Category: Knowledge Centre

Nowadays, the general belief among many companies with logistics operations is that shifting to sustainable solutions is an expensive move. They consider logistics processes as mere costs that ultimately don’t generate any value for the company and its customers. Therefore, they compress these costs as much as possible, selecting solutions based on the lowest price, trying to limit the consumers’ visibility on these elements. But that is assuredly not so, because organizations can still comply with sustainability guidelines and advanced planning tools and maintain a high profit margin.

Ways to achieve sustainability in Connected Logistics

Supply chain sustainability helps to save money, build strong business relationships, and benefits the environment too. Here are the three elements of supply chain sustainability you have to consider:

Social

It involves principles, ethics, morals and philanthropic expectations of the society from a business. When you consider “people” in the supply chain, it not only means company employees, but even vendors, customers, local communities, and society as a whole. To enhance social sustainability, companies have to come up with measurable goals to maximize their positive social impact. 

Driver safety

Anstel’s Connected Logistics solutions help to manage assets, gain better control of fleet operations, boost efficiency, and  keep tabs on real-time location of vehicles and drivers at all times. Combined with a driver monitoring system, which allows extensive in-cabin monitoring, it is possible to optimize both vehicle and workforce performance. Both devices automatically record daily driving behavioral data, so fleet managers get a clearer overview of their performance. With the aid of alerts, reports, and driver scorecard analytics, managers stay informed of unsafe driving, negligence, driver fatigue, and other problematic behavioral patterns. Alerts are sent to drivers so they can self-correct their driving immediately to prevent incidents on the road.

Pedestrian safety

Thanks to in-depth data being collected from a fleet monitoring system, managers can identify areas of improvement and take action accordingly. Small distractions on the road could lead to fatal accidents, so it is important to enforce safe driving practices. Apart from rectifying driving behavior issues, managers can protect employees, while ensuring safety of other drivers and pedestrians on the road. Training modules can be developed for grooming employees into conscious and responsible drivers.

Reduce theft

Cargo theft is a huge problem these days, which leads to millions of dollars in losses! Fleet management software and telematics are excellent tools to zero in on the fleet’s real-time location and get regular updates. With smart IoT enabled GPS tracking devices and sensors in place, fleet managers can keep track of their shipments to prevent theft.  In case there is any deviation from the planned route, the update is shared with the concerned person in real-time. The geo-fencing feature triggers alarms if vehicles travel outside designated zones.

Environmental

It involves protecting the environment from potential harm caused due to supply chain activities like production, storage, packaging, transportation and other minute operations. The more complex a supply chain, the tougher it is, to achieve true sustainability.

Digitization

It is the era of technology and digitization. All analog supply chain processes are being gradually transformed into digital ones. It is being achieved by establishing dedicated master data that aggregates information from across your entire supply chain, along with information from external sources. Going paperless is a huge part of this trend, as it not only convenient, but also results in making less of a harmful impact on the environment. For instance, technologies like Electronic Data Interchanges (EDIs) can help your procurement team go paperless—Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platforms help make the procurement function more efficient and reduce waste in the supply chain. Connected Fleet and Logistics solutions collect, process, and record data, so fleet managers can access it anytime. No longer do they have to write down details on paper or keep them in filing cabinets! It helps to save the environment while lowering operational costs.

Optimizing processes

Asset management directly impacts the viability of your supply chain. Ultimately, how you keep track of maintenance issues and the ways in which you interpret trends and data have real consequences. Review fuel cost trends, source products and raw materials from locations that are near your customers to minimize transportation costs, and schedule jobs so drivers can focus on the same geographical areas. Drivers should submit post-trip inspection reports so you don’t fall behind on maintenance. A regular maintenance schedule has to be adhered to as well. Route optimization is yet another way to make the supply chain more efficient. Mapping out a cost-effective route not only help drivers complete deliveries faster, but minimizes fuel consumption too.

The incremental costs of losses from damage, wasted time and rework often surprise business owners. For example, on its own, a broken pallet or a defective component might not seem like much. Left unattended, however, such waste can easily run into an exorbitant annual expense that could be eliminated from the balance sheet. Create a list of all the moving parts of your inbound and outbound logistics, highlighting those in particular that you know are high-cost areas. Prioritize those items and any others where performance seems to be below expectations.

Green driving and fuel efficiency

While it is necessary for drivers to follow good driving habits to ensure safety, it is also required for eco driving purposes. Drivers can improve gas mileage and emit fewer greenhouse gases by simply avoiding hard accelerations and slamming on the brakes. Reducing idle time can greatly improve fuel efficiency. Another way to consume less fuel is to ensure that drivers stick to planned routes without any deviations. Keeping up with regular vehicle maintenance is also a must, as a well-maintained vehicle is fuel efficient and offers longer life. Most importantly, it minimizes breakdowns that could otherwise delay shipments, spoil the overall schedule, increase fuel consumption, and so on.

