Paragon helps Staples meet “back to school” delivery rush

Staples relied on a routing and scheduling system from Paragon to help cope with the “back to school” surge in demand for stationery deliveries. In a statement issued yesterday (8 September), Paragon Software Systems said that the distribution of Staples goods from its depots is managed by DHL, which “uses Paragon routing and scheduling software to ensure that Staples can deliver across all of its shopping channels”.

According to Craig Holmes, General Manager, DHL Non Food Retail: “The system has helped us to ensure maximum use of our fleet capacity, giving us the flexibility to deal with store deliveries across the UK, plus supplier returns and waste collections. This all adds up to tremendous savings for our customer while maintaining consistent service levels, which is especially important at this busy time of the year.”

Planning is performed daily for multiple deliveries per store. These fluctuating loads correspond to changing consumer demand. Paragon says that its system “provides the flexibility and accuracy to enable DHL to quickly optimise delivery schedules and achieve a minimum 87% load utilisation per vehicle”.

DHL offers Staples’ customers next possible working day door-to-door delivery, and free tracking by text, phone or online.