Since you are reading this whitepaper you must be looking for the best way to connect with your customers, providing convenient and effective service eventually retain them for longer and maintain a large customer network.

Acquiring a new client is as easy as hard to maintain them but competition in the market make both the things tougher because everyone wants to be the best if it is about convincing customers about giving best service or retaining customers with customer satisfaction.

E-commerce business has been turned out to be the most emerging business in few recent years. Sales through internet is increasing at a higher rate than traditional offline retail sales. As the way technology is taking part to drive business either by providing first-rate customer service or sharp edge operations, it is to be surely said that e-commerce sector will rule in the competitive market.

1. Reasons of driving E-commerce :

Most number of investors are showing interest on internet business rather than traditional business method. Online payment method and modern wave of logistics have made internet business much easier.

Consumers are seeking for service as a priority, no-body wants to waste time and go for shopping in a mall or any traditional market place. In urban areas consumers prefer everything to be done online because tight schedule and conveyance. A general consumer would think “I will go to visit a new place with familyrather than wasting time” or “why should we go out across traffic on the road and waste fare”.

Entrepreneurs are heading up to serve everything online having a knowledge about gathering more consumers on one platform at the same time and more profitability. Where they seem indifferent to do traditional store based retail business. And the same retail business gets driven when it comes online. Looking at the changing trend of shifting everything on smart phone, increasing use of internet and consumers need, E-commerce future can be estimated to be grown rapidly in near future.

As a result of recent research “Shopping 2020” conducted by the task group, it showed that the number of parcels are increasing annually with a stunning 18% on average.

2. Challenges faced by e-Commerce logistics :

While e-commerce offers online retailers a bucket of opportunities and that result reflects by their dedicative service and customer satisfaction which is a prominent vision of logistics. Few companies who are not likely to manage their own logistics and turn to third party providers to function from first mile pick up to last mile delivery and here data integration can differ the service quality.

All picking areas are connected with intelligent conveyor system in order to avoid or minimize any manual transport operation and needs for order consolidation due to pick-to-order conceptOther E-commerce companies who run own logistics they focus to make better control and accuracy of delivery – Quality service is like providing a service looking after customer patience and error tolerance. Now no customer will tolerate to receive a wrong consignment. If a customer orders a shirt and he gets a frock, then that customer will never keep any future expectation form that company.

To fight with the completion many E-commerce companies are offering free shipping services to the customers under some conditions and that suggests, logistics system for the companies should be highly reliable and economical to meet that service implemented appropriately.

A good service can be better when it creates expectations for the customers and accordingly in order to meet those expectation services also need to be upgraded. Customers seek for more visibilities and this expectation will turn in such way that just after placing order they will expect to receive shipment within next 2-3 hours irrespective of areas.

While providing the E-commerce logistics service certain unpredicted challenges appears which leads to loss of time and money for the companies such as reverse logistics. Customer will not accept any damaged/broken or undesired goods and obviously they will return it to the company so this will result a loss with much effort.

3. Technology can ameliorate E-com logistics :

Seamlessly integrated technology where shopping carts connect via API, web xml or some other connection to a logistics system so shoppers are getting the exact time of delivering the product once order gets placed.

Using new age logistics solution, e-com logistics service has improved in a good extent, logistics software companies are striving to neutralize the challenges seen in logistics and concept of data integration, customization has changed the scenario and enables 3PL logistics business.

Logistics solution such as logixERP is being able to organize and track shipment no matter in which mode shipment is moving and this service has fascinated and won the customers attention and faith towards E-shopping.

Where order management gets harder to control in big e-commerce companies and number of multitude documents becomes a challenge to maintain, now using cloud based logixERP E-commerce companies have been able to give order status online and process documents like invoice and freight service bill, warranty with a click of a button.

For better customer service technology has proved its importance in logistics industries especially in a modern trading like E-commerce industries. New logistics software reflects the future aspects of satisfying customers and improve logistics service across the globe. LogixERP tool work automatically starting from auto reminding payments, online alerts, every single movement of shipment, auto refunding status via messaging or emails.

More than half of top most global companies are situated in Africa which is rapidly changing the current situation of African Business. The Continent abruptly has become the prime destination for multinational companies to functionalize their operation. Recently the government’s approach and many large entities has been involved to improve the logistics infrastructure in the states which in result captivated the existing companies to expand their business and branch out regionally from one African country to another. As the projects for infrastructures and policy improvements has been undertaken, in no time FMCG, Retails, E-commerce, Pharmaceutical industry have been seen to grow in the states of African Countries, howbeit E-commerce industry has been heading up with a greater pace in the African market, Since the logistics infrastructure is being slightly challenged in the African Countries, E-commerce sector is yet to be placed where it would be. Certainly the mobile phone users in Africa has been immensely increased in numbers more than 500 million where it was taken 20 years to connect 100 million and attracted 200 million more users in just next 3 years which turned a massive upshot for internet business scopes of internet business.

