Data-driven transformation empowering Logistics industry

TF Spotlight: Data-driven transformation empowering Logistics industry

Digital transformation is a journey Data-driven modernisation is a key component in enabling business insights. How is digital transformation empowering the Logistics industry? 

Digital transformation improves the flow of information and materials within and between industries. It also increases productivity, minimising the cost. Shipment Tracking Systems (Track and Trace) and Truck Slot Management (TSM) are good examples of Digital transformation. It saves time and money for both organisation and the customer. It features notifications and messages, customizable reporting, etc. Digital transformation empowers the Logistics industry by offering:

• IoT-integrated supply chain: Physical devices connected to the Internet are known as the Internet of Things (IoT). You can enhance fleet management and last-mile delivery, accelerate needs analysis and predictive maintenance, increase visibility and transparency, and improve real-time inventory/fleet tracking and management.
• Behaviour analytics & customer-centricity: Using customer dynamics, path analysis, cohort analysis, and data mining, organisations can track user behaviour across platforms and provide insights on the journey from the first mile to the last mile.

Companies often only think about organisational change, not comprehending that there are four types of digital transformation as well. The four digital change types are Business Model, Business Process, Domain, and Culture. For this reason, it may not be possible to take advantage of all that digital transformation offers. Blockchain, the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, supply chain digital twins, deep data, and other technologies are streamlining or reimagining the shared tasks used by supply chain and Logistics companies. It provides valuable new opportunities to reinvent tasks and business processes. This change will help Logistics companies accelerate innovation, make better decisions, engage customers throughout their journey, embed organisational agility, and drive automation.

   1. Digital twin: Virtually represent hundreds of Logistics locations, assets, inventories, and warehouses, and use advanced analytics and AI to stimulate supply chain operations, including all the complexities contributing to vulnerabilities and hazards.

   2. Blockchain: Integrate different business areas, such as Logistics providers, shipping companies, and carriers, into a single platform. Using IoT, supply chains can perform mechanical and technical maintenance, inventory management, fleet tracking, and Logistics operations.

   3. AI & ML: It helps address governance issues and long-standing data silos in the supply chain, enabling greater visibility and integration across a diverse and distant network of stakeholders. An integrated digital Logistics platform provides an interconnected system enabling Logistics service providers to operate effectively and deliver a                           seamless customer experience.

   4. Big Data and Analytics: Big data analytics can help predict adjustments and manage inventory shortages more effectively by gaining insight into how demand is evolving. This also allows the industry to better manage its workforce by avoiding overtime, peak hours and fatigue, reducing unnecessary overhead, and making Logistics companies more competitive.

Cyber security is the practice of defending computers, servers, mobile devices, electronic systems, networks, and data from malicious attacks. Lately, we have seen some vital data theft happening in our industry. How can we build a robust system to prevent such theft from happening? 

Ensuring that only the right people have access to the right resources is required. We can also use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to validate user identity. We can use a Proxy and Firewall to secure the network. As employees operate remotely and make use of their own devices, it is vital to enhance your endpoint security posture so that your data is safe if a device is lost or compromised.

Data Loss Prevention (DLP) tools can be beneficial in restoring stolen or damaged data. This is especially important in the event of an employee deleting or tampering with critical corporate data, whether on purpose or by accident. Meanwhile, email gateways help protect your users from potential phishing attacks that could encourage them to share sensitive data.

Disruptive technology is the future of the supply chain. How will this trend impact the Logistics industry?

Disruptive technology improves the supply chain and has the potential to completely change how products are manufactured, distributed, and tracked. In the Logistics Industry, various disruptive technologies help make business more efficient. AI and ML will help optimise solutions by helping make the right choices for customers. Blockchain-based implementation of digital corridors is potentially disruptive. Devices like drones can also be used in large warehouses, making it easy to access instant data, saving time, and reducing stock count errors.

Disruptive technologies will undoubtedly disrupt supply chains, including disrupting multiple processes and ways to get work done. These changes are for the better. IoT reduces man-hours to track inventory and improves warehouse efficiency. Driverless trucks do the same. Inventory is also expected to reach quickly, allowing businesses to move more products and generate more sales. Drones offer efficiencies and can get the job done faster. 3D printing can dramatically reduce product production time. The general trends here are efficiency gains, reduced labour costs, and shorter production and delivery times. The supply chain industry can look forward to these improved key performance indicators.

Kale has been the flag bearer in introducing innovative technologies to the industry. Can you shed some light on how Kale is practising this philosophy internally?

In Kale, various innovative technologies are being practised internally, like Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Blockchain, Internet of Things, Drones, Geolocation services, and Computer Vision for the following use cases:

• AI-based OCR Engine- Capable of automating the manual AWB data entry work. Saves over 90% of the employee’s overall time, increasing their productivity. Simply forward an email with AWB in the attachment to the email id. OCR Engine will read all pdf attachments from the email inbox and retrieve all the AWB data automatically and instantly.
• Customer Support Chat Widget- Integrate the chat widget on the home page of the website application to support customer queries easily.
• QNA chatbot for FAQs- Integrate the QNA chatbot to answer frequently asked questions automatically, with no manual intervention. Be available to your customers 24×7.
• Face Recognition System- Automate the gate entry system using a facial recognition system. Record the visitors’ IN and OUT timing and visitor information/details automatically digitally.
• Blockchain-based ledger for shipment tracking- Give trust and confidence to your customers by maintaining an immutable ledger of shipment status transactions using blockchain. Customers can verify the shipment transactions and timestamps using a publicly available blockchain ledger.
• AI-based Truck slot management- Predicts the load/unload time for trucks according to container type, load carried by truck, etc., and allocates the suitable dock automatically.