Free is usually that word that has magical qualities, since it manages to attract anyone for whatever reason. Who hasn't ever seen a kilometer line of retirees because they were giving away “something”? Something, most likely absurd and useless, but free. And if something is free, we all want them.

The last mile is a process of increasing social relevance, especially considering the enormous growth of e-commerce in recent years.

The importance of the last mile delivery process is given not only by the rise of ecommerce as a more than widespread buying trend, but also because of the complexity that the process itself is gaining due to its success.

Logistics companies struggle to be increasingly outstanding in an increasingly competitive market: satisfactory and fast deliveries, contactless, flexible deliveries or with an efficient reverse logistics policy, among others.

In order to meet all these expectations, logistics companies are required to redesign their last-mile strategy in order to continue in such a changing market. It is therefore essential to consider new ways of proceeding with last-mile delivery, since traditional logistics models have become obsolete, since they will not be commensurate with the current expectations of users.

In this case, the scanning is the key piece of this puzzle, since it will be what will allow companies to keep up to date within the sector.

But is it possible to digitalize the last-mile process successfully and for free?

Google Maps vs. specialized last-mile software

Free tools, such as Google Maps, can be very useful on a daily basis as a support method for moving to certain locations, planning trips abroad or even organizing specific routes. But is it possible to use this tool as a last-mile delivery planner? Our opinion is categorical: no.

The limitations of free tools such as Google Maps are numerous. As mentioned before, the last-mile delivery process is far from simple, in fact, in recent years it has become an increasingly complex and professional process (all due to its success in terms of market buying trends).

Therefore, delegating such complex and important processes as route planning and optimization to tools that are not specialized in this regard is a big mistake. In the case of Google Maps, many of the above-mentioned needs cannot be met, such as exhaustive route optimization, direct communication with customers, real-time monitoring of operations or even delivery tests, among others.

Consequently, we must bear in mind that in order to be logistically successful, we must rely on specialized last-mile software. In the article ”The 5 features you should look for in a last-mile management software”, we tell you in detail everything you should look for in specialized software.

Where two fit, three fit

Greed is known as a cardinal sin, but can it really be considered as such if we speak in logistical terms?

As mentioned before, the logistics industry is very competitive and staying firm in it can be really difficult. For this reason, professional excellence must be sought and, in concrete terms such as last-mile deliveries, even more so.

Incorporating specialized software for the last mile for the organization and favorable course of our daily operations is essential. In addition, it is also interesting to consider the facilities provided by tools such as Google Maps (and not only because they incorporate the magic word: “free”); in the specific case of the Google tool, it will directly help in making deliveries, as a route guide for them.

At this point, why not consider working with both tools and simultaneously? This is possible, since some of the most developed route planning software on the market incorporate Google Maps as part of their services.

In short, incorporating a specialized route planner and having it connected to tools such as Google Maps will guarantee success.

See for yourself all the advantages of incorporating specialized software that also has Google Maps, such as SmartMonkey Planner. Plus, if you sign up now, you'll get a free trial period (for a limited time only).

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The logistics industry is constantly changing, both in processes and in the way of proceeding. These changes are due, to a large extent, to technological advances in the sector, which evoke different modalities in logistics processes, such as reverse logistics.

What is Reverse Logistics?

Reverse logistics is the set of practices and processes responsible for managing the returns and returns of those products purchased by users.

These returns or returns are managed from the points of sale of the products to the manufacturer itself (to carry out the repair, recycling or disposal of the product at the lowest possible cost).

In addition, reverse logistics is already another process and of vital importance when planning the supply chain for the satisfaction of the end customer.

7 tips to improve your reverse logistics

Customer Centric: It responds to the customer-oriented strategy through which an organization places the customer at the center of the company with the objective of focusing all processes and operations on users.

The implementation of the Customer Centric strategy increases the satisfaction of our users, since we focus all our efforts on knowing their needs and concerns regarding our activity. Knowing the desired delivery and return times or a maximum price per service will help increase your satisfaction and, therefore, carry out a satisfactory reverse logistics process.

