In addition to postal parcels, dedicated line logistics is also a common logistics model in cross-border e-commerce. Compared with postal or other express delivery companies that provide logistics services, this logistics model is much smaller in scale, and it is easy to build a dedicated logistics line. How is such a dedicated logistics line built, what is its operation process, what are its advantages and disadvantages compared to other logistics models, these issues will be briefly explained in the following two sections.
12.4.1 Advantages and Disadvantages of Dedicated Line Logistics
Dedicated line logistics refers to the logistics company using its own transportation tools (usually trucks, airplanes, etc.) to transport goods to the dedicated line destination. It is a point-to-point logistics model and is often referred to as a logistics dedicated line. Generally speaking, for domestic logistics, less material and human resources can support a dedicated logistics line, and the entry threshold is low, but there are often certain risks. As for cross-border logistics, there are also such risks.
Compared with the general logistics model, the advantage of dedicated line logistics is first of all low price, because the purpose of setting up a dedicated line is to reduce costs, and the departure time is often uncertain, and the goods are sent only when they are full. In this way, after choosing a reasonable transportation route, costs can be effectively reduced. In addition, although the delivery time is uncertain, the route of dedicated logistics is generally close to the straight-line distance, and there are many regional outlets, which can ensure that the goods arrive at the destination at a certain time, and the timeliness is good.
Similarly, compared with the general logistics model, dedicated logistics also has risks. As mentioned at the beginning, less manpower and material resources can support a dedicated logistics line. The lower threshold will affect the professionalism of logistics, and the risk in transportation is higher. In addition, dedicated logistics needs to have sufficient supply of goods in order to save costs. Once the supply of goods is insufficient, it will not only fail to save costs, but also cause losses to the logistics company.
Finally, although dedicated logistics can plan routes according to the nearest principle in domestic logistics, save time and arrive on time, in cross-border logistics, due to the long distance, it is sometimes inevitable that it cannot arrive on time, and there are problems with timeliness.
12.4.2 Dedicated Logistics Process
The general logistics process can be summarized in three steps, namely order acceptance, delivery, and receipt, and dedicated logistics is no exception.
The first step is to receive orders, that is, the logistics distribution center receives customer orders and allocates corresponding vehicles and personnel according to inventory conditions. Then, based on these factors, a dedicated person is selected to be responsible for the allocation and processing of goods, which can be automated or manual, so as to make more efficient use of the resources at hand of the logistics company.
Then, the system will manually adjust the arrangements made based on the actual situation according to the system arrangement results. After the adjustment, the system will print the picking list based on the storage location of the goods and the optimization principles set by the logistics company itself. Next, the carrier will rely on this picking list to pick up the goods at the warehouse, and the warehouse will do the corresponding outbound processing. After that, it is loading, and the relevant delivery notes are printed according to the number of customers sent.
The last step is to monitor the transportation of goods. This link can be monitored at any time through the GPS vehicle system, and you can also keep in touch with the driver at any time. After the goods arrive at the destination, after confirmation by the person receiving the goods, they will return to the logistics distribution center for confirmation with the receipt.