Reduce returns

It is time to improve and perfect the Last Mile aspect of businesses, by ensuring timely delivery and receipt of goods. What happens when the recipient isn’t present to sign for the package? The shipment is returned to the warehouse, and delivery has to be attempted again the next day. It results in excessive fuel consumption, which means a negative footprint on the environment. It has to be verified (prior to deliveries being attempted) if the recipient is actually present to sign for the shipment, so that delivery failure is reduced and returns are minimized.

Financial or Economic

Last but not least, is profit! Supply chain sustainability is about helping the people your organization touches and the planet on which we live. However, it is also about positioning your organization to be sustainably profitable.

Recycle

A sustainable supply chain uses products that are built to have a light environmental footprint, last longer and be easily disassembled and remade or transformed for reuse. It helps to reduce costs in the long run, as efforts are focused on efficiency and reduction of waste.

Minimize costs

IoT enabled devices and sensors keep monitoring the vehicle, and when a critical event occurs, details are sent immediately for preventive analysis. Driver behavior is monitored as well, so crashes can be prevented, which reduces costs associated with repair and maintenance due to accidents, while preventing injuries and fatalities. The Autonautics platform allows predictive and prescriptive maintenance, which is a more practical approach as opposed to scheduled inspection procedures that are expensive. The moment a problem is detected, the vehicle is sent for repairs, taking care of the issue right away. Moreover, drivers should be instructed to stick to planned routes, while minimizing idle time, in order to reduce fuel consumption, which in turn helps to control costs.

The supply chain is continuously generating data in real-time. Using this information you can streamline ordering processes and manage inventory, which saves a lot of expenses upfront. For instance, you know exactly which product is in stock and what has to be ordered. Thus, you can keep up with customer demand, ensure there is no wastage, and minimize carrying fees too. Implement a just-in-time system of inventory management, so you order and receive inventory as and when it is needed, rather than having to store lots of unused stock.

Ensure on-time deliveries

Route optimization plays an integral role when it comes to logistics. It is imperative to use the data being generated to optimize routes while dispatching jobs to drives. Tracking data of delivery times from pickup to drop-off at the end location lets businesses find out where inefficiencies lie, in order to better plan their routes going forward. The longer the distance between drops, the higher is the cost of delivery, along with wastage of time and effort. By optimizing routes, you ensure timely delivery and reduce fuel consumption too. The more jobs your drivers complete within designated time frames, the lesser is your revenue leakage. Timely deliveries mean client satisfaction and repeat business, instead of disgruntled customers leaving poor reviews and switching over to the competition.

A core tenet of a sustainable supply chain is that socially responsible business practices aren’t just good for the planet and the people who live here, but it can bring concrete benefits for the business too. By creating a sustainable supply chain using Connected Logistics, businesses can implement more impactful and positive changes on their environmental footprint, reduce costs, and improve reputation at the same time.

The insurance market is undergoing rapid developments, which is why, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has granted permission to general insurers to introduce sophisticated add-ons such as Pay As You Drive, Pay How You Drive and Floater Policy. They are to be issued to the same individual owner for two-wheelers and private cars as add-ons in a motor insurance policy.

Usage-based premiums make it convenient

The newly introduced add-ons are being offered with the base Motor Own Damage (OD) policy as optional riders. They can be selected by the policyholder based on the coverage they seek. Thus, customers get a chance to manage insurance policies of multiple vehicles owned by them, with affordable premiums.  These are telematics-based auto insurance plans, where the premium is determined the vehicles’ usage and how they are being driven. The IRDAI has been working to help the industry adapt to the times in its ongoing effort to safeguard policyholder interests and boost insurance penetration in India. Motor insurance is constantly evolving, and with the advent of technology, there is much pressure on the insurance fraternity to rise up to the challenging demands.

How does it work?

Pay As Your Drive

This add-on lets customers pay a premium based on vehicle usage. Vehicles that spend more time on the road could attract a higher premium as compared to the ones used less. It will be beneficial for car owners that commute by public transport to work and only use their personal vehicles during weekends. It is simple – the less you drive, the less you pay!

Pay How You Drive

This policy depends entirely on the driving behaviour. Vehicles that attract hefty fines or are involved in more accidents have to pay a higher premium. The data is accessed via the telematics system in the vehicle, and the owner is billed accordingly. If a buyer drives their vehicle in a rash, erratic, or aggressive manner, they would have to pay a higher premium since the risk associated would be greater.

