Changes in long-distance shipments, the importance of access to real-time data from the supply chain and the commitment to new delivery models in the “last mile” will be key to the growth of the transport and logistics sector. Thus Zebra Technologies has highlighted it, identifying these three major technological trends that will affect the transport and logistics sector in 2023.
IT, transport and logistics trends
The main trends highlighted are the following:New strategies for long distance shipments. The transport and logistics sector has long been considered a B2B space, but the reality is that today manufacturers, distributors and retail stores have an increasingly direct relationship with the final consumer and try to send their products at a speed record. For all these reasons, although it is possible that in 2023 an effort will be made to expand the fleets, there will not be a single solution and different factors will have to be taken care of: improving the use of available cargo space, identifying and solving inefficiencies, using technological solutions of predictive planning, offer incentives to attract employees, find ports, air cargo hubs, and secondary tracking routes, and rebalance workforces and work schedules.
Zebra identifies the three big technology trends that will affect the transportation and logistics industry in 2023
Real-time data will drive every decision throughout the entire process, from loading dock to final delivery to the customer. No one should wonder where shipments are or how long they will stay in a certain state. However, this is exactly what is happening. Some people think that it can be motivated by poor planning, but in reality it is a lack of communication and visibility of the data in all steps of the supply chain. AI/machine learning, RFID and advanced tracking solutions can help improve trailer and container utilization at loading docks and platforms like FourKites, which offer an “air traffic control”-like service to monitor chain movements of supply, will be essential to meet delivery deadlines.Commitment to new delivery models for products in the ‘last mile’. The trend that seems to be growing the most is the subcontracting of flexible and hourly delivery companies (Uber type). However, other retailers and restaurants will choose to hire new staff because they don’t want to pay third-party fees and prefer to control shipping, as outsourcing delivery introduces greater risk and can hurt the customer experience. We cannot forget that on many occasions the delivery experience may be the only interaction that the online buyer has with the brand. In this way, shipments from the store itself, the factory or the distributor, as well as the use of new means of transport for them will modify the traditional panorama of the “last mile”.
