The global market for the logistics industry was estimated to be worth .6 trillion in 2018. By 2023, it’s expected to rise to trillion. Additionally, the global supply chain market value is expected to increase by .64 trillion during 2020-2024, with the retail segment experiencing maximum growth in 2019, based on the end-user landscape. These growths indicate the growing need to improve business processes, which is one of the main factors driving the market growth today. With the pandemic fueling supply chain demands with more consumers opting to shop online, the logistics industry is at its most crucial peak point now more than ever to adapt to the needs of their growing industry.
Downstream Logistics is a final-mile delivery company that recognized the need to reevaluate their logistics model in order to keep up to their customers’ expectations. With the ever-changing demands of the modern business world that continuously challenge the efficiency of traditional business models, Downstream struggled with having to depend on multiple business applications at once in order to keep their business running.
“They [customers] would ask, ‘What is the Downstream way, and do we have those things documented, and what’s our guarantee?’ and it made me scratch my head for a bit,” recalled Chris Walker, CEO of Downstream. “Our process was so dependent on what the customers needed us to do. There wasn’t a systematic way we handled things in our Downstream manual that said this is how we do it. We had caveats with these customers depending on which account we’re talking about, which became inconsistent. It created lots of confusion with people, and was chaotic and challenging to onboard customers because it was so specific to each account.”
As the industry became more competitive with better services entering the market, Downstream discovered Grasshopper, an industry-leading platform for managing logistics and supply chain networks. After attending a one-on-one demo with Grasshopper’s team to see a full run-down of its API in action, Walker saw its potential to provide Downstream with a platform that would integrate an all-in-one solution for their logistics.
“Grasshopper created a platform for us to have our own processes, generally for every account,” said Walker. “It’s helped us with providing some management tools- giving our managers data to run some reporting to run the operation instead of reacting to it we can project, and if we’re making money, specific reporting around our inventory. In theory we get to a point where we have a much better pulse on how to do business.”
By integrating Grasshopper’s technology into their existing delivery process, Downstream was able to optimize their daily operations by consolidating what used to be separate, multiple applications, into a single process through Grasshopper’s software.
Grasshopper was designed to provide logistics providers with an end-to-end operation control. It offers a wide range of integrated modules that enables customers to check each order individually and entirely, with access to team communication and operation via mobile command. These modules include:
- Orders Management
- Custom Reporting for KPI + Business Growth
- Warehouse Management System
- Freight Management
- Delivery + Route Optimization
On the consumer side, Grasshopper’s ability to synchronize data across an entire operation updates through its cloud-based technology, which enabled Downstream’s customers to receive full visibility on the status of shipment regarding:
- Item condition
- Transit location
- Driver communication
- Real-time tracking
- Self-schedule delivery online
Walker noted Grasshopper’s ability to see profitability of routes daily in real-time, as one of the most importantly considered tools in Downstream’s operations today. “The fact that all modules are tied into one system, that alone is significant. It’s a comprehensive tool and gives me the ability to pulse on our operation, without having to physically.”
From previously having to run multiple softwares and relying on other business partners to plan deliveries, Grasshopper helped Downstream to reduce costs and save time while implementing better efficiency and productivity in their delivery performance. Originally, Downstream started out as a moving delivery service. Now, they are a final-mile delivery provider that serves multiple markets to handle their heavy goods shipping- offering storage, distribution, and White Glove deliveries in their service levels.
Since its launch in 2015, Grasshopper has been gaining wider recognition from the industry for its cutting-edge performance and efficiency, which has helped other companies to improve their operation capabilities with scalability. With the goal to build an end-to-end platform that’ll help enable freight services to operate through a single application, the Grasshopper team integrated massive data systems with multiple patents to offer a complete API solution for retailers, transportation providers, shippers, and 3PLs to run their daily operations.
“It was built with the exception in mind. When something doesn’t go as planned, it messes up everything else,” added Walker. “But Grasshopper creates that flexibility and a function that allows the organization to, for example- split shipment, failed deluxe, splitting pieces into multiple, returns, managing returning inventory, scheduling redeliveries and pickups.“
Walker continued that he is hopeful toward further developments with Grasshopper in order for Downstream’s operations to also improve with it. Despite its few years of launching, Grasshopper has and is continuously undergoing development to become better, faster, and easier for more businesses to manage their supply chain, logistics, and business growth, seamlessly.
“It’s been positive and collaborative,” Walker concluded. “We’ve seen the vision and possibility with excitement that, man, this could really be a game changer for our business and the industry. If something’s not working and we ask it to be corrected or tweaked- our interaction with the Grasshopper product is that it’s been good and very fast-paced and exciting to see. The service is getting better by the day.”
To learn more about Grasshopper, feel free to contact us here. For more information about Downstream, please visit here.
About Grasshopper Labs
Grasshopper Labs was founded with a single mission in place: to embed technology into the traditional industry’s delivery processes, and help customers discover the efficiencies a cutting-edge technology can provide in their business. Grasshopper is empowering hundreds of delivery terminals, retailers, and delivery networks that service thousands of customers every day, by providing them with an end-to-end enterprise delivery platform needed to help operate and grow their business.
About Downstream Logistics
Downstream Logistics offers last-mile delivery solutions for B2B and B2C customers including local and regional retailers and designers. At our core we deliver more than products, we deliver experiences. We think creatively, operate efficiently, and value relationships. Downstream Logistics protects your brand through constant focus and attention to detail, to deliver your brand inside your customer’s space.