Navigate the unexpected: master delivery exception with Infios

City traffic. Bad weather. A missing apartment number. In the world of logistics, these kinds of delivery exceptions are inevitable - no matter how efficient your operations may be.

Customer delivery expectations have soared. Swift and accurate delivery is no longer a luxury but a standard demand. Despite your best efforts, managing delivery exceptions is inevitable.

The good news?

The right solutions and strategies can significantly mitigate the impact of these exceptions and win over an otherwise disappointed customer.

This article we’ll discuss how Infios's Final Mile solution revolutionizes your management of delivery exceptions, turning potential disruptions into opportunities for enhanced customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.

What is a delivery exception?

A delivery exception represents an unexpected hiccup in the transit of your shipments, typically caused by unforeseeable events.

According to FedEx, exceptions can stem from weather issues or vehicle breakdowns. The USPS defines them more broadly, citing incorrect addresses or carrier problems. And these are not rare occurrences: USPS reports that delivery exceptions affect up to 10% of all shipments, a figure that likely increased post-pandemic.

Common causes of a delivery exception include severe weather, traffic delays, holidays, illegible or missing address labels and recipient unavailability. While not all such circumstances are avoidable and yes - accidents do happen, minimizing these exceptions is crucial for your business.

When your company achieves higher delivery accuracy and efficient routing, you reduce unnecessary repeat trips and double handling of items. This level of execution can significantly lower costs and attract more customers to your business.

Why delivery exceptions matter

The impacts of delivery exceptions are multi-faceted and significant, affecting your business, customers and the environment.

Delivery exceptions don’t just delay shipments, they ripple across your business.

• Operational costs rise: For the last mile, failed deliveries increase operational costs and negatively impact resource allocation for redelivery or return management.
• Customer satisfaction drops: This inefficiency also affects customer satisfaction, potentially leading to lost clientele and damaged reputation.
• Environmental impact grows: Additional trips increase carbon emissions and packaging waste. (The transport sector is already responsible for 60% of global carbon emissions.)

In fact, the issue is so costly that some major retailers now tell customers to keep returned items rather than processing them; highlighting just how complex and expensive reverse logistics has become. 

Infios's solution to delivery exception

Infios is at the forefront of Final Mile innovation; offering solutions that help businesses anticipate, adapt to and overcome delivery challenges. Our Transport Management System(TMS) boasts critical features that are instrumental in tackling your delivery exceptions:

• Real-time tracking and updates: This feature ensures transparency and timely communication regarding the status of your shipments.
• Automated communication with stakeholders: Your stakeholders stay informed about the progress and any changes in the delivery schedule, enhancing collaboration and responsiveness.
• Route optimization and adjustment: Intelligent algorithms analyze various factors to determine your most efficient delivery routes, adapting to changes as needed.
• Detailed reporting on courier performance: This functionality allows you to monitor and improve the performance of your delivery services.

With Infios, managing the unexpected becomes part of your competitive advantage. Our solution streamlines exception handling while enhancing the end-customer experience; ultimately driving loyalty and reducing costs.