The world of logistics has evolved massively in recent decades. While the basic requirements remain the same - to get items from A to B as efficiently or quickly as possible - the tools that we now have available to us to meet those requirements have come leaps and bounds.
A lot of those technological innovations are in the realm of physical processes such as loading and driving, but there have been an equal number of software-based innovations in the realm of planning and organisation. Let's take a look at whether those solutions are a must-have, or if logistics providers can avoid dependence on them.
Software reliance is unavoidable
To put it simply, it's an unviable approach to try to avoid software reliance in most areas of logistics. Whether we're talking about journey planning for lorry journeys, tracking items throughout the logistics process, or even centralised locations that make it possible to access a wide range of data, all of these processes rely on some kind of software-based solution.
Integration into physical solutions
It's important to note that at its heart, logistics processes remain physical. You can't use an app to move a container full of steel from the north of England to Germany, no matter how advanced it is - software solutions can just make that process a lot more efficient.
As a result, it's important to think about how you can integrate software-based tools into other physical solutions. Whether that's using a web app to track the long-term efficiency of a loading solution from Joloda Hydraroll, or fitting an AI-powered road safety management box to your fleet of lorries, finding that perfect balance will be an ongoing necessity.
Ensuring redundancy
When using a software-based system that has even a small chance of going wrong, if that process is vital for the continuity of your operations, it's important to avoid having a single point of failure. You can avoid this by designing and implementing a redundant system, with backup measures in case your primary system fails.
With some systems, this might not be necessary. It might also be possible to carry out those functions without the software system, just using your human operators. That being said, it's worth thinking about redundancy whenever you're considering adopting a new solution.
Phased integration
If you have any major concerns about a software solution, but also think that it has the potential to have a substantial positive impact on your logistics systems, then it's worth opting for a phased integration process.
This way, you can work out any teething issues as they occur, while minimising the negative impact they have on your operations. It's important to plan this process out before starting, to avoid any potential disruptions as much as possible.
It's natural to be hesitant about relying on systems that we don't understand. That being said, when it comes to software-based tools, this is almost impossible. To minimise the risks, you can follow the advice outlined above, ensuring redundancy at all stages of the integration process.
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