[WRITTEN BY KAYLA HALL] To stay competitive in the retail industry, businesses need more than just sales data and customer surveys. While traditional data sources like these are useful, they often only reflect past performance, making it difficult for retailers to anticipate upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior. As the market constantly shifts, tapping into alternative data can provide valuable insights to help businesses adapt and stay ahead. Alternative data, or alt data, is a powerful tool that allows retailers to gain deeper, real-time insights into consumer behavior, market trends, and competitive landscapes. Alternative data (non-traditional data) comes from unconventional sources like online search trends, social media activity, foot traffic patterns, and even satellite imagery. This article examines the ways that retailers can use alternative data to proactively adjust their marketing strategies, optimize inventory, and enhance customer experiences.

[WRITTEN BY KAYLA HALL] Imagine you’ve meticulously curated your online shopping cart, excitement brimming as you inch closer to checkout. But just as you’re about to seal the deal, that dreaded message pops up: “Out of stock.” Your elation deflates, and frustration sets in. We’ve all been there, and it’s a frustrating reality of the eCommerce era. Stock availability is vital to customer satisfaction and business profitability. In today’s fast-paced retail landscape, where every click counts, the last thing you want is to leave customers hanging. Now, let’s delve deeper into a pivotal component of the supply chain: the last mile. Last-mile delivery involves the final transit of the product to the customer’s doorstep. However, the success of this phase heavily depends on stock availability. If the products aren’t available when needed, it disrupts the entire last-mile process, potentially leading to delayed deliveries and dissatisfied customers. In this article, we’ll discuss the importance of stock availability in the last mile and strategies to master it.

[WRITTEN BY KAYLA HALL] "Self-delivery" means handling all your deliveries in-house (with your own staff) rather than outsourcing to a third-party delivery partner like DoorDash. It's like being the master of your delivery destiny (and your customers' experiences). This article will dive into the world of self-delivery, explore its inner workings, benefits, and downsides, and share examples of self-delivery in action. Spoiler alert: The Circuit for Teams last-mile delivery app might just be the secret your business needs to optimize on-time self-delivery! Picture this: a pizza joint with its own branded cars and delivery team zipping around town, delighting customers by delivering piping-hot pizzas. That's self-delivery in the real world. It puts you in the driver's seat, allowing you to control everything from vehicle tracking to proof of delivery. You may ask, why not outsource your local delivery operations to delivery services like Uber Eats? Well, it's all about the Benjamins (or, more specifically, the delivery fees Outsourcing can be costly, and nothing beats having full control over your customer experience. Plus, the right delivery management software can automate your delivery orders. This makes the whole process as smooth as butter on a hot slice of toast. Whether your business is a small restaurant running food delivery or a bustling pharmacy offering local prescription delivery A pharmacy delivery package with medication and a prescription label How to Start a Pharmacy Delivery Service Your guide to starting a pharmacy delivery service, including how to pick your niche, and questions to ask w… A pharmacy delivery package with medication and a prescription label How to Start a Pharmacy Delivery Service Your guide to starting a pharmacy delivery service, including how to pick your niche, and questions to ask w… , let’s explore how self-delivery can shift your delivery operations into high gear.

[WRITTEN BY KAYLA HALL] Optimize backhaul routes for your delivery drivers with Circuit for Teams. It’s one of the most essential aspects of supply chain management: backhauling in logistics. In short, backhauling is when you plan your delivery routes to make sure you pick up goods on every leg of the journey. It's like killing two birds (or more) with one stone. More bang for your buck! Here’s the deal: Whether you’re a cross-country independent truck driver partnering with trucking companies or a startup delivery company in New York, no truckload for your delivery vehicle means no income. As the minutes pass and those “empty miles” add up, that’s some serious cash down the drain. But a solid backhaul strategy can help you minimize “deadhead miles” and increase efficiency. This article is all about the benefits of backhauling in logistics, last-mile delivery, and the trucking industry. We’ll show you how a backhaul strategy can help your delivery routers maximize company profits. We also explore the different types of backhauling and specific backhaul trucking techniques to optimize your own delivery routes. We’ll give you the lowdown on how to plan your routes and pickups and where to find backhaul loads. In other words, don't sleep on backhauling. Keep reading to learn how to implement the best backhauling strategy for your business and optimize your delivery routes better than ever.

