Intelligent Courier Selection - AI-Powered Allocation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is PACE and how does it power intelligent courier selection?

PACE (Prozo AI Courier Engine) is an AI-driven allocation engine that evaluates pincode-level delivery history, shipment weight and dimensions, SLA requirements, cost constraints, speed tier, and courier success rates. It continuously learns from every shipment to assign each order to the best-fit logistics partner in real time - going far beyond static rule tables.

How does AI courier selection differ from rule-based allocation?

Rule-based allocation assigns couriers using fixed parameters like weight slab, zone, payment mode, and invoice value. AI-driven PACE layers machine-learning predictions on top - factoring in pincode-level RTO history, seasonal performance shifts, courier capacity, and dimensional weight - to dynamically choose the courier most likely to deliver successfully at the lowest cost.

Can I set custom allocation rules alongside the AI engine?

Yes. ProShip supports a hybrid model where brands define baseline rules (e.g., always use Courier X for Zone A prepaid orders above 5 kg) and PACE operates within those guardrails. Custom rules for weight, zone, payment mode, invoice value, and cost ceiling are fully configurable from the dashboard.

How many courier partners does PACE evaluate for each shipment?

PACE evaluates all 30+ integrated courier partners on ProShip for each shipment, spanning D2C surface and air couriers, SDD/NDD specialists, hyperlocal fleet providers, heavy and bulky carriers, and PTL/LTL freight operators. The engine scores every serviceable partner in milliseconds and selects the one with the highest predicted delivery success at the optimal cost point.

What parameters does PACE use to score courier partners?

PACE scores couriers using 15+ parameters including pincode-level delivery success rate, RTO history, SLA adherence, transit time accuracy, cost per shipment, dimensional weight handling, payment mode performance (COD vs prepaid), shipment weight slab, origin-destination zone, seasonal trends, real-time capacity, and customer complaint history. These parameters are continuously weighted based on delivery outcome feedback.

How quickly does PACE learn from new delivery data?

PACE retrains its courier scoring models on a continuous cycle, incorporating every delivery outcome - successful delivery, NDR, RTO, late delivery - into its pincode-level performance database. This means PACE adapts to seasonal shifts, new courier capabilities, and changing pincode-level trends within days rather than waiting for quarterly or monthly reviews.

Does PACE work for PTL and FTL freight, not just D2C parcels?

Yes, PACE provides full-spectrum courier selection covering D2C surface and air parcels, PTL/LTL freight, FTL shipments, heavy and bulky items, hyperlocal delivery, and same-day/next-day express. Unlike D2C-only shipping platforms, PACE evaluates freight-specific parameters like volumetric weight, vehicle type, route-level transit performance, and appointment compliance for B2B shipments.

How does PACE handle COD orders differently from prepaid orders?

PACE applies different courier scoring for COD and prepaid shipments because the RTO risk profiles are fundamentally different. For COD orders, PACE prioritizes couriers with the lowest COD-specific RTO rates at the destination pincode and may factor in the customer's order history. For prepaid orders, PACE optimizes more aggressively for speed and cost since the RTO risk from payment refusal is eliminated.

Can I see why PACE selected a particular courier for a shipment?

Yes, ProShip provides allocation transparency through the dashboard. For each shipment, you can view the PACE recommendation rationale including which partners were evaluated, their scores on key parameters, why the selected partner ranked highest, and what alternative options were available. This transparency helps brands understand and trust the AI allocation decisions.

What improvement in delivery rates can brands expect from PACE?

Brands switching from manual or basic rule-based allocation to PACE typically see an 8-15% improvement in first-attempt delivery rates and a 15-25% reduction in RTO within the first 2-3 months. The improvement is most significant for brands shipping to diverse pincodes across India where courier performance varies widely by geography and where static rules cannot capture pincode-level nuances.