Strategic Planning: Perform measured and analytical planning to ensure the correct management of operations taking into account parameters such as mileage or travel time. With the right software, this will be an autonomous task, in which a large amount of time is not required and with an optimal result, since it will always offer the most efficient route.

Optimization of resources: The optimization of resources when it comes to transportation is essential for the success of your company's reverse logistics process; it will help control the traceability, trajectory and tracking of shipments. In addition, planning delivery routes efficiently and optimally will result in significant economic and time savings. Therefore, the use of specialized software for route planning will be a key element in increasing the efficiency of your company's reverse logistics process.

Use of metrics and KPIs: To evaluate the productivity and performance of the reverse logistics process, the use of KPIs is essential (Key Performance Indicator). These indicators will help measure and quantify your company's performance and compliance with established objectives. It is recommended that when defining the logistics KPIs, they are developed based on the S.M.A.R.T. (Smart, Mmeasurable, Achivable, Realistic and Time-Bound) model.

Shorter return times: As mentioned before in relation to the Customer Centric strategy, it is essential to know not only the limits of our company in terms of acceptable delivery or return times, but also the “deadlines” or desired deadlines of our customers. For this reason, and in general terms, it should be prioritized that collection and return times are as short as possible and without the need to increase the amount of resources associated with reverse logistics. Thus, specific efforts should be made to improve this particular process.

Proactive monitoring: Proactive monitoring is the live monitoring of the daily planning of services and deliveries that warns of possible failures and errors while allowing us to react and adapt operations in a satisfactory manner.

Good proactive monitoring must have the possibility of monitoring the operation in real time and thus be able to view the progress of the operation live at all times. In addition, and in relation to the real-time monitoring of operations, it is essential that it incorporates sufficient functions that allow a timely reaction to possible failures or errors.

Non-intelligent warehouses or Smart Storage: Smart warehouses are specialized logistics centers that make use of technology to increase efficiency in all their processes, such as the reception, preparation or storage of goods.

An example of the use and benefit of implementing intelligent warehouses in the reverse logistics process is the case of Amazon, a company that has included artificial intelligence in its warehouses in order to quickly determine, based on the costs of each product and its associated return costs, if it accepts to pick up the product in question by activating the reverse logistics process or, on the contrary, makes the refund without the collection of said merchandise.

If you want to guarantee the success of your company's reverse logistics process, you can do so now with the specialized SmartMonkey Planner software. Try it free for 10 days, for a limited time only.

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Society is constantly evolving and that is nothing new. However, there are changes that transcend much more than others given their relevance and impact on the population. One of these changes that has transformed and even saved lives in the future in recent years is healthcare logistics.

What is healthcare logistics?

Health logistics is the set of logistical and management procedures that provide the necessary health facilities in order to provide the population with health care.

Healthcare logistics encompasses numerous activities and services within the healthcare sector, such as the management and distribution of vaccines, visits by medical teams, patient transport, emergency services, drug distribution, management of biological samples and much more.

The health metamorphosis

As in any other field or sector, healthcare has undergone many changes over the years.

Trends such as home hospitalization, born in the late 80s, is now a preferred option in more and more cases: it is currently consolidating itself as a way of practicing medicine that improves in many aspects, since patients feel more comfortable at home, it is easier to follow up on treatments and, ultimately, satisfaction is greater on both sides.

This is just one example of the resilience of healthcare in general terms. Despite suffering major economic and even health crises such as Covid-19, it manages to persist and adapt to changes, including the digitalization of its logistics.

The digital transformation in healthcare logistics

If there is one field in which digitalization has been key to the development and proper functioning of processes, it is that of the healthcare sector.

The recent inclusion of digital mechanisms in healthcare logistics not only helps but also enables the efficient carrying out of processes in the health sector. Proof of this is, for example, the management of patient transport, since thanks to the implementation of specific computer systems, it is possible to optimize health planning and make it more efficient.

Therefore, the digitalization of healthcare logistics is evident: a sector that implements technologies rapidly. This is due, in part, to the scarcity of public economic resources, which has led the health sector to search for effective and rapidly implemented alternatives that can fill the “technological hole” due to the lack of such economic resources. All of this leads to the lack of efficient tools and, therefore, to the search for alternatives outside the borders of their own sectors that help with the demand for health needs.