[WRITTEN BY KAYLA HALL] Logistics services relate to managing the flow of goods from the point of origin to the point of consumption. Simple as that. Now, let's talk about the good stuff. In this article, we'll dive into the different types of logistics services, their benefits, and some examples of companies that use them to their advantage. So, whether you're a small business owner looking to expand your reach or a delivery team manager seeking to optimize your operations, this article has the info to help.

[WRITTEN BY KAYLA HALL] If you run a delivery company or manage a team of delivery vehicles, you know how important it is to keep your trucks on the road and minimize downtime. Engine maintenance is a key factor in making sure your vehicles stay in top shape. But how can you keep track of maintenance? That's where engine hours come in. Engine hours indicate how long a vehicle’s engine ran even when the vehicle was stationary. Tracking engine hours allows delivery team managers to monitor wear and tear on their vehicles and set up preventive maintenance schedules to prevent breakdowns and extend the life of vehicles. Whether you manage a team of work trucks with diesel engines or are shopping for a used cargo van, engine hours are crucial to planning vehicle maintenance intervals. In this article, we'll explore the importance of monitoring engine hours for delivery companies, how to calculate engine hours for your vehicles, and other critical information you need to understand to keep your delivery vehicles in top condition. So, keep reading to learn more about engine hours and how they can help you stay on top of engine maintenance.

[WRITTEN BY KAYLA HALL] A warehouse management system (WMS) acts as the conductor (🚂) of supply chain management — keeping everything in check and helping warehouse operations run smoothly. In other words, a WMS tracks and optimizes the flow of materials and goods in and out of the warehouse so your warehousing processes are efficient and effective. This article discusses the wonderful world of WMS, exploring how these systems work, their incredible benefits, the various types of WMS solutions available, and how to choose the best one for your business. I’ll cover everything from the nitty-gritty of warehouse organization to the fascinating world of eCommerce inventory management. Ready to learn how the right WMS can help your business flourish? Grab your forklift (or just a cup of coffee), and let’s get started on this adventure through warehouse management systems.

[WRITTEN BY KAYLA HALL] Key takeaways: 1) Route4Me is a popular route management software, but it isn’t always the best fit for delivery businesses, especially if you have a large team of drivers. 2) Circuit for Teams, Badger Maps, and OptimoRoute are among the best alternatives to Route4Me. 3) Circuit for Teams is a cost-effective, comprehensive delivery software for last-mile delivery companies.

[WRITTEN BY KAYLA HALL] Delivery teams unsatisfied with Routific’s route planning tool still need many core features — such as route optimization and proof of delivery (POD) — even if they’ve decided to move to a different platform. But what will change is how your dispatchers and delivery drivers integrate those core features into your overall delivery operations. So, when evaluating Routific alternatives, we recommend asking these four questions: Does the route planning tool create optimized routes for single drivers and multidriver teams? Does the tool offer your dispatcher real-time route monitoring? Are your customers given order tracking and a method to contact their driver? Can your drivers collect proof of delivery on their smartphones, capturing a signature or taking a photo of where they safely left the product? Some companies are moving away from Routific because they need a driver management service that incorporates the features above, plus more first-mile delivery functionality, such as integration with a logistics platform. This post will cover ten Routific competitors, highlighting their key features, the costs, and how they might integrate with your current delivery process. Our list includes the following: Circuit for Teams Onfleet Tookan OnTime 360 OptimoRoute Route4Me Verizon Connect Project44 Geopointe Track-POD

[WRITTEN BY KAYLA HALL] Last-mile delivery is an essential part of the logistics industry that involves the final transportation of goods from a delivery hub to the customer’s doorstep. It’s the final stage of the delivery process — and customers expect fast, reliable, and convenient service. If your company gives customers a disappointing last-mile experience, such as late or damaged deliveries, you can deal with frustration, negative reviews, and lost loyalty. On the other hand, a smooth and hassle-free delivery experience — with timely and accurate notifications — can increase customer satisfaction and result in repeat business. That’s where investing in last-mile logistics and partnering with a reliable delivery service comes in. In 2022, we speculated about what the future of last-mile delivery might find like. Now, it’s time to check out real-world trends. In this article, we highlight innovative and promising last-mile delivery companies in the USA and across the globe. These companies are changing the game with their technologies and strategies to streamline the drop-off process.