Floater Policy

It allows vehicle owners to get a single blanket policy that covers several vehicles, which includes two-wheelers, rather than buying separate policies. So for those who have a car and two-wheeler at home, it is clearly a win-win!

Auto insurance companies are pleased about the development

Auto insurance companies have welcomed this move by IRDAI as it will eventually do away with the “standard premium for all” practice. Thanks to the new add-ons permit, the OD policy can be tailored as per a customer’s driving behaviour, general upkeep, mileage, and vehicle usage patterns, to offer the best features as per requirements.

The introduction of “Pay as you Drive" and "Pay How You Drive" covers, will nudge customers towards a utility-based “Pay as you Use" model, lending greater flexibility and convenience in customer choice. As of now, there is price equity due to lack of user behaviour based pricing of insurance premiums, which is all set to change. It becomes cost-effective for low usage customers, especially those who drive less than 10,000 kilometres. Some auto insurance companies in India are even offering a discount on premiums for vehicles already installed with telematics and anti-theft devices.

How does Anstel’s Autonautics platform benefit auto insurance companies, along with fleet owners and individual car owners, in accordance to the change in policy?

Auto insurance companies

Anstel’s Autonautics platform can help auto insurance companies offer customized premiums to customers based on their driving behavior. It offers a clear insight into driving patterns such as speed, braking, sharp turns, etc. and tendency to get into accidents. Using this data, insurers can reward responsible drivers by lowering premiums and giving additional benefits. The platform lets insurance companies analyze the risk profile of a driver, while tailoring both offline and online car insurance policies with an appropriate pricing model specific to the customer. Insurers can even use the real-time data analysis to investigate claims.

Fleets and personal vehicle owners

As mentioned, the Autonautics platform helps to monitor driver behavior, which prompts safe driving practices on the road, such as sticking to speed limits, not making sharp turns, refraining from driving erratically, and so on. Good driving behavior mean less fuel consumption, with reduced wear and tear of vehicle parts that minimizes repair costs. The platform reduces the cost of business with inspection based on data rather than physical inspection. If you adhere to safe driving habits on the road, you are likely to pay a lower premium, while getting value-added services at the same time.

As we adjust to living with Covid-19, lifestyles have been drastically impacted. Many people don’t drive regularly, but still have to pay the same annual premium based on the make and model of their vehicle. With the right kind of data, the insurance company can offer new, improved, and beneficial need-based insurance policies to specific car owners. Successful implementation of these policies means growth in profits for the insurer and extensive insurance and satisfaction for the policyholder. It is a win-win for both parties!

The food industry has made several technological advancements to grow and evolve. Yet the problem of food wastage continues to persist. It not only happens at the consumer level but during the production and transportation stages too.

How is food wasted?

As food moves along the supply chain, its quality degrades to a large extent that these products become unsuitable for consumption. The amount of time for spoilage differs for every item. Quality could deteriorate at a swift rate due to environmental factors such as high temperature and humidity. It leads to wastage of food items and huge losses for all stakeholders. Did you know that according to the United Nations, 17% of the total global food production is wasted every year?

How can IoT prevent food wastage?

To prevent wastage of food, it is necessary to monitor the goods 24x7. Human-based monitoring is not only tedious but susceptible to errors as well. This is where Internet of Things (IoT) plays a crucial role. It only strengthens the food supply chain and makes it well-structured, but also minimizes food wastage and boosts safety. IoT sensors act as precise indicators by capturing data during transit, to keep tabs on aspects that affect food quality, in real-time.

Using IoT devices, manufacturers can identify the exact point in the supply chain where food wastage occurs. It is done by collecting and evaluating data in real-time. This data offers a clear insight that helps stakeholders make smart operational decisions. 

Supply chain traceability

A lot of food gets wasted during the manufacturing process, as food undergoes several production stages, involving heavy equipment and machinery. Wastage occurs during handling and storage too. IoT can reduce food waste by using numerous sensors spread across factories. They compile important data about food production, so the causes of wastage can be easily identified. Data such as the expiry date of various products, how much stock is left, products that are overstocked, etc. can be collected. IoT sensors also identify and categorize products based on how fast they spoil, so distribution can be carried out accordingly.

Improved logistics

With the help of GPS systems and RFID transmitters, food products can be stored more effectively. RFID chips ensure visibility into the food supply chain while helping to automate delivery and shipping processes. These transmitters monitor and control temperature, which is why companies are now integrating RFID chips. It means no food spoilage, with retailers getting timely deliveries.

