Sertrans Blog - Big Data in Logistics

The logistics sector, which is rapidly digitalizing, turns millions of transactions into digital data every day. Companies that process digital data in all areas from shipment operations to storage operations, from value-added service types to end-point deliveries must have the capacity to process big data. The use of big data is very important for analyzing all these operational data, optimizing the benefits to be provided, improving the customer experience, reducing operational risks and creating new business models.

Big Data and Its Role in Industries

With the development and advancement of technology, the power of information has become clearer today. However, many information clusters in the internet world have turned the internet into an information dump. Software companies, on the other hand, envisioned extracting meaningful data from this information dump, and directed their R&D studies to this area. And the concept called "Big Data" has emerged.

Although Big Data is thought to be data that takes up too much space on any disk, the situation is actually different. It is the processing and conversion of data obtained from different sources such as all the shares of any account on social media, photos and videos on their smart devices and data files that are constantly recorded.

The examples of big data usage that find its place in many different sectors are striking. For example, big data, which is actively used in the retail sector, offers many advantages both in the field and on the digital platform. Customer-oriented links added to digital visibility and e-commerce sites are a factor that shorten the distance of consumers to the store. In other words, analyzing big data ensures the sustainable success of brands in both digital and field environments. As a matter of fact, the statistics show that businesses that use big data effectively in the retail sector make a profit of close to 60 percent.

The automotive sector is also among those who actively use big data. Companies analyze large data sources that contain production, sales and other incentive initiative information at all sales levels in the last 25-30 years. Thus, accurate and healthy information can be obtained on future sales, price policy estimation and all kinds of parts supply. In addition, making all these studies focused on digitalization and innovation provides companies more competition and cost advantage.

Using Big Data in the Logistics Sector

A large amount of data flow is generated from barcode scanners, GPS, software systems that manage operations, telematics, RFID readers and positioning systems in vehicles, which are actively used in the logistics sector. Therefore, the logistics industry must transform to make better use of the big data concept. If you want to summarize the topics that the logistics industry uses about the use of big data, the following can be said:

Operational Efficiency

Concepts such as real-time location optimization, address verification, shift planning, real-time analysis refer to the collection of data that must be reached in order for the entire operation to pass efficiently. In this context, many parameters such as the routes of the vehicles used, the intersection points, the correct definition of the address to be delivered through geographical coordinates, supply chain and logistics capacity planning can be given as examples.

Risk Planning

Forecasting external risks such as transport mode, maintenance requirements, delivery routes, road and weather conditions, and predicting what is required with algorithms is extremely important in terms of risk planning.

Customer Experience

One of the priorities of the logistics industry is to anticipate customer expectations. In this context, it is important to determine what, when and where customers want, to create solutions and act accordingly. Big data should be used in the logistics industry to identify customer segmentation, optimize interactions and understand customer needs in the future.

Logistics companies that can use big data effectively and reach comprehensive information about their customers can both increase service and product quality and develop their customer portfolio. For example, when working with the system called Data Visualization, customers can track the delivery schedule and location in real time with the help of mobile devices. This can solve the "obligation to wait at home for the cargo package", which has become one of the biggest problems of customers.

Big Data Future

The issue of storing and processing big data promises innovations for every industry. In this context, sectors that can access big data and use it correctly will be able to manage their operations much more efficiently. Companies that can predict which product their customers will want to consume at what time intervals, the frequency and intensity of consumption, can achieve great success by including the concept of big data in their strategic plans.

In summary, regardless of its size, every sector that considers the concept of data as a strategic asset will survive and develop. The important thing is to accept this transformation as soon as possible. Sertrans Logistics is a logistics company that attaches importance to digital-based R&D studies. The advanced R&D center of Sertrans, which digitizes the operation processes, always creates new technological products and aims to do value-added works regardless of the sector, is fully ministry approved.

You can also get ideas from Sertrans's inspiring projects to determine your internal dynamics in all processes of your industry and logistics, determine your future needs, and offer a solution-oriented approach to your customers.