Cargo Talk Feb2021 (2) - Flipbook - Page 33
INDUSTRY OPINION
Sanjay Bhatia
CEO, Freightwalla
ear 2020 has shown us the
importance of digitisation, and we
will see massive adoption of it in 2021.
Companies are digitally transforming
the management of their supply chains
by piloting and applying technologies
such as robotic process automation,
Machine Learning and Blockchain to
traditional supply chain management
activities. The industry has learned lessons
from the past, and the pandemic gave
acceleration to digital transformation,
especially in India. Digitising the shipping
and logistics sector, a leap towards the
initiative will bring transparency, reduce
cost, and better cost management. It
should also include implementing smart
single-window clearance for smooth
processing of shipments or approvals. Such
initiatives will prepare us to tackle any
untoward incidences in the future, like the
current pandemic.
y
Abhishek Bansal
Co-founder and CEO, Shadowfax
Technologies
he pandemic and the lockdown
which lasted for a major part of
2020 proved to be a major challenge for
most businesses, including the logistics
and supply chain sector. The logistics sector
performed remarkably and contributed
to keeping the supply chain for essential
items functional, despite roadblocks.
Further, the challenges faced by the sector
during the pandemic have highlighted the
urgent need for a robust infrastructure that
can not only withstand the unexpected
Try to build in as much
disruptions of this scale but is also agile
enough to help adapt and bounce back to operating resilience as
efficiency. Also, supply chains make up an possible, including by
essential aspect of most businesses today.
setting up an operations
As the year has progressed, we have seen
exciting trends in the industry take shape. war room
Some of these trends include adoption of
technology such as big data and AI. Also, sustainability and omni-channel marketing
have emerged as differentiators. The application of technology has grown beyond
stock taking, orders and delivery. It has grown into other aspects like security and risk
management, process automation, and customer service as well.
t
Leading a supply chain in this age of constant disruption – both large and small –
means managing several priorities while watching for emerging risks and opportunities.
But the real challenge is staying focused on things that matter most to long-term
business success. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted nearly every part of supply
chain, from supply upstream to inbound and outbound logistics to demand planning
and estimating. Now businesses are beginning to consider plans to build resilience in
the medium term and adjust to a ‘new normal’ beyond the pandemic. As a leader, I
would say in times like these, try to build in as much operating resilience as possible,
including by setting up an operations war room.
Digitising the shipping
and logistics sector, a leap
towards the initiative will
bring transparency, reduce
cost, and provide better
cost management
Trends set to shake up the space:
The pandemic has catalysed automation and AI adoption across
industries. Going by its proved utility, this trend will only get
stronger in the coming year.
An agile supply chain makes it easier for businesses to navigate
disruption within the marketplace and helps adapt to changing
market and customer needs.
Cloud technology is allowing the easy storage of huge amounts
of data. There is no need for even physical servers or hard drives.
Logistics service benefactors can easily access whatever information
they need in almost no time.
Achieving operational efficiencies in the logistic framework and
identifying improvement opportunities is becoming easier because
of Big Data Analytics.
FEBRUARY - 2021
CARGOTALK 33
