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Tag: AI

Industrial AI Momentum Showcased

Posted on by David Priestman

The fifth edition of IFS Connect 2025 drew a record-breaking crowd of more than 500 participants from across Central and Eastern Europe, reinforcing the event’s growing significance as a premier platform for digital innovation in logistics, manufacturing, and enterprise operations, reports Peter MacLeod, Logistics Business Editor.

Held in Warsaw, the conference brought together industry leaders, customers, and technology partners to explore how Industrial AI and cloud-based ERP solutions are transforming business operations in high-impact sectors. At the heart of the event was the unveiling of customer success stories, new product insights, and recognition of standout organisations through IFS’s Business Transformation Awards.

Industrial AI Takes Centre Stage

This year’s IFS Connect focused heavily on Industrial AI, positioning it as the foundation for modern enterprise strategy. The theme resonated with attendees from industries such as logistics, energy, and manufacturing, where automation, predictive analytics, and end-to-end process integration are mission-critical.

“Industrial AI is no longer an option, it is the foundation of modern business,” said Marek Głazowski, President of IFS Poland & Eastern Europe. “It allows companies not just to optimise operations, but to forecast and adapt to future disruptions.”

Cathie Hall, IFS Chief Customer Officer, added: “AI is the biggest shift since the cloud. We’ve invested 20% of our R&D budget into AI over the past year, and demand for IFS.ai is accelerating. Our customers are ready, and so are we.”

Awards Celebrate Digital Leadership

A highlight of the event was the IFS Business Transformation Awards, which honoured companies achieving exceptional progress in digital transformation. Winners included:

• Grupa Kęty: Recognised as a Business Transformation Leader for its successful launch of IFS Cloud in its Extruded Products segment. The ERP rollout covered sales, logistics, finance, warehouse management, and production planning, benefiting over 6,000 employees and integrating with MES, TMS, and other systems.
• Wuteh and ZPAS: Also named in the Business Transformation Leader category for their advances in process optimisation and full-scale IFS Cloud integration, respectively.
• GZ Media (CZ): Honoured as Innovative Business for leveraging IFS Cloud to enhance operational agility in vinyl record production.
• Kilargo: Received the Implementation Excellence award for its smooth system deployment in the food and beverage sector.
• Gamet: Named Reference Client of the Year for its collaborative knowledge-sharing efforts within the IFS ecosystem.
• KAN: Awarded Digital Transformation Architect for leading bold change in the installation systems industry.
• Arkadiusz Szafrański of Mikomax: Named the first-ever IFS Brand Ambassador for championing IFS values and technology adoption.

“These companies exemplify how forward-thinking strategy, combined with modern tools like IFS Cloud, leads to measurable business success,” said Głazowski.

ERP Benchmark

One of the most compelling case studies at IFS Connect was that of Grupa Kęty, a leader in aluminium profiles and components. The company announced the completion of the first phase of its IFS Cloud deployment, aimed at streamlining operations and improving data flow across departments such as production, logistics, and finance.

“This was more than an IT project, it was a company-wide transformation,” said Roch Jasiaczek, IT Director at Grupa Kęty. “The success lies in close collaboration between our teams and IFS, enabling us to customise solutions for real-world industry needs.” “We now have a scalable, flexible platform that supports both current needs and future expansion,” added Rafał Warpechowski, CFO of Grupa Kęty.

As IFS Connect 2025 wrapped up, one message stood clear: Industrial AI and integrated cloud systems are reshaping logistics and manufacturing at scale. From predictive maintenance to real-time process automation, companies embracing digital transformation are gaining the agility needed to stay competitive in a volatile market. With continued investment in AI and strong partnerships across sectors, IFS looks well-placed to play a pivotal role in the digital future of B2B operations.

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AI-based Contract Logistics

Posted on by David Priestman

Better stock accuracy and planning can be achieved with AI, in the Gulf and elsewhere, writes Trevor Stamp (pictured below), Head of Contract Logistics, GAC Dubai.

The Middle East has rapidly grown in prominence as a key distribution hub in response to global boom in online retail and e-commerce sparked by the pandemic.

Consumer habits were permanently changed by lockdown, prompting greater demand for warehousing, fulfilment and cargo processing capacity in a region that sits strategically at the crossroads of key trade routes linking Asia to Europe. That trend shows no signs of slowing. Just in the last six month, we have witnessed an increase in trade of almost 20% in the e-commerce sector, owing to an earlier than expected peak season for the holiday period as many sought earlier deliveries to avoid the risks associated with a potentially disruptive supply chain.

