Intelligent Logistics

The COVID-19 pandemic forced retail establishments to think creatively. Most developed strategies where consumers could buy online, pick up in store (BOPIS) or pick up and drop off (PUDO). Both methods have their benefits and drawbacks but are effective strategies in the modern retail environment.

Host Tyler Kern spoke with Mo Cheema, Director of Solutions Design and Implementation at Position Imaging, where he designs omnichannel retail fulfillment solutions for the iPickup platform, about Cheema’s role, BOPIS, PUDO and the benefits of both strategies.

“BOPIS is a more retailer-centric solution, while PUDO is a more courier-centric solution,” Cheema said. “But PUDO does have some benefit to the retailer, as well, meaning it helps them bring that additional foot traffic to the store.

”BOPIS refers towhen a customer orders something online and picks it up in store. It’s probably one of the most common ways to order something. It was around before the pandemic but gained steam as retailers and consumers considered new ways to shop.

According to Cheema, a common variation of this is the curbside pickup model, where many retailers will put the order in a consumer’s car or truck for them.

On the other hand, PUDO is where couriers can drop off the packages at locations and customers can pick them up at their convenience. Customers can opt-in for this option, but it also happens when a courier attempts to drop off at a home location but cannot, so they’ll leave the package at a store.

“Through direct and in-direct research, we’ve learned that every one-third of the customers who come into the store to pick up a package, whether it’s via BOPIS or PUDO, actually shop in the store,” Cheema said.

BOPIS is often attractive to retailers because it saves them on shipping costs. PUDO is a strategy for the couriers, though retailers usually pull in foot traffic when consumers show up to pick up their packages.

Listen to learn more about these online retail strategies.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, ecommerce underwent a boom the likes of which the world hadn’t seen since the advent of online shopping in the first place. This meant a spike in deliveries –and one that coincided with heightened resident and consumer expectations for seamless, contactless delivery.

That’s all well and good when couriers can simply leave packages outside the front door of single-family homes. But what can multifamily properties and other facilities needing to cater to a large population of people do to meet these new expectations?

To find out, Intelligent Logistics host Courtney Echerd was joined by Matt Haynes, Senior Vice President of Sales for Position Imaging.

“Online ordering was really increasing rapidly over the last five years,” Haynes said. “But COVID really changed the game. I believe that online ordering probably went up 40% due to COVID, and what that does is increases the number of packages going to apartment communities.”

Historically, Haynes said, these properties have managed packages through their leasing offices. Again, though, the pandemic turned the industry on its head, closing leasing offices and forcing properties to come up with a better solution.

Smart Package Rooms are that solution, as they allow residents to pick up packages on their own via a simple, touchless process.

To learn more, listen to the entire episode to hear more of Haynes’s insights.

Data is driving the modern world, every industry the world over is looking for ways to implement innovative technologies and automation to solve its biggest challenges.

Retail is no different –in fact, it might be the industry best poised to take advantage of a variety of technologies in order to meet evolving and accelerating consumer expectations.

One key to doing just that is the field of intelligent logistics. But what is intelligent logistics, and how can organizations implement this new-age strategy for keeping pace with a rapidly advancing world?

To find out, host Hilary Kennedy welcomed Ned Hill, CEO of Position Imaging, to the first episode of the Intelligent Logistics podcast.

Position Imaging is a leader in innovative tracking technologies, such as artificial intelligence and computer vision. These technologies have applications up and down the supply chain, from manufacturing to last-mile delivery or retail storefronts.

There are many examples of intelligent logistics impacting the way our society moves goods for the better, though one in particular is ripe for innovation. Position imaging is doing incredible work in the “final foot,” leveraging solutions such as its Smart Package Rooms to help people engage in simple, automated, contactless and reliable pickup.

Property technology, or prop-tech for short, is a holistic approach to the way people research, rent, buy, sell and manage a property. Matthew Knoff, VP, Service & Fulfillment at Position Imaging, is an entrepreneur in the prop-tech space.

The retail landscape has changed a great deal over the last decade. New concepts have emerged, like creating frictionless experiences for consumers and buy online, pick up in store.