Page 22 - ITLN September - October 2023 for Magzter

Feature
Last mile
Logistics

given timeline. Our average delivery time last year's Diwali stands a testament
remains under 10 mins. to this commitment. Through activities
“With the evolution of our analytics like gifting plants to our customers,
model combined with the data science which not only raise awareness about
model evolution, we have started carbon footprints but also tangibly aid
optimising every leg of our ETA and in reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide,
errors on a real-time basis, using specific we are proactively taking steps towards
properties of our order, leveraging environmental betterment. For us at
parameters like rider and packer stress in iThink Logistics, sustainability isn't just
addition to taking into account multimodal a buzzword..it's an integral part of our
delivery option (bike, EVs, cycle etc). These mission to make the world a greener
innovations have enabled us to make our place for future generations."
ETA more trustworthy.” Gati's parent company Allcargo Group
The challenges we've identified lie has embarked on a transformative
in the high costs and inefficiencies of We have an integrated environment, social and governance (ESG)
non-optimised processes, resulting in command centre and journey, demonstrating its commitment
elevated expenses, says Sarang of iThink. control tower that is to environmental, social, and governance
"To address this, we've harnessed our now being enabled responsibilities, adds Gowrinath. "Allcargo
deep expertise in logistics alongside with active or real-time Group has an ambitious goal of becoming
AI to unlock value throughout the carbon neutral by 2040 along with other
shipping value chain. We have identified AI as a next step post ESG goals. At Gati, for the ESG plans,
a significant issue affecting our COD the implementation of we aim to convert the entire pickup and
customers with a 15 percent lack of intent medium and short-term delivery fleet of more than 2,500 vehicles
in their orders. This has been leading to analytics engines. into alternative fuel vehicles by 2025. We
higher return rates and increased costs have already developed environment-
for both forward and reverse logistics. As V Rajesh Gowrinath friendly warehousing facilities at Delhi,
a strategic solution, we have developed Gati Mumbai and Nagpur and will build more
an innovative automated active order such warehouses across the country."
confirmation tool. This tool provides and historical data analytics, Shipsy’s Chokshi of Shipsy adds: “Making
real-time order data and confirmation, solutions ensure intelligent automation logistics sustainable for our customers
effectively slashing the surplus logistical of critical processes like route planning is critical for us. Dynamic delivery
costs by 80 percent.” and optimisation, order allocation, multi- landscape, consumer demands,
Shipsy's intelligent and automated carrier selection, driver payout operations economic benefits, brand conscience
order allocation engine and real-time and customer communications. and regulations are the five primary
visibility capabilities play a critical "For instance, our last-mile solution drivers of logistics sustainability.
role in drastically reducing last-mile automatically decides which logistics There is one north star for ensuring
delivery costs, adds Chokshi. "What provider to partner with based on sustainable logistics operations —
it does is figure out the most cost- business objectives. These objectives can the distance travelled per package.
efficient way to execute a delivery range from cheapest deliveries, fastest Therefore, we are helping businesses
by staying within the bounds of a delivery, best on-time delivery percentage, across the globe to focus on reducing
duration promised to a customer. We serviceability expertise in specific regions the distance travelled and making the
have helped a leading omnichannel or pin codes, best customer ratings and miles travelled greener. We have already
healthcare provider to optimise last- more. Shipsy's platform offers real-time helped eliminate one billion+ miles and
mile delivery costs by 41 percent.” tracking and visibility of shipments during saved 750 KT of carbon emissions.”
the crucial last-mile phase. This level Since our model is based on shorter
Using AI to optimise last-mile delivery of transparency allows shippers and distance, we’re able to optimise on
iThink's dashboard is equipped with logistics companies to monitor the exact eco-friendly vehicles for delivery such
features designed to assist sellers location and status of deliveries, reducing as e-bikes and bicycles, adds Vohra of
in reaching their end customers uncertainty and improving customer Zepto. "Through our back-end tech,
more efficiently by monitoring carrier communication.” we’re able to allocate deliveries for these
performance, shipment ageing, zone- options based on distance. This has also,
wise turnaround time (TAT) performance Sustainability in last-mile deliveries over time, helped us grow our EV and
and NDR. Sustainability in operations is of bicycle penetration. Furthermore, our
There are many ways in which Shipsy’s paramount importance for iThink data-led demand prediction ensures
technology is transforming last-mile Logistics, says Sarang. "At our core, we strategic supply chain management
delivery operations, says Chokshi. "One of feel a deep sense of responsibility to when it comes to daily and weekly
the most vital changes we drive is making pave the way for sustainable and ethically fulfilment across our motherhubs and
supply chain operations autonomous and responsible logistical practices. The very dark stores, thereby reducing carbon
proactive. Using AI, ML and real-time launch of our “GoGreen” initiative during footprint and minimising wastage." 
20
September - October 2023 www.itln.in