There’s no industry around the world that hasn’t felt the impact of advancing technology. In the trucking world, new tech and software has allowed for much better streamlining of logistics—one of the biggest headaches when it comes to keeping a trucking business operational. Just the inclusion of affordable mobile phones has changed the landscape because drivers can stay in touch with the operations center and with the stakeholders at the destination they’re traveling to.
When dealing with a large network of trucks, suppliers, clients, drivers, and an array of other moving parts in your business, keeping the logistics under control is always a challenge. Today, we have so many methods of communication. Plus, we can even get our systems to talk to each other without the need for human input.
Let’s take a look at the top ways logistics in the trucking industry have changed in the digital world, and how they’ll continue t do in the future:
Big Data
There has never been a time when so many people have so much access to information. Data is a critical part of doing business now, and so is the analysis of this information. With so many pieces of the logistics puzzle connected to the internet and each other, it’s possible to gain incredible insights into how your business works. You can then put these insights to work and give your company a solid competitive edge over others in your market.
Companies can now track all aspects of the day-to-day running and how operations change or fluctuate over time. By looking at the day-to-day elements, you can see where hold-ups or bottlenecks are prone to form and which areas of your business need optimizing to operate more efficiently.
By looking at the changes over time, you can begin to plan better for both peak periods and downtime. If you know that you experience a lull in orders over a certain period, you can actively work to find new clients at that time. On the other hand, you can plan ahead for more warehouse space or increase your carrying capacity when you know peak times are coming.
Machine Learning
Artificial intelligence and the way it’s utilized has made impressive leaps forward in recent years. Self-driving vehicles are a reality, and we use AI in our homes all the time with the likes of “Hey Google”, Alexa, and Siri. There is so much data available—as we were just talking about in the point above—that it’s possible for machines to learn how to do mundane tasks quickly and easily, and make it a cost-effective option too.
You can now get machines to do some of the simpler tasks that take up time and utilize your employees on more important or more complex tasks. This frees up employees’ time and improves efficiency.
Machines can also perform repetitive tasks at the same level of skill and accuracy, ensuring your business operates better. Additionally, machines can process information far quicker, meaning that problems like driver allocation or working out optimal routes for fuel and traffic is done at a faster pace.
Combining big data with machine learning, you can have reams of data analyzed in far shorter periods of time than before. This allows you to make almost real-time decisions for your business based on the most relevant and most recent data. This will keep your trucks moving and allow you to ensure collections and deliveries are done efficiently. Improving your logistics in such a way will only improve your company’s bottom line.
Cloud Computing
Computing power was always an issue for smaller businesses due to the cost and complexity of the infrastructure. This was, however, up until recently. Today, cloud computing has become a standard way of operating and makes it possible for even the smallest trucking companies to get the resources they need. The costs are much lower if you’re using a shared server. If you require a dedicated server, the costs increase, but they are quantifiable.
Just one of the major advantages of cloud computing is that you can access the stored information from anywhere. This provides the option for seamless integration and access to data for all employees, as well as any other stakeholders, like suppliers or clients.
The Internet of Things
The Internet of Things (IoT) is essentially connecting machines to the internet so that they can communicate with each other. Even the most complex processes can become automated and function efficiently with little to no human input. In the trucking industry, this technology is utilized in a number of different ways. This includes inventory management, delivery and collection confirmations, predictive maintenance, and real-time tracking of vehicles.
Companies can automate the tracking of their cargo from collection through to delivery, all the way through the supply chain. Drivers can use their smartphones to scan a code to confirm that they have collected cargo. Each item in the truck can even get its own code for scanning so that you can confirm that all the cargo is loaded. Specific loading or care instructions can get conveyed this way too.
The driver’s phone will automatically log that collection has occurred in your system. The driver can then get tracked via GPS, giving the delivery location automated updates on the truck’s progress. Another scan of the cargo at its destination will tell your system that the journey is complete, and an invoice is then sent automatically.
A company’s trucks can connect to the IoT through internal sensors. These sensors keep an eye on the physical state of the vehicle—tire pressure and wear, oil and other fluid levels, the shocks, the brakes, and the engine are all monitored in real-time. Your system can relay information when each vehicle is ready for maintenance or a service. You’ll find that you’re alerted to potential problems before they lead to pricey repairs and downtime, or worse, accidents on the road.
Trucking Into The Future
Trucking and logistics go hand in hand, and the digital world has had a major influence on both already. In the future, we’re likely to see even further advancements as technology continues to improve, and utilizing systems and software becomes the norm.
