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Articles › Last-mile • Sep 6th 2024

What Is Last-Mile Hub Tracking?

Wise Systems

Wise Systems

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It’s no secret that last-mile logistics is the trickiest part of the shipping process. During last-mile shipping, a package goes from a local warehouse or distribution hub to a customer’s front door.

The challenge is that a lot can go wrong when transporting a package from a hub to a customer. That’s why more businesses are using last-mile hub tracking to get more visibility into truck locations and package statuses. Not only that, but the right tracking solution also bridges the divide between customers and shippers, providing the world-class experience your customers expect.

Let’s look at what a last-mile hub is and why tracking is so vital for all packages leaving a local distribution hub.

In this article:

What Is a Last-Mile Hub?

Employees talking in a last-mile delivery hub

Photo by Centre for Ageing Better from Unsplash

A last-mile hub is a local distribution center (also called a hub) where packages go before drivers deliver them directly to customers. Most last-mile hubs are in urban areas and might look like warehouses or fulfillment centers.

Thanks to optimized and automated organization, hubs handle a high volume of packages daily. Businesses try to build hubs close enough to as many of their regular customers as possible, reducing the distance packages travel from the hub to the customer.

However, a lot happens at a last-mile hub, and it’s up to logistics providers to stay on top of everything. This is where tracking comes in handy. Last-mile hub tracking solutions like the Wise Systems delivery automation platform provide real-time visibility to both shippers and their customers. Here’s how the process works:

  • Scanning: The package arrives at the last-mile hub, where employees scan it and enter it in the system. The tracking information automatically updates and tells the customer their package is at a local distribution center.
  • Sorting: The hub organizes packages based on delivery locations and sorts them onto the correct trucks.
  • Tracking: Employees scan packages again as they leave the hub for final delivery, which updates the package’s status to “out for delivery.” Last-mile hub tracking provides real-time tracking information through a customer portal, updating the package’s estimated arrival time as drivers complete their routes.
  • Delivery: Drivers deliver the package and offer proof of delivery to the customer via the tracking portal.

The Wise Systems delivery automation platform can help you streamline the entire delivery process, every step of the way. Request a demo today to learn how!

The Benefits of Last-Mile Hub Tracking

Back of a van on a busy city street

Photo by Colby Winfield from Unsplash

All last-mile hubs offer tracking in some form. Not only does this benefit logistics companies, but it also improves the customer experience.

1. Better Customer Experience

Providers like Amazon give customers up-to-the-minute tracking updates while their packages are out for delivery—and that’s precisely what your customers expect, too. Last-mile hub tracking allows providers to inform customers the moment their packages are out for delivery, giving them a heads-up that they should expect their package sometime today.

This detailed tracking also increases transparency in the shipping process, giving customers more peace of mind and confidence in your delivery team.

2. Operational Efficiency

An advanced tracking system like the Wise Systems delivery automation platform makes it a cinch for businesses to plan routes and speed up delivery times. Using a tracking system also gives you more data points to analyze after the fact, allowing you to spot points of friction in the last-mile process.

3. Lower Costs

Last-mile hub tracking keeps costs low. The data streamlines driver routes and cuts down on fuel costs, helping you better allocate resources. Real-time tracking can even reduce the risk of theft and lost packages, so you don’t have to worry about the costs of claims.

Discover how the Wise Systems delivery automation platform can help you realize these benefits and more. Book a demo today!

From Hub to Home: Seamless Last-Mile Hub Tracking

Ultimately, mastering last-mile hub tracking is about more than technology—it’s about creating a seamless, efficient, and satisfying delivery experience that builds customer loyalty and sets your business apart.

But you can’t offer end-to-end tracking without the right software, and that’s where Wise Systems comes in. Our intelligent last-mile solution strategically plans routes, manages team performance, dispatches, and analyzes your operations for optimizations. Request a demo to test drive Wise Systems today.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does last-mile hub tracking differ from traditional tracking methods?

Last-mile hub tracking gives real-time updates and detailed tracking information for the last-mile leg of delivery, where a package goes from a distribution hub to the customer’s doorstep. Traditional tracking isn’t this granular and can’t offer real-time updates.

How can last-mile hub tracking improve customer satisfaction?

Last-mile hub tracking is great for customer satisfaction because it provides real-time visibility into the delivery process. Customers love the accurate, timely notifications that keep them updated every step of the way. They appreciate knowing the delivery status and having the ability to track packages from the hub to their doorstep.

Is last-mile hub tracking expensive?

Setting up last-mile hub tracking comes with an upfront cost, but most businesses find the benefits outweigh the costs. You can expect to pay for:

  • Initial setup costs for hardware and software
  • The cost of integrating with existing tracking systems
  • Maintenance and subscription fees
  • Staff training

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