Top 10 technological innovations in the logistics sector
The instability caused by the pandemic and international geopolitical context is making companies re-evaluate their business models and the logistics sector is no exception.
At the moment, the priority of many companies is to face up inflation by cutting down the expenses in their supply chain. And it is in this context where advances in technology are and will be playing an essential role in guaranteeing profitability of many companies in the short and long term.
At the time being, some studies are warning that the company’s level of digitalization impacts its productivity by about 25%, but some experts, such as Mirka Skyzypczak warn that companies with low digital capacity will have small or non-existent possibilities to succeed in the future.
Therefore, it becomes highly important to analyze what are, in the logistics area, the technologies with more capacity to revolutionize the sector.
- Robotics and automation
Did you know that every third robot with a professional purpose has some functions related to transport or goods loading?
What is more, its use is bound to be a very important added value in the logistics sector.
In fact, the turnout of autonomous mobile robots (AMR) increased by 11% in 2021 and one of the factors which explains this surge is precisely adoption of automated solutions by the logistics area.
The majority of these robots are used in indoor logistics centers, such as warehouses, together with workers and are proved to be very useful for repetitive tasks automation in a supply chain.
- Sensors and other automatic identification technologies
Identification and automatic processing technologies help logistics companies control their stocks and storage processes with more precision and efficiency.
In other words: through software and simple systems such as bar codes, companies have a chance to track products throughout the whole supply chain. It is an essential tool in the tracking system which had been a huge challenge in the past.
- Radiofrequency identification (RFID)
Similarly, RFID technology was created as an evolution of a bar code and streamlines exchange of information through radio waves.
This technology is being adopted increasingly, especially in warehouses which require special agility in goods inbound and outbound processes.
It is calculated that the RFID world market was worth $ 11 million in 2021 and it increased to $ 12,2 million in 2022.
- Electronic data interchange (EDI)
EDI is a process which makes possible for two companies to interchange commercial information, such as orders, invoices, advice of dispatch and so on.
It would therefore be a direct connection system able to interchange data between two or more company resources management programs. A very common example would be API technology, a program which works as an intermediary which allows two applications to communicate.
- Internet of things (IoT)
There are more and more devices connected to the net. Not only mobile phones but also intelligent light bulbs and heating systems - internet of things revolution is everywhere.
Regarding the logistics area, it is estimated that the IoT will achieve a value of $ 19.100 million in 2025. The figure impresses even more if we compare it with the 2015 value which was registered as $ 2.270.
- Clothing accessories
In relation with the previous point, portable technology, such as smart glasses and watches or voice controlled devices can improve warehouses communication and management, improving also their efficiency, safety and productivity.
- Cloud storage
Cloud technology allows a centralized storage of information in business; in other words, information is reachable from any point, in contrast with the old local servers.
This offers companies a greater scalability, safety, flexibility and efficiency.
In fact, this study concluded that 54% of companies have been increasing their investments in information technology, establishing cloud storage systems as a priority in order to achieve a more resilient, economic and safe system.
- Autonomous vehicles
It is predicted that autonomous or driverless vehicles will become common in the next ten years, which is a closely observed progress by the logistics, bearing in mind the weight of transporting among its activities.
For a few years now, some operations in logistics centers have been carried out by this kind of vehicles, but the second step will be their entry onto public roads.
- 3D printing
It is predicted that 53% of companies will embrace it in the next five years, companies from different areas such as car industry, defense, health or retail trade, and logistics sector will not be an exception.
- Drones
Drones have a broad range of applications which converts them into a fundamental pillar also for the logistics sector. In this case, we should think of bar codes scanning or reduction of the need for expensive heavy machinery, such as forklift trucks.
Taking a step further, there already are some development programs, such as Amazon Prime Air, which foresees ability to carry out deliveries to customers by drones in the next few years.
In Nordlogway, we are committed to technologic investment as a way to keep improving our services and profitability of our business, in both internal context and for our customers.
Our effort has been focused on both equipping our new facilities, such as our recent logistics center in Manlleu and restoring our older logistics centers. A good example is our recent investment in pallet storage cutting-edge technology.