Quality control

IoT sensors can efficiently control food quality and improve food safety. For instance, perishable food items are transported in refrigerated vehicles. IoT sensors constantly monitor the temperature of the vehicles, and if there is any fluctuation, a real-time alert is sent to the concerned person immediately. Real-time data enables quick decisions that save time and money, without compromising the health of consumers. Thus, smart refrigerators and transportation containers, help to maintain the consistency of food product quality. 

To sum up, IoT-based smart sensors can detect temperature changes during manufacturing, storage, and transportation and send alerts. Anstel offers a combination of sensors that keep tabs on freezers and coolers round the clock and sends out an early warning when temperatures aren’t within range. Thus, they prevent food wastage and save thousands of dollars worth of items.

Keywords

• Connected Logistics in Jewelry Industry
• IoT in Jewelry Industry
• Iot solutions and jewellery tracking software
• Jewellry tracking iot solutions software
• Jewellery tracking iot software

Role of Connected Logistics and IoT in the Jewelry Industry

The jewelry industry has undergone a lot of disruptive innovation due to advancements in technology. It has suffered significant losses in the Covid-19 pandemic, but now that economy is slowly bouncing back, this sector has gradually started to align itself to the world’s rapid growth and consumerism. The adoption of IoT (Internet of Things), including Connected Logistics, can now provide actionable insights and enable more informed decision-making.

Let us take a look at how Connected Logistics and IoT are transforming the jewelry industry:

Optimizing inventory

Jewelers have to maintain a high-value inventory when it comes to their accessories and pieces. Materials being out of stock, or being excessively in stock, doesn’t look good! Reordering can be complex to manage as any delay in restocking can lead to revenue leakage. It is imperative to integrate analytics into the in-store sales system, so a real-time inventory status can be obtained along with other valuable indicators. Thus, retailers can transfer slow-moving items between stores and optimize stock levels in showrooms depending upon current trends and demand.

Predictive maintenance

Thanks to IoT-driven data analytics, predictive maintenance solutions can help avoid manufacturing equipment failures and exorbitant maintenance costs. It can also help to minimize staffing by automation of the assembly line, boost the efficiency of production, decrease costs and increase overall revenue.

SMART wearables

With the advent of digitization, consumers now want jewelry that goes beyond aesthetics. People want a combination of fashion and IoT, which has led to SMART (self-monitoring and reporting technology) products. These are available in the form of wearable jewelry pieces that perform a wide range of functions such as making phone calls, keeping a check on stress levels, and even monitoring sleep patterns.

Sales analysis and outlet performance

A complete sales analytics and expense report from the data collected can help analyze sales and expenses, based on location, product type, and other parameters. From a centralized sales analytics dashboard, one can monitor and measure sales performance by product categories, groups, showrooms, regions, and sales personnel. Business managers can identify bottlenecks and sales laggers, detect root causes, and implement suitable solutions.  Businesses with several outlets can leverage the power of advanced analytics to process data and get useful insights on performances at different outlets, areas that need improvement etc. Management reports can be generated from the data visualization dashboards and new approaches implemented by the management based on these insights.

Security

Thanks to Connected Logistics and IoT-enabled sensors, expensive jewelry can be monitored and tracked 24×7. Business managers can keep an eye on their precious cargo while it is being transported, while an alert is immediately sent to them in case of possible damage and theft. Even if there is a road mishap or accident, assistance can be dispatched quickly, in order to minimize losses to the business.

Connected Logistics will continue to revolutionize the jewelry industry in the years to come, especially with the advent of blockchain to enhance stock traceability in the supply chain, while ensuring the merchandize stays safe till it arrives at the destination.

Connected Logistics in the surgical industry needs to be resilient and agile to react quickly to whatever issues come up. It could be unexpected time delays, inaccurate deliveries, or equipment malfunctions. Such crises are always logistical nightmares within the healthcare industry. It could result in problems such as scheduling issues, reputational damage, erosion of patient confidence and extra costs.

How can Connected Logistics be of help?

To resolve such logistical issues, the surgical industry has embraced the concept of robust supply chain management, which involves extensive application of advanced robotics, Internet of Things (IoT), and the next generation of big data analytics. It is also known as Supply Chain 4.0 (term coined by McKinsey and Company).

