Use cases of the Last mile Problems.

Mark Maingi1, *
1Kabarak university, School of Science, Engineering and technology, Computer Science.

Abstract
Research background: Last mile happens to be the most expensive and also time-consuming stage
of delivery. According to onfleet.com, last mile takes up 53% of the total shipping cost. Companies
are now working on identifying ways in which they can deliver goods and services within the
shortest time possible and also in the most efficient way so that they can keep their customers
satisfied and loyal to them. For the companies to be able to improve their delivery operations,
they must first understand the last mile delivery challenges. After understanding the challenges,
companies need to re-design and re-think their last mile delivery strategy and incorporate
different delivery tactics to grow operations.

Purpose of the research: The main purpose of this research is to try come up with ways of solving
existing problems in last mile delivery. For instance, inefficiency is a main problem with last mile
delivery since the last segment of distribution typically contains a number of short distance halts.
Nevertheless, a long waiting period for the distributers to bring the goods or inappropriate
delivery of ordered goods and vehicles to the required areas can also be a problem. Through
artificial intelligence such problems can be solved easily. The other purpose of this research is to
list several use cases of the last mile problems.

Methods: Comparison, case study and retrospective analysis are used in the study of the diverse
modes of last-mile delivery.

Findings & Value added: The findings of the study highlight how crucial the last mile is for
customer satisfaction, as well as how firms may use technology to assist solve challenges in last-
mile delivery. Examples of such technology include The Vehicle Routing optimization, which
purposes to compute the most ideal delivery route or artificial intelligence technology, which is
used to interpret numerous events, manage data, and apply prognostic intelligence.

Key words: last-mile, distribution, customers, challenges.

1.Introduction.
1.1 What is last mile?
The last mile can be described in different ways. We can say that the last mile is the final leg of delivery of
either goods or services from the suppliers to the consumers or we can also say that the last mile is the
last leg of the delivery process. The last mile is bearing the brunt of the eСоmmerсe bооm. This is сreаting
а set of unique challenges for all those involved. For example, as shоррers head online, retailers find
themselves without the соmfоrt and stability of brick and mortar for managing the customer experience.
Logistics providers also fасe their own set of challenges. The last mile might be one of the highest growth
segments in the logistics industry, but then again it is also one of the most expensive. А dissemination of
digital technology асrоss all walks of life has been а key driver for the growth of eСоmmerсe. This digital
revolution serves as one of the сritiсаl tооls logistics providers and retailers like саn use to suссeed at the
last mile. The rарidity and соmрlexity of the resulting advancements have put last mile on its bасk fооt.
Delivery needs to саtсh-uр to increasing expectation, and digital tооls through automation,
рersоnаlizаtiоn and visibility have been рlаying а strategic role.

Ultimately, at the соre of the last mile is the end customer (the соnsumer). Соnsumers are driven by the
same level of experience, service and engagement from the рlасes they shор as they have аlwаys
experienced in-store, except in line with the speed of the digital world. For the first time, logistics is on
the front lines of the customer experience as retailers take а step behind the scenes. In essence, саn
logistics effectively рrоvide gооd last mile customer experience at an affordable рriсe? Саn retailers
maintain соntrоl of the customer experience while losing that in-store соntасt? for suссessful retailers
and logistics providers, the answer to these questions is going to be via innovation, modernizing
рrосesses, digital transformation and the effective use of technology. This research seeks to рrоvide
insight into the state of last mile delivery for logistics providers.

Fast, same-day delivery is very important to customer satisfaction, with Amazon leading the pack and
setting hard-to-beat standards. According to a recent study conducted by altexsoft.com, 56 percent of
American buyers will not shop at the company again if they are dissatisfied with the shipping services. The
challenge identified as the “Amazon effect” forces retailer shops and their logistic associates to seek
means to improve the last mile distribution strategy. This goal can barely be attained manually, without
appropriate technologies. One of the ways in which amazon is trying to improve its delivery system is by
increasing the density of supply locations by setting up multiple distribution centers in different areas.

