The following are some of the ways that the logistics industry is being impacted by technology.

Consumer Expectations

These days, customers expect to get their deliveries on time and much more quickly. They also want to have deliveries that are more flexible. This has resulted in increased pressure being placed on the logistic field to find solutions to ensure practically instantaneous delivery and reduce delays.

There is also a need to be more flexible in terms of where deliveries can be sent and making it possible to change the delivery location after the shipment has left the warehouse.

Cross country moving companies  that are able to be incredibly adaptable and reliable will thrive.  Fortunately, however, supply chain processes have also been improved by technology. That makes it easier for freight companies and carries to complete deliveries faster.

Tracking

Another major expectation that consumers have these days that relate to shipments is wanting to have the ability to track from the beginning to the end. That relates to companies as well as consumers.

All types of customers want to have the ability to monitor their orders so they can tell if there are any problems in transit and to know when the delivery will arrive.

In the past, customers had to make a shipment and then be satisfied with just getting an estimated delivery date and then being in the dark until the package showed up. Thanks to advances in software, 24/7 track is now available and it is expected by today's customers.

Consumers are not the only ones who benefit from this change. Tracking allows logistic firms to realize both time and cost savings.

Instead of having to constantly answer complaints and questions from customers about what is going on, consumers can go online and get the information on their own. Also, if there are any changes to delivery, an automated message can be sent out right away.

Due to the vehicle tracking solutions that are now available, there is increased tracking as well of vehicles and parcels. Most trucks and cars that are used for freight are equipped with GPS or other types of systems that track their location and if they are held up or are on time.

This all helps companies manage and monitor their shipments better.

Now that everyone involved has more information available to them, and there is better communication between head offices, warehouses, vehicles, and drivers, along with customizable reporting, many of the bottlenecks and headaches have been eliminated. Information is relayed and updated in real-time.

Routing another major change that has taken place within the logistics industry due to technology is there has been an improvement in routing. State-of-the-art GPS software means there are no concerns with drivers getting lost and customer deliveries being delayed.

Technology can also be used to make further improvements to routing so that the most efficient routes are taken by drivers.

This can be planned out ahead of time before leaving a destination, and once they are en route, drivers can be advised of a better route based on unexpected delays, road work, or traffic accidents.

Companies also save money with more efficient routing since fewer miles are driven and less gas is wasted.

This can be planned out ahead of time before leaving a destination, and once they are en route, drivers can be advised of a better route based on unexpected delays, road work, or traffic accidents.

Companies also save money with more efficient routing since fewer miles are driven and less gas is wasted.

Driver Behavior

Technology can also now be used to closely monitor driver behavior. Companies can receive insight on how fast drivers are driving, how they are consuming rule, and whether or not they are breaking any road rules or the speed limit.

Also, when software is used for tracking driver behavior, it allows freight companies to track the number of hours that their drivers are working and get an alert when an employee is driving after they are too tired for it to be safe (that can also potentially make a company liable if an accident occurs).