Automation is everywhere. IT has become so entrenched in our worlds that we don’t even notice how convenient everything has become.
Grocery stores now take half the time to record purchases, people can do banking from the convenience of their homes, warehouses have quadrupled in size as stored goods are captured in systems and easily retrieved and cars are manufactured at an astonishing pace – our personal lives are busier than ever and technology has adapted to ensure that we can see to our needs on the go.
Logistics Automation
Apart from our daily lives, automation has also made great strides in the logistics industry. Previously, data accuracy was a large hindrance to accurate business decisions. Now, software solutions, such as document management, warehouse systems and transport systems, automatically capture and feed data into organisations’ operating systems. This information is then displayed via user-friendly dashboards and can notify clients of any hindrances to efficiency, any inaccuracies and any areas where improvement for streamlined operations and cost reductions can be achieved.
Today, automation is a crucial link to ensuring successful warehouse management as it highlights inefficiencies in supply chains. WMS systems integrate with other software solutions, thereby enabling companies to integrate admin and operational solutions with their WMS system, providing a 360 degree view of business operations.
This results in both time and cost savings and allows companies to make decisions quicker as all information is available at the decision makers disposal.
The courier industry has also benefited from automation and can track and trace parcels to ensure they reach the right destination at the right time. Integrating track and trace software with transport software further allows these companies to ensure that they are choosing optimal routes and delivering packages in the most time and fuel efficient manner.
Dealing with Complexity
Distribution networks are becoming increasingly complex. As technology advances consumers are becoming increasingly busy and less willing to wait for service delivery. Therefore, companies need to find alternative ways of ensuring service delivery whilst making the process as convenient as possible for consumers.
With the availability of online ordering systems, consumers want to go online, choose their products and have them delivered asap. Companies in the UK are now delivering goods to third party addresses for collection, such as convenience stores, so consumers wont miss the delivery owing to them not being at home.
Consumer expectations are growing along with technology and companies need to adapt to these expectations and need to use the technologies available to them to ensure that potential clients can find them, that their service or product is easily accessible and that delivery will be smooth and efficient,
To assist companies with navigating distribution channels, software systems, such as document management, billing management, online portals, click and collect, track and trace, warehouse management systems, transport management systems, courier management and integration tools are all available to make business processes more efficient, profitable and optimised.