Some of the most common problems in healthcare logistics

Logistics management in the healthcare sector is one of the most challenging processes due to the large number of factors involved, in addition to the enormous social responsibility that it entails. Therefore, identifying the most common problems faced by this type of logistics is a key factor in determining possible effective solutions.

Use the technique of 5-Why Originally from Toyota, from the creators of the entire Lean methodology, it is a good way to identify those problems and their causes.

For example, the one that is probably the biggest and most widespread of your problems: obsolescence.

Digitalization is here to stay and that affects any sector, including healthcare. It is not necessary to delve into the innumerable advantages provided by technology in any of its aspects, but it is necessary to highlight all the problems currently faced by all those companies, sectors or even processes that are not digitized.

Not making use of digital tools such as specialized software leads to much slower processes, since they are carried out manually and not in an automated way. There is also a greater risk that unpredictable human errors may occur, the difficulty of maintaining a consistent process over time, or simply the risk that no one else knows how to do certain tasks.

The problem of obsolescence not only has an impact on slow and archaic processes, but also on consequences derived from it. An example of this is the case of a home care service: when carrying out daily planning manually, they are forced to invest a lot of time in the organization; in addition, the result of such manual planning will inevitably be inefficient, since it will be impossible to calculate distances and time intervals precisely. Wasting time on very scarce health resources, such as a doctor or a nurse, to name just a few examples. This is one of the big mistakes of last-mile management: an obsolete planning strategy.

Another very common derivative problem in correspondence with healthcare logistics is, precisely, the lack of traceability. Without mechanisms to ensure the necessary monitoring of our operations and to know the updates of the estimated arrival times, it will be very difficult to manage possible day-to-day unforeseen events and we will have to improvise, which ultimately generates inefficiencies, overdemand on healthcare equipment and an impact on the quality of care and the service provided.

Tools for the logistical planning of health routes: what you should keep in mind

As mentioned before, healthcare logistics has become very important in recent years, especially considering the current health crisis caused by Covid-19 and the difficulty with planning many processes in the face of an unexpected peak in demand. Therefore, having planning tools to meet each of the medical needs of each of the health activities is vital to obtain a better service at a lower cost.

Next, we'll guide you through the 5 key elements you should consider for the logistical planning of health routes:

· Route planning and optimization: Having a route planning service will ensure the correct management of operations taking into account parameters such as mileage or travel time. With the right software, this will be an autonomous task, in which you will not have to invest time and with an optimal result, since it will always offer the most efficient route.

· Proactive monitoring: Monitoring the operations in real time will be very useful for you to be able to face changes or possible setbacks that arise.

· Communication: Transparency and direct communication with users is essential for their satisfaction with our service.

· Flexibility: It is necessary to have a tool that has sufficient flexibility to be able to make changes throughout the operating process, such as being able to modify delivery times according to the urgency or to transfer a service from one driver to another, among others.

· Easy implementation: Prioritize tools that are easy and quick to implement, which in a matter of a few hours you can use at 100%, without having to invest too much time in explanations or meetings. Choosing complex tools makes it harder for people who have to use it on a daily basis to be more difficult to adopt and tend to keep doing things as usual.

Las delivery tests, also known in English as Proof of Delivery (PoD), are the set of all the information related to the delivery of a package or the performance of a service.

Its use is increasingly widespread in logistics operations, since it certifies deliveries and/or services in a satisfactory manner, both for companies and for the customers themselves.

PEE or electronic proof of delivery (PoD)

In an increasingly digitized context that requires increasingly immediate processes, it is essential to incorporate mechanisms and tools that advance in the same way as operational requirements. For this reason, the use of PEE or, in other words, electronic proof of delivery is currently essential.

PEEs are the digital proof through which an individual or company certifies that they have received a good or service.

In this way, these PEEs support the execution of a delivery or service, certifying variables such as time, location, name of the receiver, the receiver's signature and even photographs.

Thanks to the incorporation of proof of delivery into the operation, the companies that carry out the service or delivery can access all the documentation electronically, in order to quickly verify that the operation has been carried out correctly.

