Real-time data can make the difference between profit or loss on any given shipment. Technology, says Michael Henning, sales manager at Easyclear, is now the driving factor of the logistics industry – and keeping abreast of developments and understanding its value to the core of one’s business is essential.“For example, a client with visibility of his orders can in real time advise the forwarding agent to take advantage of consolidating a shipment that will save him money – or he can request a specific order to be prioritised and cargo moved to airfreight to fulfil a just in time order,” he says, adding that those companies lacking such foresight will find themselves uncompetitive in the long run.“Just as important, however, is how companies differentiate themselves from others where everyone is offering real-time data,” he says. “It is now about how it is offered to clients as well as the service levels they are able to achieve as a result of the data.”According to Henning, for the longest time connectivity was the single biggest challenge. “This, however, is no longer the problem it used to be as internet service providers (ISPs) have found ways to increase and improve bandwidth and spread their reach further to cover more remote areas where it can still sometimes be a problem.”Henning says nowadays the biggest challenge to the technological revolution sweeping the logistics sector is outdated and impractical legislation coupled with a lack of understanding of the changing landscape rather than connectivity.According to Henning it is not just about keeping abreast of technology, but also ahead of the curve. “We are constantly introducing improvements – and in some cases modules – to close the gaps in the supply chain. Our products and development continue to span the logistics supply chain.”
