What is an Actual Time of Departure in E-commerce?
An Actual Time of Departure (ATD) is a key performance indicator used in e-commerce logistics that measures the time it takes for a package to be shipped from the point of origin to its destination. The ATD is calculated from the time the package is scanned at the point of origin to the time it is delivered.
Similar to ATD, ETD calculates the expected date of delivery ahead of time. However, ATD is what occurs and cannot be determined until after the process has been completed.
Significance of Actual Time of Departure in E-commerce Logistics
The actual time of departure matters in e-commerce logistics because it directly affects the customer experience. If a customer orders an item online and it is expected to arrive by a certain date, the actual time of departure can determine whether or not that item arrives on time.
- The actual time of departure aids a business in identifying logistical challenges and working on them.
- Additionally, the actual time of departure can affect the cost of shipping and the delivery time, which can have a significant impact on the total cost of the order.
Therefore, e-commerce logistics providers must accurately track and monitor the actual time of departure for their shipments to ensure customers receive their orders on time and at the best possible cost.
Prerequisites to Calculate Actual Time of Departure and How It Works
In order to calculate the actual time of departure, the following prerequisites are required –
- The estimated or expected time of departure (ETD): This is the time that is initially planned for the departure of a freight.
- Information about any delays or cancellations: This includes information about any mechanical problems, weather delays, air traffic control delays, or any other type of delay that may cause a flight to be late or canceled.
- Shipping details: This includes the shipment type, the route, and the time of departure.
Use Cases With Actual Time of Departure
The ATD can be calculated once all of the prerequisites have been met. Suppose a Calculate the ATD by taking the ETD and subtracting any delays or cancellations that have occurred.
For instance, a clothing brand wants to identify the ETD of its shipments. They start monitoring the time taken to complete customer orders. This helps them gauge how efficient their shipment flow is and optimize it to provide a better experience to customers.