Nowadays, digital proof of delivery is already part of the vast majority of companies in the logistics sector, as they are the mechanisms that help us to provide greater control of the last mile process quickly and efficiently.

Benefits of digital proof of delivery

As mentioned above, the main advantage of digital delivery tests is the absolute control of the process of delivering or performing a service immediately. However, they also have multiple other advantages. Here are some of them:

• Productivity: the use of digital proof of delivery speeds up the delivery process, since times are shortened in addition to also facilitating information management.
• Increased information: The amount of information collected in digital proof of delivery is greater than on paper, since there is limited capacity in paper form.
• Photographs: with digital proof of delivery, it is possible to add photographs of the time of delivery or completion of the service instantly.
• Reducing costs: with the addition of tools that allow digital delivery tests, all costs associated with the storage of analog proof of delivery (personnel, space, etc.) are eliminated.
• Efficiency: with the inclusion of digital proof of delivery, we will avoid possible human errors such as the loss of documentation or possible confusion.
• Sustainability: betting on methods that help improve the sustainability of our company is increasingly important and this is precisely another advantage of digital proof of delivery, since it encourages the elimination of the use of single-use paper by digital and more sustainable alternatives.

The multiple uses of proof of delivery

Now that you know what proof of delivery is and what all their advantages are, we'll show you some of their many uses.

• Traceability: not only in the process of delivering an order, in which the proof of delivery certifies the delivery of the order, both for the delivery company and for the customer, but also in the performance of services. An example of this is the case of a company dedicated to the provision of cleaning services: in this particular case, the company that performs the cleaning certifies that the cleaning has been carried out correctly, sending one or more photographs both to the user receiving said service and to its own company. In this way, both users and entrepreneurs are instantly certain that the service has been successfully performed.
• Comprehensive control: It is common for Horeca channel distribution companies to change at the time of delivery due to a multitude of possibilities: products in poor condition, unwanted, etc. In this case, and thanks to the proof of delivery, the total quantity of products received is reflected, as well as the characteristics of each of them. All of this can be automatically synchronized with the ERP, in order to update the customer's final billing and reduce to a matter of seconds an operation that, without digital proof of delivery, could be extended to days, billing errors and an endless number of calls and office work and a delay in the collection of the goods, with the consequent financial cost for the distribution company.
• Proactive monitoring: Another of the uses, while the great advantage of including proof of delivery in our operations, is precisely its use when it comes to traceability in real time. An example of this is the case in which the logistics manager of the operation may be controlling and monitoring the status of the deliveries in real time and, in this way, be able to observe if there are delays or if there have been any problems at the time of delivery that can be corrected.

Do you want to know how you can incorporate proof of delivery into your operations and you don't know how? Very easy! In Routal Planner we have delivery tests and a multitude of other features. Sign up now and enjoy all of them thanks to our free trial period.

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If you want to know more about proactive monitoring, access our article “Optimize delivery management with proactive monitoring” and discover all its advantages.

Las failed deliveries They are the Achilles' heel of any company that offers last-mile delivery services and is even the main problem of companies that rely on logistics for the development of their commercial activity.

Logistic activities present great challenges but, without a doubt, the biggest of them all are failed deliveries. It is estimated that more than 1 in 10 deliveries are unsuccessful due, for the most part, to communication problems between customers and the delivery company.

Some of the most common situations in which failed deliveries occur and the origin of customer-company communication problems, according to the portal Eurosender are the absence of the recipient at the time of delivery, an incomplete or incorrect address or, even, problems accessing the recipient are some of the most common causes, among others.

The failed deliveries of Marcos, Silvia and César: a story of overcoming

As mentioned before, failed deliveries are a major challenge for many companies, not only those that focus their activities on the last mile but also for many others that rely on logistics for the success of their business.

Below we tell you the story of Marcos, Silvia and César. Three short stories that show the impact of failed deliveries on their daily activities and how they have been able to overcome them.

