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Tag: visibility

How Digital Dispatchers are Revolutionising Fleet Operations

Posted on by David Priestman

In the long-haul full truckload (FTL) industry, dispatchers have traditionally relied on manual processes and years of experience to navigate a complex regulatory landscape, fluctuating fuel prices and evolving customer demands. While functional, this approach is far from optimal, putting pressure on dispatchers and leading to inefficiencies and missed cost-saving opportunities.

But this is finally starting to change. The logistics landscape is undergoing rapid digital transformation, and the dispatcher’s role is no exception. No longer a route and schedule coordinator, the modern dispatcher is evolving into a data strategist, harnessing technology to optimise fleet operations and drive efficiency. So, what technologies are driving this change? And how can we expect the dispatcher’s role to evolve further?

From dispatcher to data strategist: The power of predictive analytics

In the past, dispatchers had to scramble to gather information from various sources in order to estimate disruptions (e.g. weather forecasts, GPS and messaging applications). Often, they relied on a reactive ‘firefighting’ approach, using manual processes to calculate and recalculate available driver hours and ETA.

However, predictive analytics – such as utilising AI and machine learning to identify the likelihood of future outcomes based on historical data – is transforming dispatcher operations. Thanks to this, dispatchers can forecast potential disruptions, such as congestion, adverse weather events or vehicle maintenance requirements, and preemptively adjust routes, schedules, and resource allocation. Data suggests dispatchers see time-savings of 25-45% from the automation of itinerary monitoring and recalculation.

Predictive analytics tools transform dispatchers into proactive data strategists, allowing them to play an active role in boosting the bottom line by minimising delays, reducing operational costs and enhancing customer satisfaction.

Data-driven decisions: Real-time insights

The same FTL long-haul trip can have hundreds of different execution plans depending on driver availability, day of the week, time of year, planned roadworks, customer requirements and more. The possibilities are endless. Experienced dispatchers are great at putting together feasible execution plans considering these factors. However, relying on real-time data is the best way to make an optimal choice.

Real-time data is only useful if companies have the tools and resources to analyse it and action the resulting insights. Dispatchers are perfectly placed to help maximise the power of real-time data. They just need the right tools.

Thanks to recent advances in AI and ML, algorithms are emerging that simultaneously consider commercial tasks (loading, unloading, secure parking, etc.), non-commercial tasks (parking, refuelling, border-crossing, etc.), driver regulations and route planning to create the ‘ideal’ trip execution plan which is a game-changer for dispatchers. For instance, recent data indicates that dispatchers can save an average of 2.5 cents per litre simply by optimising refuelling, given that fuel prices differ by up to €0.60 per litre across Europe. This might seem small, but it adds up to €30,000 in monthly savings for a fleet of 500 trucks.

Some compare these algorithms to a ‘digital version’ of an experienced dispatcher’s brain. But the truth is much more nuanced. They won’t replace dispatchers, but enhance their capabilities and empower them to make better decisions based on real-time data.

What’s next for dispatchers?

The dispatcher’s role is evolving from a tactical executor to a strategic orchestrator of complex logistics networks. In short, the digital dispatcher isn’t just a trend – it’s the future of logistics.

The next era of dispatching lies in embracing technologies like AI and ML to automate routine tasks and analyse vast datasets. To gather the data needed for AI and ML algorithms, we’ll see greater use of IoT sensors on trucks, enabling dispatchers to monitor vehicle performance in real time, predict maintenance needs and prevent costly breakdowns.

The above technologies free dispatchers from tedious manual calculations, allowing them to focus on higher-level strategic decision-making. By embracing them, they can unlock new levels of efficiency, productivity, and customer satisfaction, ultimately driving the success of the business and the entire industry.

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Transforming Global Supply Chains with AI-Driven Solutions

Posted on by Will Priestman

Brother Industries has announced its collaboration with Kinaxis to transform its supply chain management through the use of AI-driven technology. With operations in over 40 countries and a diverse product portfolio, Brother needed a solution to handle intricate logistics and improve supply chain visibility. Kinaxis’ RapidResponse platform was chosen for its ability to enhance demand forecasting, scenario planning, and real-time decision-making.

