Parcel tracking is essential for logistics providers and e-commerce businesses, both of which need visibility into each order’s journey to maintain efficient operations and high customer satisfaction. Adopting a Control Tower approach to parcel tracking brings real-time visibility and coordination to logistics operations, allowing businesses to manage large volumes of orders seamlessly. This article discusses how a Control Tower approach can enhance parcel tracking, reduce customer inquiries, and improve delivery performance in logistics.
- Enhancing Transparency with Real-Time Parcel Tracking
In logistics, real-time parcel tracking has become a fundamental requirement, as it allows both businesses and customers to follow each package’s journey closely. A Control Tower approach centralizes data from various carriers, providing a single source of tracking information that’s updated instantly. By monitoring order journeys in real time, logistics providers can keep customers informed, proactively addressing “Where Is My Order” (WISMO) inquiries. This increased transparency reduces inbound support calls and reassures customers with accurate delivery timelines, creating a better post-purchase experience.
- Centralizing Carrier Data for Streamlined Operations
The Control Tower approach integrates tracking information from multiple carriers into one standardized system, reducing the need for manual data entry and minimizing errors. This centralized system allows logistics teams to access parcel statuses across various regions and carriers, streamlining operations significantly. Anchanto’s solution, for instance, standardizes raw tracking events from thousands of carriers, allowing businesses to track 60,000+ events per minute without lags. With a standardized tracking format, logistics providers can confidently manage high volumes of parcels, simplifying the entire tracking process and improving accuracy across all channels.
- Improving the Customer Experience with Branded Tracking Pages
Offering customers a branded tracking page can elevate their experience by making it easy to follow their order status in a familiar setting. A Control Tower solution enables businesses to create fully branded tracking pages, complete with logos, colors, and fonts that match the company’s branding. Real-time updates via branded notifications through email, SMS, or WhatsApp keep customers informed and engaged throughout the delivery process. By offering a customized tracking experience, businesses can not only decrease WISMO queries but also strengthen their brand identity and encourage repeat purchases.
- Identifying and Managing Delivery Exceptions Proactively
With a Control Tower, logistics teams can monitor delivery performance and identify exceptions like lost or damaged parcels, theft, or delays due to customs holds. This proactive approach allows businesses to predict bottlenecks and manage exceptions before they impact customer satisfaction. Anchanto’s analytics capabilities, for example, enable teams to track carrier performance across different regions, measure SLA compliance, and assess reasons for return shipments. By identifying these critical issues early on, logistics providers can take corrective actions, minimizing disruptions in the delivery process.
- Utilizing Advanced Analytics for Performance Optimization
A Control Tower approach to parcel tracking is built to handle and analyze large volumes of data, providing insights into carrier performance, delivery speed, and SLA compliance. Detailed analytics enable logistics providers to identify trends and areas for improvement, such as optimizing carrier routes or adjusting SLAs to improve delivery times. With real-time data on average delivery times and performance metrics, logistics teams can make informed decisions to optimize resources and align with customer expectations, enhancing both efficiency and customer satisfaction.
- Seamlessly Integrating Platforms and Expanding Market Reach
Another advantage of the Control Tower approach is its seamless integration with multiple carriers, webstores, and helpdesks. With pre-integrated global carriers and an open API hub, logistics providers can easily connect with new platforms and expand into new markets. This integration capability supports business growth by reducing the need for complex IT infrastructures, enabling logistics providers to connect with new partners in just a few clicks. Such a scalable system also ensures that logistics providers can handle increased parcel volumes as they enter new regions or customer segments.
- Sharing Data Efficiently with Partners through Open API
An open API hub within the Control Tower framework allows logistics providers to securely share real-time tracking information with partners, such as marketplaces, ERP systems, and e-commerce platforms. This transparent and low-latency data exchange ensures all partners are updated on order statuses, enabling better decision-making across the supply chain. By facilitating efficient communication, logistics providers can foster stronger relationships with partners, ultimately leading to improved service levels and customer satisfaction.
Conclusion
A Control Tower approach to parcel tracking transforms logistics operations by centralizing real-time data, standardizing tracking processes, and optimizing delivery performance. Through enhanced transparency, proactive exception management, and seamless integrations, this approach enables logistics providers to handle complex operations with ease. As e-commerce and global shipping volumes continue to rise, mastering parcel tracking with a Control Tower can give businesses the competitive edge needed to excel in modern logistics.