Introduction to the New Delivery Paradigm
The report, conducted by Accenture, examined delivery and buying trends, business practices, and evaluation of 25 postal organizations and delivery corporations across the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. This study aimed to grasp the impact of digital technologies on the post and parcel industry.
Key Findings
One of the important thing findings of the report is that investments in advanced digital technologies could generate over $500 million of value annually for a mean post and parcel organization. The right digital strategy could also unlock the potential of Twenty second-century and last-mile delivery systems, allowing organizations to stay relevant in an industry facing declining mail volumes and increased competition.
Becoming a Digital Business
To develop into a digital business, post and parcel organizations need to rework their core operations to enable digital transformation and grow profitability. This can include the usage of AI, smart collectors, digital warehouses, connected vehicles, connected lockers, augmented workforce, and robotic process automation. According to Brody Buhler, who leads Accenture’s global post and parcel practice, "In an era when customers are all the time connected and have gotten accustomed to a digital customer experience, high-performing posts and parcel organizations have to embrace digital more fully to unlock the dynamic potential in advanced technologies to drive every aspect of the business."
New Business Models
The report highlights multiple options for post and parcel organizations to develop into digital businesses, including digital marketing, sales transformation, chatbots for 24-hour customer support, and development of online loyalty programs. New business models that could possibly be developed include on-demand deliveries, drone deliveries, B2C subscriptions, sharing platforms, payment systems, and digital identifications.
The Role of AI and Robotics
AI and robotics are already enabling post and parcel organizations to create recent opportunities across fundamental business practices. For example, the US Postal Service is using AI to create post office collection points that weigh, price, and collect mail and parcels, and answer questions. In the Netherlands, robots and guided vehicles are getting used to choose up, place, and move parcels through the warehouse and help at fundamental sortation facilities.
Transforming Warehouse Operations
Robotics have the potential to rework delivery organizations’ warehouse operations, supporting peak demand and lowering costs. Using robotics to support human effort in repetitive tasks, like pulling packages, can improve productivity and reduce costs. Robots and guided vehicles speed up the movement of product through warehouses while reducing a distribution center’s physical footprint.
Augmented Reality
The report also checked out the usage of augmented reality, determining that AR and support applications are empowering the workforce in recent ways. Pick-by-vision enables employees with real-time information and guidance to enhance productivity, reduce errors, and minimize paperwork. Dynamic route planning information and parcel and customer information with AR overlays create a more seamless experience for the delivery workforce.
Key Areas for Success
To achieve success, post and parcel organizations must consider three areas:
- Digital in core operations: Data-driven operations excellence that uses insight and prediction to understand efficiency gains in processing and achievement
- Digital customer interactions: Reinventing the shopper experience to supply more personalized, efficient, and convenient services for each consumers and businesses
- New digital delivery models: Radically altering the fee profile and capabilities of last-mile delivery networks
Conclusion
In conclusion, the post and parcel industry is undergoing a major transformation, driven by advances in digital technologies. To remain relevant, organizations must spend money on digital technologies, transform their core operations, and develop recent business models. By doing so, they’ll unlock recent opportunities, improve efficiency, and enhance the shopper experience. As Brody Buhler notes, "The time to arrange is now."