“From the beginning, Kinaxis demonstrated a clear understanding of our business and all its complexities. From there we formed a partnership based on trust and a passion for innovative solutions, like their unique approach to supply chain orchestration, which made the decision to go forward with this transformation easy,” said Kosaku Sakai, Production Strategy Planning Department Manager at Brother Industries, LTD.

This partnership aligns with Brother’s goal of streamlining operations and delivering superior service. “Our aim is to build a resilient and agile supply chain that meets our customers’ needs,” said Hiroshi Ikematsu, a senior executive at Brother. The move also aligns with broader industry trends toward smart logistics, where AI-driven technology offers improved demand predictions, optimized inventory management, and faster adaptation to disruptions.

John Sicard, CEO of Kinaxis, remarked, “We’re excited to support Brother Industries in optimizing their supply chain strategies to better serve their global customer base.” This deployment reflects Brother’s ongoing focus on digital transformation, ensuring it remains competitive while maintaining high service standards.

In addition to optimizing supply chain efficiency, the partnership with Kinaxis also seems to reflect Brother Industries’ broader commitment to digital transformation and sustainability. By leveraging AI-driven tools, Brother can reduce waste, minimize resource usage, and ensure more sustainable practices across its global operations. This focus on sustainability is increasingly important as the company adapts to shifting industry trends and regulatory demands. As Brother continues to innovate, this collaboration marks a significant step toward not only improving logistics but also achieving long-term environmental and operational goals.

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Ensure EWM Changes aren’t the Weak Link in your Supply Chain

Transforming Logistics with Predictive Analytics

Posted on by David Priestman

Predictive analytics is one of the most powerful tools logistics companies have at their fingertips, according to 4PL Sheer Logistics. More accessible than ever, this type of technology empowers companies to make better decisions to grow their organization from the ground up and does so with real-time efficiency.

For companies that apply predictive analytics to their logistics operation, there is a real competitive advantage. It can offer numerous benefits across all areas of the supply chain, including improving visibility, allowing for better resource allocation, streamlining inventory management, and reducing safety risks.

Predictive analytics, which is noted by Harvard Business School as the method of using data to identify trends, extract insights, and answer questions, enables better strategizing and improved business decision making. There are numerous types of data analytics, with predictive analytics focusing specifically on what might happen in the future.

The Role of Data in Modern Supply Chains

Modern supply chains have more data available to them than ever. That data, along with advanced analytics, can help pinpoint specific patterns that can help make better decisions. In many ways, data can help logistics companies in all facets of their operation. Some examples include:
● Improving route decisions: Designed to optimize routes, this has a direct impact on schedules, customer satisfaction, and profits.
● Performance data: With real-time tracking and monitoring throughout the logistics company, it is possible to pinpoint potential areas of weakness and create plans for improvement.
● Risk mitigation and management: Predictive analytics is highly effective in helping to transform logistics by pinpointing the most likely risks and allowing for better overall management of resources to minimize such risks.
● Supply chain visibility and transparency: Data can also be used to support supply chain visibility in real-time, opening the door for new opportunities to capture data and to make better decisions as opportunities occur.
● Supply chain agility and responsiveness: Data can also be used to improve the overall ability of a supply chain, or more specifically the logistics company, to respond to changing conditions and better meet customer demand.
● Sustainability: Data can also provide for improved sustainability efforts, reducing fuel costs and improving overall longevity of fleets and equipment.

