In a galaxy not so far away, in a time not so long ago, the warehousing industry was languishing. Huge premises lay empty in many countries around the world as domestic manufacturing started to crumble, buckling under the pressure of a surge in cheaper imports. The manufacturers that were able to hang on had to embrace just-in-time manufacturing methodology, introducing a swathe of operational efficiencies and cost base reductions. How times have changed for warehousing and indeed everything in the logistics and delivery chain associated with it now.
The global market for warehousing is currently growing at a CAGR of 6 to 8%. Thanks to the rise of e-commerce, warehouse demand has never been stronger. Increasing service levels across e-commerce and rise in the phenomenon of same-day delivery are prompting yet more investment in warehousing or, to be more exact, distribution centres.
As with other areas of business, automation has been a hot topic in the warehouse storage industry; interest in it being largely driven by the ongoing skills shortage in the sector. Technology has therefore well and truly had to leap forward to meet the challenge: a union of warehouse, transportation and learning management systems has taken place which means communications to all stakeholders across the industry need to take place in or at near real-time. So, speed is important. Also, reliability and coverage.
SMS may have been around for more than a quarter of a century but few people have come to understand just how much it can help their own communications between stakeholders within their businesses. Often overlooked, SMS lends itself superbly to internal company communications. Too often it is viewed as a means of communicating with customers and potential customers only but why miss out on using a mobile channel everybody understands to bring your internal company operations together in a much more seamless manner? Let’s now take a look at why and what SMS can bring to your business’ internal communications and workflow:
· Quick and to the point: with billions of people using SMS daily, its format is well understood. Companies can get straight to the point, communicating succinctly with staff, saving time for all concerned. Important information can be relayed in an attention-grabbing format with zero risk of the important information being lost (for example) deep within the body of any communication such as email. Increasing usage by content deliverers of direct routing ensures messages are delivered in a handful of seconds or less and also helps keep the channel more secure.
· It’s everywhere: given almost every mobile phone on the planet supports SMS, any member of staff equipped with a mobile phone can be updated. Factor in no need to be connected to the internet to both receive and send SMS and you have an unassailable combination at your fingertips.
· Reduce operational costs: a lack of communication or miscommunications can cost in terms of both money and reputation. Using SMS (two-way in particular) can significantly reduce call volumes, which frees up your team members’ time to focus on the critical issues. And time is money.
SMS may be old, but it still punches way above its weight. It’s the mobile engagement superstar which keeps on trucking and is not leaving the consciousness of people anytime soon. Not viewing it as a valuable tool for your own internal communications would be missing a trick.
Let Mitto power your internal as well as external mobile engagement. With years of industry experience, we are perfectly placed to help you every step of the way.