1.2 Challenges facing last mile delivery

i. Inadequate route planning.

Futile route planning results to delayed deliveries, increased customer frustration, and high
expenses. One can crack this challenge with effective route optimization. It not only decreases
costs sustained by late deliveries, but likewise has a positive influence on projected time of
arrival. Rerouting of deliveries due to last moment changes in the addresses done by the
customers has always been a big trouble to the eCommerce and retail sector. Nevertheless, Last
mile delivery software for eCommerce business, proves to be of much importance whereby all
these changes can be easily accommodated. By means of the last mile logistics software,
companies can easily re-route their personnel as soon as they receive the update. This avoids
all the delays or idle times caused by last minute changes in the agenda. Such dynamic and
immediate schedule management can play an essential role in making last mile delivery more
effective than ever.
ii. Low Efficiency levels.
 The main driving force for pushing increased efficiency in eCommerce logistics has always been
the customers. Faster deliveries that customers want bring about many other challenges
accompanied by the need for higher efficiency so as to optimize profits in the respective
companies. The on-demand business model has penetrated almost all the industries ensuring
fast delivery of products and services, and also advancement of online retail. Last mile delivery
solutions can help increase efficiency throughout the supply chain. Technology plays a huge
role when it comes to the last mile delivery and same-day delivery. Technology plays a critical
role in ensuring that the correct person, at the right time, in the right location is automatically
dispatched. Technology can significantly aid in increasing the overall effectiveness and
subsequently reducing the total time of the delivery.

iii. Lack of transparency.

Transparency has turn out to be a very important element for any business. The consumers
want to keep track of their order by knowing exactly where their package is and the time the
product is expected reach them. Tracking codes are being developed in response to this by
many businesses so as to ensure customer satisfaction. These tracking codes allow clients to
gain some kind of visibility over their delivery. Nevertheless, these tracking codes aren’t good
enough for modern consumers who are familiarized with on-demand services. In other words,
they want to track the entire last mile delivery segment. So, we can conclude that to ensure
customer loyalty, the most important prerequisite in the delivery process is visibility.

iv. High delivery costs.

Last-mile deliveries are often very costly for the business and customer. Recently, setting up
infrastructure that supports timely delivery can be very costly. In addition, shipping companies
must finance complex routes, failed deliveries, additional stops on delivery route, pilot salaries,
and ship operations. And the cost is doubled if the first delivery attempt fails and has to be
restructured. For customers, the cost of high delivery leads to an increase in the price of cart
abandonment. Research shows that 55% of customers throw away their shopping carts when
they are introduced to additional shipping costs. High efficiency and better route planning can
reduce those costs. One of the main reasons why final mile delivery is regarded as an important
part of eCommerce logistics is that its components account for roughly 28% of the entire
delivery cost. In addition, the expectation of a single day delivery from consumers puts a lot of
strain on the budget. To make matters worse eCommerce companies also have to deal with
inconsistent needs, such as rising holiday purchases.

v. Unpredictable elements.
When a packaged product is in transportation, unpredictable circumstances can interrupt last-
mile delivery. Traffic, harsh weather, and car troubles are some of these circumstances that are
beyond human control. To attend to them, one needs to create contingency plans while
warranting unified communication among their teams and with customers. You need to have a
strategy at hand, so that when you are encountering an adverse situation, you are able to
communicate the required solution as fast as possible. Employing efficient last-mile delivery
methods offers e-commerce brands a priceless opportunity to adjust to changing customer
demands, and differentiate their contributions from the opposition. Those eager to thrive with
an online store need to face last-mile delivery challenges proactively. And that requires the use
of the right technology, complete transparency, and both smooth and efficient communications
between the delivery team and your customers.

2. Methodology
 The main purpose of this article is to identify and analyze how to resolve the last mile problem
mainly by use of efficient algorithms for finding optimal solutions. To achieve this goal, it was
necessary to use methods such as comparison, and carry out analysis of secondary sources dealing
with this topic. Some details were included in this article on the basis of previous experience and
researched topics. Articles and contributions from the Internet were mostly evaluated, with work on
the theme of new advances in the field of last mile delivery. In these articles, those sampled were the
ones that majorly dealt with the use of AI and other technology advancement in the last mile delivery
sector.