How Predictive Analytics Enhances Supply Chain Visibility

Consider the specific area of supply chain visibility. Oracle shares that supply chain visibility is rather a simple premise in that it is the ability of a company to have a detailed, accurate, and real-time view of its products as they move from the original supplier to the customer. When you apply data analytics to this process, you gain several key benefits:
● Optimized transportation routing: One of the best benefits for logistics companies is optimizing routing. With data, it is possible to make decisions that improve efficiency, including both time-efficient and cost-efficient routes. This data comes from numerous sources, such as weather patterns, GPS logging devices, and traffic patterns.
● Improved supplier monitoring and selection: Also notable is that logistics companies can make better supplier selections based on factors such as sustainability efforts, reliability, and that partner’s overall performance.
● Real-time decision making: The use of predictive analytics in logistics is empowering because it enables companies to make real-time decisions based on fast-changing information. This can include identifying opportunities or mitigating risks.

With the help of a 4PL provider, it is possible to gain oversight of all of these areas and numerous more to improve the overall success of any logistics operation.

Enhancing Forecasting Accuracy with Predictive Models

Another way logistics companies can benefit from predictive analytics is in forecasting. How much product needs to be available in one area compared to another? When will spikes in seasonality make a difference in resource planning? These are basic questions, but with predictive models, it is possible to get highly enhanced and very accurate insights into how to better manage your logistics company.

For example, one of the most effective ways to use these tools is to optimize inventory levels in warehouses or even in resource planning. Companies can use historical sales data to provide some insight, but this is not new. Companies have been doing that for years. What is new is that predictive analytics can offer more insight and allow for consideration of various influencing factors, such as inflationary pressures, delays in products, or trends in the market.

The direct result of this is that companies can make better decisions about their product needs and resource planning. Within the logistics industry alone, this can help with:
● Reducing capital tied up in too many vehicles
● Overstocking situations in warehouses
● Lack of product in the right locations
● Reducing carrying costs overall
● Improving overall resource planning decision-making

Utilization of predictive models can create multiple scenarios, enabling logistics companies to plan for the worst and be ready for the best outcomes. That can ensure better growth and customer satisfaction.

Overcoming Challenges in Implementing Predictive Analytics

The application of predictive analytics in logistics offers numerous advantages at any scale, but some noted challenges can occur. Some critical factors include:
● Ensuring the accuracy of data collected and basing that information on the latest available data. The frequency of data collection, how it is being evaluated, and the overall accuracy of collection methods can make a big difference. Focus on data quality.
● Manage data volume and time demands: Organizations will have access to incredible amounts of data, and that can be a very good thing. However, some predictive analytics tools offer too much of the wrong information, slowing down the decision-making process without reward. It is critical, then, to pick and choose core elements that are most meaningful to the company’s objectives.
● Navigating security and data privacy: This is another area of potential concern, depending on the scenario. Companies must be able to invest in the highest level of security and work to mitigate risks in any data invasion.

With the utilization of predictive analytics, logistics companies can see remarkable change, growth, and profit margin improvement. Applying the right tools at the right time can significantly help companies achieve better results. With the help of a 4PL provider, it is possible to gain oversight of all these areas and numerous more to improve the overall success of any logistics operation.

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Business Intelligence System Benefits Large and Small Logistics Providers

 

Enterprise-Grade Asset Tag Provides Increased Visibility

Posted on by David Priestman

Samsara Inc. has announced the industry’s first enterprise-grade Asset Tag designed to meet customer demand for tracking and managing small, high-value assets. This new device leverages the Samsara Network to offer increased visibility into the location of mission-critical equipment and tools. As a result, organizations can minimize downtime spent searching for lost or stolen items, reduce associated costs, and simplify inventory management.

The industries that power our global economy – like transportation, oil and gas, and construction – have complex operations that rely on specialized assets to get their work done each day. These assets include toolboxes, jackhammers, chemical totes, and more. Due to manual inventory processes and a lack of connected systems, the recurring loss or theft of these materials can cost organizations millions of dollars every year.

But as sensors get more compact, sophisticated, and easier to install, they can track anything – big or small. Samsara’s Asset Tag (pictured below) was built around this opportunity: to provide unprecedented access and visibility into valuable assets at scale. By connecting critical assets to the cloud for the first time, customers can now easily capture and analyze location insights to significantly improve operational efficiency.

