By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
SmartData Collective
  • Analytics
    AnalyticsShow More
    data science anayst
    Growing Demand for Data Science & Data Analyst Roles
    6 Min Read
    predictive analytics in dropshipping
    Predictive Analytics Helps New Dropshipping Businesses Thrive
    12 Min Read
    data-driven approach in healthcare
    The Importance of Data-Driven Approaches to Improving Healthcare in Rural Areas
    6 Min Read
    analytics for tax compliance
    Analytics Changes the Calculus of Business Tax Compliance
    8 Min Read
    big data analytics in gaming
    The Role of Big Data Analytics in Gaming
    10 Min Read
  • Big Data
  • BI
  • Exclusive
  • IT
  • Marketing
  • Software
Search
© 2008-23 SmartData Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Ways Businesses Can Boost Logistics Performance with Analytics
Share
Notification Show More
Latest News
ai in automotive industry
AI Is Changing the Automotive Industry Forever
Artificial Intelligence
SMEs Use AI-Driven Financial Software for Greater Efficiency
Artificial Intelligence
data security in big data age
6 Reasons to Boost Data Security Plan in the Age of Big Data
Big Data
data science anayst
Growing Demand for Data Science & Data Analyst Roles
Data Science
ai software development
Key Strategies to Develop AI Software Cost-Effectively
Artificial Intelligence
Aa
SmartData Collective
Aa
Search
  • About
  • Help
  • Privacy
Follow US
© 2008-23 SmartData Collective. All Rights Reserved.
SmartData Collective > Analytics > Ways Businesses Can Boost Logistics Performance with Analytics
Analytics

Ways Businesses Can Boost Logistics Performance with Analytics

Analytics technology has been invaluable for companies trying to improve their logistics strategies.

Angela Steinman
Last updated: 2022/07/04 at 6:16 PM
Angela Steinman
10 Min Read
benefits of analytics in logistics
Photo 147569094 © Yota Nik | Dreamstime.com
SHARE

Smart companies realize that analytics technology needs to be at the core of their business models. One of the most important ways that analytics can help companies thrive is by improving their logistics.

Contents
Analytics Technology Helps Companies Bolster their Logistics Strategies1.      Vertical integrationEnhanced outsourcing2.      Rationalizing SKUsSimplified business processesOptimized inventory management3.      Integrated software and ITTransparent communicationsAutomation and efficiencyAnalytics Helps Companies Improve their Logistics

Analytics Technology Helps Companies Bolster their Logistics Strategies

If you were cryogenically frozen twenty years ago, upon awakening, you’d probably be more shocked to learn that you can place an order on the internet and get it the same day, than you would about the world’s billionaires attempting to conquer space.

You would also discover the big data is at the heart and soul of modern organizational practices. More companies are using data analytics to optimize their business models in creative ways. This is particularly true with logistics processes. The IoT has helped improve logistics, but big data has been even more impactful.

Indeed, shipping and logistics operations have come a long way in recent times, so much so that Finances Online claims top-tier management of the supply chain “isn’t just believed to be one of the top drivers of customer service improvement. It is also a case of business survival”. This wouldn’t have been possible without more companies investing in data analytics.

More Read

double,exposure,of,abstract,virtual,statistics,data,hologram,on,modern

The Surprising Benefits of Data Analytics for Furniture Stores

Data Analytics Technology Proves Benefits of an MBA
Why Data-Driven SEO is Crucial for SMEs in This Recession
Advances in Data Analytics Key to Business Website Optimization
How To Cultivate Data-Driven Decision-Making In Your Workplace

Some of the ways that data analytics can help companies improve their logistics include:

  • Optimizing transportation routes
  • Improving shipment schedules
  • Reducing errors with delivery and pickup

On the journey from the click of your customer’s mouse to them opening the door to their delivery, convenience and efficiency are big factors that determine whether consumers will come back to you. For one, ensuring that delivery is as swift as possible is at the heart of current consumer expectations.

Analytics technology has been invaluable for improving the customer experience. Companies can identify transportation issues that lead to delays, find employees that are prone to make mistakes to retrain them and better track inventory with the use of data analytics.

But what else can firms do to make sure their operations are well-oiled? How can data analytics help with these other processes?

We’ve narrowed down the key strategies modern companies are using to enhance logistical management with data analytics technology.

1.      Vertical integration

Vertical integration is by no means a new concept, but it’s all the rage these days. As Investopedia spells out, this refers to when a company “streamlines its operations by taking direct ownership of various stages of its production process rather than relying on external contractors or suppliers”. In short, involves a business acquiring or creating its own production line and supply chain.

Cutting out the middleman allows companies to reduce their fixed-costs per unit, in what is known as economies of scale or diminishing marginal costs. Vertical integration optimizes operations for efficiency, and as the Balance suggests: “a company that’s vertically integrated can transfer the cost savings they create to the consumer” — although this comes at the price of a sizable initial investment. Alternatively, lower production costs mean that you can lower prices to incentivize more customer purchases.

Analytics tools make it easier to make better vertical integration strategies. You can mine data on potential supply-chain partners to make sure you aren’t acquiring a business that is not efficiently run. You can do this by using web scraper tools to collect data from company review websites and financial information on the company if it is publicly traded.

