
Optimizing the Order to Delivery Process is crucial for businesses to ensure timely and efficient delivery of products to customers. This process involves several stages, including order processing, inventory management, and logistics.
The key to optimizing this process is to streamline each stage, eliminating unnecessary steps and reducing manual errors. For instance, automating order processing can save up to 30% of processing time, as seen in a study that analyzed the impact of automation on order processing.
Efficient inventory management is also vital, as it can reduce stockouts and overstocking. By implementing a just-in-time inventory system, businesses can minimize inventory levels while maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction.
In addition, real-time tracking and monitoring can help identify and resolve any issues that may arise during the delivery process. This can lead to faster resolution times and improved customer satisfaction.
What Is CargoPlanning?
CargoPlanning is a transport management system that simplifies and accelerates the delivery process. It offers a range of services that can streamline all operations in the process.

The platform requires you to input various details, including the ordering company, order type, supplier information, location and date of upload and download, ordered product details, and transport requirements. This information is centralized and sent for approval.
You can create templates for reuse on other orders, improving communication between departments and preventing human errors. The exchange of information with carriers is also significantly improved.
The platform automatically sends the CargoOrder information to CargoPlanning, which can then be turned into a transport request. Necessary details include payment information, shipping price, currency used, and more.
If you have a preferred shipping provider, the order can be assigned directly to them. If not, they may be invited to join the platform or the application may be put out to tender.
CargoPlanning provides real-time transportation information and warns you of any problems along the way. Contracts and documents are automatically generated based on the data entered by both you and your shipping provider.
The platform acts as a collaborative calendar, allowing carriers to schedule loading or unloading operations. You can track the exact arrival of goods and the precise status of the delivery, including when it has arrived at the gate, reached the ramp, left the ramp, and delivery is completed.
Here are the different stages of the delivery process that CargoPlanning manages:
- Arrived at the gate
- Reached the ramp
- Plecat de la rampă
- Delivery completed
Order to Delivery Process
The order to delivery process is a crucial step in ensuring that customers receive their orders on time. It involves arranging transportation logistics, coordinating with shipping carriers, and tracking the shipment to ensure timely delivery.
The order management cycle encompasses several key steps, including picking, packing, and shipping, which are essential for fulfilling customer orders. Picking involves selecting products from inventory shelves or storage locations, packing involves packaging selected items securely and preparing them for shipping, and shipping involves arranging transportation and logistics for delivering orders to customers.
Here's a breakdown of the order fulfillment process: Picking: Selecting products from inventory shelves or storage locations to fulfill customer orders.Packing: Packaging selected items securely and preparing them for shipping, including labeling and documentation.Shipping: Arranging transportation and logistics for delivering orders to customers, whether through in-house or third-party carriers.
Order to Delivery Process
The order to delivery process is a complex series of steps that involve initiating, processing, and managing the delivery of orders till they reach the customers. It's a crucial process that ensures seamless transactions and satisfied customers.
Order verification is the first step in the order to delivery process, where order details are confirmed and customer information is validated to ensure accuracy and completeness. This step is essential to prevent errors and ensure that the right products are delivered to the right customers.
Here are the key steps involved in the order to delivery process:
- Order verification
- Inventory check
- Order routing
- Picking
- Packing
- Shipping
The order to delivery process involves many stakeholders, including the customer, the warehouse, the shipping carrier, and the delivery driver. Each stakeholder plays a critical role in ensuring that the order is delivered on time and in good condition.
The order to delivery process can be optimized using order management systems (OMS) that allow for the optimization of picking, packing, and order routing. This results in faster deliveries, which creates a better customer experience.
Internal order cycle time, also known as lead time, is the period between order placement and shipment. It provides insight into warehouse efficiency and communication between different teams. A high internal order cycle time suggests a need for improvement.
Order fulfillment cycle time combines internal order cycle time and shipping time to find out how long it takes for an order to reach the customer. This metric can reveal gaps in the order fulfillment process slowing down delivery.
The order to delivery process can be managed remotely using mobile-friendly OMS platforms, making it possible for business owners to oversee the process even if they aren't at the warehouse.
The key to successful order to delivery process is to provide transparency and visibility into the entire process, from order placement to delivery. This can be achieved by providing customers with tracking information and delivery updates.
