AI’s 5 Biggest Uses in Logistics Companies

Logistics companies are no exception in that regard. Using AI for supply chain management, shipping, and logistics has become essential for businesses that want to stay competitive.

Some of the AI uses have become widespread, such as data collection and analysis. However, other advantages might come as a surprise. Here are the five areas of logistics where AI has the greatest impact.

1. AI for Supply Planning

Artificial intelligence has a tremendous capacity for data processing. This possibility allows a shipping and logistics company to use AI in logistics planning for the optimised handling of goods.

AI can analyse various factors of market demand, including trends, latest news, and even the weather. The technology can also compare them with previous data for more accurate analysis. The resulting forecast may help logistics companies anticipate demand, which is essential for planning.

A particular advantage of AI for supply planning in logistics is that it gets better over time. The tool can learn, incorporate new and past data, and include additional factors to improve its forecasts. The more a logistics company uses AI, the more optimal results it will get.

With the appropriate software and hardware solutions, logistics businesses can create and update supply models. Optimised models could make company operations more efficient and leaner, helping the organisation save precious resources. Obtaining the necessary tools will represent an investment, but it will likely be worthwhile.

2. AI for Better Warehousing

Logistics companies rely on fast and accurate warehouse management for successful order completion. Artificial intelligence can help businesses achieve just that.

Firstly, AI can track warehouse robots, ensuring the machines move each item into the appropriate location. Similar tracking methods are applicable to warehouse items as well. Everything that gets packed can be logged, making error detection much easier.

Secondly, the use of AI for visual inspection and damage detection can have a tremendous impact on the company’s success. Artificial intelligence may identify any damages or product defects before an item leaves the warehouse. As a result, fewer products will get returns, customer satisfaction will ramp up, and safety hazards will be addressed before they become an issue.

Thirdly, AI can prove most helpful in terms of warehouse equipment maintenance. Automated warehouses utilise sensors, robots, and other machinery which is quite delicate. If damaged or broken, this equipment will require costly repairs – an expense easily avoided by proper maintenance.

With the help of AI, a shipping and logistics company can determine and anticipate potential hardware problems. Better yet, the AI can recommend optimal solutions to speed up the required repairs and minimise downtime.

3. AI for Supply Chain Analytics

Artificial intelligence may help optimise the entire supply chain through tracking and data analysis. Goods that are being shipped can be located at all times. Then, schedules and shipping routes can be optimised for maximum efficiency. Better yet, any potential issues become easier to identify, allowing logistics companies to address them promptly.

Route optimisation brings several benefits. Firstly, customers get their items faster, which significantly boosts customer satisfaction and, by extension, retention. Secondly, optimised routes allows vehicles to deliver goods with less fuel expenditure. In some cases, fuel consumption can drop by a fifth.

Since companies can have a clearer idea of shipping costs, they can adjust the pricing accordingly. With the help of AI, these changes can be implemented dynamically, depending on the current shipping expenses.

Dynamic pricing is vital because it allows businesses to account for expenses that may differ day to day. Since AI can analyse data in bulk and do so quickly, pricing adjustments become straightforward to calculate. Additionally, AI forecasts based on detailed data allow for these changes to be prepared and introduced in advance.

4. AI for Improved Sales

Like all other businesses, shipping and logistics organisations have a relatively straightforward goal: making more sales. However, with the increasingly complex industry and plenty of competition, that goal becomes harder to achieve, at least without advanced solutions.

Artificial intelligence is helpful in that regard as it can boost all aspects of the sales funnel. From marketing and lead generation to product recommendations, pricing, and customer segmentation, AI can improve all sales operations. Many logistics businesses are using this technology to their advantage.

One of the most beneficial aspects of AI is that it allows companies to understand their customers better. Acknowledging current trends and buyer preferences leads to personalised offers and services that are more relevant to a specific niche. Besides the market analysis, AI boosts customer satisfaction, which improves sales further.

5. AI for Automatised Delivery

Delivery can be largely automatised. Of course, AI is an essential tool for such shipping solutions. Advanced artificial intelligence can process sensor data, improving the performance of smart vehicles. This includes finding faster routes, avoiding obstacles, and more. Additionally, AI can learn the driver’s particular preferences, helping to plan optimal routes.

AI is absolutely crucial when it comes to self-driving vehicles. While self-driving trucks aren’t yet fully developed, this promising AI-powered technology has revolutionary potential. However, delivery drones are another kind of automatised delivery technology that’s already being used to great effect.

With the help of artificial intelligence, these drones can benefit from better navigation, improved accuracy, and streamlined communication between the machines. The result is a more efficient shipping system that produces reliable results at a reduced cost.

As a positive example of the practice, Amazon has leveraged delivery drones since late 2016. Reportedly, the AI-driven machines were able to make successful deliveries in less than half an hour. It’s quite possible that further tech advances will make this delivery method even better.

Upscale Your Logistics With AI

The development of AI has had a transformative impact on the entire world and might completely define the logistics industry. Automatization and data processing can drive logistics businesses to success, especially if adopted as early as possible. Ultimately, artificial intelligence will give every business an edge over the competition, providing an advantage in local and global markets.