Delivery date: a central element in logistics
Principles such as just-in-time deliveries, especially in the automotive and food industries, require a high degree of planning. It becomes particularly difficult when delivery deadlines are not met. In this case, goods cannot be sold, and there may also be a lack of the capacity to store surplus goods. This means that in addition to the ability to deliver (the so-called degree of readiness to deliver), the delivery time is of great importance, as it includes not only aspects such as order-related production and order handling, but also picking, packaging and loading times - all upstream, before the goods are even transported.
The delivery date or delivery time that is agreed can therefore also be summarized as delivery quality. The principle: the higher the delivery quality, the lower a customer's safety stocks must be in order to safeguard the actual business activity.
Delivery time or delivery date: definition
The period of time defined between the submission of an order and the actual availability of the goods describes a basic element of planning capability in logistics. It is of course dependent on factors such as incoming goods inspection, etc., but essentially depends on transportation times. The shorter the delivery times, the more likely producers or retailers can rely on reduced stock levels. This in turn brings economic advantages, such as a higher margin or better adaptability to market changes.
The delivery date from a legal perspective
Section 286 of the German Civil Code (BGB) gives the buyer the right to warn the seller in the event of late delivery and to set a grace period. If this period expires and no delivery is made, the buyer may, under certain circumstances, withdraw from the purchase contract, demand compensation for non-performance or compensation due to so-called damages caused by delay.
The communication and planning of a delivery date is important because refusal to accept an order, e.g. in e-commerce, leads to high organizational costs for returns. This in turn entails follow-up costs.
The better production and transportation processes can be planned, for example through the use of intralogistics software, the lower the risk of missed delivery deadlines.