To help retailers meet higher consumer expectations, the Middle East’s logistics sector is investing in core infrastructure and processes to handle growing volumes of cargo and increasingly complex supply chains.

Trevor Stamp, GAC Dubai

Greater use is being made of AI-based technologies as the sector moves beyond a ‘pallet in, pallet out’ business model and towards a future that focuses on the cross-docking setups that are more suited to e-commerce. This approach becomes even more important when you consider the scale of modern logistics operations in the region.

AI-phobia

In Dubai, for example, GAC’s contract logistics operation has grown to be able to process enough throughput to fill its 4,300 m³ base, which includes more than 250,000 pallet locations and 300,000 pick faces. Handling such a volume of cargo on a daily basis demands a digital structure that incorporates modern agile processes, including automation, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blockchain and the Internet of Things.

GAC’s recent adoption of the Manhattan SCALE platform for some of its contract logistics operations is a clear example of that next step. By embracing AI into day-to-day operations, our teams have more access to greater planning capabilities, labour management tools and forecasting elements – all critical ingredients for success in a booming e-commerce market.

Already, the advantages of using AI to facilitate better stock accuracy and planning capabilities are clear – throughput at our Dubai hub by more than 15%. To thrive in this new era, the Middle East logistics sector must embrace technology and new digital ways of working. But we must also be wary of the potential risks and obstacles.

Some apprehension – or even suspicion – is inevitable when adopting new software, particularly when AI is involved. Workforces that have been working a certain way for an extended period time will likely push back on major changes to their day-to-day working processes. Such ‘AI phobia’ is linked to misunderstanding the benefits it offers for efficiency, data security and reliability.

This is something we have experienced firsthand at GAC. Some of our tenured professionals have been working in a certain way at our warehouse for more than 25 years, so a major shakeup was bound to be met with some uncertainty. We helped ease our people through that emotional curve by switching on functions slowly, reallocating resources and personnel accordingly, and continuously educating our teams on how the system works to their advantage. Adopting AI-based software at GAC Dubai has been the biggest shake-up in contract logistics operation in more than two decades, but we have been able slowly upskill our team, bringing benefits to both our workforce and our customers.

Despite some initial skepticism and AI-phobia, the transition has been welcomed and the long-term competitive benefits have already begun bearing fruit. If the Middle East is to remain at the epicentre of modern logistics, change is a must to ensure the region’s long-term competitiveness in a constantly evolving market.

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Four Myths About AI in Transport and Logistics

Posted on by David Priestman

AI’s transformative influence on the transport and logistics industry is significant, but there are still many misconceptions that need addressing, writes Bernhard Schmaldienst (pictured), Senior Director Transport Execution and Visibility Products, Transporeon (a Trimble company).

This is common for new technology. Change can be challenging, and while it is an incredible tool that has helped businesses streamline operations, cut costs, and improve efficiency, it will take time before all AI myths are debunked.

Time is running so let us get to work so we can speed the process up. Myths and misinformation about AI lead to resistance, slowing the adoption process down, meaning the supply chain industry will lag behind and miss out on the real benefits AI has to offer. So, let’s tackle four common myths and set the record straight with real-world insights and evidence.

Myth 1: AI-powered transportation is expensive and doesn’t deliver measurable savings

The reality: Like any tool, AI-powered transportation solutions have a cost to start with, but they deliver rapid returns, often within weeks. By leaning on automation and data-driven decision-making, AI cuts costs and makes the whole operation significantly more efficient. The proof: Companies using AI-driven freight procurement solutions have achieved measurable savings. AI-driven autonomous procurement tools integrate seamlessly with existing transport management systems, and for a leading FMCG customer, they have been proven to reduce freight costs by more than 10% while simultaneously cutting down on manual workloads by 80%. One global food and beverages company reported securing lower spot rates while reallocating team resources to higher-value tasks.

Myth 2: AI-powered transportation requires big internal changes

The reality: Quite the contrary. Over the past five years, the logistics and supply chain industry has seen a lot of changes, and AI has been a big part of that. Earlier-stage AI-powered solutions required time to adapt, though now they are designed to integrate seamlessly with existing systems for easy adoption. The proof: Many businesses have implemented AI solutions without overhauling their existing processes. Autonomous procurement solutions, for example, can connect via APIs, facilitating quick adoption with minimal disruption. The ‘big internal change’ in this instance would then be that the team spends less time on simple activities like accepting offers and more time on value-adding, strategic tasks. In other words, there is a degree of internal change – but it’s beneficial, not disruptive.

