Business-to-business (B2B) delivery is tough.
There are many moving parts. Managing deliveries to multiple business locations with specific instructions and requirements is complicated and potentially problematic.
Plus, the stakes are always high.
Think of a factory not getting its raw materials on time or a shop having empty shelves because of delayed shipments. The chaos that ensues shows just how important B2B delivery is.
Each delay and disruption in B2B delivery means lost revenue and damage to reputation.
Like every other industry, the B2B last-mile delivery industry is constantly evolving. What worked yesterday may not work tomorrow.
So, how do you overcome the challenges and make seamless deliveries?
Below, we’ll show you how.
Table of Contents
Optimize Routes Frequently
Creating new routes is time-consuming and boring, especially if done manually. That’s why many delivery business owners or managers stick to the same routes even as order volumes, order mixes, prices, and other market conditions change and get the same results.
Don’t do the same.
Luckily, there’s a solution.
Use an advanced route planner like Route4Me to optimize your routes automatically. Just upload the list of addresses to be visited and set some parameters; the software will do the rest. It takes the guesswork out of route planning, and gives you a peace of mind.
Route4Me’s route app considers weather, traffic, roadblocks, avoidance zones, and other constraints to plan fuel-efficient routes in under a minute.
You can even plan routes that change daily, weekly, or seasonally. Also, Route4Me allows you to reroute for last-minute changes or requirements.
Route4Me’s Smart Zone Route Optimization algorithm organizes hundreds of thousands of addresses into optimal address clusters called Smart Zones.
Once you have your Smart Zones, you can create and optimize routes based on your needs and constraints. Route4Me will ensure that each route stays within its designated Smart Zone so your delivery is smooth and efficient.
Route4Me’s cloud-based system is super convenient. You can plan, track, manage, and analyze your deliveries anytime, anywhere, and be in control and relaxed.
Complex deliveries, like beer or food, require an entire ecosystem of solutions. Route4Me, a cloud-based multiple stop route optimizer, understands this and ensures everything works together seamlessly for your business.
It constantly updates itself so you get the latest features and enhancements to futureproof your delivery operations in a changing market.
Want To See For Yourself How Route4Me Can Help Improve B2B Delivery Efficiency?
Track Deliveries in Real-Time
To ensure on-time deliveries at low cost, you must be proactive and adaptable in your planning. And flexible during execution, especially when deliveries hit unexpected roadblocks. That’s where real-time tracking comes in.
Real-time delivery visibility helps you spot issues in the field and fix them quickly before they impact deliveries.
A commercial GPS tracker can help with that.
GPS tracking software lets you see vehicles and drivers on a map in real time. So, if a driver deviates from the route or makes an unnecessary stop, you will know as soon as it happens and can take action immediately.
Real-time tracking also helps with driver safety. For example, you can send roadside assistance if a driver has an accident or a vehicle breaks down in the middle of nowhere.
Plus, real-time visibility lets you warn your customers if there will be a delay due to service disruption.
But, to avoid buying extra software, try a delivery planning app like Route4Me, which has a built-in GPS tracker.
It allows you to track vehicles and reroute them instantly to make deliveries on time, no matter what.
Keep Your Customers Updated
Today’s consumers are obsessed with order tracking visibility.
According to a survey by 4over, 57% of respondents said delivery tracking is important to them.
In another survey conducted by Verte, 90% of respondents said they actively track their packages.
So, you must offer delivery tracking to avoid disputes, panic, and losing your hard-earned customers.
Meeting customer expectations in B2B delivery is crucial; technology helps you manage those expectations.
You can use standalone delivery notification software or a delivery routing app like Route4Me, which has customer alerts and notification feature. So, you can do everything in one software, from route planning and scheduling to GPS tracking to delivery notifications.
Route4Me’s Customer Alerts and Notifications lets you to send notifications to your customers via Email and SMS Messaging, either manually or automatically triggered.
You can send notifications when the delivery is scheduled, when the delivery van or truck leaves the warehouse, when the customer’s stop is next, when the package is near customer locations, and when it’s completed.
While frequent communication is essential in B2C deliveries, it’s important to strike a balance in B2B deliveries.
For businesses like grocery stores or restaurants, constant updates can be overwhelming and interruptive.
Route4Me solves this problem by letting you customize delivery notifications.
You can set up custom time windows for each notification type so customers receive notifications only during their hours of availability or preference. This ensures that your updates are not interrupting, but your customers are informed and happy.
Additionally, Route4Me has an Order Tracking Portal where your end customers can view and track their orders themselves.
Focus on Continuous Improvement
Continuous improvement is not a task; it’s a mindset in the fast-paced B2B delivery industry. It’s about continually improving your delivery processes, reducing costs, and increasing customer satisfaction.
Start by monitoring your team’s performance metrics, such as delivery times, stops completed, and costs. Route4Me can help with that.
It has a reporting and analytics feature that lets you assess critical last-mile delivery metrics such as vehicle utilization, cost, density, distance, and operational metrics on a Dashboard.
Review the numbers regularly to identify areas for improvement. Once you’ve found those areas, implement the changes and see how they work.
This might mean changing the delivery routes, training your team, or upgrading your technology.
The goal is to find what works best and keep refining it.
But don’t stop there. Get feedback from your customers and your team as a next step.
Getting feedback from your customers will help you understand their needs and the service quality of your delivery drivers.
Route4Me’s route optimization software makes the Customer Survey process 100% automated.
You just need to customize the survey and add it to your notifications. Route4Me will automatically send the survey link to your customers via email or SMS after each completed order or driver visit.
Customers can complete the survey in two easy steps, and you can instantly see all the surveys you’ve sent on your dashboard.
You must also ask your delivery drivers for feedback. They are on the front line, and their input is invaluable. Use the feedback to make adjustments and fine-tune your processes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about B2B Delivery
What is B2B delivery?
What is B2B vs B2C delivery?
What is B2B logistics?
What challenges do B2B delivery services face?
What are the benefits of using cloud-based solutions in B2B delivery?
Final Thoughts about Boosting B2B Delivery Efficiency
B2B delivery has many challenges. You need to deliver on time, keep costs low, offer a high level of customer service, update customers about delivery progress, stay agile, and provide a great delivery experience.
Last-mile delivery software can help mitigate the challenges, but only if powered by the latest technology, like artificial intelligence.
An AI-powered modern last-mile optimization solution like Route4Me can help you adapt to unexpected situations, manage deliveries efficiently, and stay ahead of competitors.
Don’t take our word for it. Sign up for a 7-day FREE TRIAL and see yourself.
Want To See For Yourself How Route4Me Can Help Improve B2B Delivery Efficiency?
