With mobile technology making strides, the shipping and logistics sector can benefit from increased interconnectivity and more responsive networks.

As the international shipping and logistics landscape continues to evolve to meet e-commerce demand, industry professionals have deployed a suite of sophisticated technology to satisfy emerging needs. From artificial intelligence (AI) to the Internet of Things (IoT), new capabilities have empowered supply chain managers to fulfill orders quickly and cost-effectively — something that’s never been more important with shifting consumer expectations.

With mobile technology, it’s now possible for logistics professionals to coordinate better with drivers, warehouse and distribution center workers, and business partners throughout their supply chain. These applications don’t just save on operational overhead — they can help shippers deliver orders faster, keep customers informed, and maintain competitive pricing.

For businesses throughout the e-commerce sector, mobility solutions promise to transform the way logistics networks are organized. Here’s how.

Improved Mobile Technology

While mobile technology isn’t necessarily new, other emerging capabilities that it can integrate with have made it more valuable for stakeholders at every stage of the e-commerce supply chain. For example, smarter sensors connected through IoT technology now provide supply chain managers, fleet drivers, and business partners with actionable data on shipments. Through mobile platforms, logistics professionals can see that information and make more informed decisions on the fly.

These capabilities aren’t just a matter of rerouting in case of traffic delays or severe weather — although both are assets in the fast-paced world of e-commerce. Instead, it’s now possible to easily monitor the status of shipments that are susceptible to a variety of environmental factors. By linking mobile tools to interconnected freight, containers, and vehicles, stakeholders can gain a better understanding of what their supply chain actually looks like.

A More Responsive Network

For decades, it’s been the goal of supply chain managers to have clearer communication up- and downstream of their operation. While this has been hard in the past because of the limits of outdated modes of communication prone to human error, mobile technology is making things easier and more streamlined.

With order, transportation, and warehouse management systems (OMS, TMS, and WMS, respectively), for instance, key players throughout the e-commerce supply chain can observe inventory levels, order status, and the progress drivers are making on their routes. While each of these on their own is a value-add for shippers, taken together they amount to a realignment of how a logistics operation functions.

Indeed, a more holistic view of a supply chain allows shippers, their suppliers, and their logistics providers to identify issues before they develop, notice long-term trends, and prepare for peak periods before they cause a crunch. By empowering businesses to respond to problems instead of reacting to them in a knee-jerk way, mobility platforms can save time, money, and resources.

Mobility at Work

While sophisticated mobile technology may be prohibitively expensive for small and mid-sized shippers, that doesn’t mean it’s out of reach. By partnering with third-party logistics (3PL) partners or integrated logistics services providers (ISPs), shippers can leverage the key benefits of mobility without having to make costly investments on in-house solutions.

With more than twenty years of experience in international shipping and logistics, Primary Freight has the technological resources that shippers need to stay competitive. Our award-winning team of supply chain professionals has the institutional knowledge and logistics support necessary to design responsive and sophisticated logistics solutions. Whether you’re looking to solve a discrete issue or introduce broader changes to your supply chain, Primary Freight can help.

Want to learn more about how you can grow your business with Primary Freight? Give us a call today at (800) 635-0013.