Fleet Tracking and the Future of Logistics: How Technology is Transforming the Transportation Industry

Technology is pushing the limits and transforming the way the world does business.

In today’s era, people are accustomed to having everything online and at their fingertips for instant access. With the advancement of technology, a shipment may be delivered within 24 hours of being ordered.

Continuous technological advancement has also increased supply chain productivity by lowering costs and faults. This technological reconstruction benefits the entire logistics industry, including international transportation, shipment tracking, trucking transportation, and supply chain management.

Read on to learn more about fleet tracking and logistics and how technology is transforming the transportation industry.

What Is Fleet Tracking?

Fleet tracking is an administration tool that tracks the activities of fleet vehicles and assets (e.g., people and equipment) using GPS tracking. It is also known as vehicle tracking or AVL. A fleet is a grouping of land-based assets such as automobiles, trucks, field personnel, and powered or unpowered equipment (e.g., trailers).

How Does Fleet Tracking Work?

Fleet tracking devices collects data from fleet cars and assets using telematics technology. Using a GPS tracking device connected to a vehicle’s OBD connection, this data is generally collected in near real-time. This makes it more helpful for company owners and fleet managers to use this data to make strategic choices regarding operations.

Changes in Logistics

Through supply chain optimization, technology is driving the most long-term impact. For example, empty miles, or when a truck drives with no cargo, are a problem that the transportation and logistics sector has been working to solve for years. Machine learning and AI advancements now provide the potential to realize even bigger savings. Continued route optimization advancements, such as adding real-time weather and accident data, assist minimize idle time and boost route efficiency.

How Technology is Transforming the Transportation Industry?

• IoT and RFID

It would have been unthinkable 5-10 years ago to turn on our ceiling fans, lights, and air conditioning from our smartphones, but nowadays, every piece of electrical equipment has sensors and Wi-Fi capabilities that can be controlled by our smartphones. The Internet connects everyone and everything, which is known as the Internet of Things. By removing the risk component, this technology helps the supply chain to save costs and delays. Every mode of transportation, including taxis, cargo ships, and trains, now has a built-in sensor that is linked to a system that monitors track. These sensors provide real-time data to the organization, allowing it to examine hidden dangers. The Internet of Things is having a significant influence on the operations of logistics organizations.

RFID is also one of the most recent technologies that many logistics businesses are implementing. In this case, a tag or barcode is attached to the package, which emits radio waves. These waves are then collected and analyzed by corporate professionals to track products or containers. RFID technology is also used in other industries such as fashion and clothing.

• Shipment tracking system 

When consumers used to order anything, they were given an anticipated delivery date and then left in the dark until they wanted to contact and inquire about the progress. However, thanks to the internet and advanced software, a user can now track the real-time status of their order at any time. This technology not only improves the user experience but also saves the firm time and money.

Top logistic businesses with cutting-edge technology provide their customers with a shipment tracking system that enables them to monitor and control their shipments. Notifications, customizable reports, and messaging provide clients with greater real-time information.

• GPS accuracy is enhanced 

Whether it’s incorporated into their car or on their phone, almost everyone uses GPS. The precision of these gadgets has greatly increased over time, guiding frustrated and disoriented drivers while also enhancing the supply chain. By tracking the position of vehicles, GPS’s superior precision enables better efficiency and delighted consumers.

• Trucks and drones that are autonomous 

A future in which a computer takes you from point A to point B or where you get a parcel from a flying unmanned drone sounds like something out of a movie, yet it is exactly where we are heading. Autonomous vehicles are now a reality, and trucks are not far after. Various transportation companies have already conducted lengthy hauls using self-driving trucks, and Tesla will release a vehicle this year. While not completely driverless, with a driver in the passenger seat to monitor the computer, it is a significant step forward in this groundbreaking technology and has the potential to increase delivery efficiency.

• Cybersecurity

Recent intrusions at national firms have uncovered possible cybersecurity concerns in some of the world’s most secure organizations. As a result, logistics companies are placing a greater emphasis on safety. Increased demand for faster turnaround will inevitably increase the risk of accidents in transportation operations. Workers need to work faster, and doing things faster often results in less-than-safe practices.

The supply chain and logistics organizations must focus more on cybersecurity and strategies to secure their systems and data. This might imply that there should be more coordination between professional cybersecurity organizations and appropriate agencies within the cybersecurity business. Many supply chain and logistics organizations are moving toward using Blockchain because it is an emerging 4th and 5th industrial revolution technology that is proposed to help optimize supply chain and logistics while also attempting to reduce cybersecurity threats because it is said to create an auditable, immutable, unchangeable history of transactions that can be tied to a verifiable identity.

• Social media

The power of social media is helping to optimize the logistics industry and operations in general. These platforms are quickly becoming the most convenient and effective way for businesses to engage with clients and provide critical information.

The popularity of mobile applications among logistics service providers and shippers will expand as new technologies and the Internet of Things mature. Apps of this sort are available for inventory management, barcode scanning, fleet management, shipment tracking, order management, customer support, and other purposes. To manage capacity and meet demand, logistics companies might use an app to access information and capabilities.

Conclusion 

To be a leader in any sector, one must stay current on technological advances. Leaders who use the aforementioned technologies acquire an advantage over their competitors. These technologies will continue to evolve therefore you must stay up.

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