The Impact of Technology on the Logistics Industry: How technology is changing the way we transport Cargo?

Innovation and technology are two factors that are causing a change in the logistics industry. A world that was once bound to manual labor and old practices to get work done now relies on technology to do more than half of the work.

Those who conduct cargo shipment related business are fortunate today, as logistics has become faster, more secure, more reliable, and more convenient as technology has evolved and advanced.

This is so because technology reduces time spent on logistics, and the supply chain in general and provides real-time data to track shipments. Moreover, it allows for fast delivery, and most importantly, it also allows us (the client as well as the server) to get access to information at the click of a button.

If you look back at the logistics process, you will see a drastic change. Everything used to be done manually, such as taking orders, loading shipments, and providing slips, but it is now computerized and less stressful.

Sure, technology can error sometimes, but the chances of errors have declined drastically.

Then and now: how has technology changed logistics?

Earlier, when a client would want a shipment to be delivered, he or she would first have to book a shipment and then receive an estimated date of delivery.

The whole process was manual and tedious. Moreover, there was no security, a lack of information due to a lack of communication, several unaccounted threats (both internal and external), and the list goes on.

Tracking shipments was next to impossible because real-time information wasn’t provided, and only once the client made a phone call about the shipment process or stage of shipment would he or she get the information s/he needed.

Today, we can do everything online, be it placing a shipment, tracking it, availing of customs clearance, or purchasing additional features such as extra security, insurance, and so on.

Thanks to technology, services are available to us at the click of a button.

In other words, technology has made logistics more convenient and less expensive. Additional services such as insurance, warehousing, added security measures, and so forth can be availed of online from the company, which is time-saving and also less expensive.

Below are a few ways technology has changed logistics and cargo transportation.

• Real time tracking of shipments: remember those days when you would have to physically go to a cargo shipment firm to place an order and then stay in the dark for days about your shipment? Well, that is not the case anymore. With real-time tracking of cargo shipments, customers can now track their consignment via their phone, laptop, or desktop and raise queries as and when needed. Updated GPS allows customers and businesses to keep tabs on things such as the supply chain, shipment, and successful delivery of the items.
  
• Updated security measures: to keep your consignment secure and safe, many cargo solution providers provide real-time security features such as alarm sensors to ensure your consignment is in safe hands and flags off a report, sends off an alert, or issues an SOS message if anything were to happen to it.
  Moreover, with added security measures like tags and CCTV cameras, theft of consignments has also been reduced.
  
• For inventory: with the help of software, companies can keep track of the inventory at hand and raise an inquiry on low stocks. This way, businesses won’t have to lose out on business and can meet the demands of their customers more efficiently.
  
• Drones for delivery: Although not every business uses drones to deliver smaller items, there are a few innovative firms that have implemented this model for faster delivery. Amazon in the U.S. uses drones to deliver small packages that the drone can carry; however, in other countries where drone shipments and use are still scrutinized, traditional air, sea, and land cargo is still preferred.

In a nutshell, we can say that technology has reshaped the whole logistics industry in a positive way. With increased productivity andreduced costs and errors, customers are more satisfied, and businesses are making more profits.

Moreover, since technology keeps developing, the demands and needs of customers and businesses will continue to be met.

At Asian cargo, we provide reliable and efficient land, sea, and air cargo services in Abu Dhabi. Get in touch with us today for a more exciting cargo experience.