In the field of supply chain management, the blessing of IoT technology solves many of these problems-tracking goods, informing decisions, and keeping customers informed. While supply chain challenges aren’t going away anytime soon, decision makers can leverage IoT to meet the present and prepare for the future of logistics.
Here are four specific ways IoT technology is streamlining logistics and strengthening supply chains:
storehouse
Warehouses are the heart of the supply chain. With products and employees constantly moving through the warehouse, seamless workflow is critical for productivity, safety and planning.
Sensors can be placed throughout the warehouse to locate items and track them during the picking and packing process. This also provides insight into the volumes being processed at any given time or period of time. Smart shelves provide real-time inventory by monitoring and transmitting data on shelf products.
IoT-connected sensors can also monitor the environment for fire or equipment hazards and communicate to avoid collisions. This provides security managers with more real-time supervision in large spaces.
Anti-theft
Nothing disrupts a supply chain more than goods being lost or stolen. Cargo theft alone costs the transportation industry $50 billion annually. On the plus side, location-based services have numerous success stories in recovering lost or stolen items.
Cargo monitoring is one of the reasons. At the most basic level, a cargo monitoring solution tells you the location of your cargo in real time. They can also confirm the condition of transported goods, for example, if food is being transported, fleet managers can receive alert notifications if the food starts to get too hot.
Location-based services also provide fleet managers with the evidence they need to track down stolen shipments. Weight monitors in the trailer can detect and report any drastic changes immediately. In-car video provides real-time driving alerts and historical footage for review. In some cases, these indicators can even prevent theft from happening.
Quick prediction
Previously, decision makers had to wait for reports on shipments. Today, IoT solutions can collect and upload data in real time.
IoT data can cover multiple variables; for example, smart monitors can collect information about temperature, location, speed, and route simultaneously. Decision makers can use these details to make quick and informed decisions.
IoT data can also improve forecasting. Forecasting is never an exact science, but with good, clean data, it comes close. IoT data is specific information about connected devices, collected directly from the source and continuously updated. This makes forecasts more accurate and timely.
Therefore, IoT helps companies decide how to allocate resources and ensure productivity is as seamless as possible. While workflow is always a work in progress, rapid IoT data analysis can help companies quickly pivot during critical moments. It can also help nip problems in the bud before they affect other parts of the supply chain.
last mile delivery
With the rise of e-commerce, last-mile delivery has become a focus for businesses and consumers.
IoT can pave the way for its smooth delivery. Since IoT can increase connectivity across various parts of the supply chain, decisions can be made quickly and efficiently. For example, if inventory runs out at a transit center closest to the consumer, IoT data can help determine the next best option.
Companies can also use this information to notify consumers of estimated delivery times. When inventory is replenished, connected systems can be immediately alerted to resume normal business.
IoT insights enable companies to become transparent. The ability to provide confident answers is the hallmark of an efficient supply chain—one that keeps customers happy.
Resumir
In a logistics industry that is increasingly driven by technology, IoT solutions are a key part of strengthening supply chains. Industry leaders are investing heavily in supply chains to address issues and prepare for the future.Network IO controller