Today’s current supply chain market is a battlefield where e-commerce companies, freight brokers, and shipping providers fight for customer loyalty and consumer dollars. In this competitive environment, those who offer the best services at the best prices with the best guarantees are the ones likely to survive. This where predictive shipment ETA can make a significant impact for supply chain managers and logistic supervisors
What Is Predictive Shipment ETA?
Predictive shipment ETAs are not new. However, recent innovations and collaborative opportunities changed the way shipment ETA predictions occur.
Offering reliable information and tracking services, including dedicated estimated delivery time and location, remain some of the most critical in-demand services customers look for when choosing a company to choose.
According to RetailWire, “shipping mistakes are on the rise — 78 percent of consumers report that they’ve experienced late package arrivals (up from 70 percent in 2017) and 56 percent of consumers have received damaged packages (up from 42 percent in 2017).”
It is easy to see why customers demand better transparency during shipment and want clear predictive ETAs for real-time digital freight network insight.
Calculate your potential Saving While Using an enterprise TMS
Why Shippers Need to Know Chances of Late Delivery at the Moment of Execution
Tracking shipment ETA remains a critical service not just for consumers but for freight managers as well. Moving a single truck or container along all the many paths and modes while negotiating multiple handoffs can be a highly complicated and involved process. However, failing to provide proper monitoring and tracking can cause even more problems, especially with supply chain optimization.
Not knowing the exact location of anticipated deliveries and failing to meet customer needs when it comes to deliveries can render all other positive services and features pointless.
Customers today look at predictive shipment ETA as an expected service that is always available and always reliable. Failure to provide accurate delivery estimates and the inability to update ETAs properly can lead to poor customer experiences and lost opportunities.
Benefits of Enhanced Visibility at Tendering With Predictive Shipment ETA
When shipment ETA predictions are reliable and accurate, real-time data visibility improves throughout the entire supply chain network. Many benefits come from the proper utilization of predictive ETAs and real-time delivery tracking and communications. These include:
- Automation Improves Dock Management. With more data available to pull from, managers can better estimate their risk for late arrivals/departures. With better dock management and scheduling, ETAs can quickly and easily be updated as needed.
- High Configurability for Better Driver Planning. Greater configurability among drivers and carriers can help to reduce delays by allowing room for anticipated disruptions or delays. It can also help by leveraging dynamic rerouting services to help with tight schedules.
- Increased Customer Experiences and Satisfaction. Real-time updates regarding delivery prediction help improve customer satisfaction rates. These systems allow customers to access real-time up to date information about their orders and allows for custom delivery specifications.
- Reduced Call-In Checks Within the Supply Network. With more data available to drivers, managers, and customers thanks to real-time shipment status and ETA updates, fewer check-ins are needed. Shippers and carriers can instead focus on daily supply chain operations and services.
- Ongoing Reassessment and Management by Exception. When things do not go as planned, the algorithm can assess the situation, consider other options, and change routes for future deliveries to reduce late arrivals' risk. Better management throughout the supply chain yields higher shipping success.
Reap the Rewards of Insight Throughout Your Operation With MercuryGate
Along with all the in-demand digitization and automated services such as order tracking and 24/7 customer service access, the need for predictive shipment ETA updates remains critical for future growth and success.
When customers experience issues with their orders, whether it is late delivery, lost or damaged goods, or poor customer services, it can significantly damage future capacity and profits. Unlock the benefits of more robust delivery ETAs.