There were many sources on the Internet that talked about the last mile delivery. It is a subject that
dynamically keeps on changing from period to period. New problems and challenges arise as new
methods and technologies also arise to solve the existing problems. The amount of Internet resources
dealing with this subject has been increasing in recent years. In addition to Internet resources,
donations and science articles from the Science web Recurrence analysis, or other retrospective
analysis, is used when the result of certain events is already known. For research purposes, ways to
apply artificial intelligence to the last mile delivery system were analyzed to determine how they can
make the last mile delivery more efficient. According to this information, part of the theory of the
article was processed.

Articles from the Web dealing with the topic of the last mile were analyzed. A comparison method is
a method designed to search for items with a specific feature or similar features. Used to determine
agreement and differences between checked items. For the purpose of the article, the comparison
method was used only comparing individual details in the analyzed sources, whether they are similar
or very different. To provide definitions of key words and theoretical background of the last mile
problems, articles from the Web were analyzed. The results of the article were evaluated on the basis
of a second study. Within it, especially online sources were analyzed, which provided the information
needed to complete the main goal of the research.

3. Results
 Below are example use cases of the last mile problems.

i. Ecommerce websites product deliveries.

Ecommerce has become a huge trend in the 21st century whereby people can shop
online through websites like Amazon, Jumia, Alibaba etc. These websites act as
intermediaries between the sellers and the buyers by providing an interface where
sellers and buyers can interact and negotiate on prices and also delivery dates of the
products among other things concerning the products. The ecommerce websites have
taken the initiative to offer shipping services whereby they deliver products of
suppliers to their respective buyers. The purpose of the shipping services is to
improve customer satisfaction by offering free delivery services even at one’s door
step. The last mile delivery comes about when the companies have to deliver products
at the current location of a customer. This becomes a challenge to the suppliers
because most customers want their products delivered within the shortest time
possible whereas it maybe inefficient for the suppliers. These challenges have pushed
the delivery companies work on coming up with solutions that can serve their
customers in the most efficient ways possible.

ii. Telecommunications industry.

 Telecommunication can be defined as the transfer of data(information) over long
distances by use of a medium such as cables or waves. Internet service providers
(ISPs), satellite companies, cable companies, and telephone companies are all part of
the telecommunications business. The transfer of data from a data center to a distant
user involves an intricate structure of wide area network (WAN) connections. For a
data center to have a high-performance connection to an internet service provider’s
backbone with definite bandwidth and service-level agreements (SLAs), then it must
have a good management.

When the data is at the internet backbone, the data travels at high speeds. The pace
is lowered significantly as the data approaches the remote user. The remote user
gains access to satellite connectivity, 4G/LTE cellular, broadband or fiber-optic
internet service depending on their location. Depending on the amount of traffic
travelling over the network these shared services experience some fluctuating
speeds. Generally, there are no SLAs in relation to latency and availability and also
bandwidth is not guaranteed therefore creating performance issues that impact user
experience. These problems contribute to latency which is a problem experienced
most in final leg of delivery. Challenges with last-mile connectivity can have a negative
effect on efficiency, customer service, and the overall user experience.

Solving the last mile problem poses a big challenge to most service delivery
companies. How does the logistics team tackle the problem in telecommunications?
Well, to handle the case effectively the companies leverage managed WAN
connectivity services from the Global Distribution System (GDS). The companies
merge multiple last-mile connections into a single software-defined network with the
intelligence to choose the most cost-effective data path based on availability,
efficiency, and cost. By doing this, they gain a secure, centralized network that can
serve all of their locations while providing flexible bandwidth to meet evolving
demands. This comprehensive, turnkey controlled IT approach also removes the
hassles of providing and handling telecom services. GDS maintains interconnectivity
agreements with carriers all over the world, as well as professional assistance 24/7
all over the year. GDS solves these problems by providing a fully operated, intelligent
WAN that maximizes uptime and performance.

iii. Power distribution companies.

