Survey leads mobile specialist to a lack of confidence in fulfilment operations despite high levels of perceived visibility

Survey leads mobile specialist to a lack of confidence in fulfilment operations despite high levels of perceived visibility

M-Netics has warned of the dangers of complacency in fulfilment, as independent research commissioned by the logistics specialist showed that UK businesses feel they have a clear perspective on delivery operations.

The research showed that almost half (49%) believed they absolutely had “a comprehensive and accurate view of delivery operations, from goods leaving the warehouse to the point of customer delivery”. A further 28% of the 100 IT decision makers in UK logistics businesses surveyed said that they had such insight most (if not all) of the time.

Perception lacks visibility

However, when asked about levels of confidence in the efficiency of delivery operations, cracks began to show. Less than one in 10 (9%) reported that they were extremely confident that delivery operations were as efficient as they could be, though a further 55% said they were moderately confident.

John Coon, M-Netics managing director, said: “Confidence in delivery operations is vital for any business. Knowing that an order has been fulfilled and being able to track that through to delivery underpins a huge amount of customer service.

“However it is important not to get complacent and confuse visibility – being able to see those operations – with efficiency: those operations being as lean as they could be. In the current economic climate, businesses need to be constantly looking for the next source of competitive advantage. The efficiency gains and improved customer service that better fulfilment and delivery processes can yield are excellent examples.”