[IT] Supply chain and innovation: how is the logistics sector being transformed?

The logistics sector is undergoing a phase of profound transformationin which digitisation has the key role of radically changing supply chain processes. The new logistics therefore involves speed, interconnection and automationwhich are the pillars on which is based on global supply chain.Improving the efficiency of goods receiving, storage and shipping operations is the new mantra to achieve optimum performance in terms of organisation, productivity and safety. The 4.0 supply chain model is certainly an important source of competitive advantage. It is, for example, for food logistics, where the supply chain management and traceability systems require constant innovation.

RAJA is committed to finding new innovative solutions for different production areas.

4.0 supply chain management and traceability systems for food logistics

Supply Chain Management and Traceability Systems 4.0 for Food Logistics offer greater transparency, safety and efficiency in food monitoring and management. They contribute to ensure food safetyimprove operational management and promote social and sustainable responsibility in the food industry.

The main benefits they provide are related to:

• Traceability of food products along the entire supply chain. QR codes, RFID tags make it possible to record and monitor detailed information on each step of the process such as: provenance, storage conditions, production dates and expiry dates;
• Food safety because they allow potential food safety risks to be identified and isolated, and in the event of product recalls or outbreaks, timely action can be taken, reducing health risks for consumers;
• Quality assurance and authenticity as management and traceability systems can be used to verify the geographical origin of products, ensuring that they meet quality standards or come from reliable suppliers;
• Social responsibility and sustainability traceability also promotes sustainability and corporate social responsibility; consumers are increasingly aware of the origin and environmental impact of products and are increasingly able to verify that suppliers and producers meet social and environmental standards.

Logistics strategy: Supply chain 4.0 technologies

Implementing a smart warehouse requires an investment in technologies capable of detecting inefficiencies, speeding up processes and anticipating consumer needs. To embark on this journey and make the supply chain digital, logistics innovation has at least four different tools in hand:

Big Data

Collecting and interpreting Big Data enables supply chain optimisation. Data is now an indispensable element for defining priorities and supporting important business decisions.
Just think of the activity of picking: through Big Data it is possible to calculate in real time timings to manage shipments and faster routes, saving resources and time.

IoT

The adoption of IoT solutions within smart warehouses is an integral part of the renewal process that is part of the Logistics 4.0 technology stimulated by the Digital Transformation.

What it enables is an increase in operational efficiency and significant optimisation at every stage of the logistics process. An example of this is RFID technology, which allows items in the warehouse to be identified by the application of smart labels.

Augmented reality

One of the real benefits that augmented reality offers is the digitisation of the warehouse operator’s experience. Daily activities are revolutionised thanks to a new method of data visualisation, which transforms information into images projected into reality. The process helps the journey towards understanding, analysing and even sharing data. Picking is the activity that lends itself most to improvement, for example through the use of smartglasses.

Automation

More transversal but still connected to supply chain management is also the expansion of advanced logistic automation. In fact, the continuous integration of automation within logistics processes offers unlimited opportunities to make processes more efficient, to reduce errors and to better utilise operators in high value-added activities.

The role of the process engineer in Logistics 4.0

The process engineer plays a key role in the implementation and optimisation of Supply Chain 4.0. Responsible for designing, managing and improving operational and logistical processes within an organisation, he can ensure an efficient flow of goods and information along the entire supply chain.

In the context of supply chain 4.0, this professional must be able to understand and apply emerging technological innovations which include AI, IoT, advanced automation, data analytics and, of course, process digitisation. Knowing how to integrate these technologies with existing processes is necessary to achieve optimal operational efficiency.

Process engineers are required to manage and analyse the data generated by the supply chain 4.0 to extract useful information, but not only that. They must be able to understand existing processes and identify areas of inefficiency or improvement in order to propose innovative solutions. These professionals, so crucial for innovation and optimisation, are required to collaborate with stakeholders in the chain including suppliers, manufacturers, but also distributors and customers. Collaboration is essential to ensure proper implementation of innovations and improve communication between the various departments.

This is the only way to help improve efficiency, visibility and collaboration throughout the 4.0 supply chain.