Technology has changed just about every industry. It is important to understand some of the ways the internet changed business shipping. It has affected both small businesses and large corporations. Regardless of size, a business must adapt to emerging technologies because their customers will expect it.
Take United Parcel Service for example. The multinational package delivery company has used technology to enhance UPS freight billing to better compete in the 21st century. They’ve changed from being a company with recurring invoice issues and hiccups to one offering customers the ability to process, track, create bills of lading, and reconcile billing. Customers get a better idea of their cost and billing without waiting for UPS to generate an invoice and manually reconcile the billing. They have made it possible, through technology, to reconcile bills in an automated manner, saving time and reducing errors.
This technology extends to shipping and receiving. Orders can be scanned, packaged and made ready for shipping with automatic technology. It reduces error rates and notifies the company of their inventory status, in a real-time manner.
Another industry that benefits from shipping and receiving technology is the retail market. From brakes and other automotive parts, to toys and electronics, companies are able to use technology to log in orders, so they know what they have in stock. And when they need to return goods, technology provides a way to capture the information and disperse it to the people who need it. It makes bookkeeping easier and more efficient for companies. This allows them to use the resources in other areas.
Any company that has shipping and receiving can benefit from these and other new technologies. Even small companies can benefit. If a small business has the right technology, it can allow the small business owner to focus on other parts of their business. When a company is small, they only have a few employees and usually, the owner does a lot of the bookkeeping duties and management of inventory. This means that the owner can make their processes more efficient and accurate.
Larger companies may need broader technology than smaller companies. There are technologies that allow customer pickup, get a rate quote, complete the bill of lading, and track their shipments online. This automation reduces the error rate and puts some of the work in the customer's hands instead of the business' hands.
Businesses need to consider what kind of technology they need, what resources it will take, what resources they can reallocate, and how much it is going to cost. If the business is small, they will not need technology with all the bells and whistles. They can achieve what they need with smaller programs and less technology. However, they need to make sure they do not skimp on it because, in today's world, customers are expecting a lot out of companies they do business with.
If the business is larger, the cost and scope of technology they need will be greater. They will need to make sure it is tested and works the way they need it to work. Because they are larger, there is more of a chance for glitches and unforeseen issues. So, it may take longer to implement a new system.
Regardless of what kind of shipping and receiving technology that is used or the size of the business, it is important to research your options and get pricing quotes. Companies should not jump into a contract or purchase technology without thorough vetting. The business needs to make smart decisions that will benefit them the most and attract new customers.
