Changed consumer behavior is forcing logistics to rethink
Logistics 4.0 is primarily driven by increasing individual needs and the desire for ever faster satisfaction of needs. Modern generations are used to having unlimited access to the internet and being able to trigger processes with a click. Products and services are available around the clock and can be made available to customers in ever shorter times. In addition, the importance of individualized services and products that are specifically tailored to the end customer is increasing.
These changes are increasing the pressure on companies and logistics service providers to become faster and more flexible. Well-known large e-commerce providers set new standards with fast delivery times and free returns. In order to offer the customer a new shopping experience, digital processes and new solutions are replacing traditional business models in logistics.
In order to remain competitive, smaller companies must also sell their goods online and face the logistical challenges of efficient warehousing and comprehensive master data management. The measurement products from KHT (e.g. the MultiScan) offer a simple and quick solution for this.
Networking as a primary goal
When it comes to Industry 4.0 and Logistics 4.0, smart factories are often the centre of attention. The focus of all these developments is digitization, with the primary goal of creating networked processes in the supply chain in order to enable transparency for suppliers and customers and to ensure decentralized control.
Examples of new logistics solutions are:
- Containers and shelves in supermarkets can measure inventory and send all the necessary information, including their own location, to the head office to avoid a product bottleneck.
- Smart glasses that replace scanners & paper documents and increase process speed through error-free, hands-free picking
- Transport management systems that provide complete transparency for internal and external transport routes and enable dynamic control for manufacturers and suppliers
What are the benefits of Logistics 4.0?
The advantages of digitized logistics companies include:
- You can stand out from the competition and gain a competitive advantage
- You can collect important data and evaluate it for company and process improvement
- Through stronger networking, it is possible to save costs and improve the quality of the services
- Medium and small businesses have better global access to raw materials and suppliers
Logistics 4.0 brings the following advantages for customers:
- Individual services that can be offered to everyone personally and according to their own needs
- Faster delivery routes, lower delivery costs and better-quality delivery with fewer failures, delays or damage to the ordered goods
- A larger, global range of goods and services
Sources:
Cf. Bousonville, T., 2016: Logistik 4.0, Die digitale Transformation der Wertschöpfungskette, S.5
Cf. Fraunhofer-Institut für Materialfluss und Logistik IML, Logistik 4.0, accessed 16.07.2020
URL: https://www.iml.fraunhofer.de/de/abteilungen/b1/intralogistik-und–it-planung/dienstleistungen0/Logistik_4_0.html
Cf. Gabler Wirtschaftslexikon, Logistik 4.0, accessed 16.07.2020
URL: https://wirtschaftslexikon.gabler.de/definition/logistik-40-54203/version-329884
Cf. intomarkets Amazon Agentur, Logistik 4.0, accessed 16.07.2020
URL: https://www.intomarkets.com/wiki/logistik-4-0/
Cf. MM Logistik, Das Portal für Industrie und Handel, Was ist Logistik 4.0, accessed 16.07.2020
URL: https://www.mm-logistik.vogel.de/was-ist-logistik-40-alles-zum-thema-digitalisierung-logistik-a-692722/