If you’ve
been keeping up with the news, you’ve likely heard some news about using drones
to make package deliveries. This initiative has been pioneered by Amazon, your
local neighborhood ecommerce giant, in a quest to use airborne drones to
deliver parcels to paying customers quickly and automatically. If achievable,
this feat has the capability of revolutionizing the world of order fulfillment.
However, there are some restrictions and implications to keep in mind. Today,
we’re going to discuss these implications and what they might been for the
fulfillment warehouses of the future.
FAA Limitations
While
Amazon’s technology is not yet fully development, this seems to be the least of
their worries. Currently, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been
hard at work trying to get a handle on the rapid increases in drone use.
In order for
drone delivery to get underway, Amazon needs a few permissions from the FAA.
The first, which Amazon has already secured, is called a Section 333 Exemption,
which allows for the training in the use of unmanned drones. In addition,
however, the FAA mandates that drones must stay 500 feet for people during
operation. Getting exempt from this rule is difficult, but not impossible, as
evidenced by a recent exemption
grant for Kansas State University Polytechnic.
Weight Limits
In order to
fly quickly, efficiently, and legally, Amazon’s drones of choice must weigh
less than 55lbs. At that weight, Amazon is able to transport parcels weighing
no more than 5lbs. Fortunately, this accounts for the majority of Amazon’s
order fulfillment. However, this leaves a significant portion of items
unaccounted for.
Open Field for Competitors
When (and
if) the FAA opens the floodgates and allows Amazon to follow through with their
drone-powered, 30-minute order fulfillment strategy, competitors are sure to
follow suite. In fact, Wal-Mart has already begun research of their own. How Amazon plans to account for
potentially crowded skies remains to be seen.
What Does this All Mean?
For
consumers, it means that some of your lightweight packages will arrive quickly
should you be in an approved and supported area. However, on a B2B level,
moving large amounts of freight is likely to remain grounded. Regardless of
your delivery needs, this is certainly an exciting time for logistics.
With the
landscape looking ready to shift, you need to find a 3PL provider that embraces
new technologies and is able to stay competitive in a developing market. Vision
Consumer Products Fulfillment has always and will continue to adapt and develop
the latest and greatest technologies to make sure everything finds its rightful
place—quickly.
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Vision Consumer Products Fulfillment has decades of experience and industry expertise in consumer products fulfillment services. No matter who your customer is, we treat your customer as our own. We know what makes a raving fan out of an individual customer, as well as what makes a business partner trust you with their business. Call or email us to learn how. We’re certain we’ll be the best fulfillment warehouse partner you have ever had!
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