There’s no denial technology is making our lives easier. These days it’s hard even to imagine that just 40-50 years ago, every transportation business owner had to manage everything without GPS, modern transportation CRM, and online tracking systems.
At the same time, all of the talks about the life-changing benefits of the tech solutions are just platitude. The business owner has to understand and evaluate every asset (s)he may obtain after implementing one or the other innovation. So let’s dive in and find out how technology is changing the transportation and logistics industry.
Tracking pushed on to the next level
Nowadays, every logistics or transportation company has an opportunity to get the most out of the numerous tracking tools available on the market. And today, it’s not only about GPS that can help you track the location, but it’s also about powerful sensors placed on the cargo and state-of-the-art tracking systems that allow both the company and the customer control and manage the delivery process.
What’s in there for an entrepreneur? A great number of competitive advantages!
- Build and monitor optimized routes using real-time traffic data
- Control the technical serviceability of vehicle, equipment, and communications based on the distance covered
- Create a custom notification system both for the staff and the clients
- Reduce expenditures (from adjusted routes to the lowered fuel consumption and fewer cases of the cargo losses)
- Increase the transportation process transparency and boost credibility
Improved warehouse management with Augmented Reality
Transportation and logistics business isn’t just about delivering the cargo from A to B. It’s also about warehouse management: picking, sorting, loading, and storing.
This is usually the part where most of the mistakes happen: the supplies may get lost, stored in the wrong place, or even be damaged and broken. To minimize the human error factor, Augmented Reality comes to assistance.
Using the AR systems and tools (like AR glasses), warehouse workers can
- Quickly identify the necessary items and locations while navigating the space more effectively
- Sort items according to the certain criteria faster and with minimum mistakes
- Optimize the cargo loading considering its specifics (e.g., fragile or flammable items)
Internet of things helping to reduce risks and keep costs down
And back to the helpfulness of sensors! They can not only help you tack the cargo and make sure it’s delivered safely and properly. The sensors, combined with state-of-the-art network communications, provide easy access to the Internet for each machine, device, and even vehicle.
What this basically means is that the business owner can
- Control and manage the equipment remotely
- Receive notifications about the maintenance needed and therefore prevent breakage
- Supervise the environment and various third party effects that may affect the cargo (temperature, humidity, vibration, etc.)
- Improve in-transit visibility and identify the hidden risks
Artificial Intelligence for correct predictions and automated processes
Just like all the tech innovations in the logistics and transportation industry, Artificial Intelligence is adopted to improve the workflow and generate profits. And AI solutions for sure do their job.
Artificial Intelligence is not only about driverless vehicles that will define the future of logistics and currently are just making first attempts to get a toehold in the industry. AI can help with a lot of tasks, including
- Predicting the demand for certain items and products
- Helping to plan out the processes in advance
- Automate most of the warehouse processes, including inventory reconciliation, quality control, and more
- Retarget in-transit cargo
- Provide the drivers with the hottest real-time updates about possible complications (major road accidents, jam-ups, severe weather events, etc.)
The best thing about modern AI solutions is that they provide you with quicker and better predictions than human experts. AI never gets tired; it analyses a great number of variables in a matter of minutes; it allows you to focus on personalized offers for your customers and, as a result, improve customer loyalty and brand recognition.
Cloud computing for better data operation
The logistics and transportation industry is complex enough the way it is. The amount of data you need to operate is truly enormous. And the only sure-fire way to benefit from the data analysis is cloud computing solutions.
Cloud services will help you
- Create a single network to collect, store, analyze, and manipulate the available data
- Streamline communication processes throughout the chain
- Keep the maximum level of transparency in all of the business processes
- Minimize the number of outages. Stay in touch with your staff and customers
- Improve scalability
Obviously, over the years, the number of items on this list will grow as the advancements in technology will become more popular and accessible. At the same time, it doesn’t mean you need to implement all of the tech solutions listed above at once.
It’s totally up to you which pieces of technology to integrate into the business processes. Consider your options and pick only those solutions that you will be able to get the most out of.
Best of luck!