Electrical energy has become a very essential commodity during this error where
most people rely on machines and gadgets that depend on electricity. Sustainable
energy access has the potential to catalyze social and economic growth and foster
societies that are better informed, healthier, more prosperous, and resilient. Energy
access initiatives are continuing to bear fruit, with 2018 data indicating that this trend
will continue. The number of people without power declined to 860 million in 2018,
a new low in recent years, from nearly one billion in 2017. Despite substantial
progress in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Rwanda, nearly 600 million people in Sub-Saharan
Africa still lack access to electricity.

About 1.1 billion people, the majority of whom live in rural areas, have little or no
supply of electricity, and 2.8 billion people currently lack access to clean fuel and
cooking technologies. To try solve the last mile power problems, decentralized
renewable energy, specifically solar PV and mini-grids, can be used to address these
 issues by supplying reliable power and brighter, healthier light. Solar energy systems
can vary in size from small lighting devices like desk lamps to large packages that
include several lights and phone charging, as well as larger systems that require
installation by a skilled technician. In rural areas, where work prospects are scarce,
the latter may provide much-needed employment opportunities.

Energy companies are working on developing a more inclusive supply chain by

architecture, human resources, pricing, and marketing, among other mechanisms, as
well as market and non-market solutions aimed at stimulating demand among
households and businesses that are currently unreached. Other companies are
adapting environment friendly energy to solve the last mile energy problem. Energy
derived from natural and renewable sources, such as the sun, wind, water, and
biological processes, is a climate-friendly way to supply energy, especially in areas
where the grid does not reach.

iv. Water distribution companies.

The link of water access to a user's home or community is known as last mile
infrastructure in the water field. Through the implementation of the correct
treatment technologies, modern access control and payment, and a business model
that actively encourages the provision of this service, this approach is an
economically feasible way of delivering the infrastructure to a wider range of
stakeholders. Both private and public utility service providers may use this approach.
The components of the solution can be taken on by public utilities or outsourced to a
private contractor.

On the world, 2.1 billion people do not have access to clean drinking water, and 4.4
billion do not have access to basic sanitation. This is according to estimates from The
United Nations Development Program. The water sector in many parts of Sub-
Saharan Africa appears to be stagnating, despite concerted efforts to expand water
and sanitation services to the rapidly increasing numbers of people living in urban
low-income and sometimes informal areas. Many obstacles stand in the way of
providing physical connectivity of water to an estimated 250 million urban residents
who are currently with inadequate water supply.

Technical approaches to the problem are known and available, but their
implementation is difficult, owing to a lack of trust among water operators and their
funders that investing in the last-mile market would yield a profit. Water operators
will serve areas with greater trust in the business case thanks to smart meters and
digital payment channels. Via local water kiosks and community water automatic
service providers, this combination of digital and treatment technology will bring
clean water to last-mile communities. This technology is currently only available from
a few providers, but in the future, more providers could provide it in more areas, or
governments could follow a similar model for water provision where appropriate.
v. Online education.
In colleges students acquire knowledge based on their course. However, training
that’s supposed to gain them industry-ready-skills is usually lacking in the system and
that’s where some of the last-mile problems in education come in. The question that
emerges is “Who is supposed to train graduates to be job ready?”. In the earlier days
best salespeople have always mastered the art of communication. The sales process
 is now multichannel and tool-driven (Salesforce). To get to the final destination, the
talent pool must go through the last mile preparation. The final link between
education and employment is last-mile preparation. Enlightenment: Students are
connected to experienced professionals, employers are connected to students,
intensive learning sessions are provided, and competency is developed. These are all
achieved through the last mile training sessions.

