Are Your Days Full of Logistics Surprises?
Transport logistics involves multiple parties and requirements. There is a growing need to model and monitor the transportation process at an ever more detailed level. All parties must be able to collaborate more closely and provide and share information on their operations as comprehensively as possible. Without shared information, you will miss out on many potential benefits of logistics operations. Thus, what you need is an overall solution, a structured way of working.
No Two Alike
Every transport logistics chain is different. Each chain is shaped by many different factors, such as the field of operation of the involved parties, location, and the features of transported products. Rarely will you encounter an entity that would be an exact replica of another. Therefore, every entity needs a different kind of overall solution, consisting of data, processes, ways of working, operators, and (information) systems.
All these things should be discussed and agreed upon between the parties in the chain. A good way to get things going is to start by addressing some key questions, such as what the overall purpose is and what the goals are. As things progress, the discussion will move on to questions like the following:
- How will the planning be carried out?
- How should the plan be implemented in daily operations?
- How will the cooperation between the different parties work in practice?
- How will the parties communicate with one another and with the end customer?
Put Your Metrics and Monitoring in Order
Once the goals have been set, it is important to define how to measure the whole, and how to verify the success rate. When all these cards have been laid on the table, it easy for everyone involved to follow the agreed processes and also face the possible consequences of their actions, such as sanctions or rewards.
This verification should preferably be done on a daily or at least on a weekly basis. The traditional report-based monitoring – that is, looking in the rearview mirror – does not support the hectic requirements of today’s business world. It is important to detect deviations and problems at an early stage or even before they occur. That is why the parties should agree on how they will share information between each other in as close to real time as possible.
Improve Customer Satisfaction
Roima’s ROIWalk concept is a cost-efficient, fast way to start developing your logistics operations from the basics up. This only requires one efficient day of collecting data, after which our experts will compile a report providing a description of the current state along with observations, and suggestions for both quick-win initiatives and long-term development. Based on the report, it is easy for the customer to take the needed next steps at their convenience.
By investing in the development of your transport logistics operations, you will face fewer surprises and enjoy improved security provided by better control, benefiting both you and your customers.