Marcos is a first-class chef

Marcos is the owner and chef of a centrally located restaurant in Madrid. Marcos is also responsible for making the inventory and receiving the daily merchandise for its elaborations. However, he also suffers from failed deliveries, since he told us that he had to change many dishes from his daily menu beforehand because the merchandise arrived late and without prior notice. This forced him to redo the menu at the last minute and adapt in record time, which has made him a first-class chef. Now, thanks to better planning and communication with their suppliers, their failed deliveries have been reduced by 97%.

Silvia's round numbers

Silvia is in charge of the logistics area of her company ecommerce, specialized in the last mile delivery of organic products. Before the incorporation of Silvia, her company had a 19% failed delivery rate, a very high cost for a small family business. As soon as Silvia joined the company, she could see the great challenge she was facing and looked for the main reasons why there were so many failed deliveries over the course of a single day and these were, in short, problems in communication between customer and delivery person. Now, Silvia has round the numbers, as the rate of failed deliveries has fallen to less than 4%.

César's customer satisfaction

Over the years, César has suffered from poor reviews about his company from customers who were dissatisfied with the services he offered. César had to find out what was the problem that most of his clients were facing and try to solve it quickly, in order to avoid the debacle of his company's image on the Internet. Over time, he was able to identify that he had communication problems with his customers, since they complained of not being notified when the service was performed (despite being carried out) or even of not having photographic evidence to verify that the service was being performed. César solved the problem as soon as he detected the problem and now has a better reputation and a score of 4.4 out of 5 in his company.

Marcos, Silvia, César and yours's solution for failed deliveries

As you can see, failed deliveries are a pending issue in many companies. A highly complex challenge within the logistics chain that leads us to prioritize knowing what its possible errors are and how to solve them. But what then is the solution? As any marriage therapist would also tell you... COMMUNICATION.

The stories of Marcos, Silvia and César are real stories of our clients who have sent us over the years and as a sign of gratitude.

Not having direct and effective communication with your customers and even with the drivers and delivery people themselves is one of the biggest mistakes in logistics.

Being able to enjoy direct and inattentive communication channels that allow customers to know when they will receive a package, to verify that a service has been carried out or what phase of operation it is in is key to effective deliveries and also to the satisfaction of all parties.

The transparency and effectiveness of the entire process is very important and both Marcos, Silvia and César know this. All of them were able to identify the problem their business had and found it in Routal Planner the solution. They saw Planner not only as an optimizer of delivery routes, but also as a platform for direct communication with their customers. Now all your customers have Information updated in real time in addition to also having delivery tests for the verification of the performance of the services.

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Learn about other effective methods to combat failed deliveries in our article “Optimize delivery management with proactive monitoring”.

The last days and the first days of the year are crucial in any area, both personally and in business. We take the opportunity to take stock of everything that happened in the previous year and, we also took the opportunity to set new resolutions for the following year, in order to improve and prosper in the nearest future.

At SmartMonkey we want to help you have a very prosperous and beneficial next year for you and, therefore, we are going to help you with what we do best: last-mile logistics.

If you haven't yet considered what resolutions you need for 2022, don't worry, we'll give you the keys. Below, we show you what logistics purposes you need to set for a successful 2022 for your company.

Logistic Purposes for 2022

• Improve customer satisfaction: User satisfaction with the service we offer must be one of our greatest objectives as a company. To do this, we must carry out actions that directly increase satisfaction and one of the key aspects for this is communication. Direct communication with users is essential, since in the midst of the digital age, we are used to being constantly connected and informed. With the use of specialized software, customers should be able to receive direct and real-time information about your purchases. For example, your customers should be able to know at all times where their order is or when they will receive it, among others. Therefore, it is essential that you incorporate mechanisms or tools that allow such direct communication and, therefore, increase your satisfaction.
• Reduce failed deliveries: One of the big puzzles for most logistics companies and the carriers themselves is failed deliveries. For this reason, it is essential to make every effort to reduce this rate to a minimum or even disappear in the coming year. But you may wonder, and how do I do it? Well, as we mentioned before, the communication is key. If you establish direct communication channels with your customers, not only will their satisfaction with your company increase, but you will also reduce failed deliveries, since you can set a schedule or ensure that your customer will be at home a few minutes before receiving the package. It's that simple!
• More sustainable logistics: La Green Logistics refers to all those efforts and actions aimed at measuring and minimizing the impact of logistics on the environment. In short, a set of initiatives to reduce the environmental impact derived from logistics activity. By implementing measures such as the reduction of plastics in packaging or the incorporation of specialized software to obtain efficient routes, we will make our operations increasingly sustainable, bringing us ever closer to the famous “green logistics”.
• Reduce route times: Have the route planning service, in order to ensure the correct management of the operation taking into account parameters such as mileage or travel time. With the right software, this will be an autonomous task, in which you will not have to invest time and with an optimal result, since it will always offer you the most efficient route.
• Proactive monitoring: La proactive monitoring It is the live monitoring of the daily planning of services and deliveries that warns of possible failures and errors while allowing us to react and adapt operations in a satisfactory manner.

