As states have slowly reopened, consumers have begun to emerge and return to some of their normal shopping habits. But online shopping and deliveries continue to outpace in-person purchases. According to data from Morgan Stanley, brick-and-mortar foot traffic in non-discretionary retailers remains 43% down from last year. As a result, more companies are introducing delivery services for their customers, even craft stores and liquor stores, and many are striving to identify methods for creating next-day delivery options.
Creating a delivery service for customers, especially when under the pressure of time and dwindling profits, is not easy. And whichever option a business elects as the right choice will increase the cost of doing business. If businesses opt to use a third-party service, they have to identify one that matches their values and quality of service, and one that will have drivers available to meet consumer demand.
Starting from scratch and creating an in-house delivery service has its challenges as well. New employees have to be hired, or existing employees have to be trained to fill a new role. Delivery vehicles have to be identified and new insurance coverage acquired, among other tasks. And beyond supplying personal protective equipment like gloves and masks, retailers will have to create new safety protocols for their employees who will now be mobile.
More than likely as retailers expand their delivery options, employees will be using personal vehicles. And even if their deliveries are contactless, that does not eliminate all risk of lone worker interaction with customers and other individuals. Implementing telematics-type solutions will help retailers track delivery employees to ensure efficiency and safety. Smart phone apps could supply some of the solutions that retailers will need to manage employees while making deliveries, but for emergency situations there are potentially better options.
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Known as mPERS devices, or Mobile Personal Emergency Response Systems, there is a category of small devices that can be worn or carried in a vehicle to enable easy and fast communication in an emergency. mPERS devices can track employee location while out on delivery, detect if an employee’s position suddenly changes from vertical to horizontal — indicating a possible fall or physical attack — and can also function as a speakerphone. Most mPERS devices have limited buttons, making it easy for an employee to reach for and press the call button that can auto-dial a manager, home office or even law enforcement.
Another benefit of mPERS devices is long battery life. Unlike phones that sometimes have to be charged multiple times a day, mPERS devices have targeted functionality and are better able to manage how power is distributed, therefore saving battery power for when it is needed. This enables mPERS devices with a single charge to run for at least two days, depending upon the configuration and use of the device.
As businesses strive to meet the ongoing demand from consumers for fast and reliable delivery services, mPERS devices can help solve some of the challenges offering delivery creates.
Chris Holbert is the CEO of SecuraTrac. He is responsible for leading the company’s vision of developing, marketing, and selling a suite of mobile health and safety solutions that bring families closer together and improve employee safety through state-of-the-art location-based services and mobile health technology.