Myth 3: AI-powered transportation adds little value and can’t actively perform critical tasks

The reality: AI isn’t purely about automation anymore. It now actively improves decision-making, helping people optimize procurement, pricing, and carrier selection, resulting in better and faster decisions. The proof: AI earned its place as an established tool in logistics. For instance, AI-driven procurement solutions identify the best transportation capacity at the most competitive rates, lowering cost and increasing efficiency. A logistics company using AI-powered tools saw a 7–12% reduction in freight expenses while increasing automation, letting their teams focus on important negotiations instead of day-to-day transactions.

Myth 4: AI-powered transportation damages relationships with carrier partners

The reality: It’s the other way around. AI actually strengthens relationships with carriers by ensuring transparency, in-market pricing, and efficiency. It doesn’t replace human interactions – it strengthens them. The proof: Many AI-powered procurement platforms provide carriers with instant visibility into available shipments and instant pricing. With features like ‘buy-it-now’ options, carriers can accept shipments with confidence. One logistics leader noted that AI freed time up for the team to build stronger partnerships instead of being bogged down by manual negotiations and coordination activities.

Conclusion? AI is a strategic asset, not a liability

Companies in the transportation and logistics industry are under constant pressure to cut costs, improve efficiency, and adapt to shifting market dynamics. AI-powered solutions are not just another tech trend, they’re a tried and tested approach. Companies that embrace AI are already seeing considerable cost savings, streamlined operations, and strengthened relationships with carriers and partners. Rather than fearing AI, businesses should see it as a tool that complements human expertise, automates routine tasks, and empowers teams to focus on strategic growth.
The key takeaway? AI in transportation is all about helping people to work smarter, and achieve better results more efficiently.

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National Supply Chain Day

Posted on by David Priestman

‘National Supply Chain Day’ is taking place in the USA today. Chris Coote, Head of Product at Dexory, comments on how technology, such as AI and robotics, is enhancing resilience across modern supply chains.

“National Supply Chain Day is time to recognise the transformative impact of technology across modern supply chains. Warehouses are more than just storage spaces – they’re strategic, tech-enabled hubs seamlessly connecting supply with demand. AI is revolutionising supply chain management, addressing challenges like visibility, inventory optimisation and operational efficiency. With real-time tracking and predictive analytics, businesses can make faster and more informed decisions, helping build resiliency and enabling companies to anticipate disruptions and respond proactively.

“Adding robotics into this mix means resiliency only grows. Robotic systems collect precise inventory data, which AI analyses to detect discrepancies, forecast trends, and optimise stock levels. By reducing time to insight to speed up decision making, reduces manual effort, minimises errors and improves productivity. Ultimately, supply chain technology isn’t just about streamlining operations – it’s fundamentally transforming how businesses connect products with people in our increasingly complex global supply chain.”

National Supply Chain Day is celebrated on April 29th every year to mark the binding importance of global logistics in the everyday lives of people. The goal is to bring stakeholders together to share recent developments in the field. Introduced in 2020 by a Georgia-based packaging outlet, it aims to raise awareness about the way logistics affects all of us, and how we can be better partners and benefactors of the global system.

In the last 30 years, the supply chain has evolved from being an amalgam of various sub-specialties to a distinctive and globally valued industry. Today, students can study in supply chain management and build a career in the field. The scattered links of the industry are finally coming together under an umbrella, intending to develop devoted talent from the start. The emergence of machine learning and artificial intelligence has also brought forward a tremendous change in the way operations unfold in the industry.

This day emphasizes the dependence on this industry. The central tagline of the observation is ‘Every link in the supply chain matters,’ which conveys the importance of multiple channels and workers at all levels of logistics who keep the goods moving. The word ‘link’ also signifies the underlying importance of our interconnected and interlinked world. A missing link can hamper the entire operation and jeopardize businesses across the world, which later impacts all of us.

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Google’s Logistics Partner of the Year Announced

Posted on by Will Priestman

Manhattan Associates Inc has received ​the 2025 ​Google Cloud Partner of the Year Award for Supply Chain and Logistics. This prestigious award highlights Manhattan’s role as a​n​ innovator within the Google Cloud ecosystem, its commitment to driving customer success, and its pioneering application of Agentic AI and Generative AI (GenAI) within the Manhattan Active® Suite over the past year.