Start the year fulfilling your resolutions and have a year of business success within your reach thanks to SmartMonkey Planner. Enjoy a free 10-day trial period.

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Before setting resolutions, it is time to take stock of the previous year to evaluate everything that happened and give rise to reflection. Learn about SmartMonkey's 2021 balance sheet in the article 2021 balance sheet: Routal's success story.

A few days before the end of the year, at SmartMonkey we take stock of 2021: a year as convulsive as it is productive.

Throughout 2021 and even with the pandemic of Covid-19 very present, many companies have been forced to change and adapt to that no longer so “new reality”. New ways of proceeding such as “contact 0” deliveries or the switch to a increasingly sustainable logistics.

We can't be unfair, because despite enormous efforts, 2021 has been a great year at SmartMonkey and you, the user, know what we're talking about.

We have established ourselves as one of the last-mile management platforms most highly rated by its users: more than 200 customers from around 26 countries rely on SmartMonkey Planner for their operations on a daily basis. And thanks to this, and because more and more people trust Planner as their last mile manager, we can say that 2021 is closing as a year that is very aware of the environment: thanks to the use of Planner, 332 tons of CO2 have been saved.

The secret to SmartMonkey's success in 2021: We listen to our users

As we mentioned before, our users know how important it is for us to listen actively in addition to meeting and understanding each other's needs.

Precisely for this reason, in 2021 at SmartMonkey Planner we have implemented great new features on our platform. We started the year with Highway and in April we switched to Planner: a new platform with a much friendlier interface, further improving the experience of our users.

Thanks to the trust of users in SmartMonkey, we are Constant growth, which facilitates the relentless implementation of new features within the platform. In the last month of November, we launched new features within Planner, thus meeting the needs that our users let us know.

Planner is one of the most complete software for managing the last mile, thanks to some of the recent features:

Creating Zones: the possibility of organizing your daily planning taking into account the areas where delivery people can go. You can create zones for different zip codes, neighborhoods, regions, or any division that is of interest to your business.

Tasks: Tasks are all those activities or services that are part of the same stop, regardless of their status (whether those in force, to be performed or completed). Add more information to your stops by creating tasks to include all the details of your deliveries.

Barcode reading: The driver currently has the possibility to indicate the tasks as performed by scanning the barcode from the application.

Mode of transport: currently, in addition to a car, you can generate your routes with a bicycle, motorcycle and truck.

Estimated delivery time: know at all times what the current time of arrival of a driver is at a specific service, at what exact time it has been canceled or if at that time he is in transit, while your customers have the estimated time of delivery constantly updated.

These latest news are added to the long list of features that we have today. From the optimization of efficient routes to direct communication with your customers and even to the real-time monitoring of operations. All this and much more is SmartMonkey Planner. If you want to know in detail how our customers benefit from all these features and many others, discover Planner's use cases: Plan and optimize your deliveries, Track your deliveries, Monitor your operations and Notify your customers.

Don't be left behind and be part of a successful platform and transfer it to your operations, sign up for Planner:

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Santa Claus is one of the greatest and most recognized representations of Christmas. A great, endearing hero and the one responsible par excellence for distributing thousands and thousands of gifts in addition to fulfilling a large number of dreams.

