Logistics and supply chain usually operate in the background. No one gives it a second thought. However, Covid-19 disruptions brought logistics into sharp focus. All of a sudden there were shortages and urgent demands to be met, the load falling on logistics to meet targets.
Logistics operators sat up and took stock of their operations. Considering that most operations are digitized and app-based, this gives cause to reconsider existing apps and think of modifications or even development of new logistics apps with the help of Android apps development services for the logistics industry.
Closer meshing with supply chain
Demand for some products is high such as masks, test kits, and groceries, or essential medicines. Lives depend on such products and logistics takes the burden of timely supplies.
In such cases, it is essential to mesh closely with the supply chain and manufacturers as well as the end buyers in order to have up to the minute information as well as devise the best and fastest way of transport. Manual operations would be rather daunting given the extreme scope of operations across geographic regions and transport modes.
You need more sophisticated apps that will give you “what if” scenarios and even use AI to help decide the best option given a specific set of circumstances. It is time to revamp existing apps or step up to new apps that incorporate AI and ML to handle these scenarios, possibly with the help of expert Android app development services.
Identifying key prospects
This far logistics app focused on a set of functionalities suited for supply chain and logistics. Features commonly included:
- Appointment booking or booking freight
- GPS tracking and location apps
- Apps for customers to find out routes, costs
- Inventory management for supply chain
- Warehouse management
- Customer relationship management
- Complaints, issue resolution
There are dozens of ready to use apps that focus on a set of the above features and you can get purposed apps that encompass various sections and permit access by employees, truckers, agents, sellers, and buyers. This is the norm. The situation is not normal and calls for apps that go beyond routine functions.
How about this:
Buyers looking for specific products can use your logistic app to find out suppliers in your supply chain database, find out how long it will take to get the items and how much it will cost.
This may strictly speaking, not be in the realms of logistics and supply chain but then, you cannot have defined borders if you wish to go beyond the call of duty. Novel ideas are necessary to propel business and this is something you can get from the best Android Development Company capable of developing smart apps that give you an edge over competitors.
People management
One of the greatest adverse fallouts of the pandemic is that it has disrupted workforces. How do you manage people in an industry where on the spot presence is so often absolutely indispensable.
Go digital and use superior apps that permit remote work facilitation is one possible answer. And, in the event people must gather and work at one place then monitoring their health is vital, besides showing concern for their economic situation.
Your existing apps for logistics may need the inclusion of additional feature sets, something that Android app development services for the Logistics industry can do with ease.
More tech
A shortage of manpower may bring logistics operations to a grinding halt or leave you high and dry when it comes to information. Here again, you go down the tech path to ensure you have up to the minute information through the incorporation of IoT and robotics at the back end, linked to apps at the front end.
You could have drone delivery and an app to manage it. Covid 19 surely has opened up doors to new possibilities worth exploring.
Big players will grab more markets
The big players in the logistics market worldwide are DHL, UPS, FedEx, Kuehne+Nagel, Hitachi Transport, XPO, and CEVA to mention a few. It is likely they have the resources and tech to consolidate markets and grow even bigger.
The question is about smaller and medium-sized logistics companies that must match these big fellows and offer equally good or better services. This is where enlisting android apps development services can be worth the investment. You get USPs that put you ahead of the big boys.
The good news is that the global logistics segment is set to grow to $ 2730 billion by end of 2020 and $ 3210 billion by 2021 at a rate of 17.6%. Logistics operators can claim a bigger slice of this pie with the help of advanced mobile apps purposed to suit current and emerging needs.
