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Logistics Robots Prove to be Efficient Substitutes for Conventional Belt Conveyer System

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Archives, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily, Technology

Logistics Robots Prove to be Efficient Substitutes for Conventional Belt Conveyer System

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Logistics Robots Prove to be Efficient Substitutes for Conventional Belt Conveyer System, Rendering Growth Opportunities for Global Logistics Robot Market

The global logistics robot market has undergone a rapid acceleration in demand across all regions. The technology has proved to be indispensable for large-scale business operations. Logistics robots automate the processes of storing and moving goods throughout the supply chain. This provides enhanced levels of uptime, higher productive hours, and less chance of manual error, thus ensuring a greater productivity to end use. 

The utilization of robots in logistics networks embodies a competent substitute to the usual belt conveyor system. These robots are intelligent devices armed with sensors, manipulators, control systems, power, and software to perform tasks resourcefully. Warehouse integration and robotic technology has helped safeguard precision and automation, while increasing storage space and operational efficiency.

According to a recent study by Fairfield Market Research, the global logistics robot market is expected to be worth US$12,739.1 Mn by 2025 from US$807.2 Mn in 2017, growing at a staggering CAGR of 23.7% during the forecast period 2021-2025.

Expanding and Demanding Consumer Base Expected to be a Key Driver of Growth for Global Logistics Robot Market 

The consumer base of today commands convenience, ease, and an expeditious delivery of goods and services. This has compelled majority retailers to accelerate their businesses’ transition to digitization. To secure efficient order fulfillment, retailers are rapidly turning to automation and robotic solutions to meet deadlines and get a real-time view of their operations. This has inflated the demand for logistics robots in the global logistics robot market. During the forecast period, the e-commerce sector is expected to grow at the fastest rate.

Other key drivers of overall market growth include cost efficiency, saving time, and premium quality. There has been a strong demand for automation globally. With strict safety rules, companies are now using robots for hazardous and hazardous environments. The technological breakthrough has made the integration more flexible and easier. Furthermore, it speeds up the process of transportation of goods and confirms higher levels of safety among the workers.

North America Reported Highest Market Share in Global Logistics Robot Market, Expected to Maintain Dominance Throughout Forecast Period

North America has been witnessing robust adoption of robotic technologies by logistics organizations, and a growing emphasis on the automation of logistics processes. As the cost of labor climbs an ever-increasing bandwagon, the potential of logistics robots to reduce operating costs is pushing the regional market forward. 

The Asia Pacific region is also expected to experience a fast-paced growth. This owes to the region’s increasing orientation towards automation. China, specifically, is forecasted to undergo the highest CAGR in the region. This owes to the country’s consistent efforts to stay on board with the soaring global competition. 

Some key players in the global logistics robot market are Aethon (St Engineering Ltd), Kuka Ag, Mobile Industrial Robot Aps (Teradyne, Inc.), Greyorange, Amazon Robotics, Asic Robotics Ag, Omron Adept Technologies, Inc. (Omron Corporation), Savioke, Clearpath Robotics Inc., and Fetch Robotics, Inc.

About Us 

Fairfield Market Research is a UK-based market research provider. Fairfield offers a wide spectrum of services, ranging from customized reports to consulting solutions. With a strong European footprint, Fairfield operates globally and helps businesses navigate through business cycles, with quick responses and multi-pronged approaches. The company values an eye for insightful take on global matters, ably backed by a team of exceptionally experienced researchers. With a strong repository of syndicated market research reports that are continuously published & updated to ensure the ever-changing needs of customers are met with absolute promptness. 

 

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Archives, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily, Technology

IoT Device Management Market to hit US$11 Bn by 2028

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As per the report by Global Market Insights, Inc. “Worldwide IoT Device Management market was valued USD 1.5 billion in 2021 and will surpass a revenue collection of USD 11 billion by 2032 with an annual growth rate of 25% over 2022 to 2028.”

The Internet of Things (IoT) is accentuating both the benefits of technological dominance and the perils of cross-border interconnection. China is currently a major player in designing IoT devices, which is facilitated by the expanding technical presence of Chinese companies.

