Tech-led Express Delivery Operations

Leading express delivery company DPD has signed a partnership with Wise to replace its legacy internal driver management system. This marks a major step forward in DPD’s commitment to even smarter, tech-led operations.

The agreement builds on an existing relationship between the two companies and follows the successful initial implementation phase of the Wise platform. The new contract will see the cutting-edge Wise platform integrated across DPD’s entire UK operations of over 10,000 vehicles, streamlining core processes and enhancing network visibility.

A key component of this deal is Wise’s Network View functionality, which will centralise onboarding for both direct and indirect resources, manage payments to direct resources and ensure robust compliance across DPD’s fleet workforce. The platform will eliminate manual processes, improve data accuracy, and provide real-time insight, reducing administrative pressures and increasing operational efficiency.

The new Network View product was launched in April, and the rollout to the DPD network will start this month.

Express Delivery Operations

Dan Richards, Co-Founder & Chief Commercial Officer at Wise, said: “We’re proud to deepen our partnership with DPD to support them in gaining full visibility across their network and confident that we will unlock real value for them operationally. The deal is a testament to the trust we’ve built and the proven impact our platform has had across their service.”

Dan Richards, Wise

Chris Betts, Head of Network at DPD, said: “We chose Wise because, simply put, they are the best in their field. Their software solution helps us to manage a vital resource, making it easier for us to train, manage, and monitor, minute by minute, ensuring we continue to provide the best possible delivery experience for our customers, 52 weeks of the year.”

Chris Betts, DPD

The Wise platform is trusted by over 250 businesses and this deal with DPD further reinforces Wise’s position as a market leader in onboarding, payments and compliance software for logistics companies.

Wise is a leading technology provider supporting logistics businesses to reduce compliance risk, streamline processes, and ensure regulatory adherence. Purpose-built for scale, Wise is a structured system and service providing businesses everything they need to operate compliantly.

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Supply Chain 2024 Predictions

Joe Dunleavy, Vice President of Innovation at Endava – a global provider of digital transformation, agile development, and intelligent services – provides his insight and 2024 predictions.

1. Rapid integration of advanced technologies

In 2024, I expect that we’ll witness an accelerated integration of advanced technologies in supply chain management. In particular, I anticipate predictive analytics and machine learning algorithms will be more widely used to enhance demand forecasting, inventory management, and the overall efficiency of supply chains. This can all be achieved with the likely integration of hardware technologies such as sensors and IoT. This will reduce costs and increase agility, giving companies a competitive advantage. As well as this, it can also aid suppliers’ ability to identify opportunities which reduce their carbon footprint. Additionally, IoT will enable the real-time tracking of goods, ensuring transparency and reducing the risk of disruptions.

2. Building agile and resilient supply chains

In 2024, I expect to see a focus on building agile and resilient supply chains. This can involve leveraging technologies such as AI for predictive analytics, and cloud-based solutions for scalable and flexible infrastructure. The focus will be to build robust supply chain ecosystems which can adapt to unforeseen disruptions and maintain operational continuity. In 2024, resilient supply chains will play a crucial role in offering more efficient operations, improved productivity, and risk reduction. Resilient supply chain technologies reduce risk by allowing visibility into all operations across the network and empowering businesses to optimise and adapt their processes and logistics in real time. This shift towards resilience reflects a proactive approach to challenges, ensuring that supply chain ecosystems can not only withstand disruptions but also thrive in the face of uncertainty.

3. Robotics and automation for warehousing and fulfilment will continue to advance

Whilst robots have been implemented in warehouses for many years, the form they’ve taken continues to evolve with new types of robotics and automation being introduced every year. I expect 2024 to be no different as the warehouse robotics market size is set to see a 16.13% growth as more warehouses invest and expand their capabilities. As investments increase, I expect the deployment of advanced robotics and automation solutions in warehouse and fulfilment operations to increase in tandem. In particular, I expect to see the widespread adoption of Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS & AR) in 2024. Traditionally, manual labour played a significant role in warehouse picking. However, the growing investment in robotics has prompted more warehouses to automate this process, leading to improved efficiency and a reduction in errors. This anticipated prevalence of AS & AR systems in 2024 represents a notable shift towards automation, simplifying operations and minimising manual interventions in warehouse workflows.

4. Final mile delivery and autonomous vehicles

In 2024, I expect to see a ramp up in the integration of autonomous vehicles and drones to reshape the delivery landscape. You can look at examples in the industry such as Manna Drone and Wing as a showcase of what is possible. This has the potential to reduce costs, increase delivery speeds, and improve customer satisfaction. This being said, a key challenge is set to emerge as customers are increasingly seeking free as well as faster deliveries. As the last mile represents the costliest and time-intensive phase of the supply chain, constituting up to 53% of total shipping costs, it will be important to strike a balance between meeting customer expectations for speed and cost-effectiveness while navigating innovations in last-mile technologies.

5. Competitive Last Mile Delivery Begins with Visibility

In 2024, I expect businesses to focus on developing capabilities for last mile delivery visibility to meet rising customer expectations. Consumers are increasingly anticipating visibility for every order, and businesses that can provide this information not only enhance customer satisfaction but also have the potential to reduce calls to their customer service centres. Given these rising expectations, I expect every business will aim to provide comprehensive visibility into orders. This isn’t just a response to customer preferences but also a risk mitigation strategy in case of any delivery-related issues.

 

Additional Supply Chain Network Visibility

E2open has announced that Samsara has selected its Advanced Supply Chain Planning and Collaboration for network visibility and to help manage its demand, supply, and inventory across its operations. Samsara, the pioneer of the Connected Operations™ Cloud, has become a system of record for tens of thousands of customers. By harnessing IoT data from trucks, warehouses, and heavy equipment, Samsara’s integrated platform provides actionable insights to run safer, more efficient, and more sustainable operations.

“At Samsara, we look for technology solutions that support our pace of innovation and commitment to providing the best possible experience for our customers,” said Jeff Faulkner, VP of Operations at Samsara. “With increased visibility and automated workflows, e2open can help us stay ahead of potential disruptions and enable a quick supply chain response to changes in customer demand.”
With e2open, Samsara will be able to automate more tools and communications across its supply chain network, potentially providing greater visibility into its operations. A metrics-driven command centre and external connectivity offer opportunities for improved collaboration, while meaningful simulations and scenarios can be leveraged to drive decisions.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Samsara as a client leveraging e2open’s Planning and Supplier Collaboration suites, to support their growth and customer journey,” said Michael Farlekas, CEO of e2open. “Samsara is on an exciting trajectory, and we look forward to working together to help them realise the benefits of outside-in planning, collaboration, and visibility across their entire supply chain network.”

Samsara is the pioneer of the Connected Operations™ Cloud, which is a system of record that enables organisations that depend on physical operations to harness Internet of Things (IoT) data to develop actionable insights and improve their operations. Samsara operates in North America and Europe and serves tens of thousands of customers across a wide range of industries including transportation, wholesale and retail trade, construction, field services, logistics, utilities and energy, government, healthcare and education, manufacturing, and food and beverage. The company’s mission is to increase the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of the operations that power the global economy.

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