The fourth industrial revolution or industry 4.0, is already a possibility of transformation for a huge number of businesses. However, it is a productive alternative. Provided that each sector knows how to adapt and responds to the requirements of the new technological era. In this sense, the logistics 4.0 must give efficient answers to new challenges for a solid evolution.

Keys to logistics development 4.0

There are certain objectives that indicate how to promote efficient innovation in the sector. The Spanish Logistics Centre and the eAPyme 2017 report ("Estado de la transformación digital en PYMEs y autónomos") say so.

The digital transformation

We can highlight the need to simultaneously evolve the digital transformation. As much in the front of the processes, as in the one of suppliers and clients. The transport and logistics sector is far from models in which the adoption of technology is facilitated. A report edited by the consulting firm PwC ("Shifting Patterns"), in relation to the so-called "digital fitness" of companies, cites that only 28% of companies in the sector feel "technologically advanced" to adopt new technologies, compared to 45% of companies in sectors such as electronics.

The report points out that the transport and logistics sector is where the generation and analysis of data is most expected to be seen as important. The advantage will be linked to the capacity and speed with which companies can adopt technology. Otherwise, there will be no possibility for them to interact and grow uniformly towards a 4.0 logistics.

Change in customer behaviour

PwC also mentions the fact that consumers have adopted the digital environment much earlier than businesses. This is why there is an urgency in the manufacturing sector. By understanding the new consumption behavior and implementing technologies that allow ease of payment and flexibility in delivery. In this sense, companies in the transport sector need to optimise their operations. Many of these end consumers are "logistical-agnostic", leaving little room for manoeuvre to offer added value in their services.

New professionals, new skills

A 2016 DHL ("Robotics in Logistics") study cites that 80% of the tasks in the transport and logistics sector are still manual due to their complexity. However, due to the speed with which technologies become more intelligent and efficient, in the short term we will see a shift in the more repetitive tasks by robots and other automatisms.

Against this backdrop, the traditional jobs in the sector related to business operations will be extinguished, giving way to a more qualified and technologically prepared job offer. In this respect, companies in the sector are faced with a strategic change that promotes generational change and continuous improvement in the training of employees with regard to ICTs (information and communication technologies) in order to close the digital gap between operators and the competent management of systems.

The entry into a 4.0 logistics by logistics operators has important challenges that have to do with technology, the changing behavior of consumption and the technological preparation of its workforce. With this in mind, companies need to rethink their growth strategy to include a balanced and robust technological development.

Photo by Alex Knight n Unsplash