The Pike Corporation is a leading provider of infrastructure solutions for electric and gas utility companies within the United States. Pike uses the Samsara platform across Vehicle Telematics, Video-Based Safety, and Asset Tracking to connect their operations. Most recently, Pike has begun testing Samsara’s Asset Tag to help recover misplaced or lost tools and equipment and accurately track safety PPE to comply with annual OSHA testing requirements.

“We have several high-value assets like service gloves and electrical grounds that don’t have serial numbers, but still need to be tracked, managed, and inspected to remain compliant,” said James Banner, Senior Vice President of Administration at Pike Electric. “Previously misplaced equipment would take us weeks to locate and if lost entirely, cost up to a million dollars to replace annually. With Samsara’s Asset Tags, we are hoping to minimize this downtime, cut costs, and digitize manual inspection processes – all while keeping our employees safe and efficient. We’re just getting started with this technology and I look forward to seeing what else it can do.”

With the Samsara Asset Tag, organizations can expect to:
● Prevent loss and recover stolen assets: with advanced location tracking technology powered by Samsara’s vast network of gateways.
● Reduce downtime and boost productivity: by sharing asset locations with technicians in the field via the Samsara Driver App and avoid service disruptions with Inventory Filtering, which pulls a summary of assets and applies filters to identify which tools are in close proximity.
● Better manage inventory: and increase operational efficiency with a consolidated dashboard and easy-to-use reporting.

Powerful location tracking capabilities within the Asset Tag are enabled by the Samsara Network, made up of millions of IoT devices worldwide. This network coverage powered by Samsara devices leverages industrial-grade BLE technology and offers enterprise reliability designed to withstand the ruggedized, complex environments of physical operations.

“About a year ago, the Asset Tag was born from a radical idea that we could use the millions of Samsara Gateways we have out in the field to create a network, enabling ‘tags’ to ping off those devices. With this, we’d unlock a level of asset tracking that was previously impossible and solve even more real-world problems for our customers,” explained David Gal, Vice President, Product and Engineering at Samsara. “After months of rigorous testing and customer feedback, I’m excited to see this vision become a reality. As we further connect every aspect of physical operations, we can turn massive amounts of data into valuable insights and drive real results.”

Asset Tag is shipping now to customers across North America and Europe.

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Samsara Unveils New Solutions at Beyond ’24

 

Yusen Logistics Improves Visibility and Efficiency with DexoryView

Posted on by David Priestman

Yusen Logistics, a global supply chain solution company, provides businesses with ocean and air freight forwarding, warehousing, distribution services and supply chain management that provide reliability, excellence and value. The company is constantly looking for ways in which it can improve its services to its end customers, including leading electronics manufacturers. Yusen Logistics has implemented a global visibility platform, DexoryView from Dexory, the global leader in AI-powered robotics and visibility solutions.

As a result of the deployment, Yusen Logistics is now able to conduct wall-to-wall scans of its entire warehouse within two hours each day. This process used to take over one and a half weeks each month and over 100 hours of manual labour. Previously, Yusen Logistics carried out two annual wall-to-wall checks of the entire warehouse, but through generating real-time data each day, the company has also been able to remove this task completely, saving an additional 205 hours of work annually.

The implementation of the Dexory technology will play a pivotal role in Yusen Logistics’ efforts in streamlining warehouse operations whilst ensuring seamless order fulfilment processes. Just one of the benefits means it can now analyse the entire warehouse and see how errors impact the overall workflow in the warehouse.

“Yusen Logistics are investing in digitisation and automation to provide our customers with real time visibility of their inventory. The use of robotics and automation helps to optimise our warehouse space, which reduces costs, improves performance and stock accuracy, and removes down time for manual stock takes,” said Darren Felstead, Head of Contract Logistics.

