Uncover Paperless Shipment Using Internet Of Things

The digital transformation and revolution of paperless shipment using Internet of Things (IoT) connected devices and sensors is now truly underway across industries. IoT networks and automated systems are eliminating manual data collection and paper-dependent workflows, delivering major efficiency gains and cost savings. 

With real-time data capture and analytics, IoT enables businesses to achieve more with less through process optimisation, informed decision-making, predictive insights and paper-free documentation. This is accelerating digitalisation efforts across sectors like supply chain, logistics, healthcare, manufacturing, retail and more.

A 2021 report from the UK’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport estimated that the Internet of Things contributed about £25 billion to the UK GDP that year. This contribution is forecast to grow 20 per cent annually to reach around £72 billion by 2030.

This article will explore real-world examples of IoT automated solutions delivering ROI by eliminating paper waste and inefficiency across industries-

1. Streamlining the Supply Chain via IoT tracking and monitoring

2. Transitioning to Electronic Health Records with IoT-Based Systems

3. Smart Factories Embracing Paperless Shipment Using Internet Of Things

4. Using IoT Sensors for Automated Inventory Management 

5. Utilising IoT Networks for Paperless Quality Control

6. GPS Tracking and Paperless Logistics via IoT Connectivity

Let us look at each of these use cases and their impact in detail-

Streamlining The Supply Chain Via IoT Tracking And Monitoring

Global supply chains generate massive paper trails that lead to documentation errors, delays, disputes, and bloated costs. But IoT smart sensor networks are changing that rapidly.

With real-time shipment tracking and condition monitoring powered by IoT sensors, documents like paper manifests and BOLs are being digitised for accelerated processing and inventory management. Temperature, light, humidity and other sensors monitor the cargo environment, minimising losses due to damage.

IoT tracking brings new levels of supply chain visibility and automation by generating electronic records on demand instead of paper-dependent manual workflows. Top logistics providers are leveraging such technologies at scale to deliver on metrics like

● 60-80 per cent faster access to status documents

● 55 per cent lower freight losses from IoT monitoring 

● 65 per cent reduced cargo loading And unloading times

● 85 per cent fewer paperwork-related errors or disputes

Transitioning To Electronic Health Records With Iot-Based Systems  

The healthcare sector has also relied extensively on printed documentation for patient records, prescription handling, registration and more. This leads to storage inefficiencies, transcription errors, data integrity issues and compliance risks due to poor paper records management.

Now IoT connectivity and sensors like RFID tags are optimising workflows by tracking healthcare assets in real-time. Devices like positive patient identification (PPID) wristbands have eliminated misidentification issues due to paper ID errors. 

IoT-supported electronic health record (EHR) systems enable easy, instant access to accurate patient data while minimising paper usage for better clinical and access outcomes

✔ 5-10 per cent higher patient satisfaction

✔ 30 per cent improved clinician productivity  

✔ 25-30 per cent reduction in recordkeeping costs

✔ 90 per cent faster access to medical data

IoT-Enabled Smart Factories Embracing Paperless Manufacturing  

Industrial IoT deployments in smart factories are also eliminating paper dependence in manufacturing operations via process digitisation.

With machine sensors and industrial wearables, electronic records on throughput speed, yield rates, defects, downtimes and OEE metrics are generated in real-time without manual data gathering and paper logs. This enables-

● 45 per cent improved equipment reliability and uptime

● 40 per cent better resource utilisation and OEE  

● 60 per cent faster new operator onboarding

● 55-60 per cent lower repair costs by predictive analytics

Furthermore, technologies like digital twins and AR/VR simulations powered by IoT sensor data are replacing equipment manuals, minimising the need for paper blueprints or design documents.

Using IoT Sensors For Automated Inventory Management  

Warehouses and retail outlets rely extensively on paper-based methods for inventory counts and asset tracking. However, IoT offers a sustainable alternative via automated inventory management.  

Using IoT asset tags, motion sensors and computer vision, stock levels, orders, warehousing tasks and inventory turns can be automatically tracked and optimised without manual counting or paper logs. This results in-

● 65 per cent improved inventory visibility in real-time  

● 60 per cent increased inventory count accuracy

● 55 per cent lower out-of-stock incidence rates

● 50 per cent reduced inventory carrying costs

Retail IoT is projected by Market Research Future to expand at a 16 per cent CAGR through 2027, promising paperless shipment using Internet of Things workflows to curb excess inventory issues.

Utilising Iot Networks For Paperless Quality Control

Lower manufacturing defects and field failures are a perpetual need. Now IoT quality control solutions can deliver that by eliminating paper quality logs that involve incomplete records or human errors.  

With machine-learning-enabled industrial IoT networks, all product quality data like dimensional accuracy, performance, durability, and visual defects can be tracked digitally through production to catch issues proactively before they impact customers. This enables-

● Real-time quality audits and rapid issue resolution  

● 80 per cent fewer customer complaints and warranty costs

● 65 per cent increased inspection throughput volumes

● Improved regulatory compliance via data transparency

Industry 4.0 and smart factory investments indicate that manufacturers are rapidly embracing such IoT quality management ecosystems promising sustainable paperless workflows.

GPS Tracking And Paperless Logistics Via IoT Connectivity  

Logistics companies still depend heavily on printed manifests, receipts and paperwork to account for daily routes, fuel costs, vehicle service records and more. This leads to complex, error-prone manual tracking. 

Now IoT and GPS sensors enable computerised tracking of small package and freight vehicles for streamlined route planning, delivery verification and location views without paper logs. Benefits include-

● 40-60 per cent reduced administrative and documentation costs

● 30 per cent lower fuel consumption via optimised routing

● Improved end-customer service with online tracking  

● Asset monitoring for predictive maintenance needs  

The logistics sector’s move towards transportation management systems and automated planning tools indicates that paperless shipment using Internet of Things and GPS capabilities will accelerate further.

Summary – Paperless Shipment Using Internet Of Things 

As the examples above highlight, the IoT revolution has truly ushered businesses across sectors into paperless processes, automated workflows and analytics-driven decision-making-

✔ Supply chains are optimising logistics via shipment tracking systems.  

✔ Healthcare providers are transitioning towards better coordinated, IoT-supported electronic health records.

✔ Smart factories leverage machine sensors, and wearables for paperless manufacturing 

✔ Retail outlets and warehouses utilise IoT sensors for real-time inventory monitoring.

✔ Industrial IoT networks enable automated monitoring for quality and yield gains.

✔ GPS and IoT connectivity eliminates paper-based haulage administration.

This has led to outsized business gains like 50-60 per cent cost reductions, 65 per cent faster cycle times, improved workplace safety and customer service gains. Moreover, the 25-30 per cent CAGR predicted across industries underscores that IoT adoption will accelerate rapidly to achieve true digital transformation.

In conclusion, the Internet of Things, with its intelligent sensors, ubiquitous connectivity and actionable analytics capabilities is delivering the long-sought goal of paperless shipment using Internet of Things and connected organisations. This is creating process resilience, informed decisions and sustainability benefits across sectors that will be expanded upon further.