Apr 13, 2023

While they may go by unnoticed, logistic teams play a vital role in everyday life. From medication deliveries to utility workflows, transportation and logistics upholds seamless efficiency across every industry. Without reliable delivery and freight systems, studies suggest a nightmarish world with challenges such as:

• Hospitals running out of basic supplies
• Fuel and food shortages
• Decreased automobile travel
• Faltering power plants and energy distribution

From life-saving healthcare supplies to perishable foods, the T&L sector supports crucial aspects of modern life. Therefore, ongoing driver shortages pose a serious threat to most industries.

The American Trucking Association estimates an 80,000 trucker shortage in the United States, with projected figures reaching as high as 160,000 by 2023. According to their predictions, the trucking industry would need to add around one million new drivers to meet the demand for fast freight and counter future retirements. As today’s drivers feel the strain of missed deadlines, manufacturers and retailers also feel the repercussions of delays. About 5 in 10 consumers have stated they would stop purchasing from brands after one to three delays. The National Retail Federation (NRF) shared that 97% of its members have dealt with the consequences of port congestion and shipping delays.

Leading research centers and associations cite wage increases and flexible schedules as the top ways to attract and retain drivers. Nevertheless, when these options are outside of the realm of possibilities, businesses can still do much to empower their drivers and relieve mounting stressors.

How Automation Empowers Today’s Drivers

Truck drivers spend the majority of their time in a small space with little accessibility to collaborative teams. The truck-driving lifestyle has often been associated with fatigue, loneliness, and irritability. To remediate technical issues, many companies are turning to automation in hopes systems will automate repetitive, mind-numbing tasks. When deployed alongside a responsive technical team, the following solutions have strengthened T&L teams with actionable insights, open communication channels, and faster order processing.

• RFID Inventory Management – Real-time visibility is indispensable in today’s supply chains where consumers expect to accurately track their deliveries throughout the shipping process.

Unlike traditional barcoding, RFID doesn’t require a line of sight, allowing drivers to quickly scan parcels and verify the correct shipments are heading to the correct route.

• Automated Proof-of-Receipt – To diminish the chances of disputes and certify deliveries arrive at the correct destination, proof-of-receipt systems are crucial to improve the overall customer experience and protect the bottom line.

Mobile devices such as handheld computers and enterprise tablets should sport a high-resolution camera to best assist in capturing proof of delivery on the go and connect images with respective invoices and receipts matching the delivery log.

• Remote Connectivity for Unbroken Communication – It’s estimated that about 68% of all American freight is moved on land. Delivery teams venture to the farthest places, where connectivity signals often struggle to sustain applications and quick load times. Furthermore, without connectivity, admin teams are unable to notify drivers of any route changes.

Fortunately, technological advancements have created new flexible connectivity mechanisms such as long-range cellular and 5G. Stronger signals reduce the possibilities of missed information, delays, and lagging networks. An experienced wireless optimization provider should be able to tailor and maintain a network infrastructure that supports connectivity inside your facilities and beyond to keep teams unified.

As the saying goes: If you got it, a truck brought it. Seamless transportation and logistics workflows are at the center of successful Supply Chain Management. For more information on how technology can empower your logistic team, contact us for a preliminary overview of your current devices and networks.