• As mentioned, this approach depends heavily on disruptive technologies, such as IoT, big data, and AI (Artificial Intelligence) analytics to improve efficiency, visibility, and accountability across the entire supply chain. It makes widespread use of data loggers and sensors to collect and monitor critical data throughout the supply chain for healthcare logistics managers. After combining with remote monitoring and intelligent analytics, the system allows pharmaceutical and healthcare organizations to automate and analyze many aspects of delivery and storage.
• Connected Logistics basically “connects” all parts of healthcare logistics. Thus, the surgical industry can leverage intelligent analytics to predict demand trends and adjust their orders accordingly. For instance, a pharmacy uses predictive analytics in its supply chain to ensure they don’t run out of medicines.  When its inventory is close to getting depleted, the system can send an automatic order notification to the pharmaceutical supplier to replenish the stock.
• Yet another aspect where Connected Logistics offers immense benefit is quality control and risk management, which is all the more essential when it comes to pharmaceutical environmental monitoring.  There are many environmental variables involved in drugs and vaccines like temperature and humidity. Thus, it creates a need to continuously monitor these conditions and protect the quality and efficacy of the products. For example, vaccine manufacturers and distributors can use IoT-enabled devices to automate temperature monitoring of goods. They can effectively trace, monitor, and control vaccine temperatures throughout the cold chain (to a certain extent), from the production line to where the dose is readied for administration.  It reduces vaccine wastage, eliminates manual processes, and improves logistics efficiency.
• Connected Logistics also helps detect deviations, failures, and other issues in the supply chain, in real-time.  For instance, remote monitoring of healthcare cold chain logistics can help detect even the slightest fluctuations in temperature conditions, alerting the supply staff to take preventive measures.

How can Connected Logistics help the surgical industry?

The surgical industry revolves around managing assets, while optimizing costs without compromising the health of a patient.

Pharmacy

The main objective of a hospital is to provide proper health care to patients. That is why, a consistent supply of high quality medicines are required in the pharmacy. This is where Connected Logistics plays a crucial role – it ensures timely availability of medicines at the lowest possible purchasing cost. When it comes to the supply chain, it requires various suppliers, vendor agreements, floating of tenders, rounds of negotiations, and freezing on processes of product delivery (some medicines have to be transported at regulated temperatures only).

Store keepers managing the supply chain in today’s hospitals are unaware about management principles. At times, medicines end up in high demand and low availability or vice-versa. It enhances risk of expiry of medicines in the pharmacy. Since it is tough to determine exact demand for medicines, it is necessary to capture precise data on medicine consumption. It gives a clear insight about the trends. As mentioned above, keeping tabs on the data, ensures that the stock is replenished whenever supply runs low.

Patient Safety

Did you know that thousands of patients die every year due to poor safety cultures and preventable medical mistakes?  Connected Logistics in the surgical industry is necessary for maintaining the flow of business, without compromising on the valuabl

t Hospitals have to link patient safety and all other processes in correct format, such as managing expired medicines by automating the medicine/product tracking and identifying. This ensures that staff and patients are confident about the mode of treatment. All time-consuming supply chain processes can be streamlined to reduce time used to track down critical drugs and medicines, prevent human errors, and eliminate redundant processes. Data should be captured using IoT and Connected Logistics to ensure there is no margin for mistakes. All processes should follow supply chain transparency to gain patient satisfaction and considering human life the most important.

Blood Bank

The goal of hospitals is to dynamically manage and monitor the blood supply chain. According to research, supply of donor blood is irregular, so the following aspects should be taken care of:

• Locations selected for blood collections, depending on the transfusion services commodity required, should be stored.
• Number of regional blood banks has to be on record.
• Supply and demand should be coordinated systematically to meet the purpose.
• Transportation of blood on demand sans any delays.
• Delivery system to be closely connected to meet the run time requirement.
• Blood banks should be open 24x7 for any emergencies in the hospital or nearby hospitals.

Connected Logistics improves customer experience

The surgical industry of today, is customer-driven, so patient satisfaction is a top priority. As disruptive technologies and inter-connected devices compile relevant data and insights, healthcare organizations can apply this information to streamline their logistic needs and enhance customer experience.

Increased logistical operational efficiency will only result from IoT devices streaming data that can be accessed and analyzed in real-time. It reduces disruptions, improves communication, and ensures better-managed logistics. IoT is a game-changer for healthcare organizations to maintain logistics best practices and redefine demand and supply, thus allowing them to better respond to evolving needs.

Connected Logistics in the surgical industry offers a myriad of benefits such as automated collection and organization of data, real-time and customized alerts to detect and prevent anomalies in the supply chain, and much more. By leveraging this technology at all the monitoring points, the surgical industry can conveniently transition from reactive to proactive logistics monitoring.

Did you know some vehicles idle for almost 3 to 4 hours a day? Can you imagine how much that can cost your fleet? Vehicle idling is an issue every fleet manager has to face, but thanks to telematics data from Anstel’s Connected Fleet solutions, it is possible to regulate this issue and bring down those expenses.

Why is idle time so high?

Before you know how to reduce idle time, you need to know why it exists in the first place. Each fleet is different from the other. For instance, long haul fleet drivers usually have higher idle times than those running a local route. Typical reasons for high idle time are:

• Loading and unloading
• Traffic
• Toll booths
• Document processing
• Stopped to use a phone
• Warming up vehicle’s engine or cab
• Rest stops

Of course, you have to keep in mind that there are times when avoiding idling isn’t possible, such as at stoplights or stop signs.

