID infrastructure created so far.
It solves two pertinent issues:
1. It offers complete visibility of the inventory available on the warehouse floor and real-time tracking of assets on the move.
2. The delivery management software provides you with real-time tracking of orders being dispatched or orders en route.
Implement Predictive Analytics
The predictive analytics tool analyzes historical data on inventory, supply and demand, and delivery time. RFID tagging allows you to prepare better, allows capacitive planning, prevents stockouts, and ensures delivery accuracy.
Quick Verification Process
Another important aspect of improving delivery accuracy is having a quick verification process. RFID tagging of assets allows you to quickly prepare a pick list and verify the assets that are about to be dispatched. It streamlines the verification process via tag auditing verifying each consignment with the order quantity, weight, etc.
Item Loading and Delivery Route Optimization
Accurately loading items on assigned vehicles is another part that should be prioritized. With RFID and RFID order delivery software, it can be done without any issues. A digital loading plan can be created to ensure items are loaded correctly.
Having an optimized route for orders being delivered is also beneficial in getting the order to the destination on time.
Create Delivery Windows
Another significant step in optimizing delivery accuracy is to create delivery windows for orders. Using the order delivery software, warehouse managers can view all orders for the day, week, and month and create well-planned delivery windows for better delivery accuracy.
Final Delivery and Feedback
With RFID technology at the helm, it is easier to get real-time updates on final delivery. A delivery note is created, which is automatically updated in the software system for insights and reports. Having the provision of SMS/email alerts to customers and warehouse managers upon delivery is also quite helpful.
With RFID, it is also easier to get customer feedback upon the final delivery of goods, which helps with refining the delivery optimization next time.
Reverse Logistics
Final delivery is not the last step in the delivery process. Reverse logistics, i.e. picking up returns or replacements, is also an important part of retail and e-commerce businesses these days and it should be designed in such a way that customers are satisfied and retailers don’t incur huge costs.
Having complete visibility of orders and their status ensures that items can be picked up from customers in a time-bound manner, at a minimum cost.
To conclude, a technology like RFID can play a huge role in optimizing delivery accuracy, which, btw is the need of the hour. Apart from the huge competition, retailers need to have a solid plan to solve the delivery problems, as customers want real-time updates on their orders and timely delivery of the same. Nothing hurts a business more than losing customers to a rival firm that has a better supply chain and logistics. RFID and RFID-based warehouse management, and order delivery software can provide retailers with real-time visibility, audits and verifications, delivery route optimization, order tracking, and quick returns while saving on costs.
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