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June 17, 2023

Visibility in the Logistics Industry

Picture of Silver Runner Kft.

Silver Runner Kft.

Visibility means having access to real-time and accurate information about the location, status, condition, and performance of goods and vehicles throughout the supply chain.

The logistics industry is a vital part of the global economy, as it involves the movement of goods and services from one place to another. However, logistics also faces many challenges, such as increasing customer expectations, rising costs, security risks, environmental impacts, and regulatory compliance. To overcome these challenges, logistics companies need to have visibility into their operations and assets at all times.

Visibility means having access to real-time and accurate information about the location, status, condition, and performance of goods and vehicles throughout the supply chain. This enables logistics companies to optimize their processes, reduce costs, improve customer satisfaction, enhance security, and comply with regulations. Tracking also helps logistics companies to respond quickly and effectively to any disruptions or emergencies that may occur.

One of the key technologies that enable visibility in the logistics industry is tracking devices. Tracking devices are devices that use GPS or other technologies to monitor and report the position and movement of goods and vehicles. The devices can be installed on various modes of transportation, such as trucks, railcars, ships, and planes, or attached to individual containers, pallets, or packages. Some devices can also collect and transmit other data, such as temperature, humidity, vibration, speed, fuel consumption, and driver behavior.

In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of tracking devices for logistics companies, the types of tracking devices available in the market today, and the factors that logistics companies need to consider when choosing tracking devices.

Benefits of Tracking Devices

Tracking devices provide many benefits for logistics companies, such as:

Better handoff of goods: Tracking devices allow logistics companies to know exactly where goods are at any given time, so that transfers between supply chain partners are accurate and up-to-date. This reduces errors, delays, disputes, and losses.
More accurate scheduling: Tracking devices allow logistics companies to know when goods are going to arrive at their destination or intermediate points, making it easier to plan production and delivery schedules. This improves efficiency, productivity, and customer satisfaction.
Reduced risk of loss: Tracking devices allow logistics companies to enhance security for transporting goods, as they can detect and prevent theft or unauthorized access. They can also alert logistics companies if goods are damaged or spoiled during transit.
Identified delays and bottlenecks: Tracking devices allow logistics companies to analyze the performance of their supply chain and identify any problems or inefficiencies that may cause delays or increase costs. They can also help logistics companies to find alternative routes or solutions in case of disruptions or emergencies.
Accurate reporting: Tracking devices provide logistics companies with high-quality data that they can use for reporting and decision making. They can also help logistics companies to comply with regulations and standards that require traceability and transparency.

Types of Tracking Devices

There are many types of tracking devices available in the market today , each with different features and capabilities. Some of the common types are:

Fleet tracking devices: These are tracking devices that are installed on the vehicles that logistics companies use to move goods around the supply chain. They use GPS or other technologies to report the location and movement of the vehicles. They can also collect and transmit other data such as speed, fuel consumption, driver behavior etc.
Shipment tracking devices: These are tracking devices that are attached to the shipments themselves, such as containers, pallets or packages. They use GPS or other technologies to report the location and movement of the shipments. They can also collect and transmit other data such as temperature humidity vibration etc.
Warehouse tracking devices: These are tracking devices that are used to monitor the inventory of goods and assets in warehouses or storage facilities. They use GPS or other technologies to report the location and status of the goods and assets. They can also collect and transmit other data such as usage authorized unauthorized access etc.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Tracking Devices

Some of the factors that logistics companies need to consider when choosing tracking devices are:

Cost: Tracking devices vary in price depending on their functionality quality durability battery life connectivity and maintenance requirements. Logistics companies need to balance their budget with their needs and expectations.
Coverage: Tracking devices need to have reliable and consistent coverage in the areas where they operate. Some tracking devices use cellular networks or satellite networks for communication , while others use low-power wide-area networks (LPWAN) such as LoRaWAN. Logistics companies need to consider the availability and cost of these networks in their regions.
Integration: Tracking devices need to be compatible and integrated with the software platforms that logistics companies use for managing their supply chain operations. Some tracking devices come with their own software applications, while others can be integrated with third-party applications. Logistics companies need to ensure that their tracking devices can provide seamless data exchange and analysis.

The Importance of visibility

Tracking devices are essential for achieving visibility in the logistics industry. They help logistics companies to improve their efficiency quality security and customer satisfaction. They also help logistics companies to adapt to the changing demands and challenges of the global market.

sources:
Logistics GPS Tracker Devices | Digital Matter. (n.d.).
Real-Time Tracking Technology in the Global Supply Chain – Blume Global. (n.d.).
The GPS tracking device market is expected to reach an estimated $2.9 billion by 2027 with a CAGR of 8% from 2021 to 2027.
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