“Google Cloud’s Partner Awards recognize partners who have created outsized value for customers through the delivery of innovative solutions and a high level of expertise,” said Kevin Ichhpurani, President, Global Partner Ecosystem, Google Cloud. “We’re proud to announce Manhattan Associates as a 2025 Google Cloud Partner Award winner and celebrate their impact enabling customer success over the past year.”

“We are honored to be recognized as Google Cloud’s 2025 ​Business Applications Partner of the Year Award for Supply Chain and Logistics​,” said Sanjeev Siotia, executive vice president and CTO, Manhattan Associates. “This award is a testament to the deep collaboration between Manhattan and Google Cloud, as we work together to bring cutting-edge cloud infrastructure, data analytics, Agentic AI and GenAI capabilities to our joint customers. We look forward to continuing this partnership and driving the future of resilient, AI-driven supply chains and omnichannel commerce.”

At the core of Manhattan’s AI-powered innovations is Manhattan Active® Assist; an intelligent, contextual GenAI assistant designed to transform how users interact with the Manhattan Active solutions. Included with all Manhattan Active subscriptions, Manhattan Assist provides a natural language summary of how applications are currently configured and gives instant, accurate responses to questions about product functionality, API structures and more, across multiple personas, roles, and functions.

Manhattan Active® Maven is the company’s Agentic AI offering – an AI powered agent infused with order, payment, store location, and product availability information to deliver personalized, contextual customer service, akin to those delivered by human agents. Built on an Agentic AI platform and Google Gemini​ models​, Manhattan Active Maven is easy to implement and embeds seamlessly with websites and mobile applications, deflecting customer service inquiries, while boosting customer satisfaction and loyalty.

“Manhattan Active Assist and Manhattan Active Maven showcase the real-world power of AI in supply chain and logistics, driving unprecedented levels of personalization, productivity, and cost-savings. Manhattan’s continued partnership with Google Cloud enables us to deliver scalable, resilient and innovative solutions that address the complex challenges of modern supply chain networks,” Siotia finished.

Recently, Manhattan and Google Cloud collaborated on the second edition of the Unified Commerce Benchmark—the industry’s only analysis of unified commerce in specialty retail based on real-world purchases, returns, and customer interactions across digital and physical channels.  The 2025 edition revealed the common attributes of the most successful retailers, tangible retail best practices, and key opportunities to enhance customer value through modernized operations.

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New Tech Service to Automate Warehouse Inventories

Posted on by David Priestman

Telefónica Tech, Telefónica’s digital business unit, and Dexory, robotics and data intelligence company, have announced their alliance to promote automated warehouse management.

Both companies will combine their technological capabilities to digitally transform the logistics sector with an innovative service that combines Telefónica Tech’s IoT connectivity and its integration capabilities with Dexory’s AI-powered digital twin platform DexoryView.

DexoryView uses fully autonomous robots to gather vast amounts of data from warehouses. The robots use advanced optical cameras and LiDAR sensors. These sensors allow Dexory’s robots to measure distances and map spaces and are capable of scanning up-to 10,000 locations per hour.

The data gathered by the robots is analysed in real-time and visualised on the DexoryView platform thanks to Telefónica Tech’s IoT connectivity, providing powerful and accurate information of the inventory accuracy as well as suggestions on optimising the warehouse space. The robots deployed in the warehouse capture data in real time on the status, volume, dimensions and location of the items, using identifiers and barcodes.

Automate Warehouse Inventories

In addition, thanks to its integration capabilities and specialisation in the industrial sector, Telefónica Tech will be in charge of integrating this service with the customers’ Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) to synchronise and comprehensively manage all warehouse operations (location of materials, stock management, task and resource planning, goods in and out, demand planning, etc.).

Alfredo Serret, Global Director IoT at Telefónica Tech, explains: “The alliance with Dexory allows us to strengthen our portfolio of digital services for the industrial sector, which plays a key role in the country’s competitiveness. This service, which combines Dexory’s robotic technology and AI with our IoT capabilities, will enable logistics, distribution and manufacturing companies to simplify the warehouse inventory process by providing them with real-time visibility and accurate data”.