1. Challenges are not challenges but opportunities :

Africa’s potential as open source and newly developing market having natural resources and invitation to the new players on the board for business will surely portray a big screen of earning for the logistic service providers. Moreover increased data connectivity, mobile financial services and data usage of smartphones will boost up audience on e-commerce platform but as sweet it sounds as that hard to be successful in the exploitative market of Africa. Big private entities will quite smoothly pass through the current phases of the continent despite may not be having the international level of services or may have to follow a constructive process nonetheless they also bang onto few challenges such as –

• Political reform
• Cross border
• Massive shortfall of infrastructure
• Forging the right partnership in the local market
• Implementation of technologies due to integration and local support

Scenario has been rapidly changing in the on-going market with Government’s support and their flexible policies to attract foreign direct investments. Recently around 50 billion $ has been sanctioned by African development bank to develop the road map, here the mission of developing logistics infrastructure does not get stopped. There are numerous uplifting domestic industries has put their effort to build a streamline logistics network even ‘World Bank’ invest more than 90 billion $ every year to narrow the infrastructure gap in Africa.

All the major problems apparently have been taken into account and government’s provision along with domestic trading growth ensure African market a booming opportunity for the logistics and e-commerce industrial. Political party is about to be stabilized, one stop border pass has been incorporated to move the goods to the different countries of Africa but the implementation of technologies suppose to be done according to time and specifically for the different states of the African countries.

Startup companies at the initial stage confront some obvious challenges in African Countries and these undefined challenges could have been optimized only by applying next generation logistics solution. Following observed factors are the key reasons for stagnant African internet business, especially e-commerce sector.

Distrust : Rich Africans have yet to embrace online shopping, due to online fraud. In Nigeria, for example, where phishing is common, people are skeptical about putting their credentials online. Some of the companies offer cash-on-delivery to mitigate this challenge.

Logistics : In Africa, it’s more complicated with non functioning postal systems. Online businesses operate delivery motorbikes, which increase the cost of doing business there.

Fragmented markets : For all the efforts to make Africa appear as one market, it is not. A company has to set up country-specific sites because of barriers from cross-border payments, languages, cultural differences, and other factors.

African open market : In Africa, there are “markets” everywhere. There are open markets, supermarkets, and even unemployed youth selling things at traffic stops in major cities. An e-commerce company must beat these entities on prices to be competitive.

2. Technological Approach :

For Last few years Africa has been welcoming several Technological Approaches but the growing challenges in order to match the standard of a developed logistics infrastructure and services with low cost is yet to be resolved apparently. To identify and streamline a gap in a growing market leading logistics service providers is prominently maintaining a close link to cloud based logistics solution. A  huge change towards successful scenario has been spotted in Phonace Delivery Service, Nigeria who implemented cloud based LogixERP to cop up with such current challenges.

Integrated modules and next generation tools enable monitoring system for Geo tagging of locations where actual delivery or pickup happens. Modern logistics solution provides real time tracking system not only to the sellers but the consumers also to track shipment until it reaches to the destination.

Since Africa’s complex logistics requirement encompasses multiple logistics vendors to move goods from one region to different, data may get processed in different varieties and blur the transparency between service providers and customers. Technology can bring multiple vendors together in a way where they will be able to exchange data and work in a synchronized manner.

Eg: Shipment is booked from Nairobi by Company A, Moved to Mombasa through a Bus Fleet company B. Delivered locally in Mombasa by bikers associated with Company C and all of them are hooked to each other so if customers track the package on a website they will be able to get full information.

Big contributors to e-commerce industries of Africa have assimilated Cash On Delivery (COD) system to carry out the logistics service into a next level. New technology can make it possible to collect the cash at remote areas after delivery or allow customers to deposit cash in local banks and account personnel from miles of distance will be able to realize payments with an updated receipt and electronic signature from the customers as a receiving receipt would have been a forwarding step.

Eg: E-commerce giant Amazon.com has turned this idea on to build a strong base of logistics service.

