How Has Technology Transformed the Logistics Industry?

Previously, customers would receive an “estimated delivery” at best. In the world of Next Day Delivery and instant gratification for online shopping, consumers want to know exactly when they will receive their products.

With the evolution of Shipment Tracking Systems, users can log into a website to view live progress of their order and even have notifications sent directly to their smartphone or tablet.

These tracking systems not only improve the quality of service for the customer but also reduce the costs for the logistics company.

Before this technology was introduced the only way to track your shipment or request a change was to pick up the phone and call the delivery company directly. Each of these requests for tracking would be extremely time consuming, especially if you were dealing with thousands of deliveries each day.

Allowing customers to track, make changes and even let the driver know that they are going to be out or to leave their package with a neighbour has completely transformed the way that the logistics industry operates.

In today’s world, everything is connected. With wireless technology leading the way, you are now able to connect with devices that you would never have imagined being able to just a few years ago.

This is why it is called the Internet of Things (IoT). No longer is the internet restricted to your computer, phones and tablets, you can now control your heating, lights and even answer your door from your phone with a camera while you are at work.

This continued change in technology is helping to change the face of the logistics industry. Sensors can be installed in delivery vans to allow people to pinpoint exactly where a shipment is, parcels can be tracked through the warehouses with wireless technology and stock management can be handled digitally with hand-held scanners.

As this technology grows the logistics industry will continue to adopt new services to help streamline the delivery process.

Drones and autonomous vehicles are no longer something that only exists in movies.

Although still in development, Amazon is leading the field in drone delivery technology with their research into the Amazon Prime Air project.

This project will allow users to make a purchase online and have it delivered by drone within 30 minutes or less.

While there have been some hiccups in the development, and a minefield of legal tape to get through, the team at Amazon are confident that Amazon Prime Air will be the service of the future and available within the next few years.

The days of getting the AA Road Map out from behind your seat are long gone and the future is GPS. With the developments in GPS technology, logistics companies can now track the best possible route from A to B.

This process not only increases the efficiency of the planning process but allows drivers to receive re-directions and traffic updates as they happen.

Getting from A-B quicker means happier customers and increased driver capacity.

These are just some of the ways that technology has transformed logistics over the past 5 years. In the next few years, we expect to see more changes in the way technology affects our everyday lives.

These changes will keep transforming the way that logistics companies do business and provide service to their end users.

Will the future of logistics be mini-airports for delivery drones? Only time will tell. But, one thing we do know is the technology is no longer a fantasy, and it is here to stay.

If you’re on the lookout for professional logistics advice or are considering outsourcing your business’ supply chain management, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of our team here at Allegro Logistics. We have over 60 years of experience in the industry and are dedicated to providing cost-effective and customer focused logistics solutions to clients all over the globe.

Talk to us today.