Oana Jinga, Chief Commercial and Product Officer and Co-Founder at Dexory, says: “As in all areas of business, data is key to driving businesses forward. With DexoryView, warehouse operators and managers are able to tap into rich data that will help them strategically guide their businesses forward and unlock new opportunities for them. Partnering with Telefonica Tech will allow Dexory to scale our solutions quickly in the Spanish market and unlock the power of real-time data in warehouses across the region.”

Total control and optimisation of operations

The launch of this service will revolutionize the daily activity of the logistics sector, which will move from having outdated inventory reports to automating the process to have total control of what happens in warehouses and be able to identify inefficiencies and optimize operations. Connected autonomous robots will reduce inventory errors and provide companies with more accurate data on which to base better business decisions. They will also speed up the search for empty locations so that space can be managed more efficiently and will also shorten the time taken to investigate and resolve problems such as the search for lost objects or the detection of erroneous product references.

The warehouse inventory automation service will help the sector to accurately forecast demand, stock and capacity, and will guarantee greater safety by delegating to robots many of the higher-risk tasks that employees have previously performed.

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Maximising AI Success in Supply Chain with Clean Data

Posted on by David Priestman

Clean data can maximise supply chain success, writes Mark Holmes, Senior Advisor for Supply Chain at InterSystems.

Artificial intelligence (AI), from traditional machine learning to recent generative AI, holds immense potential to revolutionise global supply chains by enabling adaptive decision-making. The approach refines predictions to meet evolving consumer demands, enhancing demand forecasting, streamlining fulfilment despite supply disruptions, and unlocking a range of innovative possibilities.

The global supply chain AI market is showing strong growth. According to Meticulous Research, it is expected to surge to US$58.55 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 40.4% from 2024 to 2031. Yet, as more organisations implement AI across their supply chain operations, harnessing accurate, clean, and unified data remains a critical challenge. AI is only as effective as the data it processes. Inaccurate or fragmented data leads to flawed outcomes and erodes trust in AI-driven systems.

Achieving Data Quality

The good news is that regardless of where an organisation stands in its AI journey, there is still time to build the necessary data foundations, without the need for a risky rip-and-replace of legacy systems. However, ensuring data quality is not easy. Supply chain data streams originate from many disparate sources, including enterprise systems, IBP applications, suppliers, demand pattern changes, warehousing, and transportation systems. If these diverse sources are not harmonised, AI models may produce flawed outputs that prompt manual checks and redundant oversight, ultimately undermining efficiency.

Real-time data is equally critical. Supply chains involve numerous variables, from supplier availability to weather patterns, that can change rapidly. Analysing delays or disruptions in near-real time and acting swiftly on these insights can mean the difference between effectively managing an issue or missing a critical opportunity. Access to timely data is the first step toward harnessing AI for more accurate forecasts, adaptive planning, and proactive interventions.

The Role of Connective Technology

Creating the right data strategy requires modern solutions that act as a “connective tissue,” linking diverse data sources and formats. When deployed effectively, these solutions consolidate relational, non-relational, and streaming data without forcing a complete overhaul of core systems. This data unification enables immediate analysis, ensuring that AI models have a dependable, comprehensive picture of the supply chain at all times.

Beyond unification, connective technology cleans, standardises, and enriches data before any AI algorithms are applied. Such thorough preparation reduces the risk of inaccurate outputs and helps maintain confidence in AI-driven recommendations.

Evaluating Existing AI Implementations

Even as organisations begin deploying AI for use cases like demand sensing and order fulfilment, it is essential to access the right data in motion or at rest. Inconsistent or incomplete data might cause AI to overlook critical warning signs, produce skewed forecasts, or struggle to align inventory levels with real-world conditions.

Companies should regularly audit their data pipelines to pinpoint errors, such as missing entries or mismatched formats. Addressing any gaps, and ensuring the data remains fresh, can make AI models more robust and reduce long-term costs. By creating transparent feedback loops, supply chain leaders can monitor AI outcomes and measure them against established performance metrics. This approach helps determine whether refinements in data management or the AI models themselves are necessary.

From Foundational Data to Practical Results

After laying a strong data framework, organisations can more confidently progress toward advanced analytics, machine learning, and decision support tools that significantly improve supply chain efficiency. Predictive and prescriptive insights powered by both machine learning and latest genAI, can then be integrated directly into operational processes. Whether the goal is to handle demand fluctuations, optimise supplier networks, or accurately forecast inventory requirements, AI-driven analysis is most effective when powered by unified, trustworthy data.

