Digitalising Logistic Operations In 2024
Digitalising Logistic Operations In 2024
As we move into 2024 we’re expecting to see a few growing pains over the next few months, specifically due to the acceleration of trends that are set to transform the shipping industry.
Logistic professionals are seeking to understand how the shipping industry is shifting and how they can be instrumental in helping their business tackle these challenges.
While these shifts in trends will create both challenges and opportunities, it is important to recognise that they also hold the key to navigating the industry’s growing pains and fostering a resilient, sustainable, and efficient future.
E-Commerce growth
The soaring growth of e-commerce has undoubtedly reshaped the landscape of shipping and logistics, presenting both challenges and opportunities for businesses and professionals involved in the fulfilment process.
We know that online orders aren’t going anywhere. Period. And will continue to rise, presenting a double-edged sword for professionals – on one side, the demand for services has increased significantly, as businesses seek to optimise their shipping processes to meet the expectations of their online customers. On the other – the siloed nature of the e-commerce ecosystem, often involving multiple carriers and logistics providers, has added complexity to tracking and managing shipments.
Companies still relying on individual shipping systems and portals face a significant disadvantage in today’s e-commerce landscape. These systems often lack integration with other business systems, hindering effective tracking and management of shipments. Additionally, manual data entry and transfer between disparate systems can lead to delays, errors and inefficiencies.
This has become the catalyst for businesses seeking innovative technologies that can streamline and revolutionise logistics, addressing complexities and constraints through data integration, better routing, packing, and scheduling, and by leveraging automation to boost efficiency and reduce errors.
Digitalisation
Digitalisation is reshaping the shipping industry, and fast. Bringing in a new wave of opportunities that are shaking up how the shipping industry operates. The terms AI (Artificial Intelligence) and ML (Machine Learning) have been in our vocabulary for quite some time now and shipping tech solutions are getting on board!
Automation using AI and ML is playing a pivotal role in the shipping and logistics industry especially in order fulfilment processes. From warehouse automation and picking and packing robots to real-time tracking and predictive inventory management, automation is streamlining operations, reducing costs, and enhancing customer satisfaction. Automated labelling systems eliminate manual errors, and real-time tracking provides visibility into the delivery process. AI-powered systems forecast demand, optimise inventory levels, and handle returns effectively. These transformative automation applications are reshaping the order fulfilment landscape, paving the way for a more efficient, cost-effective, and customer-centric shipping experience.
The adoption of AI and ML has given rise to the development of shipping solutions that offers immense potential for enhanced efficiency, sustainability, and customer service, it also presents the challenge of overcoming siloed practices that hinder data sharing and seamless integration across different players in the supply chain.
The shipping industry is characterised by a fragmented landscape, with numerous independent and specialised carriers operating within a complex network of partners, intermediaries, and customers. This fragmentation often leads to siloed practices, where individual entities operate independently and lack seamless integration with their counterparts. This lack of integration can pose significant challenges in terms of efficiency, transparency, and overall supply chain management.
Challenges Posed by Siloed Practices
- User Error: Manually entering shipping information into multiple systems can lead to errors, delays, and inefficiencies.
- Lack of Visibility: Tracking shipments across multiple systems in real time is difficult, hindering informed decision-making.
- Dependency on Partner Portals: Reliance on partner portals for shipment tracking can be inefficient and frustrating.
- Incompatibility with Third-Party Applications: Integrating shipping data with other business systems is challenging due to siloed systems and at times can cost over £10,000 for custom integrations into an existing system.
Addressing the Challenges of Siloed Shipping Systems Before Digital Transformation
- Unify Shipping Data: Consolidate shipping data from multiple systems into a central platform, eliminating manual data entry and enhancing real-time visibility across the supply chain.
- Standardise Data Formats: Adopt industry-standard data models or develop compatible formats to enable seamless data sharing between different systems.
- Connect with Partner Portals: Using a solution that allows you to connect with your shipping partners without ever leaving your own platform.
Tackling the siloed practices within the shipping industry is essential for achieving greater efficiency, transparency, and supply chain optimisation. By embracing integrated platforms, promoting data standardisation, encouraging collaboration, and investing in technology, businesses can move away from its fragmented nature and embrace a more unified approach to logistics management. As digitisation continues to transform the industry, it is imperative for logistic professionals to acknowledge and address the challenges posed by siloed practices, paving the way for a more efficient, sustainable, and customer-centric shipping landscape.
OneShip™ – NetSuite Shipping Integration
With the focus on digital transformation, overcoming siloed practices is paramount for logistics professionals. By embracing integrated platforms and investing in technology, businesses can transition toward a unified approach, ensuring a more efficient, sustainable, and customer-centric shipping landscape.
Recognising the challenges brought about by the surge in e-commerce, including issues with disparate shipping systems, manual data entries, and individual label production, OneShip for NetSuite has been meticulously crafted with logistic professionals in mind.
Effortlessly integrating into your existing NetSuite ERP system, OneShip boasts pre-built connections for over 90 UK and EU shipping providers giving you the freedom and flexibility to select the carrier that best aligns with your shipping goals. By minimising manual tasks, OneShip boosts operational efficiency, enabling your staff to redirect their focus towards high-priority responsibilities.
Fiorucci, a fashion brand grappling with dispatching challenges chose OneShip as their NetSuite shipping solution, providing visibility throughout the shipping process and resulting in accelerated order fulfilment and an enhanced customer experience.
See how OneShip can propel your shipping processes into the future. Click, Stick, and Ship your way to a seamless shipping experience.