For instance, in December 2021, Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS), a subsidiary of tech leader Amazon providing on-demand cloud computing, announced the extension of its strategic partnership with social media giant Meta. AWS and Meta intended to collaborate to improve the performance of PyTorch on AWS and to speed up the development, training, deployment, and operation of artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML) models.

For extensive analysis, the IoT device management market has been classified in terms of component, deployment model, application, and region. Based on component, the industry has been classified into solutions and services. Under solution, the market has been divided into security management, data management, real time streaming analytics, remote monitoring management, and others.

The security management segment gained a market share of approximately 20% in 2021 and sis projected to witness significant growth by 2028 driven by increase in cyberattack cases or instances. Meanwhile, in 2021, the data management segment garnered around 10% share in the market and is primed to attain a sizable revenue by the end of 2028 majorly because of mounting penetration of smartphones and internet services in the industry. The others segment gained around 5% market share in the year 2021 and is slated to achieve substantial growth through 2028 owing to prevalent integration of networking technologies in the sector.

Under services, the market has been further classified into professional service and managed service. The managed service segment is speculated to observe notable growth at a promising CAGR of above 35% over the review timeline due to increasing need to improve customer experience.

With respect to application, the industry sector has been bifurcated into smart manufacturing, connected logistics, smart health, smart retail, smart utilities, and others. The connected logistics segment is foreseen to expand at a significant CAGR of around 30% over the review timeline on account of increasing digitalization across the logistics as well as the transportation industries.

In 2021, the smart utilities segment held over 10% share in the IoT device management market and is anticipated to expand at an exponential rate over the forecast years because of rising adoption of IoT technology in the utility industry. The others segment is expected to record a CAGR of approximately 20% between 2022 and 2028 as the demand for proficient management of connected devices is soaring across the market.

From the regional standpoint, the Latin America market is set to grow at approximately 35% CAGR through the assessment timeframe on account of rising implementation of cloud-based solutions.

Meanwhile, the Middle East and Africa IoT device management industry is primed to develop at a sizable CAGR of above 30% over the forecast period owing to surging strategic partnerships among major industry players in order to augment the quality of connected devices as well as customer experience.

The IoT Device Management market consists of Advantech Co. Ltd., Aeris Communications LLC, Amazon Web Services Inc., Amplia Soluciones S.L, AVSystem, Bosch.io GmbH, Cumulocity GmbH, Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., GE Digital, Google LLC, IBM Corporation, Microsoft Corporation, Oracle Corporation, Particle Industries Inc. PTC Inc., Silicon Laboratories Inc., Smith Micro Software Inc., SiteWhere LLC, Telite Communications PLC, Vodafone Group PLC, VMware Inc., and Wind River Systems Inc. 

 

Agility Robotics to Launch the First Human-Centric Robot for Logistics
Archives, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily, Technology

Meet the World’s First Human-Centric Logistics Robot at ProMat 2023

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Agility Robotics to Launch the First Human-Centric Robot for Logistics

Agility Robotics is excited to launch Digit, the world’s first human-centric robot designed to work reliably and safely with people, at ProMat 2023. Digit will work in existing spaces without needing costly retrofitting to help with tote movement and manipulation applications.

Attendees will have the opportunity to watch live demonstrations of Digit handling totes and learn how Digit works in warehouses or distribution centers.

Additionally, Jonathan Hurst, Agility’s Chief Technology Officer, will present “Human-Centric Robotics: Walking Into the Warehouse,” on Wednesday, March 22, in Theater F at 2:15 PM. Dr. Hurst will discuss the three “robot revolutions,” including the dawn of human-centric, multi-purpose robots that work in human spaces with and around people. Such flexibility allows robots to walk into existing warehouses and augment the human workforce.

More information to come in early 2023.

WHERE: ProMat 2023 at McCormick Place, Chicago, IL

WHEN: March 20-23, 2023

WHY: ProMat brings together some of the world’s leading manufacturing and supply chain solution providers so attendees can explore the latest technology fueling the future of supply chains. Agility Robotics will introduce Digit to the marketplace and launch the forthcoming Agility Partner Program.