Nowadays wave of logistics is counting on Mobile applications. Easy and convenient use is about to twist the current logistics scenario of Africa. Accessibility has proved its worth especially in the remote areas and small cities where people would think twice to travel, Arriving technological applications in such areas is sufficiently compatible to manage delivery system through just a mobile application allowing delivery person in these areas to receive the package and update their delivery.

Warehouse management has been a big challenge in Africa since independence. The continent has many borders between the countries, WMS for every centralized logistics providers becomes hard to maintain with increasing number of warehouses. Technology boons logistics providers to move packages securely through Scanning process at every point. Inflow and Outflow of packages get scanned and verified against the system to ensure no wrong package move out of the facility. Next generation cloud logistics solution LogixERP auto communicate intimate SMS to customers regarding pick up vehicle details. Warehouse management has its easy access through LogixERP including management of Goods Receipt, Purchase Order, Customer Return, Invoicing and above possible approaches.

Summary :

Uplifting and fastest growing African market is highly profitable and opportunistic for small, medium and large logistics and eCommerce industries but to take a control on current challenges, innovation is highly important since huge amount of economical support is provided by different sources just technological approach is awaited. It’s time to take a high leap towards success using LogixERP specifically integrated for African market.

Freight forwarding is the fastest and compatible logistic service to reach any destination around the world nonetheless freight service is being placed behind the roadway logistics. International Air Transport Association (IATA) has revealed that containerized air cargo declined from 3.1 percent in 2000 to 1.7 percent in 2013 and it has almost remained same in 2015.

It’s been seen, goods get shipped by air are mostly high value commodities, time bound delivery or time sensitive. Freight logistics seem classified under limited scopes, if freight forwarding is to be kept as an option for specific category of deliveries then logistics industry will be stagnant with no progress.

Given figures show the contribution of freight logistics in world trade shipments.So far technology has come across another level of milestones but many things left behind with a need of implementation. Looking ahead, ongoing headwinds continue to point to another year of saturated growth in 2016 as a whole.

Inter-continental shipping across the globe is highly counted on either Sea or Air transportation while domestic freight logistic would be expected to grow simultaneously in the modern era of uplifting internet trading but yield result is still under the line of break-even point.

While in 2014 transportation demand grew by 6.3% but supply ratio to meet demands was less around 5.9% caused by several internal and external issues such as rate cut of route expansion, decentralized systems, no global-regional partnership.

In certain regards, customers are also losing interest for high cost shipment and no scheduled air cargo delivery, if freight logistic service was able to deliver a shipment in minimal time duration then the gap between local logistics providers and freight forwarder would expand the operational time.

1. Reasons behind downfall of international freight logistics :

Whenever freight forwarding comes to mind, it comes with huge costing and security issues therefore other way of logistics have a competitive advantage, other cost contributors are related to the different business requirements associated with areas such as the product, origin/destination, equipment, lanes. Uncertainties exist every day with every shipment, but the better your understanding of your air freight requirements and spend, the easier it will be to effectively understand and control your costs.

Irregular documents submission and shipments report is a real face trouble maker in freight logistics system because manual data entries and co-loaders undefined performance may lead to lose of packages and time taking for delivery. In instances where there are no document’s requirements or procedures, you may need to obtain the information from the carrier.

No possible way to track co-loaders performance as packages move across warehouses and airlines by any Mobility solution where multiple different shipments apparently can be tracked and automate freight challenges.

Example: If few packages are supposed to import using ocean freight from China but there is a need to import from Vietnam using air freight, or export to Dubai using Break-bulk service for oil drilling equipment then how to generate synchronize tracking data of all the logistic workers associated into it to move that shipment where Break bulk cargo is often shipped on pallets which is more labor-intensive and time-consuming to load and unload than container cargo.

While from one airport to another airport packages are shipped, unresolved challenges start reflecting right there because receivers or workers mostly go through the traditional way of communication, if some packages left behind nobody would be concerned of it, and customers don’t find profound faith in logistics providers.

Furthermore a gap comes upon to hold problems between regional logistics providers and freight forwarders, now if a logistics company having freight forwarding service across globe and same data can be processed in their entire system all over then this problem might be reduced a bit but still a question arise, is that company having the same tool to exchange data in multiple systems? and finding regional logistics provider to merge up is also a new challenge because functional business model may be different between both parties now if any air transporter merge with ground handler then how data can be exchanged between these two parties and in international logistics mostly joint ventures are found to be successful in a short period of time if they can maintain the entire process efficiently.

Example: SATS and Oman Air form cargo handling joint venture in Muscat & Malindo appoints Hong Kong handler.