Enhanced outsourcing

The next best bet for those who cannot immediately establish their own distribution is through stronger collaboration with courier companies. Courier service CitySprint, for instance, has “34 dedicated hubs across the UK”. Using such a service allows companies to emulate the perks of vertical integration by having localized distribution networks, enabling them to offer services like same-day delivery. As a result, a firm that is unable to achieve full vertical integration straight away can still meet the current consumer expectations elevated by e-Commerce giants like Amazon

Again, you will want o use data analytics to make better outsourcing decisions by collecting data on potential contractors.

2.      Rationalizing SKUs

Analytics has also made it much easier to track inventory. This is often accomplished with the use of SKUs.

In the definition given by BigCommerce, “Stock Keeping Units [SKUs] are unique alphanumeric codes used by merchants to identify product types and variations”.

These are used by online companies to manage inventory, warehouse logistics and item specs with the use of inventory management systems with sophisticated analytics features. Your average supermarket will have, for instance, 15,000 of these — compared to the fast delivery services that use micro-warehouses and centers, and only have around 500-2000.

Simplified business processes

In simple terms, rationalizing SKUs means deciding whether the selling of specific products ought to continue. This way, businesses can streamline their offerings and reduce the overall complexity of their operations through the use of analytics.

While it might seem the more sensible choice is to have a diverse range of items for customers to choose from, holding too many SKUs can complicate logistics. If you have an excess of suppliers, data or you need greater amounts of storage space, this can make inventory management increasingly difficult and hamper the efficiency of deliveries.

Optimized inventory management

ShipBob clarifies that large retail companies use analytics tools to “keep track of all inventory in their large fulfilment centers and easily locate each SKU, so they can be accurately picked, packed, and shipped as orders are placed”. A popular analytics solution for this is through warehouse management systems (WMS), that organize data, including photos and other information, for fast retrieval.

By eliminating unnecessary SKUs at the delivery stage, businesses can limit back and forth communications with other parties like suppliers, as well as storage requirements, time and energy needed to create and package products that could be used in other parts of production.

3.      Integrated software and IT

The immediate perks of integrated business software revolve around efficiency, which is crucial for meeting customer expectations through the use of analytics technology. Most firms will rely on at least one or two business-critical platforms (such as digital banking, online shopping carts and/or cloud-based data storage), but any failure often results in a drop in productivity and revenue.

Transparent communications

For instance, the inability to provide proper transaction information (such as receipts and invoices) due to loss of data will damage a company’s reputation. To insure against this and other issues, more and more firms are turning to software and communications integration to reduce business-critical risks.

One of the perks of integrating software solutions is also the reduced risk of these scenarios occurring. Akibia argues that software integration helps track communications with clients, so that “you can efficiently resolve as soon as possible. The quicker you address your clients’ queries and issues, the more favorable view your clients will hold about the organization”.

Automation and efficiency

In logistics, a popular route to achieving better delivery results is through what’s known as carrier integration. While vertical integration consolidates the entire logistics process, carrier integration focuses on managing fulfilment processes and shipping data through a unified software and digital control center.

Once the shipper provides the location of origin and destination, the integrated software can identify what services are needed for each delivery and select the best packaging and carrier. This allows for the best possible response times since these processes are automated, saving time and user effort as well as eliminating the hidden costs of shipping execution.

Analytics Helps Companies Improve their Logistics

There are countless benefits of analytics in business. One of the biggest benefits is that data analytics can improve your logistics strategy. You should follow the guidelines listed above.

TAGGED: big data logistics, data in business, data-driven business, supply chain logistics
Angela Steinman June 30, 2022
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn
Share
By Angela Steinman
Follow:
I’m a young freelance writer specializing in psychology, education, technology and business. Currently I offer my help at Edubirdie.com as a content writer. I have many other interests and enjoy sharing them through my written words. I have a B.A. from New York University. Please follow my twitter @SteinmanAngela to know about my recently published posts.

Follow us on Facebook

Latest News

ai in automotive industry
AI Is Changing the Automotive Industry Forever
Artificial Intelligence
SMEs Use AI-Driven Financial Software for Greater Efficiency
Artificial Intelligence
data security in big data age
6 Reasons to Boost Data Security Plan in the Age of Big Data
Big Data
data science anayst
Growing Demand for Data Science & Data Analyst Roles
Data Science

Stay Connected

1.2k Followers Like
33.7k Followers Follow
222 Followers Pin

You Might also Like

double,exposure,of,abstract,virtual,statistics,data,hologram,on,modern
Analytics

The Surprising Benefits of Data Analytics for Furniture Stores

8 Min Read
data analytics reveals the benefits of MBA
Analytics

Data Analytics Technology Proves Benefits of an MBA

9 Min Read
data-driven SEO
Big Data

Why Data-Driven SEO is Crucial for SMEs in This Recession

13 Min Read
data analytics is essential for website UX design
Analytics

Advances in Data Analytics Key to Business Website Optimization

7 Min Read

SmartData Collective is one of the largest & trusted community covering technical content about Big Data, BI, Cloud, Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, IoT & more.

AI chatbots
AI Chatbots Can Help Retailers Convert Live Broadcast Viewers into Sales!
Chatbots
ai in ecommerce
Artificial Intelligence for eCommerce: A Closer Look
Artificial Intelligence

Quick Link

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Follow US

© 2008-23 SmartData Collective. All Rights Reserved.

Removed from reading list

Undo
Go to mobile version
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?