Transport &
Logistics

Digital technology integration significantly increased during Covid 19 pandemic, thus affecting everything from online marketing to the global supply chain. Consumers know more about technology and this fact makes them ask more from businesses. They demand great customer service, quick shipping, a real-time tracking process and flexibility. Only keeping up with the latest technologies and making sure to meet customer demands will offer survival in the long run for the businesses. Here there are the latest logistic technology applications that will shape the industry in the future.

Automation

Due to the global pandemic businesses have to do rapid changes in automation as a way to minimise face to face interactions. Warehouse automation involves anything from process automation to physical automation. Distribution centre automation requires digitization of manual processes, operation of autonomous robots inside the warehouse, barcode scanning and LED lights showing the number of items for pick up and their destination. However, automation processes in businesses vary from one warehouse to another depending on the size, the volume of it and order type.

Blockchain Technology

Blockchain is described as a decentralised ledger technology that authorizes data transactions between different parties transparently and securely. Parts of the logistic chain still use manual processes assigned by regulatory authorities making it difficult to track the goods delivery and shipment tracking as they move along the supply chain. Blockchain helps overcome those challenges by increasing logistics process efficiency and enabling data transparency. One of the significant characteristics of blockchain is a smart contract which automatically implements business agreed on rules and process steps.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine learning

Without any doubt that artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have been playing an important role in changing the way how the transportation and logistics sector operates. The large stream of data obtained from the supply chain is being exploited and analysed to identify developments in the supply chain so logistics firms can adapt to those changes in their organizations. The use of AI and ML to identify every link within the supply chain is set to continue. AI, when involved in decision-making in the supply chain, minimises human error. AI in warehouse management makes the planning process much easier by speeding up analysis time.

IoT – Internet of Things

IoT is changing most aspects of our lives. In logistics, IoT adoption results in the progress of different connections between goods, packaging, transportation hubs, and vehicles. It offers more data that helps in managing assets remotely, predicting risk, ensuring proper cargo handling, and forecasting traffic congestion. A combination of IoT with blockchain technology may provide end-to-end visibility of goods.

TMS (Transportation Management System)

TMS systems are becoming popular, particularly amongst logistics companies. And rightly so given that many technological tools require proper organisation and management in one common centre. The main purpose of TMS is carrier management and route automation optimization. It is suitable for tracking delivery drivers in real-time, decreasing freight expenses, increasing transparency, and enhancing generally customer satisfaction scores.