By optimizing the order to delivery process, businesses can drive growth and success in the marketplace by enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Return Only Management
Return Only Management plays a crucial role in the Order to Delivery Process. Unilog's system allows for the management of various order types, including sales orders, which can be returned by customers.
Returns are transmitted back to our customer's ERP systems through API/EDI connections. This ensures that the customer's system is updated in real-time.
Inbound transactions, including returns, are transmitted back to the customer's ERP systems, providing a seamless experience. This process is automated, reducing the need for manual intervention.
Returns are just one aspect of the Order to Delivery Process that Unilog's system manages. By integrating with customer systems, we can provide a comprehensive solution.
Key Steps in the Process
The order to delivery process involves several key steps that ensure seamless transactions and satisfied customers. The process begins with Order Placement, which involves recording customer orders into the system, capturing essential details such as product quantities, delivery dates, and shipping preferences.
The Order Routing step is crucial, as it involves allocating resources, assigning tasks, and setting timelines for order processing. This ensures that orders are processed promptly and efficiently.
Here are the key steps in the process:
The order to delivery process is a crucial part of any business, and understanding these key steps can help ensure seamless transactions and satisfied customers.
Six Steps
The process of fulfilling orders involves several key steps that, when executed efficiently, can make a significant impact on customer satisfaction and business success.
First, goods must arrive at the warehouse, distribution center, or store, where they are received, recorded, and stored. This initial stage sets the tone for the entire order fulfillment process.

Next, goods are checked against the original order, invoice, and mailing list to ensure accuracy and completeness. If damaged packages are received, they must be returned to prevent further complications.
Effective storage in the warehouse is crucial to achieving maximum speed and efficiency in order delivery. This involves organizing the storage area to ensure quick access to the required items.
Locating items in the warehouse is a critical step, especially if done manually. To streamline this process, a list of necessary items with their corresponding storage locations should be maintained.
Once the goods are located, they are packed to prevent damage during transport. The type of packaging materials used depends on the weight limits of each company.
Finally, shipping options and logistics partners are considered to minimize costs and time required for transportation. A Transport Management System (TMS) can help track freight in real-time, provide performance reports, and optimize logistics for future orders.
Here are the six steps in the order fulfillment process:
Placement
Placement is the initial step in the order process, and it's where the customer inquiry meets the order entry. The customer places an order, and the retailer records the details into the system.
This involves capturing essential information such as product quantities, delivery dates, and shipping preferences. The order information is then sent to the warehouse or fulfillment center to prepare items for shipment.
Customers can place orders through multiple sales channels, which is why retailers need an omnichannel or multichannel fulfillment tool. This tool automatically moves order details from the sales channel to the order management system.
Here are the key steps involved in the order placement process:
- Customer Inquiry: Initial contact or inquiry from the customer regarding product availability, pricing, or specifications.
- Order Entry: Recording customer orders into the system, capturing essential details such as product quantities, delivery dates, and shipping preferences.
The goal of order placement is to accurately collect and process customer orders, ensuring that everything is in place for a smooth and efficient fulfillment process.
Processing Removed
Order verification is a crucial step in ensuring accuracy and completeness of order details and customer information.
Inventory check is necessary to verify product availability and determine if backorders or substitutions are needed.
Order routing involves sending orders to the right fulfillment centers or distribution channels based on inventory availability, shipping requirements, and geographical location.
Here's a breakdown of the order processing steps:
- Order Verification: Confirming order details and validating customer information.
- Inventory Check: Verifying product availability and determining if backorders or substitutions are necessary.
- Order Routing: Routing orders to the right fulfillment centers or distribution channels.
Full supply chain visibility enables clients to provide high-level service wherever and whenever they operate by providing transparency into on-hand inventories, in transit, international and domestic shipments, order fulfillment status, deliveries, material flow and more.
Optimal routes can be planned and scheduled using last-mile routing feature of a dispatch management platform, which recommends the most efficient routes for drivers based on multiple logistics constraints, business goals, and customer preferences.
Minimize Errors, Enhance Accuracy
Minimizing errors and enhancing accuracy is crucial in order management. This can be achieved by centralizing order data, implementing validation checks, and integrating with inventory management systems.
