How On-Time Delivery Leads To A Better Supply Chain

On-time delivery is mission critical in a successful supply chain, especially in the wholesale, retail and healthcare industries where dock space is at a premium. The penalties for not meeting scheduled delivery appointments create strained relationships, poor performance reports and often result in significant charge-backs for high-value goods, such as pharmaceuticals. This is especially true during peak shipping times or when scheduling multiple LTL deliveries.

One of the largest research-based pharmaceutical and health care product manufacturers in the world knew that most delivery issues could be avoided if the staff was empowered with visibility and event management tools.

The supply chain team knew that the required tools were part of the right TMS, a solution that would improve service by helping staff meet the growing expectations of both internal and external customers. It would also reduce costs in transportation spend and appointment penalties. The opportunity was there for improved on-time delivery, plus cost reduction through better planning and load consolidation. Legacy systems, however, limited the ability to optimize planning decisions or to collaborate with carriers and customers. In addition, transportation costs were rising due to fuel surcharges.

While the company has selected LeanTMS for several reasons, the Appointment Scheduling function proved particularly valuable. Appointment Scheduling defines a facility’s dock configuration, calendar, and loading/unloading rules and times. The system maintains a master dock schedule and usage, as well as appointment history. This allows appointment requestors to schedule appointments in open slots without approval or requiring confirmation to schedule appointments. Once scheduled, all collaborative users — the company, customers, and carriers — have web-based visibility to the appointment. LeanTMS Appointment Scheduling also provides complete dock schedule reporting (print or display), including views of an entire day: receiving, shipping, and miscellaneous dock schedules independently, date/time ranges, and the summary of an appointed load. The company achieved the desired shipment visibility, increasing on-time delivery, reducing penalties for missed or late appointments, and improving carrier performance.