There are so many options for supply chain management it can be hard to keep track of them all. Especially that each client has different standards and expectations. So there’s no perfect business model in logistics, there’s just great adjustment to the client’s needs: Speed, safety, communication, technology. This way – the elastic logistics was born.
Elastic logistics is defined by the flexibility to expand and shrink according to the demands of the market in the supply chain during a given timeframe. Flexible automation solutions increase the agility and elasticity of the logistics infrastructure to cost-effectively meet market fluctuations. Basically, this concept enables the companies services to expand or shrink as needed in line with current demand. As more and more businesses incorporate Artificial Intelligence into their supply chain for additional agility, they can completely redesign their operations, and in turn, shape a stronger customer experience.
While automation can increase the agility of the infrastructure and the services, the solutions need to be implemented also at companies level. Elastic logistics touches on all areas of the business from cost control to warehouse management to delivery and much more.
How to increase flexibility as a company?
The short answer is to implement solutions based on the ultimate technology. These can help companies deliver on-time while keeping costs stable despite the pressures of demand. When a company uses dedicated innovative platforms or software, it truly enhances the customer experience, which is critical in building brand loyalty.
The best way to implement these solutions is to find the perfect platform that offers the customers the best experience and the service provider the best comfort, meaning the efficient time management, easy implementation, user-friendly, access to innovative tools, maps, easy communication. A TMS can offer any company these key benefits, but a 4.0 Platform can also keep all the community connected, at the same time. This means that the customers have constant access to their freights, they can easily see the vehicle location, they can communicate through the platform, exchange documents, issue invoices, search for new partners, receive personalized offers, have access to contractor history, everything in just one place. Platformation is about using just one smart tool, that integrates everything a transport company, or a shipper, or forwarder may need. No need for additional means of communication or other tools, constantly connected to the whole community through the freight exchange. This is platformation.