How much does it cost you?

As mentioned, a large number of fleet vehicles spend at least 3 hours idling each day. But the idle time could go up to 8 hours per day as well! Excessive idling costs fleet companies almost $12,000 per truck annually. You lose a percentage point of fuel economy for every 10% of idle time. Here are the costs:

Additional maintenance expenses

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, excessive idling means more maintenance costs. These expenses go up by approximately $2,000 per vehicle per year. Idling causes twice the damage to internal components as compared to turning the engine off and on. Moreover, idling reduces the time needed between oil changes. More frequent maintenance also increases vehicle downtime, which has its own impact.

Running costs

For a commercial truck, the estimated fuel cost is around $70,000 annually, but idling wastes around 8% of those funds. The more vehicles you have in your fleet, the more you waste.

Environmental & health costs

Carbon dioxide generated due to the transportation industry account for more than one-third of total emissions. Increased idling diminishes air quality for drivers and the community. While eliminating emissions altogether isn’t possible, idle time can surely be reduced.

How to reduce idle time?

There are numerous actions you can take to reduce vehicle idle time and associated costs via Anstel’s Connected Fleet solutions. Take a look:

Monitoring driver behavior

Connected Fleet solutions record a lot of data about your vehicle, including how it is being handled by drivers. This includes braking, speeding, cornering, aggressive maneuvers, idling, and much more. Reckless or aggressive driving causes wear and tear to components much faster, thus increasing costs. This type of behavior, especially speeding, can boost fleet risk. If that isn’t bad enough, they also raise fuel costs and impact insurance premiums. Telematics data provides a detailed insight into the driver’s behavior. This information can be used to develop training modules, so they follow road safety rules on the road. For general fleet idling, this information helps you gauge how long your fleet idles and where.

Tracking idle time

Connected Fleet solutions let you set real-time alerts for driver behavior. In most cases, fleet managers use it to warn drivers if they are speeding. But alerts can just as easily work to stop idling. Telematics devices monitor engine diagnostics and have the ability to track idling time. If a vehicle idles for too long, real-timealerts can be customized and sent to the driver and manager, for stopping the engine.

Idle time reports

Using telematics, you can see how long a vehicle has idled, along with its location. Use these reports to understand where you can cut down on idling. It could mean getting an auxiliary unit for your vehicles. Alternatively, you might consider enforcing rules such as having drivers turn off the engine after few minutes of idling. Afterwards, you can use telematics data to ensure that drivers are following these rules.

Optimizing routes

Heavy traffic and congested roads are a huge problem for fleets. Connected Fleet solutions use sophisticated algorithms to map out every possible route to a destination, and then optimize them to create the most cost-effective route. Variables such as traffic, accidents, construction, and other disruptions, are factored in during route optimization. The route can be adjusted before or even during the trip. Less traffic means less idling too!

Geofencing

Geofencing is when you create a perimeter within which vehicles operate – you get an alert if they move in or out. Set a geofence around particular idling hot spots, and set real-time alerts, so you know exactly when vehicles enter and how they stay there.

Using Anstel’s Connected Fleet solutions, it is possible to prevent and reduce idle time, by providing feedback and real-time alerts. Thus, you save quite a bit of money in the long run, while profitability isn’t impacted.

For any company, customer satisfaction is one of the most crucial considerations. Regardless of any industry, if you can’t keep customers happy, your competitors will scoop them up, thus causing damage in terms of both revenue and credibility. It is necessary to ensure your customers feel valued. When it comes to logistics and fleet management, retention of customers is vital to achieving long-term success.

What impacts customer satisfaction for fleets?

There are numerous factors involved here, such as delivery delays, wrong orders, etc. Some of these can be affected due to external issues such as adverse weather, traffic, and bad road conditions. But there are internal aspects that you can control such as proof of delivery and transparency, price points, planning process and safety. Controlling these to the best of your abilities ensures you get repeat business time and again.

The following are some of the reasons, why customer satisfaction is affected:

• Damaged goods
• Delayed delivery
• Uncooperative drivers
• No truck availability
• Accidents
• Vehicle breakdowns

A single bad experience can completely spoil your relationship with the customer, so it is imperative to minimize these wherever possible. The objective is to keep customers happy and deliver quality service that ensures value for money. If there is a delay, no matter the reason, it leads to a dissatisfied customer and consequent loss of business. That is why regular feedback from clients is a must, so you can implement the right solutions. Installing a fleet management system, can provide you with necessary data to help identify where you can make improvements or respond quickly to situations when they occur.

