The Internet of Things in Logistics

2021: IoT What a Manager Needs to Know

The Internet of things, it is IoT (Internet of Things). What is it? How does this differ from M2M? How can this be used? How much is it? How to implement? More details here.

2020: DHL: 60% of logistics professionals noted insufficient transparency of supply chain processes

On June 9, 2020, DHL presented the Next Generation Wireless Technologies in Logistics trend study, which provides a comprehensive overview of the evolution of wireless networks and the capabilities of the Internet of Things (IoT) in logistics. The report examines the future of the logistics industry, analyzes recent data that contribute to a common understanding of various wireless technologies, provides examples and discusses opportunities for future use of next-generation wireless technologies.

Even before the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, wireless communication technology was actively discussed in the information space. Recently, the main interest has been in 5G mobile data networks, which are launched in many countries. 5G technology promises end users, businesses and telecom operators significant benefits, including higher speed and bandwidth, as well as specialized services for the latest generation of smart devices with Internet access.

But in addition to 5G, the development of a line of various wireless communication technologies creates opportunities in logistics to improve process transparency, increase operational productivity and accelerate automation. Popular technologies, such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, as well as the lesser-known LPWAN (Low Power Wide Area Network) and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites have been developed in industrial use. These next-generation wireless technologies will allow us to take another step in the communication revolution and become closer to a new reality in which data exchange over the Internet between people and physical objects will be possible anywhere in the world.

In a DHL survey of 800 supply chain managers, 60% of respondents admitted that their supply chain lacked transparency. The survey noted three main challenges they faced: ensuring process transparency at all stages of the supply chain, the absence of a single centralized platform for Internet of Things initiatives, and the collection of disparate data from initially heterogeneous supply chains. Among the three priorities in achieving process transparency, respondents cited transparency at all stages of transportation, transparency in handling inventory, and the introduction of supply chain analytics. 75% of respondents said they plan to start using at least one next-generation wireless technology in the near future to improve process transparency.

Companies that operate according to the asset-light model (without assets) have already undergone a transformation. During the digital revolution, heavy-asset companies (with large assets) in the automotive industry, industry and healthcare are rapidly changing, "said Markus Kükelhaus, vice president of innovation and trend research at the DHL Center for Solutions and Innovation. - In logistics, on the one hand, we will benefit from the digital revolution and the promotion of IoT solutions, and on the other hand, we will become its driving force. In some stages, logistics is already using smart solutions and data exchange, but next-generation wireless technologies will take us to a higher level of application of the Internet of things in the industry.

In the future, when data exchange via the Internet between people and physical objects is possible anywhere in the world, logistics will open up opportunities in three key areas:

1. Full transparency of processes: All cargo, logistics assets and infrastructure can be combined into a common information space thanks to widely available networks and budget high-performance sensors. This will enable efficient automation, process improvement, rapid and transparent response to incidents and, ultimately, high-quality service for B2B and B2C companies.

2. Mass autonomy: All autonomous vehicles, whether robots operating indoors or logistics transport on public roads, depend on ultra-fast reliable wireless communication for efficient navigation and movement along the route. Solutions are emerging in this area, but it is the latest generation of wireless networks that will be able to ensure their mass use and transition to autonomous supply chains.

3. Predictive accuracy: With many processes moving online, the growth in the volume, speed, and diversity of data we collect will lead to a threefold increase in the amount of big data that is generated. The further development of machine learning and artificial intelligence systems, along with the ultra-low data delay of next-generation wireless networks, will allow data-controlled planning systems that are used to predict, calculate delivery times and compile routes to get rid of the restrictions associated with the delay and operation of wireless networks.

While technologies that are already known to many of us play a major role in achieving projected development, the truly ubiquitous connectivity requires an approach that can offer additional capabilities, including higher speed, throughput and energy efficiency, different coverage, and more affordable costs.

Mass connectivity is a success story for technology and society. Although the Internet of Things is not news in logistics (20 billion Internet devices are already used in the world), we are still at the very beginning of the journey. At the same time, there is a dynamic development of a huge number of cost-effective and universal technologies. Moreover, they are publicly available, which suddenly opens up opportunities for the phenomenal development of their applications and uses, "said Matthias Hoitger, senior vice president and global director of innovative and commercial development at DHL. - The trend study examines all next-generation wireless technologies, both in general terms and in comparison with each other, as well as examples of their practical application and describes the existing restrictions. Moreover, we want to emphasize separately that the potential of using these technologies quickly becomes an integral part of the supply chains of the future.

Next-generation wireless technologies are an extensive portfolio of technologies that enable you to achieve different, often conflicting, goals. The DHL trend study has a separate section with information on how modern wireless technologies work and what innovative projects are being implemented in the industry. The section also provides practical recommendations for the use of wireless technologies in supply chains.

The Next Generation Wireless in Logistics trend study is available for download at [www.dhl.com/next-gen-wireless-logistic link].

See also

• Article:Internet of Things (IoT)
• Article:Internet of Things, IoT, M2M (global market)
• IIoT - Industrial Internet of Things
• Internet of Things: you can't stay in time
• RFID
• Smart Grid
• NB-IoT Low-Power and Wide-Area, LPWAN

• Internet of Things in Telecom
• Internet of Things in Housing and Communal Services
• Internet of Things in the Electric Power Industry
• Internet of Things (Internet of Battle Things, IoBT)
• The Internet of Things in Medicine