E-commerce is an eternally evolving and growing market. So, it’s better to track all the logistics and supply chain operations through automation rather than manually. In that sense, using shipping software is no longer a luxury for supply chain players but a necessity. Businesses can choose from various options depending on what they need. With their efficient operation and elimination of human errors, these automation-driven tools reduce commonly seen shipping errors in multiple ways.
Verifying addresses to avoid shipping errors
A large percentage of failed deliveries happen due to incorrect or incomplete addresses and a lack of address verification. Address verification systems (AVS) are sub-tools in many shipping software. These systems ensure shippers get an accurate delivery address from customers when they check out and make payments on online e-commerce portals.
Every e-commerce store can use AVS cart plugin software. This software compares the address a customer enters with the other addresses they have registered at major shipping carriers. Whenever such systems detect a discrepancy between the addresses in the two databases, they prompt customers to identify which address they want to use to receive shipping deliveries. In this way, all their future shipments will automatically and unerringly be delivered to that address.
Avoiding stockouts through real-time inventory tracking
Many shipping software tools double up as an inventory tracking system. They let inventory managers and manufacturing heads in companies monitor the stock of raw materials in their warehouses in real time. The shipping software tool lets the relevant management know how close their inventory levels are to a “stockout,” a condition where there are insufficient raw materials in the warehouse to carry on production and other subsequent operations. Untracked stockouts are a major cause of delays and lags in supply chain operations.
Ensuring businesses choose the right courier
A package’s size and weight may seem relatively inconsequential, but it can impact business costs in more ways than one. When a business sends a parcel to the courier company, the courier service usually charges a fee depending on the package’s size and weight. Now, if the business exceeds the size and weight limit, they will be forced to pay extra for the delivery. Shipping software lets businesses know the exact charges and penalties of different service providers. With this information, supply chain managers can choose the right courier and keep expenses at a minimum.
Reducing accidents while shipping
Accidents are quite common in long-distance shipping. These accidents lead to a loss of money, time, and effort people have invested in the logistics and supply chain aspects of big e-commerce operations. Luckily, most shipping software solutions come with real-time shipment tracking. They let one know where a given batch of goods has reached after being dispatched to the target location. They also let one know if any accident has taken place along the route. Using this information, shippers can have their contingency plans ready. Depending on the delay, some shipping software tools also update the ETA of shipments, a useful feature for both shippers and end customers.
