A Proposal to Improve the Delivery Process at the Last Mile. Case. Drugs Under Cold Chains

Abstract

Last-mile merchandise deliveries often experience delays, that can damage products. For this reason, this research proceeded to analyze the routes of drugs delivery, which must remain in a cold chain, in a courier company. It was analyzed the delivery process, using a discrete event simulation model in Arena software. This study aims to propose improvements in the delivery process in the last mile. It begins with the search for relevant information in the internet databases, in which the improvement of deliveries in the logistics distribution process was considered. It executes with a quantitative methodological approach, which is structured in four stages: 1. Observation. 2. Collection of information. 3. Analysis and construction of the simulated model. 4. Proposal for improvement. When developing the model, a delay in delivery could be identified, as all couriers follow a single route. Therefore, it was proposed to leave a courier at each of the delivery locations. To comply with several deliveries and reduce waiting times between them, which will generate efficiencies throughout the distribution of the logistics route, to avoid non-compliance with logistics partners and not generate complaints, as well as avoid the dissatisfaction of the customer with the services offered.