Scheduled Delivery Services

Oftentimes, our customers come to us with on-demand requirements. This is understandable given the time and temperature sensitive nature of the medical materials we transport. But on-demand delivery is expensive and inefficient. It’s also less predictable, which can actually leave specimens vulnerable and at risk of going bad. 

A high-quality courier service is going to work with you to figure out if transitioning from on-demand to scheduled services is the right move for your business. 

What is scheduled delivery?

Whereas on-demand services fulfill short-notice transport requirements, scheduled delivery organizes requests by time and location in advance. Scheduled delivery enables customers to plan ahead and use resources more reliably and efficiently. 

With scheduled delivery, customers know exactly when their deliveries will be picked up or dropped off. They can select the time themselves, or partner with the courier to find the most convenient time table. Identifying opportunities for scheduled delivery can save customers significant time and money, so knowing when those opportunities arise is essential.

When should my business use scheduled delivery services?

We keep a detailed database of all our clients’ previous orders and review it regularly to measure and report on performance. When we do so, we often encounter patterns that indicate that scheduled delivery might benefit our customers. Here are three common indicators:

1. Frequently recurring delivery windows

When pick-ups or drop offs occur around the same time everyday, scheduled delivery is the most efficient and cost-effective option. The next step would be to establish a scheduled route at that time and location. 

2. Multiple deliveries to the same location

When multiple deliveries go to the same location, consolidating those transports into one scheduled delivery is the way to go. This often happens with siloed departments that don’t coordinate logistics. Working with a courier to manage interdepartmental logistics and identify opportunities to consolidate orders into scheduled deliveries will save time and money.

3. Lock boxes and other flexible pick-up devices

Parcel or lock boxes provide a ton of flexibility for couriers that makes for efficient scheduled delivery. For one, they allow for drop-offs or pick-ups at any hour, whether or not staff are on-site. For another, they reduce slowdowns associated with manual handoffs. If a customer has lock boxes on site, they can save on logistics costs folding them into a scheduled route. 

Benefits of scheduled delivery

Consistency

Know exactly when transports will be picked-up and dropped off. Also benefit from working with the same drivers who, in getting to know the route better with each delivery, improve the consistency of high-quality service. 

Cost savings

Benefit from lower delivery rates when you switch from on-demand to scheduled delivery. 

On-Time Performance

When drivers are able to plan in advance, they are more likely to arrive on time. Moreover, as they grow more familiar with the route and location, they find the most efficient way to fulfill the delivery. 

Time savings

With scheduled deliveries, you don’t need to stop what you’re doing to call a driver for on-demand service. 

Conclusion

Scheduled delivery enables customers to plan ahead and use resources more reliably and efficiently. Next time you’re looking into scheduling a delivery, give us a call!