When a company’s logistics operations aren’t handled efficiently, it can cause a domino effect of negative outcomes that eventually impact profitability – from improper staffing to shipping delays to dissatisfied customers.
Approximately 98% of e-commerce consumers say that their loyalty to a company is impacted by their delivery experience, and most won’t return if they have just a single negative experience. This illustrates how crucial logistics efficiency is to stay ahead of the competition and maintain loyal customers.
More than half of e-commerce retailers consider the processes of shipping and logistics challenging, as the unpredictable nature of the industry can make it difficult to accurately map out staffing and other needs. That’s where timecard management and analytics tools come into play.
Here, we cover common resource allocation challenges in logistics operations staffing and how timecard management software can help supply control to schedulers.
Common Resource Allocation Challenges in Logistics Staffing
With all the different stakeholders involved in a company’s logistics operations, from warehouse employee management to transportation services, it can be tough to understand the headcount that’s needed – and attain it. Some frequent staffing challenges logistics companies face include:
- Unpredictable workload: Unforeseen events like poor weather conditions, traffic congestion caused by accidents or construction, or worker strikes can delay shipments, making it hard to plan for arrival times.
- Need for flexibility: Workloads may fluctuate due to peak hours or seasons, and logistics companies need staff who are willing to be flexible with their schedules.
- High turnover rate: Physically demanding work coupled with irregular schedules can quickly lead to burnout, which leaves less staff available to fill shifts and ensure things stay on track.
- Cross-functional coordination issues: With a large number of employees involved, it can be tough to coordinate staffing needs to ensure processes operate as efficiently as possible between each team.
How Employee Time-Tracking Software Can Help With Boosting Efficiency
Logistics companies often take advantage of time-tracking tools, such as those included in workforce management software like coAmplifi, for more accurate guidance on what staffing actions to take. Here’s how coAmplifi optimizes logistics businesses to improve efficiency and productivity.
Forecast Resource Requirements
With statistical data tracking tools, you can forecast resource requirements on a daily, weekly, monthly, or seasonal basis. This helps ensure the right number of staff are available during peak times, enhancing efficiency and proactively sustaining your business.
It also helps prevent underutilization of staff by avoiding overstaffing hours or days that are typically slower, saving you money. Employees benefit from this as well since working hours can be more accurately predicted, helping them achieve a better work-life balance.
Improve Workforce Management
It’s important to ensure the right people with the right skills are on hand when they’re needed to reduce labor expenses and increase efficiency. With coAmplifi, you can assign personnel based on their job description and availability, eliminating the guesswork of staffing the proper employees.
In addition, you can calculate employee retention rates, monitoring the various reasons for turnover to identify areas that may require action for improvement.
Make More Informed Business Decisions
Timecard analytics provide real-time visibility into your workforce that can help you make quicker, more informed business decisions when problems arise, such as shipment delays.
With helpful data at your fingertips, you can predict the outcomes of different decisions, see right away who’s available, and compare your current metrics to those from previous time periods to better understand how to move forward.
Remain Compliant
Detailed and accurate timesheets and documentation are automatically kept as your business operates, so you can rest easy knowing you have a paper trail to prove compliance with wage and hour laws. This keeps you prepared for any unexpected or costly lawsuits or audits.
Streamline Logistics Operations Scheduling with coAmplifi
Properly allocating resources for a logistics company is a demanding task that can feel both overwhelming and unpredictable. With helpful tools that provide real-time automations and data, the workload for schedulers can be greatly reduced and processes can be made more efficient across the company.
coAmplifi’s employee time-tracking software has the tools and information you need all in one platform. It enables you to predict resource requirements, take action based on data, and streamline operations, compliant processes with ease.
Take the guesswork out of staffing and stabilize your company’s logistics operations. Schedule your demo now!