The collaboration between Yusen Logistics and Dexory represents a strategic alignment of expertise and innovation, with both companies at the forefront of transforming the industry. As Yusen Logistics looks ahead, it remains committed to leveraging the latest technologies and forging partnerships that further drive operational excellence and customer satisfaction.

“Third party logistics providers need to be able to execute on customer strategies and provide innovation and efficiency to drive both theirs and their customers’ businesses forwards,” says Oana Jinga, Chief Commercial and Product Officer and Co-Founder at Dexory. “Together, Dexory and Yusen Logistics are paving the way for a new era of supply chain management, powered by real-time data and our global visibility platform, that further enhance the value provision to their end customers.”

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Autonomous Robots, Data Intelligence

 

 

Data-driven Decisions for Flexible Supply Chain

Posted on by Keith McKinley

The pandemic, Brexit, ongoing geopolitical conflicts, and rising inflation have placed unprecedented pressure on the global logistics industry. Soaring material costs, wavering customer demand, and disrupted shipping patterns are just some of the challenges businesses are continuing to face as a result.

Against a backdrop of such unpredictability, flexibility and adaptability remain crucial for logistics businesses. It enables them to better adapt to unexpected shifts in market conditions. While some businesses have sought to nearshore manufacturing operations or diversify suppliers in an attempt to wrestle back some control over the uncertain landscape, many neglect to consider how internal processes could hold more of the answers.

Although back-office accounting systems are rarely a focus for logistics leaders, modern cloud finance platforms can knit seamlessly together with other fundamental business systems to provide valuable features and insights. It can equip teams with better, more comprehensive data that can be used to make meaningful business decisions to maximise flexibility and opportunities for growth.

Strategic stock management

One of the crucial areas in which businesses can leverage data to enhance flexibility is stock management. Interoperable accounting systems can interact with, and share information across, other mission-critical programmes from third-party providers, including inventory management, to bring all the crucial data in one place. Stock levels can be scrutinised alongside financial and operational data in real-time so inventory can be scaled up or down strategically. This data-driven strategic stock management can help reduce the amount of money being held in stock that’s not being required at the expected rate, or unlikely to be used soon. This can free up the budget to be reallocated elsewhere, allowing logistics businesses to accommodate new priorities quickly.

Increased visibility and real-time reporting

Logistics managers need access to a detailed and up-to-date breakdown of costs to help inform decisions across the business. Interoperable systems automatically replicate data across systems, eliminating the need for error-prone rekeying or manual reporting and allowing users to easily extract relevant data. They can see cost data across different areas, including warehousing, labour, fuel and shipping, to evaluate spend and take fluctuating prices and market conditions into account. This granular visibility allows managers to quickly identify over or underspending, inefficiencies, and unnecessary expenses. They can then quickly and easily reallocate funds where they’re needed most. This visibility allows businesses to keep their fingers on the pulse of changing conditions and act quickly to maximise opportunities.

Greater insight also brings benefits to cash flow and helps teams ensure there’s enough liquidity to meet operational needs. With constant moving parts and continuous billing and payment cycles, managing all the moving parts can be a challenge. Yet, this data-driven insight, enabled by a centralised cloud finance platform, allows businesses to plan more effectively for unforeseen expenses or take advantage of opportunities that require quick financial action.

Streamlining operations with enhanced activity insights

With a comprehensive view of key operational information across the business, logistics leaders have all the information they need to optimise operations and streamline processes at their fingertips. It can help identify frequent sticking points or inefficiencies across the business and equip the business with the data they need to take effective action. Frequent errors in manual order picking, for example, and the knock-on impact on business finances, could indicate the need for new automated technology that would quickly overcome challenges. This means resources can be adjusted accordingly, with employee time and effort being reallocated to more strategic and fulfilling business activities. This insight and data can be leveraged with individual expertise to deliver a better overall business outcome.

