## last-mile optimization

# Save on Parcel Spend While Hitting Delivery Expectations

Don't choose between a great customer experience and your bottom line.

## Improve Customer Experience, While Optimizing Costs

For brands who need to avoid increasing transportation spend, while accelerating the speed of delivery required to meet rising customer expectations

## How It Helps You

Set automated rules to **intelligently upgrade or downgrade** the delivery method for each order – while still meeting customer expectations

Gain **complete visibility of an order’s entire lifecycle** with parcel delivery tracking

Save on total parcel spend – **up to 12-15%** or more

Reduce your risk and **optimize your spend** by shopping across all of your carriers and service methods

## Why You Need It

Whether you already ship in 2-4 days, need to cap your maximum transit time or are looking to improve your delivery times, Last-Mile Optimization can help. It's perfect for brands that want to avoid increasing transportation spend while improving the speed of delivery.

## How Last-Mile Optimization Works

### intelligent Shipping

#### Upgrade & Downgrade as Needed

No more guesswork. Last-Mile Optimization uses automated rules to intelligently upgrade or downgrade the delivery method for each order. Stord’s OMS selects the right shipping option and fulfillment center, **ensuring each order arrives within the required delivery time – at the cheapest cost** to you and your customer. You stay in control, while Stord software makes the optimal parcel decision – automatically – to fulfill each order.

### The Secret Sauce

Unlike simple, standard carrier ‘rate shopping,’ Stord’s Last-Mile Optimization automations evaluate each package’s individual characteristics in real-time. The software automatically selects the most efficient and cost-effective service level and delivery provider that will meet the expected delivery date.

#### Gate Shopping

Identifies carriers and service levels that can handle specific shipment characteristics (size, geography, etc.)

#### Date Shopping

Identifies which can handle delivery speed requirements and ‘Deliver by’ dates based on predictive modeling from historical performance

#### Rate Shopping

Selects the most price effective carrier and service level at the moment of label generation based on all these criteria

### Set Desired Delivery Dates, Time

Promise your customers a specific delivery date and deliver on it, or ensure a specific timeline (e.g., within three days). Show delivery dates directly in your e-commerce store, powered by _Stord One Commerce_. This lets your customers **select their desired delivery timelines**, and gives you the confidence that you can always meet them. With Desired Delivery Date automated workflows, you set Promise Delivery Dates for important orders, **ensuring your customers get their ordered products on time.**

### Track Your Orders' Lifecycle

Stay informed - in real-time - every step of the way with Parcel Delivery Tracking. Track orders through the entire end-to-end lifecycle, with **complete, visible status and history of each order** from creation to delivery confirmation. Even identify exceptions proactively, before customer issues arise. **See delivery status updates** (including any carrier notes) directly in _Stord One Commerce_, giving you peace of mind and transparency.

### Carrier Performance Reporting

Keep your carriers accountable. With Carrier Performance Reporting, track your carriers' performance over time, helping **maintain high standards and exceed customer expectations.**

> “Ensuring our product is delivered on time — without being forced into high priced options has always been a challenge. Now we know each shipment will meet the promised delivery window at the lowest price. And our reps can easily track each order, every step of the way."
> 
> VP OF SUPPLY CHAIN, National Nutrition supplements brand