[WRITTEN BY KAYLA HALL] If you’re a small business owner looking to save on sending costs or a logistics manager trying to optimize your supply chain, understanding FOB sending can be a game-changer. So, it’s time to get familiar with the term “free on board” (FOB). In a nutshell, free on board (FOB) sending refers to the moment in the supply chain when ownership of the goods transfers from the seller to the buyer, and liability for the goods being transported shifts from one party to the other. This moment can happen at different times depending on the sending agreement. Purchase orders, contracts, and other sending documents specify FOB terms between buyers and sellers. Because FOB terms vary based on the party’s agreement, they can impact inventory and demand management, sending insurance costs, and other order fulfillment metrics. It may sound complex, but don’t worry — this post is here to explain everything you must know about FOB sending From determining who pays for freight and customs to clarifying the delivery time and place, we’ll cover what you must learn to navigate FOB sending confidently.

[WRITTEN BY KAYLA HALL] Are you a regular customer of DoorDash? Would you be surprised to learn that paying for a DashPass can save you money? DashPass is a DoorDash subscription service you can sign up for to save money on DoorDash delivery fees and service fees. The program includes occasional deals and priority customer service. It also applies to Caviar (another food delivery service owned by DoorDash) orders. You probably already have a DoorDash account and place orders using their delivery service, but the actual orders aren’t free. DashPass discounts can help. Since you typically have to pay to get DashPass, it’s important to think about whether it’ll help you save money in the long run. The answer depends on how often you order through DoorDash or Caviar and how much you pay for your DashPass subscription (not all members pay the same). As a longtime DoorDash customer and DashPass subscriber, I know that my DashPass benefits have saved me thousands of dollars. The unlimited free deliveries and other perks have been well worth it for me. I’ve written this quick guide to help you figure out if DashPass is worth paying for in your own life. If you’ve never used DashPass before (or if you signed up a while ago and are wondering if it makes sense to keep paying), I’ve got you covered. Read on to make sure you’re getting the biggest bang for your buck when it comes to DoorDash and Caviar with DashPass.

[WRITTEN BY KAYLA HALL] If you work in last-mile delivery, supply chain management, or another logistics business, you probably have to deal with a lot of jargon. There are plenty of random webpages floating around that offer definitions of various acronyms and abbreviations, but it’s important to have the right definitions for logistics purposes. If you get caught using the wrong terminology when talking with a customer — yikes. Their impression of your company might drop. Get something severely incorrect when deciphering documents, and you risk losing sales to wary customers, or even gaining lawsuits thanks to major business mistakes. I’ll give you an example. While “ABC” means one thing in the Alcoholic Beverage Control industry, it means something completely different when working in logistics. Don’t get lost in “on-screen display” articles when looking up OS&D, and don’t dive into a slang search trying to figure out what JIT means. I’ve got the meanings you’re looking for here. With these abbreviations in your back pocket, you can speak the same shortened lingo as your customers and business partners and stay on track toward your money-making goals.

[WRITTEN BY KAYLA HALL] Managing your company’s supply chain is one of the most crucial elements to making sure your customers are happy. If you’re busy dealing with bottlenecks and other supply chain problems, you’re likely to piss off customers — who may look elsewhere for those same products. Not to mention you could lose money. To practice supply chain management (SCM) that works and keeps your business running smoothly, you’ll want to keep tabs on a few important supply chain key performance indicators (KPIs). By tracking supply chain metrics — like your average order fill rate and on-time delivery — you can identify any weak areas in the supply chain. That big-picture information lets you take action to improve supply chain performance, specifically where metrics don’t meet your desired benchmarks. Track the right KPIs as they relate to your business, and you’ll have better insight into how you can improve your supply chain processes. Below, I explain the main KPIs that can help delivery managers like you stay on top of your order fulfillment, inventory, and more.

