March 9, 2010
What is a Courier Service?
A courier service is an organized business that provides a unique delivery experience of packages and documents that range in size from an envelope and multiple skids. A courier service is typically much faster delivery time than other methods typically provided by companies such as DHL, FedEx and UPS. The courier service industry is a fairly robust industry in the Western world with over 11,000 courier businesses in United States of America. Courier service industry is one of the oldest industries which has been around since the need to deliver messages over great lengths. In today’s world of international business, a courier service is a pivotal to we used in everyday business. Services such as the fax machine enough of simply complemented the great need of delivery or physical products.
Courier service industry in the United States is a $59 billion industry and the largest player being United Parcel Service delivers more than 1 million packages globally each day. The average courier company in the United States does approximately $2.5 million a year in volume. The courier service industry in the United States is a very fragmented industry that has failed consolidation of several attempts. There are little barriers to entry into this business with very little government intervention compared to other regulated industries.
Most courier companies in the Western world use independent contractors move packages. It is estimated that up to 80% of businesses in the United States use independent contractors were delivered. These independent contractors utilize their own vehicle to make a direct route of delivery and get paid a percentage of the revenue. They are typically responsible for all their own expenses and essentially an independent contractor is running their own business.
Companies that use a courier service range from attorneys two major parts manufacturers. Consumers are beginning to utilize courier services deliveries and white glove delivery is from retailers and e-commerce stores. Courier service industry can move practically any package across the country in the same day and many couriers are beginning to offer national retail distribution. This industry can also deliver and set up furniture, goods, electronics and other products through a service called white glove delivery.
By utilizing multiple couriers and other cities, integration of technology, and existing infrastructures such as the commercial airline industry, a national network has been created compete with the overnight carriers and offer same-day delivery in the United States.
With the increasing demand of consumers, courier service industry is poised to join the retail and e-commerce industries. Online retailers like Amazon, offering their local express delivery service, have begun to provide same day delivery to their customers.
With increasing technology, courier service business and provide electronic tracking via GPS with electronic signature capture from the point of pickup through the point of delivery from any point in the country. This means that customers and track their packages and real-time and receive real-time delivery and pickup notifications. By utilizing existing wireless technology, existing commercial infrastructures such as the commercial Airlines, and existing courier businesses with independent contractors, this industry and deliver the same quality of service is the major players with their own network.
Filed under Courier and Messenger, E-Commerce Shipping, Independent Contractors, Logistics by monte
November 19, 2009
Amazon Same Day Delivery Brings Competition in Line with Bookstores
Although Amazon has emerged as the most powerful bookseller in the world, they do retain a certain amount of healthy competition from their brick and mortar rivals. Physical bookstores typically do even better against the online giant as we get close to the holidays, and people have less time to accommodate long shipping times. They call this service Local Express Delivery.
Amazon has come up with a strategy to make shopping even more convenient for last minute Christmas shoppers by offering a same day delivery option in major centers. This newest service is only currently available in seven cities, but three more will be added shortly. The cities the service is currently available in include Washington D.C., Las Vegas, Baltimore, Seattle, Boston New York, and Philadelphia. The first expansions to the service area will take place in Indianapolis, Phoenix, and Chicago.
For many people, the worst part about last minute holiday shopping is having to contend with the throngs of people that are out picking up last minute gifts. This is something they will be able to easily avoid with this new same day shipping option from Amazon. The offer is going to extend as late as 1:00 PM Christmas Eve, making last minute shopping from your home computer simple.
The prices of the new service will differ depending on the type of account that you have with Amazon. Anyone that is an Amazon Prime Customer will only have to pay $5.99 per item that they want shipped the same day. While others will face higher rates, they will still get the same quick turnaround time on shipping.
The best thing about the newer service is that it is going to open up the usefulness of shopping online in a much more practical way. The problem with the online method of making purchases is that most sites always require you to wait to get your products, something that has driven many people out to a brick and mortar store. That barrier is now being removed.
The only problem that people have so far with the service is the amount that it costs to get this same day service. A Goldman Sachs analyst by the name of James Mitchell does predict that those prices will be dropped in the future though. Once more people become aware of the new service and their shippers are able to keep up with the demand, the price for this same day shipping should become more accessible to the average shopper.
Filed under Courier and Messenger, E-Commerce Shipping by Hayley O'Hara
October 27, 2009
Ten Important Facts about Same Day E-Commerce Shipping
E-commerce and same day shipping are two industries which are beginning to merge in several ways. Knowing about the systems that are in place and the changes that are coming is important for anyone involved in either industry. Armed with knowledge, a company is better suited for tackling and making the most of the coming changes.
- There are companies that offer same day shipping throughout the majority of the country. That means that a customer can place an order for courier service and, within 24 hours, have their order delivered into their hands. There are several companies that offer this service. A good example is Naparex, which can be reached at 1.877.577.1603.
- The same day courier industries combination with the e-commerce industry relies on using different technologies simultaneously. Airline travel, transportation logistics, wireless communications, and secure online shopping are all important parts of this equation.
- Speed of communication is key to the way these industries are coming together. It can take literally only minutes for a customer to order a product online. A few more minutes, and the company has contacted the courier to ship it. A few more, and the courier has wirelessly dispatched their delivery team. Then it is only a few hours and the delivery is complete.
- Software is an important tool to a same day delivery company. A courier software like Courier Complete allows them to wirelessly dispatch their drivers to begin making a delivery immediately. They also enable functions like signature capture, a useful feature for many e-commerce shippers.
- Local Express Delivery companies use a number of resources to ship a single product. They will use airlines to ship goods that have to travel the length of the country. They also use vans, cars, and bike messengers. It is the combination of all available methods that makes prompt shipping so possible. Couriers join in a courier social site called Couriers of the World.
- The courier drivers working for a same day courier like Naparex are actually independent contractors, not employees of the company. This opportunity provides over a hundred thousand jobs across the country.
- Bike messengers might seem like a small part of same day transport, but they are essential. They can make fast deliveries in the bustling downtown cores of any city. Any same day courier is going to have an important portion of their group of couriers made up of bike messengers.
- Amazon is the largest online retailer to announce a new system of same day shipment to their customers. This service is going to be called Local Express Delivery. Local Express Delivery is going to expand in the near future, but is only going to be available in seven cities initially. Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Las Vegas, New York, Seattle, and Washington DC will be able to use this service.
- Convenience and speed are the two things customers want most. As a result of this inevitable merging of industries, they are now going to have access to the best combination of both factors ever made possible. By using a great same day courier, any e-commerce business can meet those consumer desires.
- If you don’t want to be left behind, you will find a reliable courier company to help you achieve your goals of same day delivery for your customers. Within the next two years, many E-commerce businesses will be jumping on the bandwagon. If you want to compete, be one of the first.
Filed under Courier and Messenger, E-Commerce Shipping by monte
