The logistics chain relies on a high level of organization and coordination to ensure that products can make their way to their intended destination in a matter of weeks, days, or even hours. This is a delicate tightrope to walk and requires a lot of careful attention. This is why it’s important to increase efficiency wherever possible to retain acceptable results with greater reliability and peace of mind. Here are four ways that logistics efficiency can be improved.
Train Staff Comprehensively
Logistics is still largely about people, especially in areas like warehouse storage or dock-to-dock movement of cargo. So, one of the best ways to increase efficiency is to ensure a high degree of core competency in staff. With reliable people consistently outputting good results, this yields greater efficiencies throughout the entire logistics chain.
Take Advantage Of Technology
As technology advances, it provides new opportunities to increase efficiency. Whether it is adding some automated processes to warehousing or providing real-time tracking of cargo so you know exactly where it is at every step of the way, technology can help increase speed and, perhaps just as importantly, reduce the chance for error, which is often where the biggest inefficiencies creep in.
Analyze Data
Technology now provides a wealth of data about logistics, but with so much available, it can be challenging to parse meaning out of it. However, with good data analytics technology, all the available data surrounding logistics can be quickly recorded analyzed, and assist with finding ways to increase efficiency.
For example, data analytics can pinpoint where delays or drops in performance occur during specific legs of the logistic chain, better enabling you to find them and address them.
Use Passive Protection On Your Cargo
While temperature-sensitive cargo is usually protected by active environmental systems such as reefer units during shipping, this isn’t always the case. Some instances, such as delays, may leave cargo awaiting transfer outside, exposed to extreme heat or cold. This is the worst kind of inefficiency, as exposure may compromise the viability of products like food, beverages, and pharmaceuticals, leaving them defective and potentially unusable when they finally arrive.
Passive protection systems like insulated packaging can help. Insulated packaging provides layers of protection within the cargo itself. This means that even when external environmental control systems are no longer present, insulated packaging can maintain the ideal shipping temperature for hours or even days. It’s a great way to preserve logistics efficiency by protecting cargo even outside of ideal shipping conditions.
If you’re shipping temperature-sensitive products and want more protection, contact Protek Cargo with your needs and get a quote.