Is it possible to measure customer satisfaction via feedback?

If customers consistently choose your service, spend more money on your business, and recommend you to their affiliates, it means you are doing something right.  If they are not satisfied, they will usually look elsewhere or indicate that you could be doing better.

But then again, when it comes to client satisfaction, it is much better to be proactive than reactive. If you are aware about the problems your clients are having, you are much better placed to rectify those before they escalate. This can be done through the use of surveys, digital services that enable feedback on the spot and questionnaires, in which you can ask for suggested improvements and take feedback on board. If the feedback is good, ask the customer if you can use it for the next batch of marketing materials to drive home how much your company values those working relationships. What to do if the feedback is negative? Don’t fret – on the contrary, use this as a base for change, by going out of the way to rectify problems with customers early on.

How to improve customer satisfaction levels?

A huge factor that influences customer satisfaction is communication levels. Customers should know that you are available, and can be contacted when needed for support. Their package also needs to be delivered safely, in a timely manner, and at a reasonable price. On the other hand, if they have made a service appointment, the technician should arrive on time.  To put it in a nutshell, it has to be a perfect balance of convenience and cost.

Using Anstel’s Connected Fleet solutions, your fleet can ensure customer satisfaction isn’t compromised in any way. As mentioned, being proactive is a must. For instance, if fleet managers realize a vehicle is stuck in traffic or has suffered a breakdown, they have to take proper action. It involves sending the customer a modified ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival), along with an apology regarding the delay. Thus, customers won’t be left in the dark, and they will be content with the service.

Customer service means the difference between a lifelong client and a negative review that turns away hundreds of prospective customers. It costs six to seven times more to attract a new customer than retain an existing customer, so when customers switch companies due to poor service it is a costly mistake indeed. Here are a few ways to improve customer service:

Accurate arrival time estimates

Service and delivery appointments can leave customers frustrated if they don’t go as planned. For example, customers may rearrange their schedules to be home for an appointment, making delays extremely frustrating. Similarly, calling drivers multiple times per day just to get location updates is tedious and time-consuming. Telematics data through Connected Fleet solutions automates the process by offering access to real-time driver locations. Fleet managers can quickly check and provide customers with precise ETAs. Some companies might even automatically send a notification to customers when a driver is, say 10 or 15 minutes away or if there is an unexpected delay.

Offering incentives to drivers

Offer rewards and incentives to drivers who stick to safe driving behavior by following road safety rules and refraining from aggressive/reckless driving. This practice helps encourage safer driving and timely deliveries or appointments. It is a great way to ensure everyone fulfills their targets while reducing risk of accidents, speeding tickets, and other adverse traffic conditions. Companies can collect data from Connected Fleet solutions, regarding speeding, harsh braking, sudden acceleration, or other driving events. They can also measure fuel efficiency per driver, and real-time GPS locations can corroborate whether deliveries were on time. Telematics provides data and analytics to understand driver behavior, predict troublesome patterns, and develop training modules to correct it.

No more mistakes in billing

Several businesses experience seasonal fluctuations in demand, which means contractors have to step in from time to time. When that happens, it is necessary to ensure contractors are paid properly, to maintain the same level of service to customers. But then again, it is a huge challenge to track their tasks when they work in the field. Telematics can help generate reports that measure the number of miles driven or hours worked on a particular day. Meanwhile, GPS tracking makes it easy to verify their arrival and departure times. Thus, you can ensure that customer service related tasks were completed on time. It also lets you take action if contractors or even full time employees show up late.

The benefits of Anstel’s Connected Fleet solutions extend well beyond customer service. In fact, implementing these solutions enables a rapid return on investment.  They are one of the most cost-effective ways to improve safety, boost efficiency, and help companies keep their costs under control.

The future is now. At least when it comes to delivery, that is. With the evolution of e-commerce and the boom in online shopping, there has been a corresponding spike in last-mile delivery services like Postmates, Uber Eats, Grubhub, DoorDash, and others. This blog post will explore how these new companies are affecting traditional carriers like FedEx and UPS.

In the US alone, over $1 trillion of e-commerce purchases happen each year. That's a lot of people that are waiting on their deliveries! And with the rise in popularity of online shopping and an increase in demand for convenience (e.g. order now and get it delivered later), businesses are scrambling to find solutions for this problem before it becomes an epidemic. It's clear that something needs to change, but what? Here at Anstel Global, we've got you covered - our fleet drivers can deliver your package right up to your doorstep or even inside your home if you're not home!

