Logistics and shipping have always been busy and rapidly transforming industries that embraced the latest technologies faster than many other industries. From the adoption of advanced car sensors to the Internet of Things (IoT) gateway and devices or the big data analytics to analyze freight and shipping data, there has been no dearth of successful efforts to incorporate new technologies to boost efficiency in the sector. No wonder logistics solutions developed by mobile app developers played a central role in this technological revolution in the sector.   

Logistics as an industry has been at the forefront of the adoption of mobility and mobile apps. From the shipping and logistics brands around the world to the businesses running their own in-house logistics solutions, the adoption of mobile apps has been widespread.  

In this context, it is vital to understand the wide-ranging implications of mobile apps for the entire logistics industry. Here are the key ways mobile apps transformed logistics operations and businesses. 

IoT, GPS, and AI

Internet of Things, Global Positioning System (GPS), and Artificial Intelligence (AI) have been among the most elementary technologies for the entire logistics sector. Thanks to the connected device ecosystem and the GPS, tracking shipments and on-road vehicles became easier than ever before. No wonder the world’s biggest logistics solution providers are now using IoT and GPS for their processes. 

In the past few years, artificial intelligence (AI) has come in a major way to help these two technologies provide more precise output. While connected transport systems can be tracked and the GPS system can deliver precise location information about the transport vehicles, AI technology can process this information along with the traffic data to guide the vehicles to take the best routes. Moreover, AI-based apps can also predict delivery timing more accurately.

Effortless warehouse management

Human errors have always been a nightmarish factor for the vast majority of logistics and shipping services and companies. Fortunately, thanks to the mobile app-based consolidated management of warehousing data and streamlined processes, the impact of such unwanted errors can largely be avoided now.  

Mobile apps facilitate automatic processing through logging equipment IDs and include storage information to make the whole system streamlined and friction less. The best thing is, logistics mobile apps can also sync all data with a central database.  

Keeping track of shipments

Thanks to mobile apps, we no longer need to check emails or the respective merchant website to track the shipment we are likely to receive. We get instant notifications on our screen and can track the shipment in real-time. Moreover, the entire process is transparent and informs us about the product shipment and arrival from time to time through mobile notification messages. 

This ease of keeping track of shipments is great for the user experience of countless customers who order products online. Moreover, shipment tracking through mobile apps also helps to boost the productivity of the entire sector. 

More e-commerce sales

Besides providing better customer experience and greater procedural simplicity, mobile apps for the logistics sector also helps to create more business opportunities simply by increasing total sales across retail and merchant apps and websites. 

Thanks to the faster and transparent delivery process that allows shipment tracking throughout the process, many retail customers order products online or through mobile apps without the slightest worry over any errors in the entire process. Moreover, the prompt confirmation of an order and notification about the shipment in the delivery process makes the whole process transparent, trustworthy and reliable. 

Cost advantage and efficiency

The mobile app development for the logistics industry can not only ensure optimum transparency and efficiency but also help reduce the task loads for logistics professionals. For example, the streamlined, transparent delivery process helps reduce the number of phone calls from customers asking for updates and information, as they always remain informed about the progress of the shipment and delivery. This helps the logistics companies to decrease costs by reducing the demand for dedicated and round the clock customer service.  

Transport operations

One of the key advantages of logistics apps is the way they help ease out transport management and operations. Any logistics service needs to handle a fleet of vehicles from various operators and transport services. By using a simple app, the logistics company can manage all these vehicles from various operators and transport services in a seamless manner. 

The post How are mobile apps transforming the logistics industry? appeared first on Trade Ready.

Regardless of current career status, most people today would consider their smartphone to be essential to their everyday lives. In fact studies have shown that we are rarely more than just a few feet from our mobile devices. Fortunately, there are some excellent mobile apps that can help you manage your global business and improve your international trade knowledge while on-the-go.

1. Speak and Translate

While having the power to write text and instantly have it translated out loud in a foreign language may sound like science fiction, this app has made it a reality. If you are travelling in a foreign country and do not know the local language, it may just become your best friend. The app lets you choose between a wide variety of languages, and it is very simple to use.

2. International Trade Dictionary

Imagine that you are in an important business meeting and someone uses an international trade term that you have never heard of. Don’t want to ask and potentially embarrass yourself? You can simply take out your mobile device and discreetly look it up. Problem solved. Reading this dictionary is also a great way to expand your international trade knowledge and vocabulary.

3. HS Code Handbook

This app provides information about distinct national customs codes from all around the world. If you run an international business, it is absolutely crucial to have a solid understanding of customs codes for the countries you will be importing from or exporting to. If you don’t, you could wind up making mistakes that could cost your company valuable time and money. This app can help you quickly learn the relevant customs codes that you need to know.

4. UPS Mobile

With this app, you can monitor and keep a close eye on all of your shipping information. Your international product shipments are valuable and cost boatloads of money to ship. The ability to monitor your cargo with precision can give you a much better understanding of the whereabouts of your products, as well as the peace of mind that comes with knowing your shipment is safely on its way.

5. Hopper

Hopper is a great app if you have to travel at all for business. It monitors ticket prices for airfare and lets you know when the prices are the lowest. You can also book flights right through the app. How convenient! If your company regularly books flights, this app could potentially save your business thousands of dollars.

6. Slack

Slack is an incredibly handy communication and file sharing app that has become immensely popular in the business world. It allows you to communicate with your entire team instantaneously, all from the convenience of your mobile device.

The crucial thing about Slack is that it almost functions like a chatroom. This makes it more convenient and feel more organized than simply cc’ing all of your colleagues on an email. It also has a much more elegant and sophisticated user experience than email. Using Slack can be ideal to help you to manage your teams remotely. Once you start using it, this may just become one of your favorite business tools.

7. HKTDC Mobile

Developed by the Hong Kong Trade and Development Council, this app provides important information needed by international vendors and buyers alike. It contains details about potential business connections, sourcing information, international market data, and more.

You never know what key piece of information will be able to help you establish an important client relationship or find a market opportunity. This app can give you access to the most important information you would need to do so, and can set you on your way to success.

8. RingCentral

RingCentral can be a real life saver when it comes to international calling. With this app, you can make U.S. calls and receive all of your voicemails completely for free as long as you are connected to Wi-Fi. So, if you know that you will have to be making a lot of international calls, or listening to voicemails, then this app can potentially save you the bother of paying for international roaming or getting a new plan while abroad.

9. Expensify

Business expenses are very important to keep track of so you can take advantage of all potential tax deductions and know how much you need to budget for these types of expenses in the future. Nobody wants to dig for receipts months later or incur the wrath of their finance department, so it’s important to find a way to track business expenses as they’re incurred.

Expensify makes it easy and convenient to keep track of your business expenses. Not only are they all listed in one place, but you can add them on the go – no more waiting to get back to your computer to update a spreadsheet. It even gives you the power to organize your business expenses based on specific categories, making it easier than ever to track your spending.

10. Business Behavior – The International Guide

Every nation has a different culture, and a different set of policies and guidelines for appropriate business behavior. When you are travelling abroad to meet with business contacts in a foreign country, the last thing you want to do is accidentally offend someone and potentially risk a fruitful business relationship.

With this handy guide, you can quickly research the etiquette recommendations for the nation that you are in. Then you can apply them to your situation and make sure that you are always behaving in a way that is culturally appropriate and respectful. This can go a long way towards improving your business relationships with overseas contacts and secure deals for your company.

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