The work of Santa Claus at Christmas is commendable: distributing a large volume of gifts on time and around the world, without forgetting a single one. For this reason, he is a hero, a hero without a cape, as are all those people who are part of a company's logistics operations and who, day after day (not just at Christmas), manage to distribute thousands of products in record time. But what is their secret? How do they manage to deliver so many packages and always on time? Keep reading and we'll explain how to:

2021 Christmas sales forecast

The Christmas campaign is, without a doubt, one of the great challenges for companies in the logistics sector. The increase in Christmas shopping compared to other months of the year leads to an increase in logistics operations. Companies in the logistics sector must do their best to meet the high demand these days (Santa Claus is unforgiving!).

In fact, on specialized portals such as The Economist, highlight a forecast of an increase in shipping management of more than 7% compared to data for the 2020 financial year, which will lead to more than 160 million shipments over this period.

For this reason, logistics heroes, including Santa Claus, are not left behind and rely on tools that can provide all their gifts on time and around the world. Below we reveal to you the great enigma of success.

What is the big secret of Santa Claus?

Given the great impact on sales in practically all stores during the Christmas campaign, it is essential to have excellent logistics management to meet the high demand.

For Santa Claus, it is increasingly important to speed and efficiency when it comes to distributing your gifts: being able to reach all places and in the shortest possible time is a priority.

For this reason, implementing tools that facilitate logistics operations and, above all, help to efficiently manage delivery routes is vital on such a special date.

Here's what Santa Claus' great secret is for a successful Christmas:

· Un software specialized in the last mile: the implementation of specialized tools for managing the last mile is essential, especially considering the busy Christmas dates. Specialized software will contribute to your company's commercial success at Christmas, since it will allow you to plan delivery routes in a matter of seconds, as well as making them more efficient. With efficient routes, you will not only have economic savings, due to lower fuel consumption, but also time savings, since you will carry out the most optimal route.

· Direct communication channels with your customers: direct communication with users is essential, since in the midst of the digital age, we are used to being constantly connected and informed. With the use of specialized software, your customers will be able to receive direct and real-time information about your purchases. For example, your customers will be able to know at all times where their order is or when they will receive it, among others.

· Transportation: given the huge sales forecast for Christmas, it is necessary to take into account the company's logistics and transport capabilities. If, as we mentioned before, the increase in sales is greater than 7% compared to other days, we must weigh what the transport needs will be in order to operate successfully. To reach the total of the operation, you must Increase transport of the same exponentially: increasing one third of available transport, at least 2% if sales exceed 7%.

· Logistic staff: in the same way as with transport, it will be necessary increase specialized logistics staff to be able to carry out the day in a satisfactory manner. Taking into account that the increase in sales will be 7%, the available logistics staff must increase by the same number or, at least, by 2% more. Therefore, the workforce should increase by 2%-5% for that day.

Still not delivering like Santa Claus? Do like him and get all your orders to arrive on time and with great savings thanks to the use of SmartMonkey Planner. And if you know any stragglers who are still delivering on a camel, give them a gift and share this item (they arrive, but they always take longer).

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La delivery management It is one of the most important and important parts of any logistics company and, therefore, it is essential to incorporate the proactive monitoring in our operations, in order to carry out the provision of services in a satisfactory manner.

El Rise of online commerce, especially after the pandemic, is further evidence of the paradigm shift in terms of the purchasing habits of the vast majority of consumers, since a new scenario is being proposed where the great advantages of ecommerce, such as the convenience of shopping anywhere or the possibility of buying products and prices.

Taking into account that this e-commerce model is here to stay and will most likely grow and innovate in the coming years, it is essential to ensure optimal management of logistics resources in order to offer efficient and satisfactory delivery management for customers.

In this regard, organization, efficiency and, especially, the ease of adaptation in deliveries are key factors in achieving fast and optimal deliveries. All of this will contribute greatly to the satisfaction of our customers and, therefore, to the good image of our company.

