Revolutionizing Delivery Services: Exploring Cutting-Edge Technologies for Tracking, Optimization, and Security

CXOToday has engaged in an exclusive interview with Mr. Raj Bajoria, COO at SELFEX

1. What kind of tracking technology do you use to keep tabs on packages in transit? How has this technology improved the accuracy and reliability of your delivery services?

Our system receives all real time updates which is captured in AWB. In order to make it even more efficient we use the linehaul through GPS enabled systems.

2. Can you describe how you leverage artificial intelligence or machine learning algorithms to optimize routes and streamline the delivery process? What kind of impact has this had on your business operations?

To optimize delivery operations, you need a system that can efficiently manage all variables involved in the process. That’s where machine learning comes in. Machine learning algorithms can learn from data and improve over time. This makes them a perfect tool for optimizing complex processes, such as last-mile delivery.
There are several different machine learning algorithms, but some of the most commonly used in logistics are deep-learning models, based on neural networks and decision trees. Neural networks are good at handling complex data sets, while decision trees are good at identifying patterns in data. Both of these algorithms have been successfully implemented to optimize last-mile delivery operations.

Machine learning can optimize last-mile delivery by predicting customer preferences and routing vehicles accordingly. Artificial intelligence algorithms can also predict traffic patterns and congestion levels, allowing companies to plan their routes accordingly. With the help of machine learning, you can also cut parcel shipment costs.

3. In terms of security and risk management, what kind of technologies do you employ to protect sensitive packages during transit? How do you ensure that your customers’ data and personal information are safeguarded throughout the delivery process?

For protecting data during transit, enterprises often choose to encrypt sensitive data prior to moving and/or use encrypted connections (HTTPS, SSL, TLS, FTPS, etc) to protect the contents of data in transit.
Encryption and Authentication is the key.

4. What kind of data analytics tools do you use to monitor performance and make informed business decisions? How has your use of data analytics helped you improve your delivery services and stay competitive in the marketplace?

We use multiple data analytics tool to analyse the performance. To name a few – Microsoft Excel, Power BI, Google Charts etc..
Data Analytics improve customer service enormously, as it enables the team to provide agile and quick responses to the problem, and also improves the bottom line by helping team understand customer wants and needs better. It also allows team to be proactive and get ahead of any potential challenges.

5. What kind of technology do you use to manage the customs clearance process for international shipments? How do you ensure compliance with relevant regulations and minimize delays or errors?

Large shippers should start by building an electronic data interchange (EDI) between clearance systems and supporting (business) systems like inventory, imaging, and scanning. This alone improves process efficiency by 50% to 60%. EDI can be used effectively for fast and secure exchange of information – like advance shipment notifications, clearance invoices, bills of lading, and airway bill numbers – among and between consigners, consignees, freight forwarding agents, and customs brokers. Many EDI solutions include softwares which automatically translate documents, accelerating the flow of information. By accelerating business process integrations, EDI systems can help increase business agility.
EDI offers another benefit as well. Companies that integrate customs clearance systems with their business systems achieve better consistency of pricing payments for duties and other related taxes. As customs laws are specific to countries, leveraging standardized software will enable enterprises to measure and track process variances and generate insights for process efficiency improvements.

Digitization can also improve the efficiency of customs clearance tasks. For example, using scanners and digital files instead of papers handled manually can greatly accelerate the customs clearance process. Many bureaucratic details like manifest checks, quality inspections, packaging, and forwarding can be digitized, improving efficiency by up to 50%. Digitization can enable real-time updating of freight costs in clearance systems, very granular tracking of shipments using IOT (internet of things technologies), and automated profiling of customer details – all of which expedite the processing of customs declaration and release of goods.

A compliance certificate is provided to importers or exporters to ascertain that the goods have adhered to the required standards of each country the shipment touches. For certain regulated import consignments, advance notification must be given to customs for every declaration. For example, robots can be used for shipment validation based on predefined criteria, such as segregating high-value shipments from low-value shipments or separating restricted goods from non-restricted goods. In both cases, some shipments require more customs scrutiny.

Robotic process automation (RPA) can be used to automatically update customs invoices, providing detail information on every exported item including collection address, delivery address, shipment value, and country of manufacture. Moreover, RPA systems can process manual imaging, scanning, and updating for customs clearance systems.

6. Can you discuss any new or emerging technologies that you are exploring or planning to implement in the near future to further improve your delivery services?

We are building a self tech which will be a solution for the last mile in the globe. It will provide services in over 300 languages as well as multiple currencies.
It will help to expedite the last mile in more efficient manner.