In a product’s journey from the warehouse to your door, the last mile is the final stage in the process. Not only is it the hardest to get right, and the most time-consuming leg of product delivery, it’s also the most expensive, reportedly accounting for around 50% of total shipping costs. If you’ve ever waited hours for a package that was “out for delivery”, you’ll understand exactly how inefficient this final step can be.
Luckily for the industry, and for customers, a number of new and emerging tools and technologies are being developed and deployed to improve last mile delivery. These solutions make smarter and simpler deliveries possible. Solutions like Loop, a delivery management app that is optimizing and shaking up the logistics space by improving the interactions between everyone across the supply chain - from the business and the driver, to the end customer.
Loop was founded by Kimberley Taylor, who came up with the idea for the business while completing a university assignment. She was asked to solve the traditional travelling salesman problem – the salesman has to visit every city on a list starting from a particular location and ending at the start location.
The challenge is to minimize the length of the trip by finding the most efficient route. Solving this route optimization problem opened the door for Taylor to ask even more questions about the visibility and communication issues that exist within the delivery space. And she immediately knew that there were a number of problems that needed to be solved.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 2023 - January 2024-Ausgabe von Forbes Africa.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 2023 - January 2024-Ausgabe von Forbes Africa.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
HIP-HOP'S HOTTEST HUSTLER
The Memphis rap star runs one of the biggest music labels, owns a piece of an MLS team and is looking to expand his empire like his billionaire mentor Jay-Z. But first, he's going to business school.
Kigali Triennial, The Ambitious New Event On The African Cultural Calendar
Rwanda has rightly earned the nickname of \"a land of a thousand hills and a thousand and one opportunities\" because of the country's impressive economic progress. However, after the recently-concluded celebration of arts which was the inaugural Kigali Triennial festival, you can now add culture to the list of things the country offers for tourists and investors.
The dark Side of AI
There is a thin line between innovation and abuse. A look at how large language models (LLMs) are making cyber-criminals even better at mastering the art of deception.
Gene Gamechanger
Disease-resistant crops? Cows that can withstand climate change? Here's how CRISPR is already transforming the continent, and why building a network of skilled scientists can help position Africa as a key global contributor in this frontier of crop development.
Women Empowerment And Transformation In Mining: A Distinctive Perspective
GMDC is a mining company that specializes in tungsten (wolfram) and operates in the city of Kigali, Nyarugenge District, Mageragere Sector.
How The Mining Sector Contributes To Community Development Initiatives
It plays a significant role in Rwanda's overall development, contributing to infrastructure, job creation, health, education, and even environmental conservation. It's not just about extracting resources; mining is mandated to build up the communities and nation alongside its operations.
Reflecting On 2023 Milestones And A Look Ahead
Last year solidified Rwanda's position as a prime African mining investment destination and a burgeoning hub for mineral value addition. What will 2024 hold?
Rwandan Mining Regulator Unveils Three-Year Mineral Exploration Campaign
A holistic approach to responsible mineral resource management in the country.
TASTING SUCCESS
Paul Siguqa has had an unlikely journey in the wine business in South Africa. His mother worked in the vineyards as a laborer during the apartheid era and now, his fully black-owned wine farm sells premium products.
Creating Stronger Communities In Africa Through Digital And Financial Inclusion
In Sub-Saharan Africa, a silent barrier to economic inclusion and social mobility persists: one in four adults lacks identification, according to a World Bank report.