Understanding A Docking Operation With International Freight Forwarders Canada

By Frank Baker


Imagine that you are currently planning an impromptu ski trip. Since you live in a hot and tropical climate, there are no stores to buy thermal clothes. You definitely do not want to arrive in your shorts and then go buy warm clothes. No problem. You simply log onto your smartphone or laptop and shop online. By simply entering your card details on an online shopping site, you can have a weeks worth of all the latest and warmest ski gear, delivered within 5 working days at your front door. This is due to International Freight Forwarders Canada.

The cross-docking operation is an efficient way to move goods from producer to merchandiser or consumer. Goods arrive at a docking station via a truck, for instance, and offloaded. During the offloading procedure, the parcels go through a quality check and are then sorted into categories for delivery. They are then loaded onto a conveyor belt headed to the outbound truck. The outbound truck is loaded and moves out for delivery to the customer.

It is easy to identify all the benefits of the cross docking operations. The entire process saves a substantial amount of time and money. The risk of handling products is reduced. Fewer employees are required. Both merchandiser and customer are satisfied with the quick delivery time. This efficient system also helps cut back on excess warehouse space.

Looking at the cons there is the issue of lack of visibility of the product, which may lead to lost shipments or duplicated items. Real-Time status of delivery time and location would solve this, perhaps installing small GPS trackers on each parcel. The other is auditability. Up to the minute historical records of all activity needs to be recorded. Lastly, compliance an efficient system with rules and standards ensuring accurate procedures need to be followed.

The only aspect the merchandiser needs to think about is having the extra time and money. Perhaps a drive to the bank would be satisfactory enough.

It now makes sense to the consumer why some products are either the same price or even cheaper when ordered and delivered from an online than in the store. A store owner must still make enough profit from the sale of goods to cover his rental as well as the staff employed. The shop owner does benefit from the fact that he too no longer needs extra storage space because just like to consumer he receives his goods timeously to his back door.

It s interesting to consider the future of this system. Businessmen are always looking at ways to increase sales, speed, and efficiency. Perhaps the next stage will be a similar system but in the air. With the birth of drones, there is petrol to be saved and again also labor. It s easy to imagine that drones will be flying through the sky delivering parcels straight to your front door. Although there are other variables to consider here such as strong weather conditions.

Anyway, it is safe to say that the logistics of ordering and delivering has become increasingly popular and convenient for all parties involved.




About the Author: