Want to optimize your logistics?

Digitization today is no longer an option, it is a necessity, and companies that fail to implement it will simply fall behind the competition.  For those of you who are ready to approach the topic of digitization today, we have prepared a handful of tips on where to start the process. 

Modern technologies will enhance your operational efficiency, improve customer service quality, and give you a competitive edge—no doubt about it. However, to avoid getting lost in the sea of available solutions and not fall into the trap of chasing every “new and better” tool, it’s crucial to approach digitalization thoughtfully and consistently. Here are a few simple steps to guide you.

Take advantage of the knowledge and experience of others. Talk to companies that specialize in IT consulting services and let them guide you by the hand. Remember that ignorance is no reason to be ashamed – taking advantage of the know-how of a fima with years of experience will allow you to minimize business risks and implement the most effective solutions. An expert with extensive subject matter expertise will help you prioritize, choose the most advantageous technologies available, and, above all, advise you on how to implement for maximum rapid ROI. 

For digitalization to bring real business benefits, it is essential to approach it consciously, starting with a detailed analysis of existing logistics processes. Consider how the following operate in your company: supply management, internal goods flow organization, warehouse processes, communication with partners, document flow, and task execution control. A thorough understanding of the current state of affairs will allow you to more easily and efficiently identify areas requiring optimization and, as a result, set goals that you can achieve through digitalization. A strong knowledge of the processes will enable their standardization, which in turn will lead to increased transparency and control over individual tasks. 

The number of areas that require improvement and digitalization may initially seem overwhelming. That’s why it’s crucial to establish priorities—identify the areas that cause the biggest problems and require the most urgent changes. Focusing on these first will allow you to see visible results quickly. Systematically achieving smaller goals creates an atmosphere of success within the organization, making it easier for you to convince others in the company that the implemented changes will benefit everyone. 

Remember, there are many IT solutions available for the logistics industry, but not all will suit your business. Choose only those that align with your predefined goals and fit within your budget. Remember, you don’t have to do this alone—making the right choice isn’t easy, but the right consulting partner will undoubtedly support you throughout the process. Defining key performance indicators (KPIs) will help you track the progress of your digitalization efforts and make adjustments to your strategy as needed. This dynamic approach will not only help you quickly achieve ROI but also keep a positive attitude toward changes, preventing wasted time and money. 

Digitalization is not just about implementing new technologies; it’s also about changing mindsets and work processes. For many employees, especially those in roles like drivers, dispatchers, or warehouse staff, new technologies can seem unfamiliar and may initially provoke resistance. However, for digitalization to be effective, it’s essential that all employees, regardless of their position, embrace and engage with the changes. 

To facilitate this, it’s crucial to demonstrate the benefits of the implemented changes to every team member. Providing appropriate training will certainly help employees become familiar with the new tools and systems, enabling them to use them effectively. Encouraging a culture of openness to change and continuous learning fosters an environment where digitalization thrives. Creating forums for feedback and discussion can also help in addressing concerns and building a sense of ownership among the team. 

In large projects, such as business digitalization, your greatest ally will be the method of taking small steps. Gradually implementing changes and new solutions allows you to efficiently identify potential issues and avoid negative consequences, while also reaping early benefits from the initiative. 

Starting with the implementation of one solution, or perhaps even just a part of it, gives you the opportunity to observe the effects and make necessary adjustments promptly. This iterative approach not only minimizes risks but also builds momentum as team members begin to see the tangible results of digitalization. By regularly evaluating progress and making incremental improvements, you can create a more adaptable and resilient organization that is better equipped to handle future challenges. 

Once you know how to approach the digitalization process, it’s worth considering which areas it should encompass to be most effective. From our extensive business experience working with clients in the logistics sector, the key areas include: order management, communication, process automation, and leveraging the potential of IoT. 

Why are these areas so important and what real business benefits does their digitalization bring? 

Full transparency and quick feedback are currently among the most important criteria by which the efficiency of logistics companies is measured. These factors allow you to increase customer satisfaction, optimize routes, and minimize the risk of errors. Our extensive experience and knowledge of the logistics sector show that these include: order management, communication, process automation, and leveraging the potential of IoT. 

 

At Euvic, we specialize in implementing ePOD systems, which are designed to streamline delivery process management. The systems we have implemented enable continuous monitoring of transportation progress and verification of vehicle locations as well as loading and unloading activities according to the planned route. 

One example is the implementation of a system that continuously monitors transports carried out by hundreds of vehicles and thousands of operations performed daily by drivers. The system is equipped with functionalities that alert the driver before performing operations that are not in accordance with the route plan, such as incorrect location, operation on the wrong goods, etc. 

Communication is a key element of any supply chain. Streamlining the flow of information helps reduce the risk of errors due to human mistakes, speeds up the order fulfillment process, and builds strong and long-lasting business relationships with customers, partners, and employees. 

 

The ePOD systems we implement also ensure improved communication efficiency, enabling you to elevate relationships with both employees and customers to a new, higher level. Our solutions focus on digital communication between the personnel responsible for managing transportation and those executing the transports. This ensures that changes in route plans are immediately communicated to drivers, who have the opportunity to report irregularities during the execution of the order. An additional advantage of our solutions is the simple, digital circulation of documents confirming the receipt and delivery of goods. The driver only needs to take a photo of the document, which is automatically linked to the current route and operation and sent for further processing, such as settlements. Thousands of such simplified operations daily generate significant savings and accelerate post-transport service. 

Another area of communication supported by our solutions is system integration with key partners for electronic data exchange or providing access to the system for hundreds of companies collaborating with our clients, allowing them to enter and/or receive always up-to-date data directly to/from the system. 

Automation increases work efficiency and reduces incurred costs. It is particularly worth implementing in areas such as: 

• Pre-Notification: Automatically generating and sending pre-notifications speeds up the preparation process for loading or unloading. 
• Driver and Vehicle Identification: Automatic recognition of the driver and vehicle shortens the processing time at gates or ramps. 
• Time Slot Management: Distributing tasks over time according to the availability of warehouse resources during specific shifts. 
• Task Allocation: Automatically assigning tasks to drivers enhances work efficiency. 
• Electronic Documentation: This accelerates information exchange both within the organization and in cooperation with partners. 

 

One of the solutions offered by Euvic to enable process automation is YMS. By leveraging the appointment scheduling functionality combined with real-time information on the progress of loading and unloading, the number of drivers waiting in queues at entry and exit gates has been reduced to just a few percent compared to previous levels. An additional positive aspect was the ability to reduce the area of internal parking lots and allocate them for additional production areas. 

The average time a vehicle spends on the premises has been reduced by 10% due to the automatic identification of the driver and vehicle. Additionally, by linking this information with loading or unloading documentation, drivers are automatically directed to the correct location or informed about when they will be serviced. 

The electronic circulation of documentation for transportation services provided by external fleets has reduced settlement time from an average of several days to just three days. For companies directly integrated, this time is even shorter and currently results solely from the internal processes of the contractors, as the time spent on sending documentation has been completely eliminated. 

An additional effect of all the implemented improvements is a significant increase in the level of satisfaction of contractors collaborating with our clients.

Specialized sensors and devices connected to the Internet allow for monitoring the condition of goods, transport conditions, and the location of vehicles. This enhances safety and enables prompt responses to any emerging threats, improves inventory management, prevents shortages, and increases work efficiency. 

 

A good example of utilizing IoT in our implementations is fraud detection through simultaneous monitoring of vehicle entry and exit, along with weight checks that verify the vehicle’s position on the scale, allowing for confrontation of the gathered information with entry or exit documents. 

The use of cameras enables tracking vehicle movement on the premises and even automatically opening barriers, gates, and doors. The cameras we employ are also used for threat detection, such as breaches of zones during warehouse operations. 

We have also completed integrations with onboard devices in vehicles or pickup points, allowing for continuous control of transport parameters, fully automated loading and unloading checks, and even verifying whether unloading can be carried out safely. In one of our implementations, we monitor over a thousand pickup points to verify whether the planned delivery can be executed. 

We know very well that sometimes being part of a company and actively participating in all its daily processes can make it difficult to maintain an objective judgment of the situation and to view certain matters from an outside perspective. It is also challenging, especially without IT expertise, to analyze ongoing activities in a technical manner while seeking possible optimizations and improvements. This is precisely why professional consulting support is invaluable in the process of digitalizing a business. 

As specialists with many years of experience in implementing IT solutions for logistics, we can help you: 

• Define business objectives. 
• Optimize processes. 
• Select, create, and implement appropriate technological solutions. 
• Train employees and provide your organization with support in addressing potential challenges. 

 

Although the digitalization process in logistics is complex, collaborating with a consulting firm that has the right competencies can bring enormous benefits. Clients who have trusted us achieve fast return on their investments in digitalization while avoiding typical pitfalls and issues that arise from improper implementation of new technologies. You could be one of them. 

What if we also propose that by gathering very detailed information about the packaging of goods, we could collaboratively identify the potential for increasing the transport capacity of each load? The starting point is the regularly collected precise information, followed by the use of AI for analysis and insights, and finally, the savings generated with each transport. The possibilities are numerous; let’s talk.