Could it be true that we’ll see UK London skylines buzzing around with delivery drones? Perhaps, but most certainly not in the foreseeable future.
And yet, our world has changed compared to just over a decade ago. Today, you have a smartphone, you are comfortable buying items online. Online giants like Facebook, Instagram, Google, YouTube are grown too powerful, so much so that they can now influence elections of the most powerful nations on earth.
From Amazon to Alibaba, from BBC news being right in your pocket to using your laptop device for work, technology has truly changed our lives.
Courier Management Software is leading the delivery revolution in many parts of the world, today, its not uncommon to get even your takeaway food delivered right to your door. Most fast food deliveries in 2022 are completed by couriers on their 50cc Scooters buzzing around busy UK streets (perhaps using such transport vehicles are efficient because they can easily avoid the busy traffic at peak hours). It is estimated that by the year 2030 almost all consumer goods will be delivered via courier companies.
Can Drones Replace Couriers?
We truly do not think so because despite automation of order fulfilment process, and despite most modern courier companies in United Kingdom using advanced technology such as GPS fleet tracking, it won’t be anytime soon deliveries will be made using drones in UK.
Also, there is nothing that can ever compare to face to face interactions most repeat couriers provide. For example: delivering cakes or fresh bread from the bakery to local breakfast Café greeting Mrs. Margaret ‘good morning’ becomes a regular part of the couriers day to day habit. As in, most couriers become familiar with their valued clients on a more personal level (especially for Business to Business couriers). No drone can ever replace such interactions, we are not robots and we all appreciate a friendly customer service.
Although drone technology is gaining momentum and importance in wide range of industries (weather forecasts, search and rescue missions, security surveillance for our police force) as well as by hobbyist, the amount of challenge that requires re-thinking of the traffic through the air-space is mind boggling.
Unknown to most Britain citizens, each day, the planes we see flying through our blue skies follow a certain flight path. For example: flying from Heathrow to Gatwick or from London UK to New York is not a matter of flying on a straight line. Similar to vehicles travelling on UK roads, Airplanes also follow a flight path. And the fact that countries need to protect their airspace, security and political issues determine flight paths. As you can imagine, letting anyone to put up drones in the air buzzing around will create chaos, and in worst case scenario, cause accidents and even disrupt the entire international travel industry.
If you can remember that in 2018 hundreds of flights were cancelled and thousands of passengers stranded at Gatwick Airport near London, England, just because of Drone sightings close to the runway. So, how in this known world can any responsible government risk the outcomes of free for all deliveries using drones flying all over England’s skies?
Instead, why not continue using proven to work efficient and technology driven courier management package such as delivery Master Same Day courier software. Large companies are already investing millions of £ pounds in their delivery improvement processes, and even start-up couriers are investing in better operations using technology.
We Have Different Rules & Systems Here in UK
Unlike our American friends overseas who may get their small up to 2.2kg packages using small drones delivered through Amazon Prime Air, here in UK, Amazon’s drone delivery dream is collapsing without even taking off. Furthermore, just as you wouldn’t see an elephant strapped on a drone, most courier service providers understand the changing dynamics of their parcels (size, weight, destination). Basically, even English spelling is different compared to US.
Same Day Fast Courier Services to the Rescue
There is nothing more frustrating than standing in line at the grocery store while balancing a box on your hip, or holding a toddler whose eyes are fixated at the lollies strategically placed at their eye level. How about waiting in-line at popular shopping centres in London. Today, same day courier services play an important role lifting the heavy weight for online shopping portals. Without evolving logistics industry in UK, fast shipments and deliveries would not be possible.
Particularly, logistics companies using courier management software are leading way for faster outcomes due to automation of important day to day operations (order process, delivery driver communication, address input and dispatch delivery information amongst others).
Avoid Traffic Congestion
Traffic is a major problem that impacts everyone living in or visiting a popular city such as London. Peak hours are stressful times when it comes to couriering parcels as well. Using Delivery Master Same Day Courier Software and Fleet Tracking System can reduce traffic worries by avoiding busy roads because you’ll be able to see the best and alternative routes to final delivery destination.
Parcel Tracking
Perhaps its a human thing because not many of us like waiting anticipating for items to arrive. Whether this for the morning coffee at a Cafe, or just waiting in a line at a local supermarket. And yet, using your new courier software, your valued customers can not only place their orders online using the customer web portal, they can also track parcels. Allowing them to know when their package/s will arrive provides convenience for demanding UK consumers.
Drones Can NOT Replace Courier Service Providers in United Kingdom
As we’ve tried to relay, our way of living is different here in UK. The simplest example is London’s Black Cab Drivers where applicants need to study for up to four years to memorise 25000 streets as well as 20000 landmarks within a 25-mile radius of Charing Cross in London. Although they aren’t transporting parcels like couriers, they are still transporting, people. Which other country in the world does that? At the end of the day, courier industry is only growing exponentially throughout United Kingdom.
Own a courier business in UK? Talk to us about how you can improve operations using Delivery Master Courier Software, efficient and cost-effective solution for sameday, overnight and international courier services.