Six Game-Changing B2B Logistics Technologies

Digital transformation, as someone recently said, is not so much a question of “why”; rather it is a question of “when.” When we analyze the up-and-coming trends in the Business to business logistics, It can be said that it’s ripe for disruption. 

It’s not merely from nimble startups that the pressure is from, but from those who experienced the moments worth remembering In their corresponding fields as well. Almost all enterprises, including distributors and logistics partners, rely on the network of partners in the modern marketplace in order to stay competitive.

However, most of the time, the absence of B2B integration leads to obstacles for businesses to become digitally mature companies. Advanced technologies namely IoT, AI, and e-AWB provide plenty of opportunities for the logistics industry to change itself digitally. 

According to a report compiled by the market intelligence company on Digitization investments in the logistics industry, after a period of 5 years, digital logistics expenditures will increase to more than $94 billion, growing at an annual rate of 10.7% from 2018 to 2026. Firms that offer B2B logistics services are being forced heavily to offer better services in the post-pandemic era, driven by a multitude of factors than that before. Here are a couple of digital trends that will have a profound influence in the Business to business logistics.  

Electronic Air Waybill

From the conventional AWB which is paper-based, the Business to Business Logistics sector is rapidly transitioning to the Electronic Air Waybill: it tracks the shipment from the sender to the recipient. EAWB is not merely the digital form of the traditional paper AWB, but it has turned out to be the New norm to efficiently trace and process shipment info besides the elevated lucidity and a substantial decrease in costs and unwanted slowdowns as well. 

In the year 2020, Electronic Air Waybill is now the default contract of carriage according to IATA.

It has already been put into effect by top international airlines, including Deutsche Lufthansa AG, and Emirates, with Delta and United Airlines to enact shortly. The TIACA envisions a visionary objective of a cent percent Electronic Air Waybill by the next year. 

The most significant benefit of the electronic Air Waybill is that it paves the way for the introduction of other digital technologies to the industry. In the absence of a fundamental standard for digital data sharing within the air-freight sector, technologies such as big data, cloud logistics, etc will be greatly hindered in their effectiveness.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

There is a great deal of opportunity for putting into effect Artificial Intelligence and machine learning in logistics since both of them can aid examine and controlling the virtual goldmine of data which is structured and not for more business results in the supply chain. 

With the assistance of machine learning algorithms, logistics companies can discover concealed patterns in supply chain data to determine what factors affect their supply chain network’s performance.

The data can aid logistics companies to identify details regarding:

• Level of stocks
• Scale back shipment charges 
• Demand forecasting
• Mobility management 
• Distributors 

Internet of Things

In the logistics industry, the Internet of Things is emerging as a game-changer, rapidly. Logisticians can benefit from the Internet of things driven sensors to keep track of the temperature and humidity of goods that are likely to decay and are sensitive, namely medications and food. Product authentication is offered by NFC tags to prevent forgery and robbery. 

The Internet of Things goes a long way to making business processes more efficient and enhancing location management. Logisticians can benefit from the Internet of Things authorized smart location management system to monitor drivers, delivery status, and automobiles. 

Among the uses of the Internet of Things are:

• Monitoring inventories
• Warehouse management
• Autonomous vehicles
• Delivery based on the unmanned aerial vehicle 
• Prospective analytics
• Supply chain management 

Blockchain: 

For logisticians, blockchain technology provides comprehensive solutions to ensure smooth, efficient workflows. A decentralized public ledger aids in archiving the flow of every shipping crate instantaneously. 

As a result of the generated data, logisticians can get rid of deliveries that take extra steps and introduce quicker routes. Blockchain goes a long way to aid lower bottlenecks and get rid of clerical fallacies as well.

Logistics companies are provided with Intelligent ledger-based contracts to enhance transparency while minimizing transit times. 

Logistics is poised for a technological revolution fueled by clear recordings, cost-cutting, and accurate route data. E-AWB, AI, and machine learning, IoT, and Blockchain go a long way to aid Business to Business logistics firms to unlock the digital growth code and make the most of the digital revolution. Logistics firms can benefit from new developments in digital technology to update their major business operations, enhance supply chain efficiency and enhance Return of Investment. But it is important to gauge the worth and efficiency of every technology which is put into effect with the aid of transparent metrics.

The advent of revolutionary new technologies such as eAWB, Internet of Things, blockchain, big data, will only make global supply chains more rapid, smarter, eco-friendly, and customer-focused.

Big Data 

When utilized in the proper way data can transform business models making it a commodity of great worth, in the world. 

Logistics now takes center stage, in which combining and analyzing data streams using Artificial intelligence will cause new innovative information in prospective logistics, route planning, demand forecasting, etc. 

Based on research by Big data executives, this may lower charges by 49.2% and Promote innovation by 44.3%. It’s not surprising that 98% of 3PL logistics companies think big data is crucial for their constant gains. 

Combining data streams regarding traffic, weather, and shipment data, as an instance, will result in instantaneous route optimization in which cargo is immediately moved to the optimum route while situations evolve, offering an Up-to-minute estimated time of arrival. 

Through contrasting current data pools and current conditions, protecting against anything from overcrowding at ports to high flood threats, hazards can be minimized.

In the end, big data can transform logistics from a reactive to a predictive business model. In order to ship additional orders of the in-demand item, predictive demand planning relies on data from online vendors to forecast sales surges. Similarly, data on purchasing patterns of customers goes a long way to anticipating a purchase prior to its happening so that the product of interest can be housed close to the potential consumer, providing the opportunity for same-hour delivery. The same method is adopted by Amazon to Ensure same-day delivery.

Cloud Logistics 

B2B Logistics Services Providers are embracing cloud services at a brisk rate with 50% of companies already using them and another 20% intending to adopt them. Almost all logistics Information Technology services are now obtainable on a scalable, when and where people want it, PPU basis as data moves to the cloud. The result is that small businesses do not have to spend a fortune on monolithic IT structures, they only pay for what they want and when they want it.

About DDU Express 

As one of the leading Shipping and Logistics Companies in Dubai, you can always count on us. Right from shipping your goods around the world, offering world-class warehousing facilities, retail distribution, 3PL, and more, we can handle anything you want. Come work with us and discover the difference – innovation paired with a commitment to excellence.