Looking ahead, AI’s relevance in supply chain management will only grow as technologies evolve and businesses strive to stay flexible. AI can help with data availability, business insights, data-driven actions, etc. By making data integrity a priority, organisations establish a practical base for advanced solutions that yield real value. This means gathering, integrating, and using data in ways that support both present objectives and long-term growth.

Strong data practices ultimately open the door to AI-driven innovations that help supply chain leaders adapt at speed, reduce costs, and enhance customer satisfaction. With a clear focus on maintaining clean, unified information, businesses can transform daily operations and generate measurable returns.

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Humans and Robots: How Collaboration is Shaping Logistics

Posted on by David Priestman

In this episode of our podcast, Logistics Business Conversations, Peter MacLeod sits down with Damon He from SEER Robotics to discuss the evolving relationship between humans and robots in warehouse operations. As automation reshapes logistics, Damon sheds light on how robotics enhances, rather than replaces, human roles, creating a more efficient and safer working environment. He highlights that robots don’t eliminate jobs but instead restructure them—allowing workers to focus on higher-value tasks such as robot maintenance, programming, and data analysis.

Key Topics Discussed:

✅ Robots as Collaborators, Not Replacements – How automation supports human workers by taking over repetitive, physically demanding, and hazardous tasks.
✅ Job Creation Through Robotics – Why the introduction of mobile robots doesn’t mean job losses, but instead creates opportunities for higher-skilled roles.
✅ Safety & Efficiency Gains – How robotics reduces workplace injuries, improves accuracy, and enhances productivity.
✅ The Role of AI in Future Warehouses – Damon’s insights on AI-driven robotics and its potential to further optimize logistics operations.
✅ Steps to Automation – Practical advice for businesses looking to integrate robotics, starting with small-scale pilot projects before scaling up.

“It’s time to welcome robots, not resist them.” – Damon He

Listen Now – Available on all major podcast platforms. Don’t forget to subscribe to Logistics Business Conversations for the latest insights from industry leaders!

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

Humans and Robots

March marks a major milestone for SEER Robotics, as the smart logistics company gears up to showcase its latest intelligent robotics solutions at two of the world’s most influential logistics exhibitions—LogiMAT Stuttgart and ProMat Chicago.

As a global supplier of intelligent robotics controllers, SEER Robotics will present a comprehensive line-up of hardware and software solutions built around its industry-leading SRC series controllers, highlighting its cutting-edge automation technologies and innovation-driven capabilities.

With a commitment to localization and adaptability, SEER Robotics tailors its solutions to meet the unique needs of different markets, driving the intelligent transformation of global logistics. Visitors to LogiMAT and ProMat will witness region-specific solutions that have already been deployed by world-renowned enterprises, including Schneider Electric, Philips, Hisense, Haier, Gree, Bosch, Volkswagen, ABB, Walmart, and many more.

Where to Find SEER Robotics
LogiMAT 2025 | March 11-13 | Stuttgart, Germany | Hall 8, Booth 8D77
Showcasing: SRC controllers, intelligent stacker forklifts (SFL-CDD14-CE & SFL-CDD15-CE), pallet trucks (SFL-CBD15-CE), single-arm forklifts (SOF-300EU), RDS resource scheduling system, and visualization products.

ProMat 2025 | March 17-20 | Chicago, USA | Lakeside Hall, Booth E12013
Showcasing: SRC controllers, rotary lifting AMRs (SJV-SW600), single-arm forklifts (SOF-300EU), reach trucks (SSR-1400), RDS resource scheduling system, M4 QuickGo application, and visualization products.

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Smart Logistics: IoT is the Future of Supply Chains

Posted on by David Priestman

The logistics industry is pumping a massive £185 billion into the UK economy each year and providing jobs for around 8% of the workforce. That’s over 214,000 companies working tirelessly to keep goods moving across the country and the globe. With trade volumes surpassing £1 trillion annually, the sector is the backbone of our economy.

Unsurprisingly, this growth, coupled with last year’s Electronic Trade Documents Act (ETDA), is driving a tech transformation in logistics, with companies increasingly turning to automation and IoT (Internet of Things) to keep up with demands.

How IoT is transforming logistics:

1. Real-time tracking and visibility: With IoT sensors on vehicles, containers, and packages, logistics teams can monitor every step of the journey, from location to temperature, ensuring compliance and safeguarding sensitive goods like pharmaceuticals.

