How process automation makes shipping and logistics smarter
May 23, 2022 by Automation Hero
The shipping and logistics industries are at a crossroads, besieged by supply chain and market disruptions, even as there’s record shipping volume. Cargo ships are routinely left at port for weeks or months with their goods due to worker shortages and other delays.
Meanwhile, companies like FedEx, which make deliveries by air and ground, have seen revenue increase by 23% as a result of increased order volume. So many new shipments are generated each day that many logistics companies have entered a permanent peak season, with daily order volumes comparable to the holiday rush season.
Aside from the challenge of simply keeping up with demand, the industry struggles to control costs and maintain profitability. This puts shipping and logistics companies under incredible pressure to innovate and refine their processes for more efficiency. Enter artificial intelligence and process automation technology, which are becoming increasingly important for growth. With unprecedented demand on the supply chain, fast implementation of technology is the only way companies can remain competitive.
What intelligent process automation can do for shipping & logistics
With so many operations already digitized, shipping and logistics companies increasingly need AI to create more cohesion between various systems. Intelligent process automation serves as a kind of connective fabric between departments and solutions, so users can discard outdated manual processes to scale successfully amid increased market demand. AI helps companies do the following:
Streamline order processing
Intelligent process automation platforms’ ability to connect to different systems is key to creating a smooth experience for customers. First, AI extracts and categorizes information from order forms and routes the information to sales, accounting, fulfillment, and other databases, asking for human review when necessary.
When automation platforms integrate with inventory management systems, sales CRMs, or e-commerce storefronts, they can use both AI-powered OCR and data extraction to help workers compare purchase orders and invoices to contracts. This saves time while preventing human error that comes from manually re-entering data or reviewing documents and databases.
Automate communications
Inter-system connectivity can also dramatically improve order visibility. An AI solution that integrates with other programs can pull information from various departments and send updates about when an order is accepted, shipped, or even delivered. Users can even build workflows that automatically send alert emails or text messages about order updates.
Process customer requests
Though intelligent automation can iron out the wrinkles in order processing, responding to customer requests can be one of the biggest causes of bottlenecks. However, AI platforms can actually screen and detect the intent of emails. Leveraging natural language processing, AI extracts information about address updates, order cancellations, and other inquiries without the need for an employee to actually open any messages. Systems can then route queries to the correct department or even update databases and activate appropriate workflows to answer a request.
Intelligent process automation unlocks the full potential shipping and logistics
The world depends on the shipping and logistics industry to function, but the rise of e-commerce and changing consumer behavior is now creating a surge of demands on the logistics and shipping industry. Right now, companies that have heavily implemented process automation stand heads and shoulders above the competition. In MHI’s 2020 annual industry report, only 12% of respondents reported using AI. Of those same survey respondents, 60% confirmed they will begin to heavily implement the technology by 2025.
AI and process automation are now vital for companies that want to continue to not just grow but also stay relevant in the market. This technology, found in platforms such as Automation Hero, helps companies acquire advanced analytics, improve their security, optimize routes and processes, and even enhance performance forecasting — all of which help deliver a competitive edge.
Direct-to-consumer brands depend on seamless delivery to maintain customer loyalty and need logistics providers who can deliver quickly, correctly, and at the lowest costs possible. The industry can only capitalize on this opportunity by evolving to meet these demands with AI. Start your AI evolution today with Automation Hero.
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