Manage each vehicle as a mobile warehouse, complete with load, stock status, and return reconciliation.
The products in the mobile delivery vehicle are part of the company's inventory and should be monitored with the same discipline as the warehouse. Quantities loaded onto the vehicle, sold, delivered, returned, damaged, and returned to the warehouse should be recorded as separate movements.
A loading plan can take into account not only planned orders but also estimated additional sales along the route and safety stock. Overloading increases transportation costs and return burden, while underloading leads to lost sales.
Load recommendation
Planned customer orders
Past route sales
Season and campaign effect
Additional sales of the anticipated vehicle.
Product weight, volume, and pallet structure.
Expiration date and product rotation
Vehicle capacity and cargo compartments
Loading processes
Warehouse, loading point and vehicle selection
Collection list and loading sequence
Barcode, lot, serial number, or pallet verification.
Stock transfer from warehouse to vehicle.
Loading differences and confirmation
Assigned to the driver or sales representative
Seal, temperature, or security record.
In-vehicle inventory movements
Sales and delivery outputs
Customer returns
Sample and promotional usage
Damage, deterioration, and loss.
Authorized transfer between vehicles
Return to warehouse
Count difference
Vehicle counting and reconciliation
At the end of the day, the system inventory quantity should be compared with the physical vehicle inventory. Discrepancies should be investigated based on product, lot, transaction, and responsible party; instead of making unauthorized corrections, a record should be created with a reason and authorization check.
Manage the vehicle not just as a delivery vehicle, but as a mobile inventory location where every movement is tracked, responsibilities are defined, and reconciliation is performed at the end of the day.