Embracing Innovation: What3Words at LogixGRID

LOGISTICS BUSINESS USING What3Words

In the dynamic landscape of logistics technology, staying at the forefront is not just an option; it’s a necessity. That’s why we’ve integrated What3Words into LogixPlatform—a revolutionary step that speaks volumes about our commitment to simplifying and streamlining logistics operations.

What is What3Words

Ever wished for an addressing system that’s more intuitive and human-friendly than traditional longitude and latitude coordinates?

Enter What3Words—a game-changing solution that divides the world into 3m x 3m squares and assigns each square a unique combination of three words. This simple yet brilliant concept eliminates the need for complex strings of coordinates. Instead, you can share three easy-to-remember words that pinpoint a location with remarkable accuracy. This approach capitalises on human cognition, making it easier to remember and communicate precise locations. Particularly valuable in regions with inadequate addressing systems, What3Words empowers logistics operations in urban landscapes and remote corners alike.

Elevating Logistics Efficiency with What3Words

A delivery scenario with unclear addresses leading to wasted time and frustrated customers. What3Words sweeps away these challenges. By utilizing What3Words within our platform, we’re enhancing logistics efficiency and ensuring deliveries reach their destinations seamlessly. LogixGRID, in partnership with What3Words, has revolutionized addressing, making it easier than ever to navigate complex routes and locate customers. No longer will drivers struggle to decipher vague directions or landmarks; with What3Words, each delivery becomes a success story.

The What3Words Advantage in Logistics Solution

Imagine a Logistics Management system that not only simplifies operations but also enhances global addressing capabilities. Cloud-based LogixPlatform now incorporates the power of What3Words. This integration allows logistics stakeholders to generate concise geo-coordinates paired with What3Words addresses, ensuring unparalleled accuracy. What’s more, this innovation bridges gaps in rural addressing and extends reach to areas that conventional mapping tools might miss.

Redefining the Logistics Landscape

In an industry where time, accuracy, and customer satisfaction are paramount, What3Words sets a new standard. Logistics is no longer a puzzle to solve; it’s a seamless journey from start to finish. By embracing What3Words, LogixPlatform has unlocked the potential to transform deliveries into experiences of ease and efficiency. Our commitment to innovation continues to shape the logistics landscape, and What3Words is at the heart of this transformative journey.

Intrigued by the possibilities of What3Words in logistics? Join us on the path to redefining the future of address systems. Experience the impact of this revolutionary technology firsthand, only with LogixGRID

GST SOFTWARE FOR LOGISTICS

Impact of GST

IT solution is the main focus where businesses must have significant updates on its process. New GST compliant technology, such as an IT system for automation of tax calculation, will have to be purchased, tested and integrated with existing ERP (enterprise resource planning) systems well before the start date. Invoice-based taxation under GST will require tighter information system integration across the value chain from supplier to retailer.

Model of Logistics Industry after GST :

  • Abolishment of entry taxes
  • Standard tax rate computation
  • Consolidating indirect taxes
  • Reduce the duration of transportation cycles
  • Automating the accounting functions
  • Cumbersome inventory
  • Reporting based on GST

The logistics sector will have to to explore few other factors, there may have multiple type of logistics and supply chain models currently in practice. The reformed ERPs need not only to adhere the GST but also enhance and support the cumbrous inventory management.

Technology with GST compliance will assist business person to automate billing and reporting within the software, inter state – intra state rate calculation will be available which would be computed for every entity.

New System will enable efficient tax administration, data exchange, auditing returns filing, and performance analysis.

Software systems of today may further offer several user-friendly features, such as offline capabilities, alerts, mobile or tablet optimized interface, and additional mechanisms to avoid duplicity of data.

The implementation of GST will bring up lots of opportunity and sources to make money, especially for logistics and transport industry. Hence, enriched with tech solutions, SME and even big enterprises of today can run business swiftly and successfully.

FUTURE BUSINESS SOFTWARE

future of logistics

Apart from the preferred asset classes of office and residential, private equity firms have been taking greater interest in warehousing, logistics and retail real estate. Private equity investors and overseas developers are already looking at opportunities to enter India’s industrial and warehousing sector by investing in various development projects.

With the implementation of GST, warehousing and logistics spaces will start to see a consolidation of assets. Unlike earlier (small assets in various states), developers will focus on the development of large-scale, technologically advanced warehouses.

1. Logistics Rearrangement :

With technology uprising new concept of “shareconomy” will be introduced into the scenario, compelled by the idea of collaborative business, the “shareconomy” generate value by leveraging access to goods and services to allow suppliers and consumers for redistribute and reuse.

Sharing vehicles and routes will enable to move more freight for less money in a way that’s fast, convenient, and more environmentally friendly.