Last-mile training platforms and programs are becoming increasingly popular. The
trend began with costly to organize boot camps. Career coaching, expert connections,
and short skill modules are some of the more recent models. These models primarily
link students with employers, providing a learning atmosphere centered around what
it means to be in a specific job and making them deployable from day one. In contrast
to self-learning platforms, they include paths to employment and an intensive
learning environment. As a result, last-mile training programs reduce the friction
between education and employment, preparing students for employment. For
example, the platform matches students with industry experts from top companies
who provide them with a real-world perspective and coaching on work-related
activities and tasks.

vi. Healthcare firms.

The last mile in the healthcare sector refers to the link between you and the
healthcare network contact point (where care is provided) as well as the whole
healthcare system of patients, providers, products, and organizations. This final mile
can be as simple as a ride to the clinic or as complex as the seamless sharing of your
own healthcare data (wearables, etc.) with and from providers and resources. The
last mile of healthcare has limited bandwidth and resources, which affects one’s
ability to communicate with the system in all meaningful ways.

In healthcare, bridging the last mile is critical and always an obstacle. You never get
the chance to take the next steps to deal with healthcare up close if you can't get
through the last mile connection to the healthcare system. Knowing about a clinic is
not the same as going there and getting examined. You can imagine the ramifications!
Knowing what the last mile is one thing, but being able to bridge it is another.
Changing patient and caregiver expectations are one of the major factors aggravating
the last-mile crunch in healthcare.

The demand for last-mile applications is immense, but the innovation ecosystem has
not been able to develop and deploy viable applications quickly enough or at scale to
satisfy it.
vii. Law firms.
Just like the telecommunication industry, law firms experience last-mile problems.
Clients are striving for safer, quicker, and less costly legal solutions. Law firms already
have the staff, technology, and know-how to make this happen in many areas of the
profession. Market models that consistently compensate lawyers and their
organizations for quantum leaps in legal productivity are, however, lacking. Since
lawyers on both the buyer and seller sides view their business problems in terms of
expense rather than efficiency, the Last Mile Problem persists. The firms dwell in a
zero-sum game that stifles creativity if they restrict themselves to cost-based
 solutions. Both the consumer and the seller would benefit if they become more open
to productivity-based solutions.

The first step to try solve the last mile in law firms is to think of the last mile problem
in terms of productivity rather than cost. Buyers and sellers cannot have an insightful
conversation about their long-term shared interests without some basic
understanding. The second is to set aside enough time to participate in a thoughtful
discussion making. Refrain from ranting on how the other side really doesn't
understand it at business conventions and in the legal press. Even though Listening,
empathizing, and letting go of old ideas are difficult intellectual and emotional tasks
they should try embrace change. Begin by expressing a desire for a long-term
partnership with clients or service providers you like and trust.

The third stage entails publicly sharing achievements and shortcomings with
industry peers. They need these examples in order to more quickly decide on new
business models. True thought leadership is exemplified by this iterative approach.
It's all in line with the professionalism principles. There are other solutions to the
legal profession's last mile dilemma, a thorough analysis of different articles, I've
come to the conclusion that none of them can function as quickly or as effectively as
an open and truthful conversation between buyer and seller.

viii. The insurance industry.

The insurance industry has a problem with last-mile delivery. Insurers have known it
for a long time, according to reports, and policyholders are rapidly catching on. For
customers, the claims process is a crucial stage – one that also determines whether or
not they receive compensation. When faced with the possibility of failure, they
demand an experience that is fast, familiar, and tailored to their specific
requirements. They are content by knowing that their insurer is doing everything
possible to make them whole again. Forward-thinking insurers have invested in
innovative claim submission systems, such as more user-friendly online and mobile
channels. As a result, most companies can now file and approve claims in minutes.

The methods by which insurers pay people have been overlooked, and the process
continues to be long, cumbersome, and frustrating to clients. Almost all insurers still
use paper checks or the Automated Clearing House (ACH) to pay their customers.
This experience is woefully inadequate in comparison to current consumer
standards. When a customer has to fix a car for regular commutes or restore a home
destroyed by a natural disaster, waiting for a paper check to be printed, mailed, and
then deposited is unreasonable. last-mile delivery insurance bids innovative and
creative solutions that help improve customer experience.