Effective order management systems help minimize errors and mistakes throughout the order processing journey. By centralizing order data, implementing validation checks, and integrating with inventory management systems, businesses can reduce the risk of order inaccuracies.

Businesses can reduce the risk of order inaccuracies, such as incorrect product quantities, pricing discrepancies, or shipping errors, by centralizing order data. This involves verifying product availability, pricing, and any discounts or promotions applicable to the order.
Validation checks can be implemented to ensure accuracy and completeness of order details. This includes confirming customer details, shipping addresses, and payment information.
A low value in the accuracy of order preparation metric suggests areas for improvement at the picking stage. This may include having a quality assurance practice between picking and packing.
Here are some key strategies to improve order accuracy:
- Implement validation checks to ensure accuracy and completeness of order details.
- Centralize order data to reduce the risk of order inaccuracies.
- Integrate with inventory management systems to ensure accurate stock counts.
- Have a quality assurance practice between picking and packing.
By implementing these strategies, businesses can minimize errors and enhance accuracy in their order management process. This leads to improved customer satisfaction and reduced costs associated with returns and refunds.
Following Up with Client
Following up with clients is a crucial step in building trust and ensuring customer satisfaction. This involves confirming receipt of the order and addressing any concerns or issues that may have arisen.
Proactive communication is key to addressing any concerns or inquiries promptly. This can be achieved through responsive customer support, as mentioned in Example 2.
To confirm receipt of the order, you can send a notification to the client, keeping them informed about the order's progress. This is an essential part of maintaining open lines of communication with clients, as discussed in Example 3.
By soliciting feedback on the overall purchasing experience, you can identify areas for improvement and make necessary adjustments to enhance the client's experience. This helps build trust and fosters long-term relationships with clients.
Following up with clients after order delivery shows that you value their business and care about their satisfaction. It's a simple yet effective way to build a positive relationship with your clients.
Benefits and Challenges
Order management is a critical aspect of business operations that impacts various facets of efficiency. Successful order management is essential for driving operational excellence, maximizing customer satisfaction, and achieving long-term business success.
Businesses that prioritize efficiency, accuracy, and customer service can unlock the numerous benefits of efficient order management and gain a competitive edge in today's dynamic marketplace.
Effective order management can be a challenging process for businesses, with common challenges including managing inventory levels, orders from multiple channels and systems, and ensuring timely and accurate order fulfillment.
Some of the key challenges in order management include:
- Managing inventory levels effectively to ensure orders can be fulfilled with optimized inventory level.
- Managing orders from multiple channels and systems, including online marketplaces, eCommerce platforms, and in-store purchases.
- Ensuring timely and accurate order fulfillment across multiple locations and vendors.
- Handling returns and exchanges efficiently to maintain customer satisfaction.
- Integrating order management systems with other business processes and systems, such as accounting and customer relationship management.
Benefits of
By prioritizing efficiency, accuracy, and customer service, businesses can unlock the numerous benefits of efficient order management and gain a competitive edge in today's dynamic marketplace.
Order management is a critical aspect of business operations that impacts various facets of efficiency, driving operational excellence and maximizing customer satisfaction.
Effective order management practices help build trust and credibility with clients by consistently delivering orders accurately and on time, demonstrating reliability and professionalism.
Businesses can leverage order management as a strategic asset to scale their operations and achieve sustainable success in today's competitive marketplace by prioritizing timely order fulfillment and minimizing errors.
Transparent communication, proactive order tracking, and responsive customer support further reinforce trust and help businesses cultivate long-term relationships with clients, driving repeat business and positive word-of-mouth referrals.
Challenges in
Managing orders and last-mile delivery can be a complex process for businesses. Effective inventory management is crucial to ensure orders can be fulfilled with optimized inventory levels.
One of the common challenges in order management is managing orders from multiple channels and systems, including online marketplaces, eCommerce platforms, and in-store purchases. This can lead to a high volume of orders that need to be processed efficiently.
Managing inventory levels effectively is essential to ensure orders can be fulfilled. According to the formula for perfect order rate, 10% of orders are less-than-perfect, which means there's room for improvement.
Here are some common challenges in order management:
- Managing inventory levels effectively to ensure orders can be fulfilled with optimized inventory level.