New collaborative synergies could create a rising tide that lifts all boats, generating new and potentially lucrative revenue streams in the process.

A shareconomy-style solution would be significantly more efficient and effective, eliminating the figurative middleman and enabling both sides of the logistics equation to connect directly.

2. Challenges & Opportunities :

Transparency should be a prerequisite for such a system to succeed. Assumed users would not view available drivers and vehicle/load, but review carrier ratings, certifications, and insurance.

If similar platforms in other industries are any indication, logistics transactions would be conducted with previously unheard of speed and flexibility. New tools, such as track-and-trace apps, will allow carriers and customers to receive real-time updates and understand where their loads are at all times.

Outside parties have yet to make this happen, and the competitive dynamic that currently exists between different carriers is a disincentive to action that discourages any meaningful movement in that direction. Moving past this sticking point will require someone willing and able to make the capital investment required to bring a paradigm-altering technology platform to the market. Given the high-profile success of shareconomy-based platforms in other industries and applications, it is only a matter of time before that happens.

PLAN TO REDUCE LOGISTICS COST

reduce cost

India has initiated multi-modal program to reduce logistics costs and make the economy competitive. It has been the biggest and effective decision taken by the government towards transportation industry. This project covers all the aspects of improving logistics and transportation. After grave research on logistics Government has decided to transform the entire logistics business to reduce good’s price, speed up delivery and quality of life.

1. Significance of this strategy :

The strategy includes transformation of India’s logistics sector from “point-to-point” model to a “hub-and-spoke” model and can be implied in railways, highways, inland waterways and airports to put in place an effective transportation grid.

This model is called multi-modal transportation, this project is to simplify transportation operation between multiple region or across country.

Multi-modal transport plan includes 35 multi-modal logistics stations at an investment of Rs 50,000 crore. Multi-modal transport play to reduce logistics costs.

2. Implementation :

To implement this, the government is going to host summit show—India Integrated Transport and Logistics Summit—in May.

35 logistics stations have been proposed and identified, they will be set up on railways, highways, inland waterways and airports transportation grid. Fifteen such logistics stations will be constructed in the next five years, and 20 more over the next 10 years. They will act as hubs for freight movement enabling freight aggregation and distribution with modern mechanized warehousing space.

This project will include pre-cooling plants, cold storage, storage facilities for agricultural produce, food grains, hardware, cement, steel, fertilizer. It will have fuel pumps and also truck maintenance shops. All of this will be at one place outside the city.

3. How it will work?

A joint venture will be set up between National Highways Authority of India (49% share) and the partner (51%) for the project which may be a state government or a private entity.

40% of acquired land will be developed and returned to the landowner. While 20% of the land will be sold to finance the project, the profit from the rest 40% of the land will go to National Highway Authority of India.

4. Benefits & Opportunities :

Its first impact will be that it will reduce pollution, traffic jam, create new employment opportunities and contribute towards increasing exports.

It is for the first time that gov has taken an integrated approach for the country’s transportation. This will increase India’s exports, provide employment opportunities, will be cost effective, and will make goods cheaper in the country.

KPIs for Warehouse Management                         

  • Specific
  • Measurable
  • Achievable
  • Relevant and
  • Time based.

KPIs also need to reflect what is important to your customers and secondly what is important to your own company.

Finally you don’t want to be in a situation where it costs you more to collect and analyse the data than you are likely to save through efficiency better utilization and improved productivity.

Common Warehousing Mistakes

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SOUTH EAST ASIA LOGISTICS

South East Asia Logistics

Singapore has been placed as Asian’s logistic hub for the tenth consecutive year according to World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index report (LPI 2016 report) and seen ranking fall of Cambodia and Myanmar. It is to be believed that emerging economies that implement comprehensive initiatives continue to improve their performance.

Fall in global ranking of the south east Asia’s largest exporting and logistics business countries and economics – Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam – drop by between seven and 21 places.

At the mean time Cambodia and Myanmar, both countries seemed to be growing with respect to their foreign investment inflows and expansion of industrial experience.

Overall Logistics Performance Index

1. In 2016 SEA Countries recorded their lowest logistics performance, Why?

According to the 2016 LPI report countries characterised by low logistics performance face: High costs not merely because of transportation charges, but also because unreliable supply chains hamstring integration and participation in global value chains.

Poor system to provide information for policy makers, traders, and other stakeholders on the role of logistics for growth, and the policies needed to support logistics in areas such as infrastructure planning, service provision, and cross-border trade and transport facilitation.

Other challenges facing the logistics industry, the report found, was a global shortage of qualified staff in all four industry occupational levels – operations, administration, supervisory, and managerial – in both developed and developing countries.