Security changes in the air transport are another issues rising in today’s business, somewhere cutting rate of routes to different regions. Particularly for those regions new regional partnership is required and new partnership would be requiring system integration so problem goes on. Sort of import or export license required depending on the commodity and ultimate destination of the cargo, and port to port, port to door, door to port, or door to door services draw out a complex workflow.

2. How to optimize the global freight forwarding challenges?

Most discussed point about rising air cargo cost is fuel charge where as other hidden charges also keep the cost high, now regulating fuel charge depend upon every country’s government, what best can be done to optimize the cost here, looking at the reasons of high cost solution is to be efficient enough to pre and pro freight invoice auditing and reporting, billing to the shippers, data visibility by which undeniable gap in terms of use of manual process in international freight payment verses domestic freight payment will be minimized. Freight payment data can be useful to improve procurement and network optimization.

Online way bills to the customers to associate with the system which are considered as house way bills now the challenging phase is when freight forwarders move their packages by airlines they receive a master way bill to manage all the packages in one bill till it reach destination. Now the solution should be one tool to gather all these information including package in scan and out scan report, package delivery data which can be maintained online to ensure real time and accountability of shipments.

Freight NX which can track co-loaders performance and packages moving across warehouses and airlines.

An integration module Freight NX which can create a bridge between regional logistics providers and freight forwarder to extend the access of exchanging data in multiple systems though the same data can be rolled out to the third parties involved in the logistics.

Customers expect on time delivery, immediate distribution of emergency needs, effective customer assistance and products handled carefully ensuring they arrive in good order. With extensive expertise and a proven track record handling high value, time sensitive, hazardous and temperature controlled materials can be efficiently shipped.

LogixGRID Solution Freight NX which can be integrated based on cloud to edit and upload custom clearance and monitor the entire happenings for door to door services, a new age solution should be able to make break bulk easy and less time consuming.

Summary :

In near future air transportation can lead logistics industries to the summit irrespective of high valued goods movement, inter-country, intercontinental shipments and shorter lead time delivery. All it needs a sharp edge technical move like Freight NX to optimize the stumbling blocks of freight logistics. Freight NX is a cloud based mobile application integrated with LogixERP. Big logistics providers across globe have overcome the freight challenges for giving services to several E-com giant using Freight NX.

The Middle East logistics industry is set to be growing since the modern physical infrastructure is spreading across the region including upcoming railway network.

GCC logistics is at the crossroads and it is likely to get the most benefit from strongly emerging trading activities between Asia, Africa, Europe and GCC countries.

UAE logistics market valuations touched $27 billion in 2015, driven by an increase in import and export trade volume. Analysis shows that economic growth across FMCG and automobile sectors will also escalate demand for logistics services in the UAE.

The falling oil price is due to the overproduction by US and Saudi Arabia led increasing demand of logistics and transportations solution in the GCC.

Another factor which differentiate GCC logistics and renders a huge platform for logistics and SCM is their domestic manufacturing industries and their diverse interest to operate their own logistics and transportation.

1. Logistics opportunities In the UAE :

This position on the globe has cemented Dubai and the UAE’s place as a leading sea-air multimodal transport hub in the world – a cost-effective transport mode that provides considerable savings in transit time and freight cost, compared to pure sea freight or air freight mode. Sea-air allows transit time of only 15 to 17 days from origin port to a destination airport, and savings on cost of as much as 50% compared to pure airfreight.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Oman will remain the biggest market contributors (a combined 85 per cent share) to the value of the GCC logistics sector, especially for Dubai’s successful bid to host World Expo 2020. The emirate has allocated a total of AED 31.7 billion to build and develop its infrastructure and improve its logistics facilities in the run up to the Expo.

2. Hawling Challenges in Logistic Industry :

GCC approached problems of logistics industries in different ways. Some have stuck to the traditional model of producing, packaging and storing product at site and shipping it to the market once orders have been received. The problem with this is the delivery time, as it can take up to two months to ship product from the Middle East to Asia, by which time prices could have changed two or three times.

The GCC-wide rail network will be a game changer in the regional transportation network and will impact the current players in the logistics market, especially with land transportation. E-commerce is expected to be challenging and will play a significant role in the years ahead especially for the fast growing retail sector with cross border transactions and demanding timely deliveries.

A challenge stands at it’s place for the investors or new Logistics service providers in GCC because of the presence of domestic industries and their large network and logistics infrastructure. Until a new Logistic Service Provider gets an effective and next generation solution, their business can not penetrate the existing logistics providers of GCC.