2. Smooth inventory management: Automated tracking through IoT sensors reduces manual errors, while cloud platforms enable instant access to inventory status, improving forecasting and reducing costs.

3. Predictive maintenance: IoT sensors monitor equipment health, predicting maintenance needs before breakdowns, which keeps vehicles on the road longer and reduces unexpected disruptions.

4. Optimised route planning: Cloud-based route planning backed by IoT data helps avoid traffic, save fuel, and cut down emissions — making deliveries faster, cheaper, and greener.

5. Enhanced demand forecasting: IoT and cloud analytics allow companies to predict demand spikes, keep shelves stocked just right, and spot new market trends in real time.

6. Streamlined collaboration: Cloud platforms improve communication across the supply chain, with real-time data sharing between suppliers, distributors, and retailers, keeping everything in sync.

7. Boosted customer experience: Real-time tracking and personalised offers create a smooth and tailored experience for customers, fostering loyalty and satisfaction.

8. Upgraded security: With advanced cloud security and IoT-enabled monitoring, logistics companies can protect their assets and data, reducing risks of theft and cyber threats.

David Ritchie, co-founder of Propel Tech, which specialises in bespoke software for supply chain companies, says, “The Internet of Things (IoT) is revolutionising logistics, enabling businesses to achieve greater efficiency and prioritise customer needs. Success lies in the synergy of smart technology and custom software. Tailored solutions that seamlessly integrate IoT and cloud platforms, empower real-time, data-driven decision-making and optimise operations for each unique business.”

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Data: The Driving Force Behind the Logistics Industry

Posted on by David Priestman

Data is the key driver of the logistics industry. Organisations require information about the time they need to process an order, get the shipment ready, arrange for transport, put the item on a transport vehicle and make a timely delivery. Without data, companies may not know how to address inefficiencies or protect themselves from disruptions in transportation routes. Fortunately, data tools for logistics are abundant. Businesses can integrate technology into existing systems to optimise routes, find problems in order processing and cut costs. By implementing these technologies, logistics professionals can guide effective decision-making that improves efficiency and accuracy.

Gain Insights About Transportation Patterns

Logistics professionals have to remain current on the latest transportation patterns, which they can achieve with data. Descriptive analytics uses past data to identify changes in preferences over time. Predictive analytics can take this data to highlight changes to transportation patterns and potential disruptions to movement. With this information, logistics companies can be certain they have the most accurate information for forecasting and order management.

Optimise Routes

The choice of shipping route affects costs, delivery time and overall efficiency, highlighting opportunities for technology to optimise the route. Companies select shipping routes based on a variety of factors, including traffic, cost of fuel and the potential for lengthy delays. Optimising the route helps to reduce costs and time spent making a delivery, particularly in the last few kilometres of a journey. Prescriptive analytics can provide detailed information based on historical and current trends, automatically highlighting routes that improve performance.

Improve Efficiency

Data can provide the tools to increase efficiency at all points in the process, from forecasting demand and increasing the robustness of the supply chain to improving the order process. Companies need to know how demand is changing for a particular product, so they can maintain an ideal inventory to handle it. Predictive analytics can also highlight weaknesses in the supply chain, so that businesses can identify alternatives. AI can automate various aspects of the order management process, to minimise bottlenecks and complete order processing more accurately.

Reduce Excess Costs

Cognitive analytics, as part of a comprehensive package of data analysis, can reduce excess costs at every stage. Companies spend more to have a human perform tasks that AI can do autonomously. Implementing an AI system allows a business to verify inventory and process an order quickly, highlighting any problems for prompt review. The system can also use past data

to identify existing problems with various processes, so that professionals can address them. These improvements increase the accuracy of each order, decreasing the financial impact of returns or lost clients.

Increase Customer Satisfaction

Ultimately, the incorporation of data into a transport management system leads to better outcomes in customer satisfaction. Customers expect orders to be processed efficiently, calling for an accurate and sensitive inventory management system. They also want deliveries to occur quickly and accurately, with tracking that provides relevant information and does not compromise their personal security. Integrating analytics into all systems can ensure that customers get everything they need during each step of the process.

Data integration is transforming the efficiency and accuracy of many worldwide industries, transportation and logistics in particular. With technology’s ability to handle massive amounts of data in record time, the benefits are obvious. Recording and processing data provides crucial information for businesses to improve their processes to meet the needs of the future. Using data analytics to analyse past problems, evaluate the potential for solutions and create a plan to weather future changes can save companies significant time, money and effort.

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