Explore the future of supply chains as you get up close and personal with Digit. The Agility Robotics booth (#S1031) will be an absolute “can’t-miss” at ProMat 2023.

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Archives, Education, Global Trade Daily, Technology

What Is Intelligent Automation in the Logistics Industry?

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Intelligent automation (IA) is a relatively new trend that combines two technologies. Intelligent automation in the logistics industry is still in its early stages. Still, people who explore how to apply it now will be well-positioned to deploy it to support their operations. Here’s a closer look at IA and how logistics professionals could use it. 

What Is Intelligent Automation?

The definition of intelligent automation varies slightly across sources. However, it typically combines artificial intelligence (AI) with robotic process automation (RPA). 

IBM’s intelligent automation definition includes a third component along with those two. It adds business process management (BPM), which concerns automating workflows to make them more consistent and agile. 

Here are some examples of the types of technologies or use cases within those three categories: 

Artificial Intelligence

  • Machine learning
  • Advanced algorithms

Robotic Process Automation

  • Attended RPA (User triggers robotic software to start or stop a task)
  • Unattended RPA (Able to operate with no human involvement)
  • Hybrid RPA (A combination that leverages automation and human knowledge)

Business Process Management

  • Compliance and risk management 
  • Procurement
  • Customer data
  • Contracts 

IBM’s definition of intelligent automation stresses that AI is the most critical component since it acts as the “decision engine” for intelligent automation. Advanced AI algorithms can also enable RPA tools and software to handle more complex tasks. 

What Are the Benefits of Intelligent Automation in the Logistics Industry? 

Logistics leaders and executives elsewhere can expect numerous payoffs by deploying IA in their organizations. Improved productivity is one of the main benefits since people can often do their jobs more efficiently and with fewer errors. Relatedly, employees can use more streamlined processes to get the desired results faster. Such advantages may be most noticeable when performing tasks like processing invoices. IA can do most of the formerly manual work, allowing humans to focus on higher-value tasks. 

IA can also make it easier for logistics leaders to comply with state and national regulations. It promotes better record-keeping by reducing duplication, typos and other things that could contribute to inaccuracies. For example, the IA tool could have built-in checks to flag documents lacking the required information or are otherwise insufficient for required regulations.

Intelligent automation in the logistics industry could also result in more-efficient deliveries, especially since many major brands already use some components of IA to deliver goods faster. Walmart’s Express Delivery service, available for more than 150,000 items, uses AI algorithms to accelerate delivery. People get their products within two hours. Humans must oversee route planning, but IA could send customers emails to tell them when to expect their orders. 

Intelligent automation in the logistics industry can also improve customer experiences. One possibility is through chatbots, which can answer straightforward questions as efficiently as humans. A business process automation (BPA) element might help categorize which types of queries people most commonly have. Leaders could eventually rely on that data to improve help documentation on a company’s website. 

How Have Logistics Companies Used Intelligent Automation?

It’s still not commonplace for people to use intelligent automation in the logistics industry. Many have one or two of the required elements for IA, but not yet all three. However, many are at least pursuing other kinds of automation. One of the advantages is that it makes labor shortages more manageable and results in a safer working environment. IA and additional types of automation can also help company leaders ensure their employees can do their best work. 

Ron Finemore Transport, a logistics company operating in Australia, used intelligent automation to improve how an existing transportation management system (TMS) worked. Before making that change, employees had to manually update the TMS with data from a secondary telematics system. The main benefit of the TMS was that it gave customers real-time data on truck locations. However, workers’ productivity suffered due to the need to input information by hand. 

The implemented IA solution featured artificial intelligence bots that put details about each truck’s real-time location into a centralized data warehouse. They then matched that information to specific routes in the TMS. 

Another case involved logistics company and freight forwarder Davies Turner. Company officials wanted to use automation to reduce the manual labor associated with answering customer queries. Replying to them often took an especially long time because it involved going to the websites of third-party logistics providers to input parcel-tracking information. 

The company pursued automation by launching more than 520 software robots to process customer questions. The bots eventually handled more than 30,000 pieces of data or files per week and about 7,500 executions per day. 