Final thoughts

The data and insight offered by modern, interoperable cloud financial systems provide a more granular and accurate picture of what’s going on in the business, the data-based evidence to make strategic changes, and the ability to identify and mitigate risks early on. This agility is crucial in adapting to rapidly changing market conditions, unexpected disruptions and new opportunities. While there’s a hope that the geopolitical landscape will settle somewhat in 2024, the businesses that take full advantage of their accounting software and operate with good visibility, control and flexibility will be better placed to weather the storm.

By Pascal Chandler (pictured), business consultant at cloud-based accountancy software bluQube

For a Warm Valentine’s Day, Pursue a Cold Supply Chain

Posted on by David Priestman

Imagine going to a shop and it has run out of roses, chocolates, or luxury dine for two meals – it might mean a romantic plan is spoiled and reverting to a less-than-ideal back-up option. In a few weeks’ time, Valentine’s Day will be upon us again. For retailers, it’s a peak time for gift buying—roses, chocolates, luxury items, and special offers. Total spending in 2023 was expected to reach $25.9 billion, according to NRF data, while in the UK that figure stood at £2.2 billion.

And like previous years, things can go wrong. One risk is around wasted inventory — flowers, cosmetics, food — because these are sensitive to humidity and temperature. For example, the rose supply chain is global with countries like Ecuador, Colombia, Kenya, and the Netherlands growing, harvesting and shipping roses across the world. Timing and temperature are everything – they need to be picked and processed at the right time and transported thousands of miles at the right temperature and environment so they’re fresh, crisp and colorful for shoppers.

Cooling via vacuum and forced air methods, removing infected flowers and avoiding botrytis blight and damage from frost while in storage and transit are some of the concerns that harvesters and logistics managers have to think about when it comes to the cold chain. Exposure to the wrong environment could cause wasted inventory, lost revenue and negative consumer experiences. But how can suppliers, logistics, and warehousing companies make sure their cold chain is the best it can be?

Cold Chain and Environmental Data Visibility

Supply chain managers need accurate, timely, high-level views of their inventory and supply chain with ‘air traffic control’ platforms that connect, analyse and leverage data across the chain. These platforms provide predictive insights and analytics for road, sea, air, rail and last-mile routing and allow transport and logistics teams to build custom solutions with APIs and leverage AI assistants for problem identification and solving. For example, if a delayed arrival of an empty truck is reported, a loading dock manager can turn to their workforce management solution to reallocate labour. They may have four workers they can send to help load or unload another temperature-sensitive shipment to minimize exposure to warmer (or colder) temperatures. In another scenario, the platform may be able to reconcile weather reports with anticipated transit routes to recommend a delayed departure. The shipment may be late, but it’s better to be late than throw away pallets of roses on arrival because they were temperature compromised.

At an operational level, environmental monitoring systems can use sensors in heating, ventilation, air conditioning and other systems to track that air, humidity, light and other conditions in cold storage. They monitor conditions across a space, giving managers visibility into what is happening. Meanwhile, environmental sensing systems monitor temperature, humidity, light and other conditions down to the item level and even after an item has left cold storage. This means sensing systems can travel with inventory like roses, monitoring conditions, location and time as they move and share that information during transit and upon arrival.

Sensors can range from simple chemical-based sensors to passive USB monitoring devices to more advanced Bluetooth-enabled ones. For example, the data captured via temperature sensors, location beacons and radio frequency identification (RFID) at the time the roses were unloaded from a trailer, put in inbound staging, released from staging and taken to cold storage can be aggregated and compared using prescriptive analytics. Should the temperature rise or drop at any point in time, managers can identify the trouble area and time frame to rectify the root issue and prevent a reoccurrence. They can also use the data to determine the potential impact of the temperature change on product quality. Recent advancements in data logger technologies leverage Bluetooth® and near field communication (NFC) connectivity. Cold chain managers can now see what’s happening inside a box or crate without needing to open it, making it convenient to track temperature variations in near-real time.