Efficient logistics connects people and firms to markets and opportunities, and helps achieve higher levels of productivity and welfare. Unfortunately, the logistics performance gap between rich and poor countries continues.

Some 24.5 per cent of responses came from companies with more than 250 employees, while more than 50 per cent of responses were provided by senior executives. A further 16 per cent were answered by department managers, and 15 per cent from country managers. Two-thirds (43 per cent) of respondents were at corporate or regional headquarters and 22 per cent at country branch offices.

2. How this performance can be improved?

Requirement of at least a semi-automated warehouse and order fulfilment system integrated with conventional storage systems, designed to optimize order picking process, increase productivity, and improve efficiency of overall material handling and information technology.

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 concept.

Intelligent picking technologies improve the picking performance and allow flexibility for future growth of business, by separating fast, medium and slow moving items into different picking areas, namely goods-to-man picking with the Schaefer carousel system, pick-by-light and RF terminal picking.

Handling systems improve handling efficiency, such as label jet, inline weighing scale etc.

Ergonomic design of workstation improves overall working environment and modular design of key system component to ensure sustainable long-term usability.

Automation plays a big part in the eCom Logistics Hub – fully automated parcel sorting system combined with the warehousing and order fulfilment system results the entire eCom Logistics Hub being integrated end-to-end from the eCommerce front-end platform to delivery.

ECO-FRIENDLY LOGISTICS

Eco-Friendly Logistics

Multitude of trucking companies around the globe are focusing on Eco-friendly logistics. As customers started raising demands about Eco-friendlier logistics and more sustainable environment. Today, many trucking companies are starting to implement a wide variety of sustainable practices to become less dependent on fuel and reduce cost.

(a) United Parcel Service : It is known worldwide. UPS has over 2,200 alternative fuel vehicles. UPS also provides the opportunity to allow customers to paperless billing and invoices.

(b) J.B. Hunt : They are committed to delivering the safe, sustainable, and cost-effective transportation solutions. J.B. Hunt has been able to improve overall fuel efficiency, lower transportation costs by approximately 50 percent because of adopting new technology.

(c) United Van Lines : It is the largest moving company in Canada, and has won a number of awards as Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies. Some of the green initiatives include recycling tires, having regular scheduled trailer and truck maintenance and looking to become a paperless company.

(d) Swift Transportation : It is a top trucking company throughout the United States offering a variety of solutions. The company uses all the latest technologies to decrease their carbon footprint and cost to offer eco-friendly logistics.

(e) Penske Logistics : This company always looks for optimized routes that will increase fuel efficiency. The trucking company is also involved with a number of recycling and green lighting programs.

(f) Atlas Van Lines : This is one of the premier residential and commercial moving truck companies around the United States. all trucks are equipped with on-board information systems that help truck drivers become more efficient with their fuel.

(g) FedEx : It for many years has continued to look for ways to make their fleet operations even more efficient than they already are. FedEx has continually looked to encourage other trucking companies to develop and purchase clean-technology enabled trucks.

(h) DHL : It is one of the leading logistics companies around the globe. As customers worldwide are increasingly demanding greener, faster and cheaper logistics. DHL has transformed its operational activity as per that.

(i) YRC Worldwide : One of the largest trucking services throughout the world. It is a previous winner of the Smart Way Environmental Excellence Award. Their operation is completely paperless and minimum fuel consumption.

(j) C&K Trucking : This has maintained focus on efficiency and technologies that will aid in reducing their miles per gallon. The company has installed software on trucks to measure efficiency metrics, retrofitted trucks, and created new speed management policies.

3 MARKETING KEY STRATEGIES

marketing-strategy

1. FedEx’s Holiday Season Performance Improves Significantly :

FedEx estimated a slight increase in shipping packages due to out-scene marketing In order to handle the 290 million packages, FedEx had taken measures which included increasing seasonal workers, using six-sided cameras to read package labels, investing in improving its network and capping deliveries of retailers.

According to a logistics software firm, FedEx achieved a 91% on-time delivery rate during Thanksgiving week, compared to 83% last year.

2. Change In Pricing Mechanism To Drive Revenue, Margins :

FedEx had announced that it would be applying dimensional weight pricing for all FedEx Ground packages. Instead of charging for a package simply based on its weight, FedEx will be charging its FedEx Ground customers on the basis of dimensional weight, which can be calculated by multiplying the length, breadth and height of the package, and then dividing by 166. The change in pricing mechanism could result in a 30-50% increase in package shipping costs.