Automated Clearing House (ACH) deposit allows the customer to request bank
routing and account information, which no one has on hand, let alone if their home
has been flooded, and can only be provided during business hours. In addition,
handling checks that have been misplaced or released but not cashed is a costly
procedure for insurers. Customers these days have grown accustomed to online, on-
demand, and tablet experiences, and the insurance industry's obsolete paper check
payment model is a big blow in a time of need. They have higher expectations with
their insurance partners.
 Unforeseen situations sometimes annoy policyholders while making a claim. The aim
of the insurance company is to make them whole as quickly as possible. A push
payment satisfies the promise of insurance by providing speed and simplicity. The
procedure of setting up a push payment is fast and efficient and hence user friendly.
Push has no process, unlike ACH or a check, since it uses the same instruments and
accounts that policyholders are familiar with. These are the cards they keep in their
wallets or the profiles they have on their smartphones these days. There's no need to
look up a routing number, unlock a new card, or register for a new account.

Insurers should make it as simple as possible for policyholders to choose and handle
a push payment in the way they interact with them about claims fulfillment. That
means receiving electronic updates as soon as a payment is open, as well as the ability
to approve and pick account destinations with a single click. Through these ways
insurance companies can efficiently tackle the final mile service delivery.

ix. Artificial intelligence.

Last-mile problems in the Artificial intelligence sector are brought about by the snags
to realizing AI’s promised values and also exploiting the full potential of AI. The last
mile biggest challenge for AI systems is human-AI collaboration. It is good to
understand that a large percentage of AI projects fail and sometimes the failure is
quick to fix and palpable. Many AI projects fail because the actions that the AI is
recommended are not presented in a functional format to the business user, or
because the business user does not trust the AI recommendations. The last mile of AI
also includes getting the business consumer to trust the AI recommendations, which
means the logistics companies has to work more on improving AI interactivity with
humans.

Another last-mile challenge in AI is that in most cases an executive works with the
data science team to identify a challenge, sketch the ideal result, and drive the AI
project forward. Often this leads to technically sufficient AI models that then need to
be operationalized. The data science team does not have any expertise in the affected
business process whatsoever. Since it is the simplest point of distribution,
operationalization is often achieved via the business intelligence (BI) method.
However, business intelligence isn't always the best way to integrate tailored,
detailed AI suggestions into the flow of a business process. Building an AI model is
simpler than having people to use it, as shown by the many failed AI projects around
the world and thus poses a big challenge in AI development.

The main goal of the AI is its integration to business process so as to maximize

customer service and also help maximize profits. To reach this goal, solutions to
tackle last-mile problems should be worked on. The best way to provide AI
recommendations is to incorporate detailed recommendations into screens that
business users view during the processes in question. This does necessitate a
multidisciplinary approach and much more participation from various sections of the
company than simply dumping AI model results into a database for reporting or
setting up an API for programmatic interaction. The strongest integration is with the
business system that the business consumer uses on a daily basis.
 An Enterprise resource planning (ERP), Customer relationship management (CRM),
web store administration, Human Resources Information System (HRIS), or any other
common business process application may be used. These business process
applications are helpful in that they provide data on how a client interacts with their
product and hence the company will have an idea on how to improve user experience.

x. Cybersecurity.
The last mile isn't just a problem for telecommunication, Internet, and cable
companies. It's also a major concern for cybersecurity professionals in businesses all
over the world. As communications companies are concerned about how to efficiently
provide services to end users, Chief information security officers (CISOs) and other
cybersecurity experts are concerned about how to protect data that has left their
organizations and is now in the possession of employees and others. Ensuring a
secure and up-to-date database is critical to protecting the last mile, and given the
immense risks associated with vulnerabilities and misconfigurations, security
professionals must stay on top of everything related to this infrastructure.

Databases hold extremely confidential information, making them a prime target for
cyber criminals trying to steal it for personal gain. Since information is power in
cybersecurity, it's critical to understand what adversaries look for to break in, as well
as the common flaws or mistakes that security leaders make. By doing this one is able
to minimize the challenges posed by last mile security issues.

