Notification (notice) - short definition
Notification, briefly Avis, in logistics, means giving advance notice of collection or delivery. The recipient is informed when a delivery is expected to arrive or when a shipment is picked up. This information can be provided by telephone, in writing or electronically, for example by e-mail, SMS, XML or EDI.
In short: Notification creates planning security before goods actually arrive.
How does an notification work?
The process usually starts as soon as a shipment is ready for transport or a delivery date needs to be planned. The recipient receives advance information with relevant shipment data. A specific appointment can then be confirmed or a time window can be arranged.
A typical process:
- Shipment is created or reported ready for transport
- Avis data is transmitted to recipient or freight forwarder
- Delivery or collection date will be announced
- Recipient plans personnel, space or ramp
- Goods are delivered or picked up
- Delivery documents are handed over upon delivery
With digital notification, many of these steps are automated. Data is transferred via interfaces to transport management systems or recipient portals.
[[contact]]
How long does the notification take?
The time depends on the process and the type of delivery. Notification is often made no later than one day before delivery. In other cases, it can also take place at short notice, around a few hours or around an hour before arrival.
It is not only the time span that is decisive, but also the reliability of the information. A good notification gives recipients enough advance notice to accept the delivery without friction.
What information does a shipping notification contain?
A good delivery notification contains all the information that the recipient needs for planning and verification. These often include:
- Estimated delivery date
- Time frame
- Shipment number
- Supplier or shipper
- Transport service provider
- Item numbers
- Volumes
- Weight and volume
- Packages or number of pallets
- Special delivery instructions
The more accurate this data is, the more stable incoming goods are.
Benefits of a good notification
Clean notification makes logistics easier to plan. Recipients know earlier what's coming, when it's coming and which resources are needed. As a result, warehouse space, personnel, ramp times and follow-up processes can be better controlled.
For Fulfillment and e-commerce brings several benefits to notification:
- better predictability in incoming goods
- less waiting times
- fewer unsuccessful deliveries
- faster storage
- better coordination with freight forwarders
- fewer manual queries
- more stable supply chain
In short: Notification reduces surprises. And surprises are rarely good in the warehouse.
Typical errors and challenges when notifying
Common errors are caused by incomplete or incorrect Avis data. If quantities, article numbers, time windows or shipment numbers are missing, the recipient must manually rework. This costs time and leads to uncertainty in incoming goods.
Announcements that are too late are also problematic. If a delivery is announced shortly before arrival, there is often a lack of staff, free ramps or storage space. Especially during large shipments or seasonal peaks, this can slow down the entire process.
Communication is another challenge. Telephone messaging can work, but is often slow when volume is high. Digital notification via email, portal, API or EDI reduces effort and makes processes more scalable.