- Managing orders from multiple channels and systems, including online marketplaces, eCommerce platforms, and in-store purchases.
- Ensuring timely and accurate order fulfillment across multiple locations and vendors.
- Handling returns and exchanges efficiently to maintain customer satisfaction.
- Integrating order management systems with other business processes and systems, such as accounting and customer relationship management.
In last-mile delivery, managing rising fuel costs and its impact on operational fleet expenses is a significant challenge. This can lead to increased operational costs and decreased profitability.
Other challenges in last-mile delivery include difficulty in handling customer delivery requests and rescheduling requests, increase in idling time due to high traffic restrictions and higher number of delivery stops, and difficulty in setting realistic ETA (Expected Time of Arrival) for deliveries.
Cost Reduction
Streamlining order management processes can lead to significant cost savings through improved efficiency and reduced errors. Automation of order processing workflows minimizes manual labor and administrative overhead.
Eliminating inefficiencies and optimizing resource utilization can lower operational expenses and improve profitability. This is achieved by reducing carrying costs associated with excess inventory and obsolescence.
A high cost per order may mean it costs more to fulfill the order than the product's price. This calls for a restructuring of labor and shipping costs.
Optimized inventory management helps reduce carrying costs. By minimizing excess inventory and obsolescence, businesses can lower operational expenses.
The formula to calculate cost per order is Total fulfillment costs / Number of orders. This metric helps you find out how much labor, shipping costs, and other expenses go into fulfilling an order.
Shipping cost per order measures the cost of delivery to a single customer during a set period. It reveals cost inefficiencies and where to make improvements.
The formula to calculate shipping cost per order is Total shipping cost for the period / Number of successful deliveries.
Fill Rate
Fill Rate is a crucial metric for retailers to track, as it helps them balance inventory levels with customer demand. The formula for calculating Fill Rate is Orders fillable from inventory / total orders x 100. This metric is essential for maintaining a healthy stock level that can meet customer expectations.
A high Fill Rate, typically above 90%, indicates that a retailer can fulfill most orders from their available inventory. On the other hand, a low Fill Rate can lead to stockouts and disappointed customers.
By monitoring Fill Rate, retailers can identify areas where they need to adjust their inventory management strategies. For instance, if a retailer notices a low Fill Rate for a particular product, they can consider increasing their inventory levels or optimizing their supply chain to meet customer demand.
Tools and Technology
Tools and Technology can make a huge difference in the order to delivery process. Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems provide a centralized platform for managing orders, inventory, and other business processes.
Some common tools for order management include ERP systems, order management systems (OMS), warehouse management systems (WMS), and customer relationship management (CRM) systems. These tools can help businesses streamline the order fulfillment process, automate tasks, and provide visibility into inventory levels and order status.
By using dispatch management software, businesses can minimize out-of-miles and empty miles, improving the efficiency of their deliveries. This is achieved through advanced analytics and AI capabilities, which enable businesses to generate efficient schedules for drivers and optimal routes for deliveries.
Here are some of the key tools and technologies that can help streamline the order to delivery process:
- ERP systems
- Order management systems (OMS)
- Warehouse management systems (WMS)
- Customer relationship management (CRM) systems
- Dispatch management software
These tools can help businesses automate tasks, improve visibility, and increase efficiency, ultimately leading to improved customer satisfaction and reduced costs.
Tools
Tools can make a huge difference in order management. Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems provide a centralized platform for managing orders, inventory, and other business processes.
Having a centralized platform is crucial for streamlining order fulfillment. ERP systems can help businesses automate tasks and provide visibility into inventory levels and order status.
Order management systems (OMS) are specifically designed for managing orders, including order processing, shipping, and returns. These systems can help businesses centralize key information and automate repetitive tasks.
Some businesses use warehouse management systems (WMS) to focus on managing inventory levels and warehouse operations. WMS can help businesses receive, put-away, pick, and pack items efficiently.
Customer relationship management (CRM) systems are used to manage customer interactions. These systems can be integrated with order management systems to provide a complete view of the customer journey.
Here are some common tools for order management:
- Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems
- Order Management Systems (OMS)
- Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems
Order management systems can also integrate with other business systems, enabling businesses to automate tasks and improve efficiency.