The global Last-Mile Delivery Market was valued at USD 18.7 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach USD 62.7 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 18.9% (Globe News Wire)

The last-mile delivery sector in India is growing steadily and is expected to reach a market size of $6 billion by 2024 (Indian Express)

Over nine billion US dollars will have been invested in last-mile delivery startups in North America by 2020. In the same year, the region's last-mile delivery market was estimated to be worth 39.9 billion US dollars (Statistica)

Domestic parcel traffic increased to more than 24.8 billion units in 2020, up from 21 billion parcels the previous year (Statistica)

Global parcel and express volume growth rates have accelerated in recent years, reaching 5.6% in 2019. This is up from 4.3% in 2014 (Statistica)

The average last-mile cost incurred by organizations worldwide during 2018 was approximately 10.1 US dollars (Statistica)

In 2018, 19% of businesses preferred to deliver online orders directly to the retail storefront for same-day delivery (Statistica)

In 2018, last-mile delivery costs accounted for 41% of total supply chain costs compared to 13% for warehousing (Statistica)

Delivery costs are the biggest challenge for logistics providers in last-mile delivery in the US (Statistica)

The autonomous last-mile delivery market is expected to grow from $11.9 billion in 2021 to nearly $85 billion in 2030. The development of aerial delivery drones is driving the autonomous last-mile delivery market (Statistica)

The North American last-mile delivery market was valued at $31.25 billion in 2018. It is expected to hit $51 billion by 2022 (Statistica)

According to a 2020 global survey, parcel lockers and pick-up and drop-off (PUDO) services will grow the fastest. Aside from parcel lockers and PUDOs, other delivery options include in-car or home delivery (Statistica)

16% of retailers and logistics providers around the world believe that electric vehicles will become increasingly important in the coming years for last-mile delivery (Statistica)

In a 2017 global retail supply chain survey, retailers and manufacturers ranked cost reduction and margin improvement as their top last-mile priorities (Statistica)

Last-mile delivery revenue in Thailand increased 31.3% in 2020. It was also expected to rise by 19% in 2021 (Statistica)

The last-mile delivery logistics market is expected to reach 2.54 trillion Japanese yen in 2020. The COVID-19 situation drove demand for deliveries in 2020. The last-mile delivery market is expected to triple by 2023 (Statistica)

According to a 2017 retail supply chain survey, 66% of retailers expect next-day delivery from last-mile partners (Statistica)

In a 2018 survey, only 1% of respondents thought DHL had the best package tracking features among the major US last-mile delivery companies. UPS received the most votes (36%) (Statistica)

That concludes our roundup of last-mile delivery statistics.

Now I'd like to hear your thoughts on this list of stats.

Which statistic, in particular, surprised you the most? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Managing a fleet is a tough task, as there are so many variables, data, and parameters that you have to work with. A robust Autonautics platform helps to track and monitor vehicles and driver performance, at all times. This kind of supervision is much needed since the fleet is involved in various scenarios starting from driving habits and incidents on the road to vehicle wear and tear. The system stores fleet data that includes vehicle specifications, service schedules, and insurance documents. Thus, fleet management becomes easier and you can access information more conveniently. 

What can Anstel’s Autonautics platform do for you?

Anstel’s Autonautics platform lets you efficiently manage your business along with its assets, by providing customized solutions as per requirements. Powerful devices and sensors provide data in real-time, which helps to make smart and informed decisions. The best part is that this platform can be easily integrated with existing processes, rather than having to start from scratch – Anstel prides itself on flexibility. It is a one-size-fits-all solution that can be scaled up as needed, so be it small startups, medium-sized companies, or large organizations, we have it covered.

Why is Anstel more cost-effective as compared to other players in the market?

We charge a one-time license cost that includes features like customization, data analysis, prescriptive analytics, driver feedback platform, and much more. There are no hidden charges – it is a one-time investment. Competitors might ask for lower license costs, but they charge for every feature/benefit separately. In the end, you end up paying an exorbitant amount, only because you wanted to shell out a lower amount for the license. Therefore, think of long-term savings and choose wisely!

What benefits can Anstel’s Autonautics platform offer?

• Complete visibility with streamlined data – access information in one place, and get a full view of operations to make data-driven decisions more easily.
• One central dashboard – collect and manage data from one platform, so you don’t have to switch programs.
• Scalability – Whether your business is a startup or an established company, it always needs to expand, so having a single unified platform helps to scale properly.
• Reduce expenses and boost revenue – save money in regards to fuel expenses, vehicle repairs, labor costs, etc. Track down lost assets or stolen vehicles with tracking technology, while improving productivity at the same time. Prevent revenue leakage by ensuring on-time delivery and customer satisfaction.

Anstel’s Autonautics platform is flexible, user-friendly, and adapts to any business model – to know more, get in touch with us right now!