Data from these wireless-enabled data loggers are typically sent to the cloud. The inventory or quality control manager can then sign into their private portal to view the data for an entire shipment. Modern data loggers come with a security layer that provides secure connections to block unauthorized access, prevent data manipulation and provide encrypted data transmissions to help defend against security breaches.

Conclusion

Every rose has its thorn and right now, costs and delays continue to mount in the Panama Canal, and conflict in the Red Sea shows no sight of ceasing, as far as sea freight is concerned. While the wider industry faces labour challenges and a decline in air freight demand, transport and logistics companies and the retailers they serve are feeling yet more pressures. But recent data suggests warehousing and logistics leaders are heading in the right direction to make their operations a lot more visible, resilient, and secure.

Sixty-seven percent of decision-makers plan to implement temperature monitoring sensors and smart labels, while 91% want to move to cloud-based systems for improved supply chain visibility. Whether an online order or in-store browsing, it’s a disappointment when things aren’t available, especially for special occasions like Valentine’s Day. Sensors and cloud platforms are helping make that a thing of the past.

By Andre Luecht, Global Strategy Lead for Transportation, Logistics and Warehouse, Zebra Technologies.

Increase Visibility and Automation Across Ecommerce

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Linnworks, an inventory management system (IMS), order management system (OMS) and warehouse management system (WMS) solutions provider and recently announced Connected CommerceOps platform, is pleased to announce its partnership with Virtualstock, Europe’s largest dropshipping and curated marketplace SaaS (software-as-a-service) platform. As a result of this integration, Virtualstock users can automate their connection to key suppliers in their ecosystem to synchronise inventory and order routing details.

Linnworks connects thousands of small, medium sized retailers with over 100 selling channels including global marketplaces, D2C platforms and emerging selling channels. Virtualstock is one of those key channels, offering product placement into the top 10 UK Retailers including John Lewis, Sainsbury’s Argos, Robert Dyas, B&Q, Currys, Screwfix, Ryman and Toolstation. By pairing these two organisations both the marketplace entity (retailer) and the seller (supplier) can enjoy full transparency and visibility with fully automated transfer of critical data upstream and downstream.

The Virtualstock platform is cloud-based and provides a frictionless connection into the retailers ensuring visibility across their supply chain – including stock availability, order status and delivery status. With Linnworks alongside, this visibility extends into the supplier network improving the ability to connect, sell and fulfil orders seamlessly for all parties. Key deliverables for the supplier community include; de-risking operations by automating connectivity; saving time and money through real-time centralised visibility, and ensuring compliance with channel Service Level Agreements (SLAs).

The integration between Virtualstock and Linnworks means that order and stock data will now flow seamlessly back and forth without the need for any manual interaction.

Other key functions of the partnership include:

• Inventory Updates – Linnworks can automatically send changes in stock levels to the channel
• Order Download – Channel orders can be automatically downloaded into Linnworks’ platform, allowing retailers to reserve available stock and avoid overselling
• Inventory Mapping – Existing and new channel listings can be linked to Linnworks inventory items for stock level and price updates
• Location Mapping – Orders can be downloaded and inventory updates sent from specific locations
• Order Despatch – Orders on the channel can be marked as shipped and provided with the tracking number and shipping service name via Linnworks.

Chris Timmer, Linnworks commented, “Automating a connection to market leading retailers is no longer a luxury, it is a must. Therefore, the partnership with Virtualstock couldn’t have come at a better time. In order to achieve smoother retail experiences for all, Linnworks and Virtualstock can now work together in order to meet ever-evolving customer demands. With this partnership, we are demonstrating our commitment to helping businesses conquer the complexities of multichannel selling and achieve new levels of productivity and profitability.”

Ed Bradley (pictured), Virtualstock concluded, “We are very excited to announce our partnership with Linnworks. Connecting thousands of vendors to the Virtualstock platform, not only enhances the control and visibility of consumer orders but offers choice to our retail clients and routes to market for brands and suppliers. With Linnworks’ extensive reach across a multitude of sales channels, it was the obvious choice to create the most powerful supply-and-demand network in the market.”