Supply Chain Analytics
Supply Chain Analytics is key to successful and seamless flow management. By utilizing the most up-to-date BI Supply Chain Analytics solution, you can proactively see patterns and risks and act accordingly to enhance your Supply Chain Management.
With advanced analytics, you can minimize out-of-miles and empty miles for your fleet, which can lead to loss in revenues, fuel wastage, or a loss in Hours of Service (HOS). This can be achieved by using dispatch management software that helps track the out-of-route miles and make necessary corrections.
The Locus dispatch management platform uses advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities to generate efficient schedules for drivers and optimal routes for deliveries that maximize your on-time delivery rates. Its advanced analytical insights also help identify the weak spots in your last-mile deliveries and rectify them.
An Order Management System (OMS) can automate business processes, boosting the efficiency of order processing by integrating with other management tools like customer relationship management (CRM) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) platforms. This provides greater oversight into the supply chain and inventory levels.
Tracking for Real-Time Insights
Tracking for real-time insights is key to a smooth order to delivery process. Real-time tracking provides current status, helps proactively manage issues, and sends alerts when a Service Level Agreement (SLA) is at risk.
An omnichannel sales model is common for retailers, with metrics calculating the percentage of orders from each sales channel. This helps determine which sales channels to prioritize.
Unilog's real-time system ensures that goods are delivered by the promised date. It's a system that works, as it's designed to meet modern digital logistical challenges.
The on-time shipping rate is a crucial metric, calculated as the number of orders that ship on time divided by the total orders, multiplied by 100. This helps retailers compare planning and execution of order management to identify inefficiencies.
Real-time data throughout the supply chain is gathered and analyzed by the control tower. This data is used to make operational decisions and effectively meet logistical challenges.
Improving Efficiency
A centralized collaborative platform for managing orders, tracking inventory levels, and monitoring order statuses in real-time is essential for staying organized and efficient.
Order management software with features like order tracking, inventory forecasting, and customizable reporting enables businesses to gain insights and complete visibility into their order management processes.
This visibility helps identify areas for improvement and enables data-driven decisions to optimize operations.
By streamlining order management, businesses can reduce stress and increase productivity, allowing dispatchers to focus on more important tasks.
Increased Efficiency
Efficient order management processes enable businesses to handle orders more quickly, accurately, and cost-effectively. Automation of repetitive tasks frees up staff to focus on more value-added activities.
Automation of order processing, invoicing, and reporting is key to improving efficiency. This allows staff to focus on more complex tasks that require human judgment and decision-making.
Integration with other business systems, such as inventory management, CRM, and accounting, streamlines data exchange and improves overall process efficiency. This integration enables businesses to have complete visibility into their order management processes.
By automating repetitive tasks and integrating with other business systems, businesses can gain insights and identify areas for improvement. This enables them to make data-driven decisions to optimize operations.
Speeds Up Deliveries
Efficient order management processes enable businesses to handle orders more quickly and accurately. Automation of repetitive tasks frees up staff to focus on more value-added activities.
An OMS allows for the optimization of picking, packing, and order routing. This results in faster deliveries, creating a better customer experience.
By streamlining data exchange with other business systems, such as inventory management, CRM, and accounting, businesses can improve overall process efficiency. This integration enables seamless communication and reduces errors.
Providing customers with tracking information and delivery updates enhances transparency and customer satisfaction for last mile delivery. This is crucial for building trust and loyalty with customers.
Faster deliveries not only improve customer satisfaction but also drive growth and success in the marketplace. By optimizing the order management cycle, businesses can gain a competitive edge.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 7 steps of order fulfillment?
The 7 steps of order fulfillment are: receiving inventory, storage, order picking, order packing, shipping, delivery, and returns. Understanding these steps is key to efficiently managing your online store and providing excellent customer service.
Sources
- https://cargoplanning.com/en/blog/article/10/order-delivery-process-everything-you-need-to-know
- https://osacommerce.com/blog/order-management-process-oms
- https://unilog.company/order-management-process-from-initial-order-to-final-delivery/
- https://blog.locus.sh/order-to-delivery-in-the-last-mile/
- https://fluentcommerce.com/resources/blog/8-stages-of-order-management/
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