These early efforts highlight potential gains even when companies don’t use full IA solutions. Many decision-makers, especially those new to automation and other advanced technologies, may wish to deploy one component of IA before using a solution featuring all three. 

Deciding When and Where to Utilize Intelligent Automation for Logistics

It’s not easy to figure out the most appropriate ways to rely on intelligent automation for logistics. However, identifying feasible use cases will become easier as more company executives take the plunge by working with the technology. 

For now, logistics professionals can start by identifying the biggest weaknesses and challenges within their supply chains and operations. How might automation make the company more resilient and able to overcome obstacles? 

Many decision-makers initially balk at the prospect of using intelligent automation in logistics, often because of the costs involved and the time required to alter processes. However, they should try to have a long-term viewpoint and recognize how the lack of IA in the workflow could make their companies less able to compete in the marketplace. 

It’s also worth remembering that not every process is a good automation candidate. Any task with many variabilities or requiring extensive knowledge is too much for current automation technology to handle. Today’s commercial options work best when applied to repetitive work requiring no creativity or advanced knowledge. 

Finally, it’s often easiest to utilize intelligent automation by working with a specialty service provider, ideally one with experience assisting people at other logistics firms. They can help clients avoid pitfalls and develop solutions most appropriate for their short- and long-term needs and expectations.

Emily Newton is an industrial journalist. As Editor-in-Chief of Revolutionized, she regularly covers how technology is changing the industry. 

 

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Archives, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily, Technology

The Implications of Reliable Robotics’ Autonomous Aircraft for the Global Supply Chain

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Autonomous vehicles — especially driverless transportation fleets — have the potential to change logistics tremendously, but not without posing some risks. Even the most intelligent driverless system could run into issues on the open road, especially considering the human element is still a factor. But what happens if logistics professionals and fleet owners take the road out of the equation? Better yet, what happens when autonomous vehicles take flight?

That is precisely why Reliable Robotics has been making headlines in recent years. In addition to being awarded a U.S. Air Force contract, it also received acceptance from the Federal Aviation Administration for certification of its autonomous aircraft navigation system. The platform will help control and pilot autonomous fixed-wing aircraft across several industries, enabling remote piloting.

The system helps maintain situational awareness around the craft and can adjust the flight plan, all from remote devices like an iPad. Command, control, voice and data links are all available remotely, too. Operators can communicate with air traffic controllers, for example, just as a traditional pilot would be able to.

As impressive as the technology is, the pressing question is what this will mean for the global supply chain. How long will it be until people see autonomous aircraft used in the real world? How will this change the industry for better or worse?

The History of Flight

Since the first heavier-than-air, machine-powered flight happened on December 17, 1903, the airplane has played a massive role in transportation, logistics and supply chain. The first commercial air freight test took place years later on November 7, 1910, carrying two bolts of silk from Dayton to Columbus, Ohio.

The silk weighed approximately 200 pounds, but the trip was not just a quick drop-off — it was actually a race against an express train. Completing the flight in 57 minutes officially, it was a world speed record at the time and the rest is history.

Airplanes and aircraft have been used ever since to transport mail and parcels, goods, people and even vehicles and military equipment. That said, real people have always piloted and operated freight aircraft. Although modern systems make flight more automated and handle a lot of the nuanced controls, there are still generally pilots at the yoke.

If successful — and efforts are proving to be so — Reliable Robotics’ autonomous aircraft system will change all of that as citizens and professionals know it. Commercial and freight aircraft may soon be piloted almost entirely by computer and AI-based solutions.

More Flights Than Ever Before

One of the significant implications of autonomous aircraft is more time spent in the air with faster and more accurate trips. Human pilots grow tired and weary, need breaks and must see their families. So, flights have always had to be scheduled based on their availability up until now.

It’s not unlike long-haul trucking, where the drivers face many health risks, spend long and lonely days on the road and so on. It also means flights cannot operate indefinitely, provided there’s fuel available. Commercial and freight craft always have to come back down to the ground for extended periods until the pilots can get back into the cockpit.

