ONLINE System Logistics Optimizes B2C Business

To make processes more efficient, the piece goods association ONLINE System Logistics (OSL) is now taking new paths, especially in deliveries to private customers. Fluctuating shipment volumes, unusual dimensions, and individual appointment arrangements – B2C shipments pose significant challenges for piece goods logistics.

(Paderborn) OSL recorded ten percent more shipments and thirteen percent more tonnage compared to the previous year. A large part of this is attributed to the increasing demand in the B2C business. To ensure that goods are delivered on time and reliably in the future, the piece goods association is reorganizing its processes: Starting September 1, the shipping forwarder will take over the notification of national shipments with fixed dates, rather than the receiving forwarder. This means that at the beginning of the supply chain, it is already clear when the delivery will take place. This provides more planning certainty for all parties involved.

New Processes for More Efficient Transport Planning

In the future, the procedure will look like this: When a shipping forwarder receives an order from their customer to deliver a shipment within Germany to a private recipient, they pick up the goods from the customer and temporarily park them in their depot. They then arrange a delivery appointment with the recipient, either by phone or email. Only after the successful confirmation of the appointment does the shipping forwarder enter the shipment into the ONLINE System Logistics network. The receiving forwarder is automatically informed about the arrival of the shipment and the scheduled delivery date to the end recipient: They already know whether they need to reserve space for interim storage or organize a quick onward transport. The private recipient receives an email notification one day before the agreed delivery, if desired – if the scheduled date no longer fits, a new one can now be arranged. If a phone notification on the delivery day is also desired, the driver will announce themselves one hour before delivery. Compared to the previous process, OSL makes the delivery to end customers even more efficient and ensures a smooth flow of information between logistics partners and customers in the B2C sector. Unplannable, unforeseen shipments in the receiving depots and time-consuming rescheduling are now largely eliminated.

Existing Product Range Covers Everything

“Since we guarantee our system partners a fixed loading quota at the HUB, we are able to meet the appointment requirements almost at any time – apart from natural events and other external factors,” explains Marcella Rennecke, who leads quality management at OSL and has significantly contributed to the development of the new process in the ‘Operational Working Group’. “However, the upstream and downstream transport processes must also be planable and transparent to function optimally. Flexibility often comes at the expense of quality – those who ‘squeeze in’ shipments risk that other deliveries do not arrive on time. And this is exactly the risk our new notification procedure avoids.” With the new processes, the existing fixed-date products, and the automatic recipient notification via email, OSL is well positioned for the national B2C business and other deliveries with appointment arrangements. A special B2C product is not planned. Photo: © ONLINE