The transportation and logistics industry is thriving at an unprecedented pace even during this pandemic time. Transporters want to leverage the benefits of a booming on-demand economy while keeping pace with the growth of this sector and addressing challenges. Also, they have to keep the customer’s changing needs and expectations in mind while streamlining the transportation and logistics processes. 

Here, the IoT concept comes into the picture. IoT technology enables you to provide a highly integrated and streamlined transportation management solution. As a transportation or logistics service provider, you can ensure on-time delivery, supply chain management, inventory management, fleet management, and warehouse management using the IoT-based customized solution and grow your business. 

As per the report by DHL and Cisco Internet of Things report, the IoT is will generate $1.9 trillion in the transportation and logistics sector over the next decade. It is fair to mention that this futuristic technology transforms the transportation and logistics industry as the service providers switch to advanced order booking and management systems from the traditional ones. IoT app development has made it possible for transporters and logistic service providers.

Let’s go through the ways through which the IoT concept brings revolutionary changes in the logistics and transportation sector. We will also see the role of IoT-based mobile apps in ensuring the growth of this sector. 

Major Benefits of Integrating IoT in Transportation Industry

• Fleet Management- Fleet management is the most important aspect of  transportation and logistics industry. It helps transporters to manage various daily tasks including regular vehicle usage, service routes, and maintenance schedule for vehicles. Fleet management aims at reducing the fleet downtime to gain profits. The transportation and logistics sector can effectively reduce the fleet downtime through smart fleet management. The IoT app enables the management to track the vehicles and monitor the driver’s activities. In a way, transporters can streamline their delivery process and increase the driver’s efficiency. 

Another important advantage of fleet management is it saves time while replacing all the manual work. Real-time fetching and analysis of data related to the fleet can enable companies to address issues related to repairs and maintenance efficiently. 

• Supply Chain Management- The supply chain plays a vital role in enhancing the customer’s value and enabling logistics companies to gain a competitive edge over peers. The supply chain takes care of every aspect ranging from the raw material to finished products. Refining, designing, manufacturing, storing, packaging, transportation, and delivery processes are involved in  supply chain management. An IoT logistics app can easily take care of the supply chain and assists the users to manage it on the move with ease. 

IoT strengthens the supply chain for the logistics and transportation industry and increases its visibility. IoT in logistics can also offer faster detection of issues related to inventory and supply chain. The transportation company can manage the supply chain and ensure on-time delivery to its customers with the help of an IoT-based solution. 

• Inventory Management- Inventory tracking and management is also important in the logistics industry. This industry deals with all other industry sectors and therefore, it is imperative for the logistics industry to manage inventory effectively. IoT, with the network of sensors and connected devices, can facilitate logistics companies to track inventory items, monitor status, and create a smart inventory management system. 

 Employees can prevent any damage or losses while ensuring safe storage with the help of IoT-enabled solution. The IoT app development company can integrate warehouse and inventory management features to maintain efficiency and increase productivity. 

• Warehouse Management- IoT-enabled logistics apps help transporters track vehicles, equipment, and inventory data. In a way, the logistics companies can manage the warehouse activities effectively. Be it a small-scale or a large-scale company, an IoT-enabled app solution can assist any company to follow the market standards while managing productivity. 

The IoT-based devices also decrease the risks associated with human errors, frauds, and order misplacement. The warehouse management also enables the companies to track the products and their location. 

• Predictive Analytics- Advancing AI and ML technologies have brought a concept of predictive analytics. This concept helps companies and major firms create business development strategies while predicting future events and opportunities. IoT provides predictive maintenance information thereby saving a lot of time, eliminating the risk of breakdowns, and reducing downtime of equipment. 
• Order Management- A customized courier and logistics app enables users to book and track their orders online. The app can be seamlessly integrated with the IoT system to manage order booking and delivery systems on the move. The IoT-based app solution can bring automation to order and delivery systems that can make real-time tracking of order and on-time delivery of orders possible. 

The transportation and logistics industry can also get the benefits of drones and self-driving vehicles to ensure on-time delivery at the customer’s doorsteps. These autonomous vehicles find the smart driving routes and directions with the help of a lot of data fetched by IoT devices. These vehicles aim at reducing operational costs, optimizing road traffic, and minimizing accidents. 

Concluding Lines

Advancing IoT technology not only increases the efficiency and productivity of transport and logistics companies but also streamline and strengthen the operations. Be it improving booking services or satisfying customers with on-time delivery, the IoT-based solution always delivers results and assists transporters to grow their business.