Another last-mile challenge in this sector is that a significant amount cyber-attacks in

organizations take place internally whereby an employee in the organization
performs some malicious tasks in the organization’s system. Surprisingly, there are
almost as many internal threats as there are external ones. Internal data breaches
account for 43% of data breaches, according to Intel. This happens due to trust issues
in the organization. To try solve a challenge like this the heads of the organizations
should work on building trust with their employees and also listening and responding
to the issues posed to them by their employees.

xi. Construction.
Construction is one of the world's biggest sectors, accounting for $11 trillion in
revenue, or 13% of global GDP. The sector has lagged behind all others in terms of
productivity growth over the last 25 years, owing to a lack of investment in software
and information technology. Construction spends less than 1% of its operating
expenditure (OPEX) on technology, compared to 14% for manufacturing and 10% for
banking. This lack of investment shows up as waste and poor asset utilization; costly
assets sit idle, deliveries are littered with empty or "deadhead" paths, and manual
paper-based processes are time-consuming and error-prone. For e-commerce giants,
last-mile delivery is only one part of the journey; moreover, heavy construction
logistics exists solely for last-mile delivery. Since the typical dump truck route is
between 20 and 30 miles long, heavy construction is prone to delays.

There would be major productivity improvements, improved profit margins, and

higher customer acquisition/retention rates if construction takes a cue from the
business to customer (B2C) environment and focuses more on last-mile logistics,
paving the groundwork for artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted pricing and routing
 guidance. Consumer goods companies have to start from scratch for their logistics
infrastructure, while the construction industry already has the necessary assets and
infrastructure. Construction, on the other hand, still lacks the technology and
exposure needed to more effectively handle current manual processes that rely
heavily on pen and paper. Transforming logistics in the construction industry
necessitates a dedication to innovation. While several market participants actually
infer last-mile metrics by calculating velocity (for example, tons per hour), this
restricts their ability to grasp overall business health and last-mile management.

Differentiated last-mile distribution has never been an option for the majority of the
construction industry. Many vendors, in particular, chose not to provide distribution
to their customers as a value-added service. What is the reason for this? Since
predicting, monetizing, and maintaining distribution has been difficult. Many people
have concluded that distribution is too variable and intensive to be worth the
investment due to a lack of data and visibility.

Data is increasingly being aggregated as a result of the adoption of technology, so that

it can be used in a number of ways to support suppliers. This includes information
from inside the plant or quarry, on the way to the jobsite, on the jobsite, and on the
way back to the plant or quarry. Tech platforms are laying the groundwork for AI to
notify pricing and route guidance with billions of rows of data. Today's benefits
enable more agile business decision-making, efficient distribution operations, and
improved customer service, all of which help distinguish the suppliers' brand, making
them more memorable and sought after by customers. However, access to vast data
sets and the application of AI and machine learning benefits to last-mile distribution
and the entire industry unlocks the industry's future.

xii. Farming.
The availability of knowledge and agri-inputs is one of the most significant barriers
that farmers face in improving their farming practices and productivity. Last-mile
delivery refers to providing farmers with timely and effective advice as well as
allowing them to obtain the inputs they need. For both private and public sector
providers, last mile delivery is a constant obstacle. Attempts to fill the void have been
made because several public extension services have failed. A wider range of ICTs is
now accessible, but not all of them are open to all. It's also a challenge to package
information in the right format with the right messages, particularly for illiterate
farmers who can't afford to pay for the information they need.