[WRITTEN BY KAYLA HALL] Threshold delivery is when a carrier delivers a package over the threshold of the recipient’s property — where it will be secure and dry. This usually means the delivery driver meets the customer at their entryway to leave the package indoors, like inside the front door or in the garage. It’s used in home delivery and commercial shipments for mid-sized items (like furniture or a commercial pallet) and in sensitive deliveries (like alcohol). If you manage last-mile deliveries, it’s important to understand the ins and outs of threshold delivery service and how it compares to other delivery service levels. A quick review can help you manage your delivery costs, potentially charge more for upgraded delivery services, and keep profits up. Whether you’re interested in expanding the delivery services you offer or you need to train your delivery drivers on the right levels of service, I can help.

[WRITTEN BY KAYLA HALL] If your delivery business can’t keep customers happy, you risk losing money to competitors who are more than willing to fill the gap. That’s why it’s important to look at how your business can offer a customer experience that blows shoppers away. What that looks like is unique to your business, but it might involve fast shipping and easy package tracking with the help of a tool like Circuit Package Tracker. But how do you learn what customers want? Here’s the answer: By keeping on top of the latest eCommerce trends. That’s where I come in. I’ll discuss the top eCommerce trends to know in 2022, including key statistics that show where to gear your efforts when it comes to customer acquisition and customer support. By the end, you’ll have a big-picture view of the future of eCommerce, plus tips on how to take your business there in style.

[WRITTEN BY KAYLA HALL] When your delivery vehicle’s check engine light (CEL) turns on, DTC codes are the language your vehicle’s computer uses to tell you what’s wrong. They’re standard in all delivery vehicles — from compact SUVs to commercial cargo vans. DTC is short for “diagnostic trouble codes.” And you might find them called engine trouble codes, check engine codes, or fault codes. Different DTCs could trigger your check engine light (technically called the malfunction indicator lamp or MIL). Triggers can range from critical issues — like the engine overheating or brake failure — to minor problems, like an air conditioning malfunction or a loose gas cap. The light alone doesn’t tell you what’s happening. So, what should you tell your driver to do when that ominous check engine light turns on? First of all, don’t freak out. The car isn’t about to blow up (probably…), and you both have some time to address the problem. I explain how DTC codes work, which types of DTC codes you might find, and what to do once you’ve got a DTC code from your vehicle.

[WRITTEN BY KAYLA HALL] Delivery companies, retail suppliers (like Walmart), and micro-fulfillment businesses often use the “on-time in-full” or OTIF metric to figure out the percentage of their total deliveries completed on-time in-full. Companies calculate OTIF slightly differently — but it’s typically the percentage of on-time and complete deliveries compared to the total number of ordered deliveries. Here’s the basic equation to calculate that percentage: OTIF (%) = (number of on-time and complete deliveries / total number of ordered deliveries) x 100 An OTIF of 100% means the entire order arrived at the customer’s home within the expected time window. A low OTIF score could mean OTIF fines, unhappy customers, and lower profits. So, how can you make sure you have enough inventory and your drivers consistently arrive at your customers’ homes on time? Keeping enough inventory to ship out and scheduling accurate delivery times are two ways to get a great OTIF score.

[WRITTEN BY KAYLA HALL] If you have a delivery business, you know how important road safety is — for your drivers and for other people on the road. So, to help make sure drivers of commercial vehicles and their owners are doing what they’re supposed to, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) assigns a score. This is known as the Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program. Basically, your CSA score shows how compliant your team is on the road based on safety data. Your CSA score isn’t everything, but it sure is important. A great CSA score lets your delivery business prove its safety standards and stay profitable by avoiding the legal consequences of CSA violations. I’ll explain how CSA scores work and give tips for improving your score.

[WRITTEN BY KAYLA HALL] Telematics, in the most basic sense, is a computerized system that businesses use to monitor their fleet of vehicles and drivers. It involves using GPS or onboard diagnostics (OBD) within vehicles to track real-time conditions, like location, speed, fuel efficiency, and maintenance issues. Data from the vehicle is sent through a wireless network to the fleet manager’s portal. These insights can help you cut down vehicle maintenance and fuel costs, enforce driver safety standards, improve customer service, and make more money in the long term.