Key technologies adopted by warehousing & logistics sector to meet demand
Coronavirus pandemic has disrupted global supply chains and ravaged economies. Nonetheless, there are few sectors, which are faring in these challenging times. E-commerce and warehousing is witnessing a huge demand primarily driven by shift in consumers’ behaviour.
Many are opting for online shopping for the first time ever as the COVID-19 pandemic is reducing consumer’s reliance on conventional retail. The transition in consumer expectations have further altered global supply chains and logistics operations.
Warehousing and logistics sectors have turned their focus on serving demands such as rise in e-commerce customer expectations like faster delivery times, order customisation, and better return policies among others. These new developments have been fulfilled with the adoption of key technologies by the demanding sector. Scroll down to learn about major technologies being used in the sector.
- 1. AI in automation: Recently, automation has been playing a pivotal role in changing warehouse technology, however, artificial intelligence (AI) add-ons can increase productivity and help in self-managing inventory systems, automated picking and packing, autonomous robots for physical work, self-driving vehicles like forklifts, and automated storage and retrieval (ASRS) operations.
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2. Blockchain: Making use of blockchain can aid in managing complex supply chains and also help demand surges, speed up operational efficiency, and get goods out the door faster by studying analytical insights on the end-to-end supply chain visibility by optimising processes where needed.
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3. IoT integration- It can help in pushing digitalisation of small and mediums sized businesses, which are involved in e-commerce. Theses smart devices like sensors, wearables, and surveillance devices can track and monitor warehouse equipment.
- 4. Improving the last mile- To fulfil rising customer expectations, push contactless deliveries and deliver on the same day, is making way for tech adoption.Implementing use of technology, to improve last-mile deliveries will focus around the new product categories that have been highlighted lately, such as enabling a temperature-controlled supply chain to deliver perishable food items or temperature sensitive medicines.