16 Enero 2019 - Blog
The logistics sector doesn't stop updating: this is a fact. There is a "logistic revolution" that has been gaining strength for a while, with the sole purpose of streamlining the delivery processes and improving the service provided to the customer.
After a year marked by the increase in logistics and transport demand, 2019 seems to be on the same path. In this way, the trends in the logistics of 2019 are a response to this growth of the industry and new technologies, which increasingly are an essential part of our day to day.
Are you working on the logistics sector? Then, take note of the four main trends, as they can be a before and after in the management of transport and distribution. Renewing is the only way to survive in this digital and technological world.
Currently, we can't imagine a life without Internet and the e-Commerce increases by giant steps, offering us the possibility of being able to purchase almost everything in one click. Consequently, the online customer is stronger than ever and asks for fast deliveries, personalized services and good customer service. This demand is also known as "instant gratification".
On the one hand, the distribution speed will have to be a key point to improve to offer fast deliveries. Especially on the Fresh Chain products (food, medication, etc.), which are sensitive to the changes of temperature and require innovative deliveries and special transports..
On the other hand, transparency in management will be essential. The customer wants to know immediately the status of his order, the current availability of stock, where his package is, and a long list of other items. These requirement means having to personalize our service more and more. An example could be to offer order tracking to customers, so they can know where their package is at all times and when they will receive it.
In addition, the current customers dislike the Call Centers and they prefer to contact people who can listen and understand their needs at any moment. At this point, customer service through new channels and digital media (such as Social Networks), is essential to get connected with the customer.
To know the customer expectations and offer fast and personalized deliveries, we have to invest on new technologies. The digital world will mean a change in management of the vast majority of companies, especially in the logistics sector, and the mission of these next years has to be to adapt to these changes.
The Internet of Things (IoT) is one of the objectives to be incorporated more immediately in logistics companies. The trend will be to find the best connection throughout the logistics chain and automate some of the tasks, thus offering a much more agile service.
Big Data is another well-known trend in logistics for this 2019: an intelligent use of data will provide us with a more effective management of our services. In this way, you can adjust stocks, optimize routes and have direct control in the transport fleets.
Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain or robotization are other strategies that can arrive very soon in the logistics industry and would change the modus operandi of distribution companies. Thanks to the new digital tools, the logistics industry will benefit from better control and real-time monitoring of what is happening in its distribution processes.
The robots are the present. Some of the large logistics companies already have high-tech machines and equipment capable of working on some of the tasks that humans used to do. In 2019 this trend is expected to increase, establishing a collaboration between machines and people working in the same company.
This change could mean, in the first instance, a reduction of workers. Nevertheless, the real objective is to make workers (and humans in general) able to focus on more valuable tasks. And those more monotonous and routine tasks, which suppose a more intense physical effort, will be the work for the machines.
This also implies a change in the business models: with the arrival of new technologies, we must find new ways to attract and retain workers. Logistics companies will have to find profiles more focused on digital skills and people that could adapt to new working methods.
In conclusion, the robots will help to optimize the cost-performance ratio and they allow greater speed and safety; both in the deliveries, also in the management of orders and even in the reduction of errors.
The society is increasingly aware of the impact we have on nature and the environment. Pollution is visible in most of the smart cities and capitals of the world, and 2019 is the year in which companies are committed to sustainable change.
The trend will focus on finding new working methods that affect the environment as little as possible, reducing pollution caused by large machinery and means of transport.
Carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles are one of the main sources of pollution. Thus, logistics companies won't look only for vehicles that pollute less, such as electric vehicles. New methods of delivery are also sought, such as drones, electric bicycles, or physical collection points, which already exist in some large cities.
Finally, a change is also planned to reduce the generation of waste. This is the case of packaging and other single-use packaging and packaging materials: measures will be taken to reduce the sizes, formats and quantities of the packaging, in order to reduce the environmental impact.
Pollution is a very important problem and companies have to be the engine of change, so that finally the whole society changes and is involved in the cure and improvement of the environment.
Although there are many predictions, we can never get to know exactly if these trends were be applied in a real way to logistics companies. The economy, culture and general capabilities of each country will set the pace of these new technological changes. The one that we do know is that the digital revolution is here to stay, and companies have to adapt to all the changes they can make in order to survive.
Currently, at PalletCat we offer delivery times of 24 hours throughout the Iberian Peninsula and thanks to our traceability system, the customer can always check the status of their merchandise, its location in real time and even an estimate of traffic and time until you reach your destination.
In addition, thanks to the new technologies, we have created a digital management system where you can consult tracking reports, shipping data, maps and collection areas, the evolution of our shipments, or even carry out the introduction and labeling of the pallets, among other advantages.
In PalletCat we are working for updating ourselves to new trends in logistics and to make more efficient the distribution of merchandise. Because all you need to do is inform yourself and keep up to date with all the changes and news that are coming. Companies, especially in the logistics sector, we must have the ability to innovate, not stagnate and move at the pace that society does. Only then we can stand out from the competition and reach our final goal: to offer the best logistic service to our customers.
