Today, when we talk about logistics it is impossible not to address the topic of innovation in operations. With an increasingly dynamic market, in which our customers seek maximizing your resources, with balanced stocks and fast delivery, the use of technology combined with well-defined processes, it is essential to increase performance in the logistics chain and customer satisfaction.
There are countless tools available on the market, such as the use of automation via IoT (Internet of Things), the use of artificial intelligence to anticipate trends, devices wearables to manage inventory or track deliveries in real time. There's a diverse menu available for application in each business model.
But innovation is not limited to the use of emerging technologies; the application of these new tools must be linked to a mapping and correct definition of processes, in which methodologies such as lean can help with this definition and analyze the added value that each innovation will bring to your customer.
Inserting technologies into your process, just for the sake of it, can generate costs instead of results, therefore carefully analyze the application of the proposed solution is one of the critical success factors for the business.
When people ask me if there's a perfect tool, I say the ideal solution will be the one that best fits your business model and can positively impact your company's bottom line by increasing productivity and optimizing the customer experience. There's no single model that meets all needs, as the market increasingly seeks the personalized service.
Equipment integration using IoT enables performance monitoring, real-time inventory tracking, route optimization, and more. The technology essentially works by integrating various electronic devices via the internet, allowing for action control even via smartphones.
Another way to automation A simple, affordable and high-impact method is the use of RPAs, which are used in most repetitive activities and with established standards, executing these tasks through robots with 24×7 availability (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
Have you ever thought about separating the order even before the customer has requested it?
Yes, it's possible. Through advanced algorithms and a solid historical database, it's possible to predict customer consumption patterns and thus define their purchasing model. anticipating customer demand and consequent loyalty, due to a differentiated customer service.
The complicated term "wearables" is more prevalent in your daily life than you might think. The literal translation refers to "wearable technology," and you might even be using one right now, such as a smartwatch, which provides GPS, heart rate, and other data.
In corporate development this technology is linked to augmented reality processes. A good example is smart glasses, which can be used in equipment maintenance, aiding decision-making and identifying potential failures and repairs. They can also assist in inventory processes and material location in the distribution center. Imagine walking around your warehouse wearing smart glasses, where in real time you can identify items stored in the wrong positions or... SKUs in need of refueling. Awesome, right?
Integration between supply chains has increased exponentially, with collaborative logistics set to make significant progress in the coming years. Resource sharing loads, in addition to optimizing logistics costs, also contribute to a more sustainable process.
Integrating suppliers or even partners from other businesses is not an easy task, as there are points that require a good analysis, such as similarity between routes, material compatibility and reliability in the exchange of information.
A good SLA (Service Level Agreement) between partners and the possibility of using the blockchain in secure data sharing, they can be one of the paths to developing more collaborative and green logistics.
One of the points that has intensified customer interest is the level of information regarding the location of their cargo and delivery times. Whether through the use of satellite technologies, vehicle telemetry, or simply apps that track transportation via geolocation, the information must be used in real time to enhance the customer experience with your company.
With the diversity of tools on the market or even using in-house developers, it is possible to customize the best way to monitor delivery, providing online data to the customer and also useful information for the logistics control tower, enabling proactive action in the event of route deviations or delivery delays.
We could discuss the use of drones, autonomous vehicles, robots for sorting goods, etc. This topic has endless possibilities, and it's essential to "look" at new trends, identify opportunities in your business (I strongly recommend process mapping), and act where it adds the most value for the company and customers.
Using technological tools appropriately boosts business, builds customer loyalty, and increases productivity, always aiming to fulfill the main reason for your company's existence: the CLIENT.
Author: Erike Mendes – Logistics Manager at Aço Cearense
Erike holds a bachelor's degree in Accounting from UECE, an MBA in Business Management from FGV, a postgraduate degree in Corporate Logistics, and is a Lean Manufacturing specialist. She has over 15 years of experience in logistics and has worked as Logistics Manager at Aço Cearense for four years.
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