Technology is a very important element for all supply chains. Technology helps increase efficiency, quality of service and streamline the process. Many shippers rely on planning, storage and warehouse software, fleet management and transportation management software to keep up with day-to-day operations and get analytics to make important decisions for their business. Is it possible to do without human labor will be discussed in the article.
Currently, one of the necessary and very significant parts of all services is modern technology. The technology is used to manage stocks, book and schedule delivery times with sea or air carriers, reserve and receive quick and relevant freight offers. Shippers can use real-time data to better control the process, and ultimately be able to better get costs and delivery time estimates for multiple routes and carriers to avoid wasting time. About half of the major shippers reported that the balance of inventory management was already done using technology, while about 40 percent said the technology handled freight offers, reservations, and scheduling. Less than 20 percent of large shippers rely solely on people to complete these tasks. These are the main reasons why technology in the transportation industry will pay dividends. For those who use technology in their supply chains, the next task is to figure out how to make the most of them.
Shippers who do not accept technology and do not accept changes in their distribution network are likely to lag behind the rest of the shipping industry, but ongoing research reports that people remain an essential element for the proper functioning of the supply chain.
Where should the human element be supported? Is it possible to replace a person with technology? Communication and relationship development were the first two task providers that were identified as critical components of the supply chain that could not be automated and replaced by technology.
Delivery monitoring and tracking can now be done by computers, but shippers still want people to participate in the process.
About half of the major shippers believe that people are most valuable for communicating with third-party logistics providers, carriers, customers. It seems that there are things that people do well than technology. These things include creativity, emotional intelligence, problem solving and building customer relationships. Therefore, human labor is indispensable, but it will be possible to reduce it.