Autonomous controls can be piloted remotely, meaning those flights can remain in the air for longer. When they do have to land — for fuel, for example — it can be done fast and without delays. This benefit will extend to commercial supply lines as goods can be transported faster, more frequently and more reliably.

Decreased Overhead

In addition to the costs of training and compensating pilots, the planes themselves will see efficiency improvements thanks to the automated systems. Similar to how travel routes on the ground can affect fuel consumption, maintenance and travel times, so can air paths. The autonomous solutions can be programmed to analyze, discover and follow optimized routes, significantly maximizing value and reducing overhead.

Couple that with the fact that companies no longer need pilots in the cockpit — at least not physically — the remote staff can be offered more convenience like breaks and shift change and the implication that overall costs will be reduced more than ever before. Pilots are one of the most expensive parts of air freight and cargo operations. It’s difficult to stress enough just how much will be saved by autonomous craft.

Better Safety

Some professionals may be undecided on computers and AI solutions empowering in-flight automation. The same is true of automated vehicles back on the ground. However, there’s no denying that an automated system will run better, longer and more efficiently than the average human pilot.

As mentioned previously, pilots grow weary, need breaks and sometimes make mistakes, both naturally and brought on by other events — heavy drinking and substance use, for example. The implication is not that all pilots are dangerous or reckless, but merely that automated aircraft powered by inhuman solutions don’t have the same needs or issues. That by itself warrants better safety and more successful flight in many ways.

When talking about commercial flights, everything has to be on time and efficient. A minor delay can cause considerable hiccups in the chain, so the increased reliability of automation will be a welcome boon. Additionally, there can be an increase in safety and possibly the number of successful flights. Approximately 75% of airplane and commercial flight accidents are due to human error, including pilots, air traffic controllers, mechanics and so on.

However, that’s not to say pilots and drivers will go completely by the wayside. Human intervention is still necessary in many aspects of driving to avoid potentially disastrous complications. But working alongside such advanced technology can improve safety and help ensure fewer significant disruptions to the supply chain occur.

Revisiting the Implications of Autonomous Aircraft

The best part of all this is that Reliable Robotics’ autonomous solutions aren’t just for commercial and freight aircraft. They may soon be used for passenger aircraft, as well, enhancing and improving the entire industry of flight.

Of course, it’s still early days and while the technology is currently being tested heavily, it may be a few years before people see it used by commercial freight companies. When it does come to market, expect to see vastly improved flight operations, better safety for the entire industry and lower associated costs — fuel, maintenance, training, personnel and beyond.

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Archives, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily

The Role of Telematics Solutions in Global Supply Chain Management

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Today, the logistics industry is expanding at a fast pace. As global trends and strategies grow, so does the tendency to conquer new markets and use innovative technology. However, it is also vital to understand that, with this rapid expansion, the complexity of processes in the logistics industry reaches new heights. Consequently, more advanced solutions are needed. One of the branches that excel at improving the organization and operation sectors of logistics is telematics. The role of telematics solutions in global supply chain management lies in simplifying all processes and providing answers for the growing industry’s complex demands.

Telematics tip the scale in favor of logistics companies in the current market

One of the obstacles to managing vehicle usage in logistics and the supply chain was that there were no options to track information like vehicle location and activity, engine diagnostics, and driver behavior. With the development of telematics technology, this problem has been solved. Telematics allows you to gather all this wide range of information on a single platform and visualize the entire picture of one vehicle or an entire fleet. Consequently, fleet operators have a full grasp of the entire operation, and they will be able to manage resources better.

With the global pandemic still on the loose, logistics companies worldwide are fighting for dominion and re-shaping the supply chain in the process. To be successful among strong competitors, it is crucial to use modern tools and approaches. The correct use of telematics solutions will tip the scale in favor of those who use it. Let’s learn more about it to see how.

Improving time management becomes a crucial factor

One of the best features of telematics solutions in global supply chain management is optimizing processes, substantially reducing the time needed to complete various logistics activities. Consequently, flexibility within the supply chain increases, making it possible to minimize delays. Since time is everything in this industry, it becomes obvious why companies invest money into getting the latest telematics equipment.

