As technology evolves, so does shipping. Technology makes it easier to track inventory, avoid delays, and market. This post will explain several ways how technology has impacted the shipping industry. Also, learn how you can upgrade your social media presence when you pay for IG followers with BuyTopLikes.
What is Digital Transformation?
Before we explain how digital transformation has impacted the shipment industry, it’s valuable to discuss what digital transformation is. Digital transformation is the impact technology has on a specific industry, changing its value or its processes. In the past few decades, the internet, mobile device technology, AI, and other technologies have significantly impacted how industries operate, and that includes the shipping industry.
Ways that Digital Transformation Has Impacted the Shipping Industry
Now, let’s look at a few examples of technology impacting the shipping industry.
Reduces Repetitive Tasks
The shipping industry is built on repetition. Shippers often send the same goods to the same businesses using the same routes. However, many repetitive tasks can be reduced through shipping IT technology. Think back to 50 years ago and how many files had to be on hand that contained important information, such as logbooks, tax documents, and more.
Thanks to computers and software, there are ways to track cargo automatically, streamline taxes, and much more. When it’s time to share this information, a shipping company can send this information over with a quick search instead of digging through documents in a filing cabinet.
Some people may be skeptical of these technologies because they may mess up and give the wrong information. However, technologies can significantly reduce human error. An overworked employee can make mistakes and write down incorrect information, but automation software, while not perfect, can reduce errors quickly and make it easier to correct them when spotted.
Optimizing the Best Routes
With any shipping company, the routes they take are important. Before modern technologies, shipping companies may have taken routes that cost more in resources such as gas, and taken more time. Even if the shipping company though they were on the fastest routes, factors such as weather or traffic accidents can happen. While TV and newspapers could give them the news, they could not provide the news in real-time, 24/7.
Meanwhile, technologies can enhance routes and adjust them according to changing circumstances. This allows shipping companies to save money and deliver their goods faster, allowing them to take on work and satisfy their clients.
Predict Maintenance Issues
Often, shipping companies were held back by maintenance issues. A truck that was ready to go may have needed a tire change, or a ship may have leaked. Sometimes, the problem would be small and go unnoticed, worsening by the time it was noticed. This would lead to significant costs and reduced productivity.
While maintenance issues can happen at any time, smart technologies and tools, such as predictive freight analytics, can help schedule maintenance and inform users of issues before they get worse.
Enhance Communication
Think back to 50 years ago. If someone wanted to communicate with clients or stakeholders, it was a process. Someone would have to make a call, and the person on the other line could be busy. Or, they would need to meet in person, which could be challenging.
With today’s technologies, businesses can now communicate much more efficiently. Shipping representatives and stakeholders can have digital meetings from across the country. A client can send an email after hours instead of having to call someone when they are open. More effective communication means less chance for miscommunications that lead to a loss in clients and profits.
Reach More Clients Through Social Media
Another way that shipping companies have reaped the benefits of technology is through social media. With a savvy social media campaign, it’s much easier to attract prospects from a shipping company’s local areas. It’s so much easier to give potential clients testimonials and other information that can sway them into choosing the shipping business over others.
There Will Always Be a Need for Human Input
When someone looks at these changing technologies, they may imagine a world where everything is automated, where there are no humans at the helm. This may be possible in the far future, but for now, humans need to keep an eye on everything.
One example is reviewing data quality. Data quality is when someone validates that the datasets match the company's goals. Poor data can sometimes lead to poor outcomes, which no shipping company wishes to encounter.
Another example of a shipping business requiring human input is through marketing. We mentioned social media before. A good shipping team will need someone savvy with social media and can help to reach a new clientele. Social media tends to change, and so do algorithms. Therefore, having human input is vital.
A human will also need to upgrade and maintain the infrastructure and be available in case something happens. Therefore, we don't see the shipping industry services being fully automated anytime soon.
Technology Will Always Evolve
With all this said, technology continues to evolve. As such, the shipping industry will continue to adopt these technologies and use them to improve productivity, minimize risk, and streamline repetitive tasks. For example, AI technology is one emerging way for shipping companies to be more successful. For shippers, it's an exciting time. If you own a shipping company, you must make changes to it that welcome new technologies. Also, keep an eye out for emerging technologies. How we ship in ten years may change, and the ways we do it now may seem primitive.
Final Thoughts
Technology is revolutionizing how shipping companies work. By streamlining repetitive tasks, using tools like predictive maintenance, and looking for the best routes, they can help companies make more profits, avoid mistakes, and keep their employees safe.
With that said, shipping companies should be mindful of these technologies and integrate them into their business while not relying too much on them. Errors are still possible, so having a human hand is vital.
