Technological developments within logistics are following each other at a rapid pace. Reports of robotisation are almost the order of the day. According to logistics service provider Ceracis, a technological revolution therefore awaits us that is mainly about speed, accuracy, safety and an improved delivery process.
3D printing shortens the supply chain
The concept of 3D printing has been under discussion since the 1980s. However, it is only recently that the technology has really taken off and been adopted by a large number of people. In the logistics sector, if 3D printers become cheaper in the future, they will primarily serve to shorten the supply chain. Manufacturers will then be able to print on demand, so stock levels will fall. This will also reduce the need for large warehouses. That does not mean there will be less work for logistics service providers. They can shift their focus to transporting raw materials, rather than finished products.
Products no longer go missing thanks to the Internet of Things
The Internet of Things (IoT) can be used to track individual products. Through Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), all the different chips can communicate with one another, making vast amounts of data available. This has beneficial consequences for logistics service providers. Products are less likely to go missing and are no longer included in the wrong orders. This is because a notification immediately prevents such errors. Furthermore, damage to products can be prevented by alerts in the event of temperatures that are too cold or too hot, or excessive humidity.
Drones are speeding up delivery times
Major players such as Amazon and Google are already experimenting with delivery drones, but strict legislation means the service does not seem likely to take off for the time being. Nevertheless, it is only a matter of time before drones become commonplace for delivering small items. The devices are small, light, inexpensive and can reach places that are difficult to access. This could be a godsend for delivery drivers, particularly in city centres.
Self-driving cars are driving down transport costs
For the time being, the idea of roads full of self-driving cars still sounds like a distant dream. However, developments are progressing so rapidly that driverless transport could well become the norm. This would be beneficial for transport costs, as a third of current costs are currently spent on drivers’ wages. What’s more, robots are likely to be better drivers than humans. They don’t use their phones at the wheel, don’t get aggressive in traffic and are unlikely to lose concentration. As a result, the number of road accidents will fall significantly.
Augmented Reality speeds up order picking and delivery times
Augmented reality (AR) offers a different perspective on the world around you. For example, smart glasses enable an order picker in the warehouse to see where they need to be in a flash. What’s more, such glasses provide staff with immediate information about a parcel’s contents, weight and final destination. This will lead to faster (and more accurate) handling of the entire process.
Editorial LogistiekProfs
