Today, technology has radically changed logistics processes and leads the way to the future, where automation, data analysis, immediate attention, blockchain and artificial intelligence will be the undisputed protagonists.
The year 2023 has left clear traces on the direction in which logistics is going, and before the last month of the year it is natural to ask the question: What does 2024 have in store for us?
“Logistics is constantly evolving and it is essential to anticipate emerging trends and proactively adapt. But when we achieve this, it is essential to know that trends will soon change and efforts must also be made to achieve full adaptability. So we logistics providers cannot believe that once we jump right on the trend, we are ‘on the other side’, and conversely, we must be aware that what works today will probably not work with the same effectiveness tomorrow.” points out Ilan EpelbaumCEO of Mail Boxes Etc in Mexico.
What trends await us by 2024?
1. Automation for everything
Process automation appears as a trend already established and indispensable in 2024. Data from Forrester state that not automating processes could translate into losses of up to $2.2 million per year for companies; This is why, from warehouse automation to the integration of autonomous vehicles, the future of logistics looks increasingly autonomous and robotic.
Actually, International Federation of Robotics highlights a 27% increase in sales of industrial robots in the Americas by 2023, indicating rapid adoption of the technology.
2. “Data is the new gold”
In the information age, big data is becoming the basis of modern logistics. The ability to analyze supply chain data provides detailed insight into consumer preferences, demand patterns and operational efficiencies.
The above allows logistics operators to have valuable information at hand to make decisions based on a transparent overview of what is happening in daily operations and adapt their services to what the said data dictates.
3. Chatbots for attention
Customer service is turning towards automation with the growing preference for chatbots. According to AMVO43% of Mexicans prefer that care be delivered through instant messaging platforms in the coming years.
To do this from these platforms such as WhatsApp, the efficiency and speed offered by chatbots becomes essential to achieve immediacy and improve customer satisfaction. From Mail Boxes Etc’s point of view, this technology must continue to evolve until it reaches more fluid language models that allow the client to interact with the bot without interruption, complemented by the work of advisors who intervene in more specific doubts without the difference being noticeable. .
4. Blockchain
Blockchain is proving to be an essential ally in logistics, improving supply chain traceability and optimizing inventory management. From secure document authentication to speeding up customs processes, blockchain promises to revolutionize the transparency and efficiency of operations.
Gartner, Regarding this technology, he predicts that during 2023, 50% of companies worldwide would invest in solutions that allow them to monitor their logistics processes in real time, such as blockchain.
5. Artificial intelligence
Managing the last mile is becoming a fine art with the help of artificial intelligence. The ability to anticipate route anomalies, adverse weather conditions and other obstacles is becoming essential to the rise of e-commerce.
Artificial intelligence to analyze data from various sources during parcel delivery operations, as mentioned above, is key to ensuring accurate deliveries and a perfect customer experience, especially in 2024, when urgent orders and personalization will emerge as essential needs in parcel delivery.
2024 looks set to be an exciting year for logistics, where automation, intelligent data analysis and the introduction of new technologies will drive the course. In a world where efficiency and adaptability are commonplace, companies that embrace these trends will be better prepared to meet the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities that the future of logistics presents.