MOBILE LOGISTICS TRENDS TO KNOW

The increasing popularity of mobile and its instant connectivity feature has led to a dramatic shift in the way logistic operations are carried out around the world. With a large percentage of the world population using smartphones and accessible 24/7, businesses have had to change their working to include mobile-friendly technologies in the provision of their services. Recognizing the power of mobiles, more and more companies are incorporating apps that integrate and connect directly to business systems.

Powerful software solutions that can be integrated with mobile phones allow logistics providers to streamline communication to their mobile workforce, customers and consignees across various business models. These solutions are designed in such a way that they can run on all major mobile platforms including iOS, Android, Windows Phone and Windows mobile.

MOBILES BENEFITS BOTH SERVICE PROVIDERS AND CUSTOMERS

Mobiles have emerged as excellent tools to enhance the level of connectivity between various parties involved in a logistics business. The development of logistics management apps that connect and integrate directly to business systems not only allows the service providers to keep track of the movement of the goods but also allow customers to check the status of their deliveries. The use of mobile apps allows businesses and their employees to manage everything from a single device.

Some major trends in the logistics segment are:

  • Use of GPS Tracking: The inclusion of an integrated GPS system in the mobile allows all logistic providers to accurately locate and track the movement of all the drivers and the delivery personnel. This also helps in avoiding transportation delays besides better managing customer expectations. Adequate contingency plans can also be developed with the help of the available tracking data.
  • Automation of Processes: This allows mobile apps to generate reports and monitor performance metrics. These apps can provide alerts and notifications of key information thereby boosting data flow.
  • Inclusion of Modern technologies: The incorporation of modern technologies in mobile phones allows them to be used as cameras, handheld computers, barcode and label printers, scanners, RFID tags, GPS, voice recognition software and shared logistic networks. Smartphones are fast replacing ruggedized devices and combining several technologies to offer complete mobile solutions for logistics management.
  • Geofence Automation: This feature leads to better accountability and compliance by identifying pickup or delivery locations for arrival and departure timestamps based on the entrance and exit of an address specific Geofence.
  • 5G: This offers higher network capacity and lower latency than its predecessor. With 5G, mobile phones will become even more powerful for getting work done with efficiency. With broader coverage and more stable connections, there will be increased visibility into the logistics of moving items.

With the onset of the pandemic, manufacturers, retailers, participants of supply chains, and consumers have become more dependent on smartphones.

Mobile technologies allow businesses to get greater visibility in the performance of their supply chain and identify opportunities to improve productivity and reduce costs. The technology has made it possible for logistics companies to work defensively and instead enabled them to take preemptive measures by analyzing the data to make informed forecasts.