For all these reasons and given the importance of managing deliveries, today many companies have chosen to implement specialized software in the last mile to carry out the operation of deliveries in an efficient manner. The incorporation of specialized tools for last-mile management in logistics companies is the solution to many of the inconveniences that may arise, such as poor planning in deliveries or keeping an exhaustive monitoring of operations in order to carry out a more productive and satisfactory delivery.

Proactive monitoring

As stated before, delivery management is already a determining factor in the proper functioning of any logistics company and the implementation of tools to help us manage it is becoming increasingly important.

In this regard, it is important to take into account concepts such as proactive monitoring.

What is proactive monitoring?

La proactive monitoring It is the live monitoring of the daily planning of services and deliveries that warns of possible failures and errors while allowing us to react and adapt operations in a satisfactory manner.

What should good proactive monitoring look like?

Precisely, adequate proactive monitoring must have sufficient tools and functionalities that allow our operations to react favorably in time.

In this way, it is essential that Let's incorporate delivery management tools that have proactive monitoring and that it be comprehensive enough.

To keep in mind, good monitoring must have the possibility of carrying out the Real-time monitoring of operations: to be able to view at any time and live what the operation is going on.

In addition, and in relation to the real-time monitoring of operations, it is essential that it incorporates sufficient functions that allow a timely reaction to possible failures or errors. For example, it's important to consider the possibility of change in the order of stops or services. In the event of an unforeseen event and we must give priority to one stop over the rest, it will be essential that we have the right tool that allows us to make this change easily.

On the other hand, it is also important in terms of proactive monitoring, that our delivery management software also has the possibility of being able to carry out a change in the assignment of services between one driver and another. For example, thanks to the live view, we can see how one of our drivers must deviate from the route and there is one stop waiting to be made: in this case, we can easily change the assignment of that stop from one driver to another, so that said stop or service can be performed correctly.

Proactive monitoring is also very important when it comes to our customers. Thanks to being able to carry out an exhaustive and live monitoring of the operation, it will be possible to give our customers timely notice of, for example, a delay, which will have allowed them to react and then be able to perform the service efficiently.

All of these features and functions of proactive monitoring are essential, but it is also important to consider the magnitude of the operation and how stressful it can be. Therefore, it is also important to keep in mind that proactive monitoring can be done in a way comfortable and friendly: to be able to know what is happening on a single screen and without having to press the different Inputs on a consistent basis.

To do this, we must incorporate a tool that allows proactive monitoring to be possible and complete but, in addition, that it is independent and that we only have to have the screen open without having to be constantly aware, but simply to see sideways that everything is going as planned or that some of the routes are having unexpected behavior. That's when we'll need to pay attention and identify how to solve the problem.

Differences between proactive and reactive monitoring

Although it is true that more and more companies are betting on continuous improvement and are incorporating mechanisms such as monitoring given their great benefits, there are still laggards that are left behind doing reactive monitoring, a way of proceeding that is currently obsolete.

By proactively monitoring, we can move forward to potential problems. An informed customer at all times allows us to act quickly in the face of any incident, offering solutions proactively, such as arriving later than expected. Being proactive allows us to move forward to possible problems that may arise and not only to avoid them, but also to think about customer satisfaction by offering solutions and alternatives, which they will undoubtedly value very positively.

On the other hand, reactive monitoring does not contemplate possible problems that may arise. It only takes them into account once they have occurred, usually when the wait is longer than usual. At that point, it's too late to provide a satisfactory solution to the customer.

The usual case, when a customer makes the decision to call. This situation is usually due to the lack of information and visibility to the customer, which does not allow them to adapt their daily lives to the operational one. This situation creates stress and uncertainty for the client. The call is a sign that any changes we make to meet that customer's demand will generate extra delays for the rest and not only that, the added pressure for drivers.

With SmartMonkey Planner you can enjoy all the advantages of being able to carry out proactive monitoring, since it is a software specialized in last mile management that has a multitude of functions so that you can easily monitor and adapt your operations at any time.

If you want to position yourself ahead of your competitors, join Planner. In addition, you can sign up now without obligation, we have a free 10-day trial period.

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Do you want to know if you make some of the most common mistakes in the last mile and how to fix them? Go to our article The 4 mistakes to avoid in the last mile and we explain it to you.