Use of Technology in Logistics

Featured Article by Robert Cordray, Independant Technology Author

Technology Advances Logistics

For many years, logistics was guided by human management. As technology advanced, the logistics industry realized the advantages of investing in hi-tech equipment that reduced error and created higher quality service for customers. One of the best advantages of technology used by the logistic industry is the hi-tech tracking of shipments domestically and globally. Yet, there were still more hi-tech advancements that would make a marked difference in logistic services.

Using Technology in Logistics and Supply Chain

The speed with which logisticians can set up shipments from warehouses to shipping docks helped has created a sophisticated turnkey operation. For the supply chain, technology like computerized inventory systems can track the locations of products with a wider range of the distribution center. Internally, digital readouts on material handling instruments and equipment like stackers, vacuum lift systems and lift tables provide maximum accuracy for each type of instrumentation and equipment operation. For example, a conveyor belt scale has a speed sensor that allows for stringent weighing of commercial products and also an invoicing application.

Two Actionable Ways Business Owners Use Technology and Improve Efficiency

In logistics, identifying content in containers is extremely important for federal compliance purposes. For international logistics, accurate identification is vital. In addition to pro forma invoices and bills of lading, from the point at which shipments are trucked or sent by rail from a warehouse to its final destination domestically or internationally, tracking by logistics managers has to be timely and cost-effective and all products transported must be properly labeled. There are two actionable ways business owners use technology and improve efficiency. These include:

. Hi-tech tracking with GPS tracking devices

. Printing shipping labels to reduce shipping errors

A Full-scale Logistics/Supply Chain Procedure

The logistics manager generally sets up communication between the warehouse and distribution center, the specific method of transport used and receiver of goods. In the warehouse and distribution center, the request for shipment of specified goods is done through a hi-tech inventory software application.

Preparing Goods for Shipment

In the warehouse and distribution center, the goods are prepared for shipment, once they are weighed and palleted. Next, the shipping containers are labeled with a bar code, safety or hazard label or special handling instructions. These labels greatly reduce shipping errors, particularly when the goods are shipped internationally. Today’s shipping labels are available in software applications that print shipping labels in quantity and with variable choices of labels.

Transporting Goods and Tracking

The truck or rail transporter is linked through the hi-tech, online tracking chain once the transport arrangements are finalized. The receiver of the goods is kept abreast of the shipment in the same way as the logistics manager: a hi-tech GPS system that details the transport of the goods along the prescribed transport route.

Business Owners Improve Efficiency

Efficiency results in greater savings of time and money for business owners. When business owners take the time to improve or upgrade their logistics and supply chain actions and technology, there is faster turnaround on calculating shipping costs, filling customer orders, faster customer billing and greater customer satisfaction. For business owners, technology represents the sum total of the ways that their daily workflow can be enhanced. In many businesses, there is also a direct link between accounting, labeling and tracking software. For example, an accounting system may be linked to the supply chain and logistics system through inventory control module that’s part of the accounting application.

Investing in today’s technological trends is one way that business owners stay current with business practices, while increasing overall productivity in logistics and supply chain procedures. Having the ability to identify the location of a special order in a distribution center with seconds shows clearly how efficiency is improved. In logistics, having hi-tech access to weigh scales with optimal accuracy, label printers for shipping and links to customer invoicing, inventory control and purchasing modules in accounting software, completes the cycle of efficiency business owners need most.