Subsistence farmers are a large in number, mostly poor, have little education, and
own small plots of land. Direct communication to create knowledge and
understanding of technology is one of the most powerful ways to deal with this, but
it requires a significant investment and takes a long time. This is undoubtedly one of
the obstacles to achieving more successful last-mile delivery across a wider scope.
The shortage of skilled and motivated manpower with an opportunity and
accountability for achieving meaningful results in the farmers' fields is a crucial
bottleneck in reaching the last mile. This is exacerbated by the scarcity of
personalized and customized knowledge specific to the needs of farmers. The kit is
poorly built and lacks crop and soil conditions specificity.
xiii. Relief services.
The humanitarian relief services are also faced with some last-mile challenges. One of
the challenges faced by humanitarian relief services is lack of fast response teams and
equipment. Disaster response teams and other military organizations such as the
Army, Navy, and Air Force often arrive late as they prepare for the necessary relief
supplies. Thermal imaging, breathing apparatus, hydraulic devices-, high- and low-
pressure air lifting bags, ropes and rescue equipment, firefighting teams, and fire
safety engineers are also in high demand. And the most important thing to do in the
event of an unexpected occurrence is to act as soon as possible.

Lack of expertise in the area is also another challenge. Humanitarian assistance or

non-governmental organizations (NGOs) arriving for rescue operations are typically
untrained and operate on a trial-and-error basis, as such problems must be dealt with
efficiently and quickly, as they have a cascading impact on other activities that must
be completed concurrently. Due to inefficiency in their function, the diagnosis and
early warning signs are not understood properly or ignored. In densely populated
countries, as well as in countries vulnerable to natural disasters, such people are in
high demand.

Since logistics is all about speed, it's all about getting the product to the right spot, at
the right time, and in the right quantity. The Internet of Things is also causing a
revolution in the logistics industry, with RFID, document readers, shipment trackers,
and smartphone apps now commonly accessible. However, people in this field are still
using manual operations such as spreadsheets and word documents during times of
crisis. This shows that there is inadequate use of technology and skills in the sector.

During natural and unexpected events, a collaborative strategy would produce high
results at a low cost, minimizing damage to people's lives and property. Humanitarian
and trained human resources will play a role in ensuring that operations transition
smoothly. It brings problem solvers together at a table with the necessary skills and
experience, which is critical. Locals who are familiar with the geography and language
are often well informed about cluster issues and difficulties in certain remote areas.
Collecting data, conversing with people, and transporting them to safe locations can
all be improved with local cooperation.

iv. Social media.

Owned media is costly. In this case, the cost per mille (CPM) ranges from $15 to $40
depending on whether or not content processing is included in the cost. That's 3-5
times what the average automaker would pay for typical TV commercials. Also,
content creation for social media is costly, and advertisers have no means of testing
ideas with their target audience other than hoping for a viral hit. This is where the
last-mile problems of the social media come in.

Social media has a huge audience (more than two billion people worldwide and
growing), and brands are creating a lot of good content. The willingness to
experiment with what works and what doesn't, as well as the "last mile" link -
connecting the right message to the right receptive audience - is lacking. One of the
greatest sources of annoyance for social media brand marketers today, in my view, is
this. Most brands don't have the infrastructure in place to track and process
 interactions in real time, let alone engage this highly important audience at scale.
There is a severe lack of technology and expertise in this region. Brands should work
on improving processes of interaction with their audience for improved efficiency.

4. Conclusion.
Any link in the supply chain has logistical difficulties, but the "last mile" can be extremely difficult.
The home delivery component of the ‘last mile,' which involves what is typically the sole touch
between the supplier and the customer, is one of the key characteristics that distinguishes it from
other transportation legs. It is here that the greatest amount of caution is needed. At all costs, damage
to the customer's property must be prevented, and a friendly demeanor must be maintained. The
person delivering the products represents not just the organization for which they operate, but all of
the businesses that have contributed along the supply chain.

Logistics management allows the lead to adapt quickly to a company's needs while being productive
and cost-effective. To achieve this aim, a company must optimize the efficiency of their supply chain.
The good news is that data logging and automation will help with this. Business applications and
Software as a Service (SaaS) technologies enable entire networks to run error-free and at a low cost.
In industries with unique management requirements, transportation logistics companies can invest
in circumstance monitoring, data collection, and analysis in addition to automation and data logging.
This helps in optimizing company’s profits.
scustomer satisfaction is higher and shipping costs are smaller. Many businesses, unfortunately, fail
to notice it. To boost the final mile efforts, companies should look for a dedicated system that includes
data logging, situation control, data collection and review.

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