For the logistics sector, 2024 was a year of developing new technologies that contributed to streamlining the supply chain. What were these innovations? Experts from the technology company Blulog listed the 5 most important trends, showing how new technologies influence increased efficiency and sustainable development in the logistics and industrial sectors.
Sustainable logistics: electrification and blockchain
Companies are increasingly investing in technologies that reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Sustainable development also includes effective resource management, such as intelligent systems monitoring environmental parameters, which is crucial for an industry striving for eco-friendly production.
Companies are investing in electric and hybrid vehicles as well as energy-efficient warehouses, minimizing their environmental impact. Blockchain technologies revolutionized the logistics and supply chain sector in 2024, enabling the tracking of every stage of product production and delivery. Thanks to this technology, every transaction is recorded, which minimizes the risk of product counterfeiting, allows for CO2 emission tracking, and increases transparency and consumer trust.
Warehouse automation
Robots, drones, and autonomous vehicles will be responsible for warehousing, order picking, and delivery. This technology will increase operational efficiency and speed up order fulfillment. According to a McKinsey analysis, automation could increase global productivity growth by 0.8% to 1.4% annually[1].
The Wielkopolska Agricultural and Horticultural Guild (WGRO S.A.) has already automated one of the most important aspects of its operations and introduced Blulog IoT for real-time monitoring of temperature and humidity in rooms where vegetables, fruits, and flowers are stored.
The temperature and humidity monitoring system operates continuously 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. Why? The storage environment is an incredibly important aspect – plants are very delicate and demanding. In the case of cut flowers, a significant loss of quality occurs with a deviation of just 1-2°C. A failure, without immediate implementation of corrective actions, could result in the loss of up to 100% of the goods. Since the company began cooperating with Blulog, the expected temperature, both in sales halls and cold stores, is always maintained at the expected level, which is safe for the goods.
Big Data and predictive data analysis
Analyzing massive datasets will allow for ongoing tracking and monitoring of supply chains, which will minimize the risk of delays and streamline operations. Companies will also use Big Data to forecast risks, which will increase resilience to external disruptions. The amount of data generated globally is expected to grow from 64 zettabytes (64 trillion GB) in 2020 to 181 zettabytes by 2025. These huge amounts of data enable the use of artificial intelligence for route optimization, fleet management, and warehouse management, which increases operational efficiency.
Nearshoring and multisourcing
In the face of continuous disruptions in global supply chains, strategies such as nearshoring (moving production closer to target markets) and multisourcing (diversifying suppliers) are gaining importance in 2024. According to McKinsey research, as many as 97% of companies are increasing their inventories, diversifying supply sources, or regionalizing their operations to strengthen resilience to crises and minimize supply disruptions. Nearshoring allows for moving operations closer to target markets, which reduces dependence on distant suppliers and minimizes risks resulting from global disruptions. Multisourcing, i.e., engaging multiple suppliers from different regions, helps companies reduce dependence on a single market, which is crucial in the face of problems such as geopolitical tensions or regulatory changes. 67% of enterprises have already implemented technologies enabling full visibility of their operations in order to respond faster to potential disruptions[2].
Thanks to such practices, companies gain flexibility and better cost control, while simultaneously reducing risk and increasing resilience to crises.
Predictive and preventive maintenance
Predictive and preventive maintenance is another key element of the technological revolution in logistics and industry. Thanks to advanced intelligent systems, companies can monitor the condition of their machines and infrastructure in real time, which allows for predicting failures before they occur and performing appropriate maintenance.
Predictive maintenance, based on the analysis of large datasets, allows for identifying wear patterns and forecasting potential faults. Automatic notification of the need for repair enables planning service activities in a way that minimizes production and transport disruptions. As a result, companies using such solutions can increase operational efficiency, extend equipment lifespan, and reduce costs associated with repairs and downtime.
Predictions for 2025
In 2025, key technologies will be artificial intelligence (AI) and Big Data, which will revolutionize supply chain management. Predictive analytics, powered by Big Data, will enable more accurate demand forecasting and better risk control, which will contribute to even greater operational efficiency.
[1] https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/digital-disruption/whats-now-and-next-in-analytics-ai-and-automation
[2] https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/operations/our-insights/taking-the-pulse-of-shifting-supply-chains
Source: Blulog Sp. z o.o.