Future trends in logistics
The advancing trend in digitalization has a monstrous impact on different domains and logistics is one of them. With surplus demand in retail sector due to online shopping, demand for logistics has also proliferated. This forces logistic company to give their best. But the performance of logistic services may be hindered due to different factors.
Last mile delivery becomes a major issue due to road accidents, strike, climatic factor etc.., Goods can be damaged during transportation or warehouse or during loading and unloading from the carrier which can impair the business.
Even with all these ambiguities, the logistics industry is endeavoring hard for quality and scheduled delivery. These issues can be resolved through advanced technology by which we can expect better, reasonable and faster services. Logistic companies have to utilize and adapt to the new trends to achieve long-run goals. Below are some of the trends which play a major role in shaping the future of logistics.
• Robots ruling warehouses
The ramping online shopping of customers has increased pressure on sellers to deliver the products as early as possible. Hence biggies of e-commerce are shifting their focus in automating warehouse process with robots and some of them have already started the trail. Development and research are going on robots being programmed to load, unload and even picking and packing of the goods and even deliver the shipment. This helps in quicker and accurate and error-free process, thereby reducing the man force and human errors. One of the constraints may be the cost involved, which might restrict it to only developed companies.
• Upcoming era of drones and automated vehicles
Do not be traumatized if you happen to see a car without any driver in it or if any objects flying around your neighborhood because these are the beauty of advanced technology.
In order to enhance the customer’s experience, Amazon is thinking of utilizing drones for delivering the parcels. Attempts are being made to develop automated truck which can lessen the labour pool and provide timely delivery with less fuel consumption. However, safety is the biggest question to be answered. Drones and automated vehicles no doubt will change the current logistics scenario.
• Internet-Of-Things
Internet-Of-Things is one of the most talked technologies. With IoT, It is capable of fetching data from Machine to Machine without any physical help. This can be very helpful in logistics as you can track the status & manage the inventory with it i.e., you don't have to check on the items which have to be fulfilled or the performance of items. There are also other different ways where IoT can be helpful for logistics. It is also said that IoT can connect with other technologies like AIDC (Automatic Identification and Data Capture) or RFIDs (Radio Frequency Identification). The logistics industry is all set to flourish with IoT in future.
• Blockchain Technology
Blockchain gives better transparency, traceability and security in the logistics sector. Customers can get more clarity and transparency on the journey of their shipment i.e. who owns the shipment and what is its state until it reaches their hand. It also entitles logistic companies to clearly track any undesired manipulation effortlessly.
• 3D Printing
3D printing or additive manufacturing is assured to play an important role in future of logistics. This will enable the logistics industry to involve in storing and transporting the materials for 3d printing thereby increasing shipping efficiency. 3D printing will also reduce the warehouse requirement as production can be done on spot and on demand.
Growth in the logistics industry is not stagnant; it is undergoing a lot of developments which is making it even better and also creating a customer friendly environment through better transparency and technology.