3. Technology Is Solving Key Logistics Challenges :

The business of logistics in the Middle East now depends on an easy flow of information. Latest technology makes possible to improve market logistics operations by linking up the members of supply chain through communication network which allows to share essential market information; results increase in productivity and reduce lead time.

Nowadays modern technology is able to generate billing and documentations online to reduce the number of paperwork and make less complex paperwork even a smooth logistics solution enables an easy way to reverse duty and taxes on exchanges and returns.

Companies can streamline and create new efficiency through the implementation of the latest advanced and integrated technologies to ensure consistency with international best practices which will help to monitor and visualize the shipments during the transit time across globe, especially when a shipment gets carried out by different logistics providers to reach its destination can be tracked down in a single centralized system.

In few countries like China and other GCC countries where different official languages are preferably used apart from English. New age logistics solution available in multi-lingual can be a phenomenal to drive business as it support individuals to work in their local language.

4. LogixGRID Technologies’ offers next generation Logistics CLOUD to overcome key logistic challenges :

LogixERP is a unique CLOUD based all in one solution for logistics which can be accessed from anywhere using Computer or Mobile Phone. LogixERP features or tools are designed to meet the requirement of logistic company of any size to efficiently and effectively manage their AIR, Road, Sea Logistics. LogixERP bring together Accounts and Financial planning integrated with Logistics operation.

LogixERP Mobility Platform offers number of mobility solutions running on Mobile, Rugged & Wearable to keep field workforce connected to the system and helps to remove inefficiency in transshipment operation.

Well integrated with 3rd party system or eCommerce websites it’s provide a seamless flow of information – Ensure internal and external clients are always have the latest information/update.

Fully support the GCC logistics requirement with features specific design to handle the logistics requirements of working in different free zones or transportation through international borders. Its available in English and Arabic and its Accounting system support GCC currencies.

The impact of LogixERP is so overwhelming that it’s hard to discern exactly what it is changing since it’s an integrated tool within the system. LogixERP is essential to get the most value out of operations like –

• Real time pricing to understand the price of every logistics elements of supply chain.
• Eliminate multiple WMS and TMS system.
• Accurate merge in transit model.
• Resource flexibility which makes accessible to entire team regardless of location or time.

4. How Logix ERP could support logistics management in achieving your KPIs?

• Shipment / Package scanning at every transshipment point
• On-Time Receiving
• On-Time shipping and delivery
• Order Accuracy
• Inventory Accuracy

300+ modules of LogixERP broadly categorized into Administration; Operation; Fleet Management; Planning; Routing & tracking; customization; Last & First Mile Logistics; Account; Financial Planning; Trip Management; WMS; Insurance management; Customer Care.

Already Express, Courier & Full-Truck logistics companies in UAE & Saudi are managing their business through LogixERP. Availability of local support and deployment team based out in GCC countries offer clients, an easy access to any support required for running the ERP in their organization.

Customer is the base of building a business and in this competitive market, service to the customer is the most important thing. There are several companies which have fallen down because of their poor customer service but that has become traditional now. Customer buy products later, first keep inquiry about post service. Different clients would have different mind set and instances about doing business, nonetheless a solution is required which would bring a new way of selling and giving support to the customers.

What would be the revolutionary way giving client support and gathering clients?

Introducing PULSE which can invite all the customers on a single platform though each and every customer would have been treated with same priority.

Pulse is a comprehensive application which ensures customer satisfaction by providing an adaptable and wieldy customer service solution. Pulse will help users to improve business network without disrupting it.

Pulse application comes up with an extra ordinary help-desk solution for the customers, which includes support ticket system, live chat. This Application helps business to engage all the customers over a digital click increasing efficiency and productivity.

Pulse allows checking out product catalogue with prices where user can create an order online having well-spring information about products and live 24 hours support system makes it easy to deal with and ensure the explicit business communication.

Pulse enables access of multi account login though one mobile phone where there are options to add products into the server and live chat tool to get support instantly.

Pulse application is a user friendly which automatically calculates cost of units and shows every order instantly in an invoice form. Every product can be demonstrated with full description with images and developed with deep knowledge of customer relationship management and core sales concept.

LogixGrid provides solutions for enterprise mobility to maximize the potential of their services by enabling business transformation and effective customer engagement. Mobile technologies has been expanding at an rapid pace. Mobile solutions can optimize business processes and generate new business. Mobile solutions also helps in Maximizing productivity and business by continuous access to enterprise information, anytime, anywhere.