The search, storage, and transmission of information, as well as digital technologies that provide identification and forecasting of demand, optimization of routes, directions, material, and information flows, and shortening the period of existence in supply chains, are all examples of digital logistics. In other words, the difficulty of optimizing product delivery from producer to consumer in commodity distribution networks.
If before the customer used to dictate terms to the manufacturer, now the consumer not only makes demands on merchants and manufacturers, but the latter are also seeking for new ways to influence the consumers, hoping not to lose out on opportunities to acquire competitive advantages. The growth and implementation of new information technology drives the search for the most effective solution.
It is worth noting that the definition of the term “logistics” has varied. Surprisingly, the classic definition of logistics as a “particular” activity (administration of material, information, and people flows to optimize costs) is no longer accurate. Many other concepts are linked here, which are automatically drawn up from various other fields of activity and become the foundation of a successful logistics activities and the logistics “subsystem” that gives the company a very competitive advantage that can lead to top positions in both domestic and global markets.
Even if we consider every word in the standard definition of logistics and provide an example of how this term works in the context of logistics activities, it will quickly become clear how multitasking, extensive activities necessitate logistics, and how a modern specialist should be “savvy,” educated, and developed in various spheres of life that appear to have nothing to do with transportation at first glance.
It is also worth mentioning that logistics includes not only transportation but also customer service, which adds another layer of responsibility to professionals and requires special talents.
First of all, if you put “logistics definition” into a search engine, you will get a myriad of variations on the issue of what logistics is. This phrase will be defined in a variety of ways, including management, integration, control, and optimization, among others, reflecting the concept’s vast scope.
Second, what are material fluxes exactly? Obviously, it’s some kind of tangible thing that can be felt. Is it enough for a contemporary logistics expert to know the definition of material flows? Clearly not. Furthermore, the professional must grasp the specific features of these material flows (that is, what is there in the cargo?), as well as everything about it (solid / liquid; edible / inedible; travels non cold or warmer temperatures; shelf life). Physical properties of the goods (for example, suddenly this commodity will not withstand air flight; you must be aware of the market value of this product), and so on.
Third, you must pay great attention to the flow of information. It is not, however, as static as material flow. It is critical to constantly seek new information in order to increase the number of operations, prevent missing development possibilities, and follow technical changes throughout the world.
Fourth, human flow necessitates a wide range of talents from a logistics specialist. Remember that everyone is different, so the logistics professional must be customer-oriented, show loyalty and patience to both the forwarder (who may forget to contact a person at the unloading point, stamp the document, or even damage the cargo), and the customer (who may lose shipping documents or fail to send them on time). Because these two connections are so crucial in logistics, the specialist must maintain emotional control and stay pleasant in all circumstances.
Fifth, a logistician must be knowledgeable with a variety of equipment, truck bodies, and loaders. Data knowledge may be necessary even if a firm does not have its own fleet and depends on outsourced logistics services. This is due to the fact that not all forwarding companies accurately represent the volume of cargo and are familiar with its characteristics, which may result incorrect truck selection, incorrect loading – all of which will result material damage and loss of the goods.
As a result of the use of innovative instruments, it enables the settlement of problems with product customers and the movement of things in supply chains. The use and deployment of current technologies is possible with the progress of digitalization and the transformation of logistical operations into digital logistics.
The Octonius digital platform is an interconnected, data-sharing platform. This digital ecosystem is designed for joint use by the entire logistics team located in different parts of the world. The Octonius team developed a sophisticated solution to automate product flow and the whole logistics chain, ensuring that no information is lost at any point.
