How to get ahead of the holiday delivery rush at your workplace

With the holidays just around the corner, your workplace is about to come alive with festive cheer—and a whole lot of packages. Adobe predicts that consumers will spend a record $241 billion online this holiday season, which is an 8.4% increase from 2023. Even more surprising, up to 15% of those purchases are expected to be delivered to the workplace.

So, what does this mean for organizations? By planning ahead, you can avoid package pileups and reduce theft worries—one of the main reasons employees opt to have their online orders delivered to work. In fact, employees are so concerned about package theft that 51% stay home to collect their deliveries, impacting employee productivity and dampening the festive spirit in the office.

Here’s the good news: Your team can tackle the flood of package deliveries and encourage employees to come into the office during the holidays. How? With delivery management software. Below, we’ll explore common myths about deliveries during the holiday season and how mailroom software can streamline the deliveries process year-round, making it easier to track packages, notify employees, and reduce clutter in your workspace. 

What is delivery management software?

Delivery management software automates how you log and track packages at your workplace. It takes the hassle out of manually logging deliveries and notifying employees, which is especially helpful during the busy holiday season.

The software helps keep your front desk and mailrooms organized by alerting employees as soon as their packages arrive, so they can pick them up quickly. It also boosts security by recording when packages are received and collected, reducing the chances of lost or forgotten deliveries.

3 myths about using the workplace for personal deliveries during the holiday season

With more packages arriving at the workplace, some common misconceptions about managing personal deliveries can cause unnecessary stress. Let’s debunk them.

Myth #1. With the influx of holiday packages, you’ll need to hire more staff

Reality: Not anymore. With mailroom software, your team can scan each package’s barcode with a smartphone. The software handles intake and notifications automatically, saving time and effort, even as holiday deliveries increase.

Myth #2. Successful business don’t allow employees to use the workplace for personal purposes

Reality: Companies focused on work-life balance recognize that employees can’t always be home to receive packages, including during the holidays. Allowing personal deliveries at work eases that stress. Small perks like this can enhance the workplace experience, leading to happier, more engaged employees and improved retention.

Myth #3. Employees will forget to pick up packages, leaving the mailroom in chaos

Reality: While some employees may procrastinate, there’s a simple solution. Delivery management software can send folks automated reminders prompting them to collect their packages, and with a digital sign-in system, they can sign for deliveries seamlessly. This extra nudge is especially helpful during the holidays when folks might be busier than usual.

Features to look for in delivery management software

Not all delivery management technologies are the same. As you prepare for the holiday rush, consider solutions that offer the following: 

• Automated package logging. When packages arrive, your team can easily scan the label. The software automatically records essential details, including the recipient's name, the delivery location within the workplace, and the arrival date. This saves your team from tedious manual logging and reduces the chance of human error.
• Instant employee notifications. This ensures employees are automatically alerted when their packages arrive, keeping them informed and speeding up package pickup to prevent pileups.
• Secure package storage and pickup. The software helps ensure packages are stored securely by documenting their location within the workplace, so employees can rest assured knowing their holiday orders are safe. Some systems allow you to add extra security measures, such as requiring a photo or signature for package pickup.
• Delivery analytics insights. Admins and mailroom staff can access analytics, such as the average number of deliveries and top recipients, to optimize and scale their mailroom operations effectively. 

By automating deliveries, you’re managing the holiday rush—and investing in a more organized and efficient workplace all year long.

Get started with Envoy Deliveries in minutes

Envoy Deliveries is designed to streamline your entire delivery process, getting you up and running in under 30 minutes. With Envoy, you can cut the time it takes to process each package from minutes to seconds. Here’s how it works:

1. Quick package scanning. After syncing your employee directory with Envoy, your team can quickly scan the mailing label—using the Envoy mobile app—once a package arrives. The streamlined process makes tracking deliveries fast and easy.
2. Automatic notifications. Envoy automatically matches the name on the label with the recipient in the employee directory and sends an automated notification via email or Slack, letting them know their package has arrived.
3. Reminder alerts. If a package isn’t picked up promptly, the system sends automatic reminders at intervals you choose, ensuring nothing sits around for too long.
4. Secure package pickup. Employees can verify pickup by signing their name or snapping a photo using the Deliveries app on an iPad stationed in the mailroom.
5. Analytics and tracking. All package arrival and pickup details are logged in Envoy’s analytics dashboard, giving you full visibility to improve and scale your operation.

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With delivery management software, you can embrace the holiday season with confidence. Ready to learn more? Check out how mailroom software is part of Envoy Workplace, the fully integrated solution that brings together delivery and space management with unified analytics to manage and optimize your workplace.