How telematics affect the sustainability factors in the global supply chain?

With the increased use of vehicles for transport, it is getting harder to control the damage caused by gasoline fumes. The additional benefit of telematics is that it reduces the negative impact of transportation processes on the environment. The feature that allows you to optimize delivery routes will, in the long run, substantially reduce the use of gasoline, resulting in less pollution and less damage to the environment. With such wide use, it touches all the critical areas of the logistics industry and strengthens the global supply chain management.

IoT in conjunction with telematics

The Internet of Things is connecting the entire world in ways that were unimaginable just 10 to 20 years ago. A question presents itself; what will the next 20 years bring to the table?

IoT is a powerful tool that communicates with other solutions like telematics and helps them reach the peak of their performance capabilities.

The way in which this “partnership” improves global supply chain management can also be seen in its monitoring and tracking features. It is possible to precisely track vehicles and monitor a wide area of business networks. The warehousing and logistics departments have a transparent view of receiving and delivering operations, consequently eliminating blind spots in all processes.

Improving business efficiency while lowering operating costs

Improving business efficiency and reducing operating costs is greatly improved with the use of Fleet Telematics and other intelligent tools.

The idea is to transform big chunks of data into usable information. Whether you want to guide the forklift as it unloads packages in and out of the warehouse or use the system to keep track of goods delivery or real-time shipping schedules, telematics delivers at all times.

 

The safety of your employees is your primary concern

Speaking of how telematics influences all areas of the supply chain, we must touch on employee safety as well. We mentioned earlier how telematics measures vehicle usage and driver behavior and sends that data to the operators. By monitoring the speed of the vehicle, hard brakes, swerves, and a wide range of road conditions, it allows a full analysis of the driving.

With the addition of a dashcam, you can get a full report of the road and the driver backed up with images. Knowing this information will help prevent accidents and protect both the driver and the other vehicles in the traffic, and, in turn, lead to saving money.

Customs reports and dashboards

Working in logistics means having contact with customs. Sending and receiving goods every day requires a lot of paperwork, as well as special rules and regulations depending on the nature of the goods.

Telematics solutions in global supply chain management offer improved customizable reports and dashboards for easier tracking and full insight into the nitty-gritty of the customs processes.

An overview of the global supply chain management features

With telematics solutions behind the wheels, global supply chain management gets access to unique features, like vehicle administration, ad-hoc data analysis, NRU and RMA program management, safety program, and much more.

It is a unified platform that combines planning and execution, creating synergy in business operations.

Protecting the future of the global supply chain

The consequences of COVID-19 on the logistics industry are still not showing their real face. However, that does not mean a new threat cannot appear at any time.

Complete transparency of operations increases overall security in all areas of logistics. This allows for the entire industry to prepare for future disruptions of the supply chain network.

The idea of implementing advanced solutions is not only to manage processes but also to protect the industry from any possible disasters that could seriously hinder its operations and affect customer satisfaction.

Going beyond telematics – the future of the global supply chain industry

To quickly jump back, no one knows with certainty what will the next 20 years bring with telematics’ development. However, there are some ideas and projects worth investing in. We are slowly moving towards the future of autonomous vehicles that do the “driving” while the driver prepares delivery documentation, works on customer communication, invoicing, and much more. The vehicle is connected to the environment at all times, using sensors that send information about road conditions, communicate with traffic systems, and all that without any human interaction.

The global supply chain management will flourish in these conditions, allowing complete automation of all systems through telematics. It sounds like a futuristic sci-fi movie, but countries like France and Germany are already implementing some starting forms of these management systems.

It is safe to say that the future of telematics opens many doors. It is yet to be seen how soon this change will happen, but progress is imminent.

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Austin Dillon is a freelance writer interested in all topics surrounding international trade and shipping. With 3 years of experience writing about the global supply chain, he has gained valuable insights into the field. When he is not working, Austin loves watching old Hollywood movies.

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3pls, Archives, Global Logistics, Warehousing

Trends that will Reshape the Logistics Industry

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No industry exists in a vacuum. Everything is interconnected and hinges on each other. The same is true of the logistics industry. The trends that will reshape the logistics industry are mostly trends that have to do with other industries that function together with logistics.