Drive Revenue

3. Revised Fuel Surcharge Rates To Counter Impact Of Falling Fuel Prices :

In addition to increasing fuel surcharge rates, FedEx has also widened the range over which rates remain static. Under the revised rates, if fuel prices remain at their current levels, FedEx Ground’s fuel surcharge rates will increase by 1.5% and those of FedEx Express will increase by 1%. The difference in fuel surcharge becomes wider at lower prices. The higher rates and broader price ranges will allow FedEx to capture higher fuel surcharge revenue if fuel prices continue to decline.

SALES FORCE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE

Sales force management

Without fear of oversimplifying, the biggest challenges that sales people face are :

  • how to qualify and follow up on leads and
  • how to prioritize sales activities.

(a) Enjoy a safe storage space : SFA tool helps sales people to safely and centrally store their contacts, sales opportunities, activities and scheduled plans in one place, and have uninterrupted access to the database from multiple locations. Rest assured that your data won’t just get lost.

(b) Plan and time-manage like a pro : SFA tool helps sales people to optimize their daily schedules and prioritize tasks to make sure customers are not ignored and the key prospects are contacted on time. In fact, SFA tool allows sales people to spend more time with customers, which leads to more deals closed and a stronger customer base.

(c) Activity reports? – No brainer : SFA tool helps sales people to easily prepare their weekly or monthly reports for management. The process is automated and transparent, and takes just a few clicks to inform others about what sales are currently in progress.

(d) Stop surfing, start targeting : SFA tool helps sales people to segment data and identify valuable opportunities via criteria based selections. This prevents you from hours of cutting and pasting from various documents, or surfing in the disorganized lists of data.

(e) Stay up-to-date on what’s happening : SFA tool offers shared calendars, document templates and e-mail integration, uniting all team members and keeping everyone up-to-date. Sharing selling patterns and processes allows sales people to see what works best. SFA TOOL also increases communication between the sales force and sales management.

(f) Show up in time for the new sale : By tracking all communication with the customers, SFA tool helps sales people to know exactly when customers need to be contacted; for example, for product replacement, contract renewal, or for an upsell to a new product or service. This all increases your chances of closing a sale.

(g) Rationalize your sales moves : SFA tool helps streamline the entire sales cycle, which results in closing deals in your sales pipeline and helping everyone in the team to reach targets faster. Since order processing and preparing quotes is automated in SFA tool, sales teams are able to reduce production costs and increase sales revenue.

(h) Know what your customers really want : Since all the customer-related data is stored in SFA tool, it helps sales people to analyse the needs of customers and even anticipate their problems – all at the right time. All this increases customer satisfaction and ensures loyalty, as well as higher profit margins.

(i) Cut down on admin tasks : SFA tool releases the sales teams from the majority of admin tasks by reducing and even removing some of the repetitive actions that take a lot of time, but yield little profitability. SFA tool stores product and price details, triggers reminders for activities, and takes sales people through the sales pipeline step by step.

(j) Save money : Even though SFA tool systems are not cheap, they actually help you save your money! With sales people, it is the reduction of errors (for example, in orders or quotes) that SFA tool can help with. Effort and cost related to correcting those errors may be much higher. Finally, it also boils down to such trivial things as saving money on those cluttering and often vanishing Post-it notes, since every new information can be safely stored in the system.

FMCG DISTRIBUTION SOFTWARE

FMCG Distribution Software

FMCG industry has taken a rapid pace among growing industries and transforming local markets. Weather it is eatable or housekeeping stuffs, customer demands are raising looking towards more comfort day by day and it is obvious in a swiftly developing country.

Especially metro cities and urban areas are turning outto be most welcoming new demands and satisfying them as a result small firms, SME can take place in the game promptly. New innovation bringing new opportunity, emerging manufacturing industries, workers are getting skilled on a huge market coverage, skilled are getting more skilled but unfortunately industrialist, distributors, wholesalers have not kept an eye towards distribution channel. When high demand is being focused distribution channels are just required to satisfy the needs but improve the process of distribution.

Current Challenges In Distribution :

There is the impossibility of offering a homogeneous level of services throughout the country. This problem is especially relevant in the case of customers belonging to the organized FMCG distributors, the elevated requirements from a logistics point of view of this type of distribution (urban last-mile, many small deliveries, perishable products, frequent problems in the billing process) and the great volume of resources that are involved, mean that few manufacturers can offer a uniform level of services in all geographical zones.

On the other hand, the other structural problem identified in this type of distribution is the elevated costs associated with the order-delivery-payment cycle. It is estimated that these costs in the distributors channel are four times greater than in large-scale retail. These high costs in comparison with other logistics systems are due to multiple factors (very small orders, very frequent deliveries).

Strategically oriented companies realize that the key element of long-term success is increasing interdependence. These proactive companies understand that strong long-term profitability can be achieved by creating and promoting positive relationships, mutual benefit between members of distribution channel.