Why real time visibility is key for your logistics business

In today’s logistics landscape, real time visibility can help your business stay ahead.

As a logistics company owner, you’re navigating complex supply chains, fluctuating customer demands, and tight delivery schedules. 

Examples of real time visibility applications include tracking shipments in transit, monitoring warehouse inventory levels, and providing customers with up-to-the-minute delivery updates.

In this high-pressure environment, one of the most valuable tools you can leverage is real time visibility. It gives you the power to make informed decisions quickly, helping you improve efficiency, cut costs, and outperform your competitors.

What is real time data visibility?

Real time visibility refers to having access to up-to-the-minute information about your entire logistics network.

This includes data on the location and status of shipments, vehicle performance, inventory levels, and potential disruptions. 

A computer can analyze this data as it is being received, enabling real time data processing during various activities like online chatting.

Imagine having a real time dashboard that shows you exactly where your trucks are, how long they’ve been at a stop, and whether your shipment will meet its delivery window.

Now, picture this data flowing directly into your operations and allowing you to adjust plans to minimize disruptions and keep things running smoothly.

Here’s how real time visibility helps your business.

Improved operational performance efficiency

When you’re in the logistics game, meeting every delivery deadline counts. As a business owner, you have a lot to consider in the day-to-day running of the company:

• Delivery schedules.
• Driver capacity.
• Pressure to reduce operating costs.

Here’s a scenario: You are a fleet manager overseeing a fleet of trucks delivering perishable goods across a region.

One morning, you receive an urgent notification — a driver is stuck in heavy traffic due to an unexpected road closure. Without real time visibility, this delay could lead to missed deliveries, spoiled goods, and frustrated clients.

But your company uses real time tracking. You immediately track the truck’s location and see the traffic congestion instantly.

Using your system’s dynamic routing feature, you quickly reroute the driver onto a faster, alternative path. The delay is minimized, the goods are delivered on time, and costly spoilage is avoided. 

Imagine the relief on your client’s face when they see the delivery truck pull up to deliver fresh goods.

Without real time tracking it’s possible that the perishable goods delivery may have gone bad for you as a business and your valued client.

Your business needs real time fleet management to:

• Optimize routes.
• Manage fleets.
• Reduce delays.

Locate2u has software that can help your business track assets and vehicles in real time.

Enhanced decision making examples

In logistics, decisions made on old data can lead to costly mistakes. Traditional systems that rely on manual tracking or delayed updates leave your team operating blind.

Picture this: Your warehouse receives a last-minute order for a high-demand product.

Real time inventory tracking ensures you know exactly where that product is, how quickly it can be picked, and the best route for same-day delivery.

Considering diverse opinions in decision-making can provide a more comprehensive understanding of potential challenges and solutions.

Without real time insight, this opportunity could be missed, resulting in lost revenue and an unsatisfied client. Don’t get left behind.

Global Market Insights reports the retail and consumer goods industry is leveraging visibility software to manage complex supply chains, track inventory in real time, and ensure timely deliveries.

“Leading retailers such as Walmart and Amazon have implemented advanced supply chain visibility solutions to gain a competitive edge. The ability to monitor the entire supply chain, from suppliers to end consumers, helps retailers optimize stock levels, reduce lead times, and minimize losses, due to overstocking or stockouts,” reads the report.

Cost savings for your business site

Beginning with the implementation of real time visibility, your company can save money through predictive analytics.

When you can monitor the health of your fleet, analyze fuel consumption, and detect driver behavior, you can gain valuable insights that allow for proactive maintenance and better fuel efficiency.

Real time visibility: A benefit to win business 

A report titled “Future Proofing the Supply Chain Through Real-Time Visibility” by Transport Intelligence and project44 emphasizes real time visibility’s critical role when selecting a transport provider.

The survey highlights the critical criteria shippers consider when choosing their transportation partners.

Real time online tracking plays a significant role in enhancing customer satisfaction by providing immediate updates and transparency.

Respondents were asked: Is real time visibility an important factor when you are buying

transportation services from carriers?

Here’s the findings:

• 57.4% say real time visibility is a prerequisite for a carrier to be eligible to tender for their business.
• 41.3% of respondents say real time visibility is a nice-to-have feature when carriers tender for their business.
• 1.3% say real time visibility is not an important part of their tendering process.

Let’s recap 

Real time visibility is essential for staying competitive in the logistics industry.

Your competitors already use advanced tracking systems to streamline operations and cut costs.

With the right tools, you can improve performance, reduce unnecessary expenses, and stay ahead of your competition. 

Real time visibility tools make the process engaging and fun, adding a dynamic element to your operations.

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