Logistics professionals spend much of the day solely fixing problems according to new research by Container xChange.
More than half of the 1,000 respondents surveyed spend half their working day fixing problems (3 to 4 hours) with 7% saying they spend 5 to 6 hours – virtually the entire day – dedicated solely to problems.
Logistics professionals face a multitude of challenges when procuring a container deal, which can cause delays and lead to lost revenue. Among the most common problems are incorrect or incomplete documentation, miscommunication and misunderstandings in international deals, payment delays, damage and unforeseen events such as bad weather or strikes.
Help is at hand, however, with the research showing that digitalisation can significantly reduce the number and severity of challenges.
By automating just three processes, say the researchers, workers could save more than eight hours per week or four full working days per month.
“Digitalisation is the inevitable evolution for every industry, and the container logistics industry is no different,” said Christian Roeloffs, chief executive of Container xChange.
“Our research shows that the move to digital tools can save time, increase efficiency and improve profitability. Logistics professionals need to embrace digital transformation to stay ahead in a competitive market,” he added.
The key three processes to automate are:
- Using an online marketplace for equipment and partner sourcing
- Container tracking, release references of live ETAs
- Using online chat for negotiating terms and conditions
Other processes which can help reduce delays are using live data dashboards, automatic payment handling and invoicing, and using third parties, for example insurance claim management companies.
