5 Top Trends in E-Commerce Logistics

According to various studies conducted in the business realm, the coming years may pose a number of challenges to e-commerce. Where on one hand the tariff wars, regulations and restrictions have increased, with the rising market in China, the competition has also increased. The competition will continue to grow as there may be a rise of new commercial and business actors.

Owing to the increased competition and the desire to gain a competitive edge in the market, e-commerce logistics will also be dominated by various new trends in the future. Previously, the main focus was usually given to the visibility and tracking only but with the advancement in technology, new ways are being explored in the logistics field too to keep up with the technological pace of the world The future of the e-commerce logistics may be ruled by the following new trends:

●     AI and Robotics

●     Blockchain

●     Smart contracts and smart payments

●     Digitization and Automation

●     Enhanced visibility

Though some of these trends are already being practiced their usage will become essential in the future for the e-commerce company to succeed. Some of the trends are discussed below:

Automation in Transportation

Automation being one of the most powerful technologies in the landscape of the e-commerce delivery system streamlines the whole logistics process and lowers the need for manual assistance. With the help of the latest automation technologies, the whole shipping process has become easier and efficient as:

●     The deliveries have become quicker

●     Through predictive analysis, pre-emptive measures can be taken

●     The choice prediction can be made

●     Transportation and inventory have become automated

Investors and business owners from various parts of the world take the help of freight forwarders to ship their products. Freight forwarders can assist in managing, coordinating and conducting the shipping of goods via marine, road or rail. From the confirmation of order to the delivery of the products, all can be handled by them. The services that the freight forwarders can provide include the warehouse management, transportation either by sea or air, storage facilities, the advice in preparing the documents. The safe and timely transportation of the goods is a responsible task of the freight forwarders. For that, it is advisable that they incorporate the latest technology in the transportation process.

Many transportation vehicles are customized in a way that they can safely carry temperature-sensitive goods. Furthermore, new ideas are being proposed to fully automate transportation in the logistics field. With the incorporation of technology, the vehicles would analyze the traffic-related data and reroute by choosing the best alternate route to avoid any delays. Truck Platooning has been introduced in many places which enables one truck to guide a group of trucks. These machines are able to communicate with one another. This, in turn, would save a lot of fuel and time.

Mobile-Friendly Environment

For the last few years, there has been a boom in the smartphone market and a rise in human dependency on mobiles. They prefer to do everything on their phones. From social media and watching movies and trailers to keeping a schedule or record, everything is being done on the mobiles. Moreover, they prefer to shop for things through their phones too. Getting everything on a single website and the benefit of things being delivered to the doorstep is something hard to avoid. 

With the technological advancement, the customers can make online payments through their mobiles. Along with that, the various software can allow the customer to keep track of the product. The customer service is also being improved in this sector as the automated chat-bots and voice-bots can communicate with the customers in various languages. Therefore, it is important for retailers to invest in mobile-friendly technology to enhance the customer experience.

Blockchain and Smart Technologies

One of the revolutionary trends in e-commerce logistics is the integration of the blockchain in the supply chain. Blockchain having decentralized data structures offer solutions to some of the biggest logistics problems.

●     It assists in keeping an eye on the whole logistics process.

●     Along with the physical flow, it helps keep the record of the information and the financial flows too.

●     Digital contracts have the ability to operate and function with more speed, autonomy, and transparency. Due to which there remains no need of the third-party logistics to verify the contract.

●     With speedy payments and transparency, timely and efficient deliveries are made.

●     Due to its inherent quality of immutability, it becomes impossible to change the data so the chances of cheating and counterfeiting are reduced making the whole process error-free.

●     Any change made in the supply chain is shared with all the participatory parties so transparency is maintained.

SAAS & CLOUD Computing

The use of this software is taking over the logistics companies. The SaaS software and cloud computing being great at working together add to the flexibility and help save the cost of cloud services. This personalized technology is becoming popular in e-commerce as it can make the clients feel special and give them interesting offers. This software can allow companies to share data with their customers. By using chat-bots and twenty-four-hour customer support, the queries of the customers are answered and their problems can be solved. For showing loyalty, the customers can be offered leverages and rewards. Hence, it improves customer service.

AI and Robotics to Revolutionize Logistics

The current AI spring is in action and is ruling the lives of humans. This trend is also essential in e-commerce logistics in order to solve various problems and to increase operational efficiency. Organizations are looking for ways to digitize themselves. The robots have for long assisted the humans in handling larger amounts of products and for storing, packaging, assortment and arrangement of the goods. Thus they help save both cost and effort and time.

The application of AI can do a great number of things in making the operations of logistics efficient. It can help in the recognition of gestures and automation of the various logistics processes. Through omnichannel, the capacities of the transport can be assessed. New solutions are being offered to add speed and efficiency to the delivery. For example, the use of drones is being adopted by various companies along with many self-driving transport delivery systems.