Can you imagine a time when goods were transported by horse-drawn carts and wind-powered ships?
It seems like a lifetime ago, but logistics technology has come a long way since then. In the previous article, we explored the impact of AI on retail environments and supermarkets and later answered some burning questions about AI and Data security in an exclusive interview. Today, we shall observe the impact of technological advancements on the logistics landscape.
Logistics THEN
In the 19th century, steam engines and railroads changed everything, making it possible to transport goods faster and more efficiently. And in the 20th century, cars and aeroplanes took things to a whole new level, allowing goods to travel even further and faster. But they were just the beginning of it all – the rise of the internet in the late 20th century had a huge impact on logistics technology. Now we can track shipments in real-time and share information quickly and easily, leading to big improvements in supply chain management. With the rise of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and big data, logistics has been transformed even further.
Logistics NOW
One of the coolest trends in logistics technology today is the use of the Internet of Things (IoT) to track goods and monitor supply chain performance. IoT sensors can be attached to everything from individual packages to entire shipping containers, providing real-time data on location, temperature, humidity, and other factors that can impact the quality and safety of goods during transport. Another exciting trend in logistics technology is blockchain. It might sound complicated, but it’s actually pretty simple – blockchain creates a permanent record of every transaction in the supply chain. This can help prevent fraud, reduce delays, and improve trust between partners. It’s like having a super secure diary that everyone can see but no one can change. Drones on the other hand are also set to revolutionize logistics technology by delivering packages faster and more efficiently than ever before. But that’s not all, cyber-physical systems, autonomous machines, and data analysis software improve efficiency and optimize logistics operations. Imagine self-driving trucks and forklifts, automated warehouses, and predictive analytics tools that can move goods faster, more efficiently, and with greater accuracy than ever before. It’s like something out of a sci-fi movie!
The impact of all these technologies on today’s world is that we all want things to be quick, efficient and economical. However, factors like inflation, market demands and other such aspects can affect how much money logistics companies invest in technology. That’s why it’s super important for technology to provide a quick return on investment and save costs while making operations run smoothly. One such cool solution is FTF Work by FTF International AG, a Swiss company working in the AI technology space. It can easily work with a company’s existing systems and even other existing solutions to make everything run like a well-oiled machine. Plus, it can lower costs and increase security. Here’s a practical example of how it operates in the logistics industry: Imagine you’re a truck driver waiting in line to enter a busy warehouse. With FTF’s automated gate entry and exit systems, Digital Gate, you won’t have to wait as long to load or unload your goods. Plus, pickups and deliveries can be scheduled more efficiently, and security policies like wearing helmets and closing gates/doors can be easily executed. Even navigating around the warehouse premises can be improved using this system. It’s all about making those little details run smoothly so that everything works better and is GDPR-compliant.
Logistics TOMORROW
So there you have it – logistics technology has come a long way since the days of horse-drawn carts and wind-powered ships. From steam engines and railroads to the internet and artificial intelligence, technology has transformed the way goods are transported and managed. And with exciting new trends like IoT, blockchain, drones, and autonomous machines, the future of logistics is looking brighter than ever.
So next time you receive a package or order something online, remember that there’s a whole world of technology working behind the scenes to make it happen 😉
Sources: Featured image https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/supply-chain-representation-still-life_38171688.htm History of logistics image https://www.futurelearn.com/info/courses/international-logistics-introduction-et/0/steps/204266 History of logistics https://www.logmore.com/post/short-history-logistics-tech Logistics technology https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2021/12/01/why-logistics-technology-matters/ Blockchain in logistics https://hbr.org/2020/05/building-a-transparent-supply-chain GDPR https://termly.io/resources/articles/gdpr-for-dummies/ Meme image https://www.facebook.com/LogSupplyMemes/photos/pb.100080033146069.-2207520000./3205553746396497/
that was so interesting especially because i never even thought about it – maybe now i will!
Thank you Ulyana. The goal of my articles is to raise awareness of different things going on in the world in a simple yet informative manner. I am glad that the article has met its purpose 🙂
Wow! Nice to learn something about my online shopping!
hahaha, yes Chiara. Every time you click “Buy”, you trigger the scenario mentioned in the article. I am glad that you know that now.
Very accurate, tech advancemwnt including IoT and IoE keep evolving, creating new business needs and deliveries as well as an overall new understanding of the customer experience, across stakeholders.
Thank you Avgo! There is so much going on in the world every day that it is hard to keep track of everything. Hence, the goal of my articles is to capture a gist of things happening in AI across different industries using FTF International’s products and services.
I am looking forward to receiving my amazon order within two hours by drone.
It’s astounding how much is going on in the background after a simple click on “purchase”. Interesting topic! I hope these technologies will help us improve sustainability too.
Great Point Ramon…. The goal of using AI across different industries is to identify redundancy and overcome it so that there is less waste of resources. However, this isn’t as easy as said and hence should be very cautiously and vigilantly implemented and monitored. It is important to note that AI is not a magical tool and still relies on human input to understand its role in the scenario.
Trust me Paul, this will happen very soon in the upcoming years. You will definitely be a very happy customer, at least with regards to delivery time 😉
Very interesting article! In my opinion, it’s amazing how much logistics technology has evolved over time. And now, with exciting advances like IoT, blockchain, drones and autonomous machines, the future of logistics looks even more promising. Let’s see where this will take us.
Yes,the future is definitely promising but one shouldn’t get lost looking at the promises and the grandeur that comes along. AI, like all other tools, is only as good as the person/organisation using it and hence should be skillfully used to make any meaningful work out of it.
Interesting topic. Really excited to see how further technologies will merge with the logistics field.
That is true! The possibilities are limitless and therefore I too am waiting for different technologies to present themselves so that we can get them to help each other and make work much more efficient and sustainable.
I already knew a bit about internet of things but now I got a deeper understanding of how it can help a whole supply chain, really good article
Thank you Antonio. I am glad that my article has met its purpose with you. I urge you to check out the following article as we will explore real-world scenarios and how AI is being used to automate a lot of work for different reasons.
It’s interesting to read the evolution of logistics throughout history. Would you consider writing a blog post about drone delivery and how companies like Amazon are innovating this method of delivery? It would be interesting to learn more.
Thank you for your input Mabe. I will take note of this and see how I can present this in the style of my other articles.
Really interesting read! Logistics is such an important part of society and technological advancements are really creating fascinating new ways. Looking forward to another article!
Thank you Riley. Logistics is truly overlooked in today’s world. Stay tuned as we explore another real-world application of AI in the next article.
We need to be aware of how technology has changed current transportation and supply chain management. In today’s fast-paced world, efficiency and cost effectiveness are crucial, and logistics companies need technology to quickly recoup their expenditures while streamlining operations. Amazon and Uber Eats are two examples of leading companies using self-driving vehicles and using drones for deliveries. We must continually learn new things, come up with creative solutions, and collaborate with these new businesses if we want to live in this wonderful future. An interesting article Jon.
Ramiro, I’m truly grateful to you! Keeping up with the ever-changing world is tough, but my goal is to summarize AI’s influence in different industries using FTF International’s products. Thanks for joining me on this journey!
very interesting article! it would be super interesting if you would elaborate more about what we could expect in the future. what is being worked on right now and what will happen in 20 years in logistics?
Thank you for your feedback, Leandra. I will try to capture the essence of what you’ve requested in one of my articles. Stay tuned 🙂