Delivery

In the context of commerce, delivery refers to the process of bringing products from one point to another.

Such a process makes it possible for businesses to bring their products to consumers, preferably in an efficient manner, while incurring as little cost as possible. In order for this to be possible, a transport network should be available. This enables the transfer of goods through various channels. Cargo may be carried along roads or railroads. They may also be transported by sea with the use of ships or sent over via air with the help of airlines.

Other products may be delivered by way of other channels. For instance, electricity is made available with the use of power grids. The Internet is made available through the creation of computer networks.

While the general idea of simply making goods available to users falls under delivery, the more specific process involved in getting the product from the producer to the consumers may be referred to as distribution. Companies which are tasked with getting products from the producers or manufacturers to the point of sale are called distributors. Products do not usually travel from the producer directly to the consumer. It is usually necessary for these to be brought to a storage facility, such as a warehouse, before they are delivered to the point of sale where they are made available to consumers.

In order to facilitate such transfers, it is necessary to identify the most efficient and appropriate vehicles to be used. Certain vehicles are specially equipped to transport specific products. For instance, oil tankers and concrete mixers transport very specific product types. Trucks, ships, and similar vehicles may carry a more varied selection of goods.