Logistics

In recent years, the logistics industry has witnessed massive advancement due to emerging technologies. It has a major shift towards robotic warehouses and automates processes. However, with new opportunities, the logistics market has expanded its boundaries and improved in many aspects such as last-mile delivery and introduced better tracking tools. 

Undoubtedly, advanced logistics technology solutions help in both manufacture and supply chains. Different innovative solutions offer several advantages such as streamlines the international transportation processes into effective supply chain management, and easy shipment tracking. They help to decrease both errors and costs. Along with this, it also boosts productivity and workflow processes in an advanced and accurate manner. 

In this blog, let’s know the impact of the technologies on the logistics industry.

How technologies are transforming the logistics industry?

Data Analysis

For logistic based enterprises to manage data and have a track on the goods have always been a challenge for the operational systems. There are several stages in which management has to track the goods and efficiently manage the data.

With advanced cloud integration service, this process has turned into more hasslefree and effortless. Cloud helps logistic companies to manage the processes effectively without any human resources. It can manage both manufacturing and supply chains.

How does the cloud help in Manufacturing Industry? 

• Allows real-time monitoring 
• Schedule and set the deadlines for the employees 
• Offer a collaborative platform for all the users
• Employees can share real-time information. 
• Manage internal and external data storage processes efficiently. 
• Route Planning and Vehicle Tracking

For logistics to transfer goods from one place to another is also a major challenge and requires a lot of planning. However, with the Internet of things and different advanced solutions, this process has also turned into accurate and faster. 

With wearable devices, drivers can plan their routes in prior and also select the accurate route for their destination. Since years the logistics industry was trying to sort this challenge out and online maps have also been introduced in smart devices to know the right location but it requires strong connectivity, which is not possible to get in every area. 

In this case, to sort this challenge out, the Internet of Things offers several innovative solutions, through which users can leverage other functionalities also. In their journey, they can also know the shortest route with particular kilometers. There are several other functionalities also, which turned the transportation process easier, faster, and reduced the risks of the lives. 

The Internet of things also allows customers and authorities to track the real-time location of the vehicles. However, it helps to increase transparency and improve communication. 

According to Economic Times,” “In the last few years, we’ve adopted technology to enable tracking of shipments, dynamic route management, integrating wallets for cash-on-delivery and other areas,” said Ketan Kulkarni, head of business development and CMO, Blue Dart.

The automatic system sorts all packages and creates the most effective route schedule, freeing up 45 minutes per person every day, leaving them with more time to be out on the field.

Digital Backups 

Data plays an important role and for flawless experiences, enterprises have to manage them in an effective way. However, in any case, the loss of data can lead to major challenges for the operation department. Digital Backups plays an important role in the logistic companies and now several digital sensors are also introduced to streamline the processes. It offers an opportunity to store back up in a secure way. 

 However, if operational heads don’t have to face downtime then they should synchronize their assets including digital codes with smart cloud solutions. It helps to optimize the digital codes with regular backups. This helps to track your sensors and easily you can have access to your data in a few minutes. 

It allows you to introduce a seamless workflow and reduces the chances of network failure. This process leads to boost productivity and revenue. 

Conclusion 

Technologies are not only playing a crucial role in the logistics industry but it has shown its high impact on several sectors. It helps to increase overall performance and boost productivity worldwide. Undoubtedly, the process has turned into faster and more efficient than ever before. It also helps decrease the risks of management and human lives.

Diligent Delivery: How to Choose a 3PL Logistics Provider

Third Party Logistics (3PL) can do wonders for your business processes. They’re great for improving efficiency, enhancing customer care service, and delivering a seamless experience for customers. 

However, this only happens when the logistics provider in question is great at what they do. This is why you must be careful in choosing a 3PL company that will help with your logistics. 

We understand that it might be a bit hard to wait and go through a vetting phase when you have orders that need to go out. But, doing this at the early stages will save you a ton of headaches later. 

To ensure you choose a good 3PL logistics provider, here’s what to look out for. 

Delivery Capability

What are your specific logistics and delivery needs? You need to ascertain this first. This way, you can properly determine if the 3PL logistics provider you want to hire will be a good fit. You want a logistics company that specializes in your area. 

This is particularly important when it looks like they’re great in one area. Please understand that just because they’re solid right now doesn’t mean they’ll be a good fit for your later. 

For instance, you may not need EDI-capability right now. But what if you do need it in 1-2 years? What happens then? Would you need to go shop for a new 3PL logistics provider? 

Find out about their consistency with shipments, truckload lanes, availability of dedicated trucking assets and so on. 

Be wary of logistics services that claim to do everything. You want those that specialize and are great at it.  

Reliable Service

Reliability is a big deal. You want a 3PL logistics provider that works year in, year out. One that’s available in the winter, summer, spring, and fall. You want a company that has a reputation for being consistent and stable. Anything less is not advisable, really. 

Logistics is an all-weather and all-season business. You cannot worry about any reliability issues in the future. A lack of reliability can cost you a ton of customers.

For example, if they’re unreliable in their last mile delivery services, and that’s crucial to you, it might better to look elsewhere.  

Good Customer Care Service

You want a logistics provider who is particular about customer service. You want one with excellent responsiveness, fast open lines of communication, and the ability to fix issues as soon as they come up. 

Most firms will claim that they have good customer service. Don’t take their word for it, as it’s not often true. Instead, verify and make sure their claims are legit. How can you do this?

Simple: Ask their previous clients. Most logistics providers are open to providing references when necessary. The best references though are those with similar needs as yours and preferably in the same sector. 

If you get glowing reports about their customer-centered services, then you know they aren’t going to change any time soon.

Why? Because that excellent customer service process is most likely the product of years of testing and a solid SOP. 

Extra Tips on Choosing the Right Logistics Provider

While the aforementioned tips work for selecting an excellent logistics provider, you should also consider their safety standards, firm’s reputation, and their ability to scale. These are very important too. 

If you need more tips on choosing the best 3PL logistics providers, check out Price of Business