Experts believe that technological, business and social trends are going to drive the disruptions that will be felt in the logistics industry. For some, these changes will be long overdue.

From social trends like sustainability, over the changes felt in business with the rise of e-commerce, to the multiple changes the advancement of technology will allow, the logistics industry is set to undergo massive changes in the next couple of years. Let’s take a look at what we can expect.

Business Trends

E-commerce logistics and supply chains are what have most consistently been reshaping the logistics industry. What has been most influential are the customers’ expectations. Not only do customers expect to get their goods faster, but also at a low delivery cost. Not only that, but manufacturing is becoming more and more customized, which is making things all the more complicated for the logistics industry. These are the key business trends that are impacting logistics in 2020.

Last-mile Deliveries

With the advent of Amazon Prime, customers have grown to expect much faster delivery times. Companies like Amazon and Walmart provide services that offer same-day or 48-hour deliveries for less money than their competitors, sometimes even for free. This will lead to manufacturers, distributors, and logistics professionals needing to find strategies to offer shorter turnaround times on last-mile deliveries. In practice, shippers will begin focusing on what is called just-in-time delivery (JIT). JIT delivery means inbound freight arrives at the warehouse just in time for shipment in order to shorten the delivery time. This, in turn, will lead to the lowering of warehouse costs as well as carrying costs.

Localizing Warehouses

In order for JIT to work, companies will have to move warehouses closer to the consumers. Instead of having several major distribution centers, companies will look at having more smaller warehouse options throughout their market. The location of these will be determined by the frequency of orders in different areas.

Social Trends

For the most part, the social trends that will impact the future of the logistics industry are urbanization and sustainability. Increased urbanization is making it much harder to manage logistics and is making everything far more unpredictable. It also creates the demand for smaller commercial vehicles doing the deliveries. On the other hand, delivery trucks often add to pollution and traffic jams in a city setting.

This leads us to the second social trend aiming to impact the industry – sustainability. Doing deliveries cities with dense populations is getting harder and harder to manage sustainably. On top of this, there are stricter and stricter emission regulations. For example, freight-carrying ships have long been under fire for the amount of crude oil emissions. The limit for sulfur in fuel oil has been reduced starting with January 1, 2020, to 0.50% m/m (mass by mass). In addition to this, companies have been under constant pressure to adopt different green initiatives on the corporate level. All of this will force changes when it comes to logistics.

Technological Trends

Regardless of what happens in business or society, technological advances are the main and most numerous trends that will reshape the logistics industry.

Autonomous vehicles will provide great safety benefits at the fraction of the cost. Platooning technologies that link two or more trucks in convoy will provide greater fuel efficiency. Another technology that will also help with sustainability is the increased use of electric or hybrid trucks for deliveries and transportation.

Customer-facing APIs

These softwares are there to provide customers with information about where their parcel is at any time. This makes the customer feel in control of the purchase and, more importantly, makes them more likely to return. Reaching out to customers via email or text to let them know what stage their delivery is at is a simple way to keep them in the loop.

This kind of technology is also not only for customers. Advances in this field can help you keep track of your freight shipments, which can be invaluable especially if they are late.

AI and Big Data

Artificial intelligence and big data are the advances that are most likely to change the logistics industry. Analytics and AI will allow for better and faster decision making when it comes to logistics. They will enable automated scheduling as well as route and volume planning.

Drones and Robotics

Even though they are currently not very common in warehouses spaces, the awareness of the need for robotics is increasing every day. Currently, only around 5 percent of warehouses have employed this technology. It is certain, however, that this is the trend that is definitely here to stay. Its benefits are many, including solving the problem of the low labor availability for these jobs.

Drones have similarly been treated as too futuristic. However, an increasing number of companies are using them for their quick deliveries, especially in densely populated areas.

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Sebastian Miller has worked for statetostatemove.com for 4 years now. Working with a company specializing in all types of moves, from residential to corporate, for many generations has provided him with a rare all-encompassing glimpse into the moving industry. He lives and works in Dallas, TX.