Supply Chain 2024 Predictions

Posted on by David Priestman

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.

 

58% of Warehouse Leaders Plan to Deploy RFID by 2028

Posted on by David Priestman

Zebra Technologies Corporation today released the findings of its 2023 Global Warehousing Study, which confirmed 58% of warehouse decision-makers plan to deploy radio frequency identification (RFID) technology by 2028 which will help increase inventory visibility and reduce out-of-stocks.

Over the next five years, a majority of warehouse decision-makers plan to deploy fixed, passive or handheld RFID readers and fixed industrial scanning solutions that can better track assets, workers and goods throughout the warehouse environment. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the invention of RFID which has become a problem-solving tool for front-line workers in warehouses and other industries.

Accelerating Modernization to Manage Returns

The survey showed 74% of European warehouse decision-makers (73% globally) have or will be accelerating timelines of modernization projects. This should help with returns management which climbed to the top operational challenge cited by nearly half of warehouse decision-makers surveyed—an increase of 10 percentage points year-over-year. For Europe that figure is 43%, a 12 percentage point increase year-over-year.

“The significant growth of returns aligns with explosive e-fulfilment growth over the last several years, and it is a mandate for change across every part of the supply chain,” said Andre Luecht, Global Strategy Lead for Transportation, Logistics and Warehouse, Zebra Technologies. “This means warehouse leaders must modernize their operations with technology solutions to handle returns and increase agility, inventory visibility and demand forecasting in order to improve efficiency and make better decisions in real time.”

A majority of warehouse decision-makers (76%) say they are under pressure to improve performance while adjusting to shifting consumer ecommerce demands. Inaccurate inventory and out-of-stocks continue to significantly challenge productivity according to nearly 80% of warehouse associates and decision-makers. In fact, both groups — 82% of associates and 76% of decision-makers — acknowledge they need better inventory management tools to achieve better accuracy and determine availability. And a significant 94% of European decision-makers (91% globally) are addressing this need, citing plans to invest in technology to increase visibility across the supply chain by 2028.

Optimizing Operations to Increase Visibility

Warehouse decision-makers are also augmenting their front-line workers by automating their warehouses to ultimately optimize their operations and increase their inventory visibility. According to a recent study by Interact Analysis, despite a recent slowdown in demand for automation projects (in part due to a reduction in warehousing construction), this demand is expected to return to growth in 2024.

The Zebra study found that 69% of warehouse decision-makers already have or are planning to automate workflows by 2024 to support warehouse associates and shift them toward more customer-centric, high-value tasks. Over half of warehouse decision-makers believe automation increases worker efficiency and productivity by reducing manual picking, order errors and cycle time. Meanwhile, eight in ten warehouse associates agree using more technology and automation helps them meet or exceed productivity goals.

Complementing the rise in productivity, eight in ten warehouse associates surveyed also feel more valued when their employers provide them with technology and automation tools to help them work. Similarly, 88% of warehouse decision-makers say adding warehouse technologies, including devices and robotics, attract and retain employees which is extremely important during labour shortages. More than half of the surveyed decision-makers plan to implement machine learning (52%) and predictive analytics (59%) software solutions in their facilities by 2028.

Prioritizing Sustainability in Decision-Making

Warehouse decision-makers are choosing solutions based on their ability to help them build sustainable operations, driven largely by regulations, energy costs or shortages along with customer, worker and investor expectations. For example, 78% of European warehouse decision-makers (77% globally) are focused on reducing emissions and waste while eight in ten warehouse decision-makers say it’s important their warehouse technology solutions maximize battery life.

Other sustainable elements decision-makers prioritize today include ensuring accurate mobile device swap-out time, connecting to energy monitoring software to maximize efficiency, offering buy-back and certified refurbishment/circular economy programs, and the use of reusable and recyclable materials. Beyond their own operations, 81% of warehouse decision-makers also say it’s important that technology vendors have sustainability measures in place for running their businesses.

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