The Role of Automated Systems in Logistics Error Reduction

The world of logistics always has and likely always will involve organising a whole host of different moving parts. In many senses, it’s a complete miracle that global trade systems were able to operate at all hundreds of years ago, without the internet and other centralised connective systems. 

Luckily, nowadays we have access to a whole host of useful solutions to make the process easier. Here, we hone in on automated systems in particular, looking at how they reduce the possibility of error in a wide range of different contexts.

Reducing loading incidents

One of the most important ways that automated systems are reducing logistics errors is in the automation of loading processes. Systems designed and implemented by companies such as Joloda Hydraroll dramatically reduce the need for human operators, throughout the loading process, thereby reducing the occurrence of human error. 

When these systems are fully integrated, with conveyor belts and robots taking care of pretty much the entire loading process, the number of incidents that occur can be brought down to almost zero.

Real-time route planning

Route planning has long represented a planning crux in the world of logistics. The longer the route, the higher the chances are that unplanned road works or traffic incidents will occur along the way, potentially causing massive issues for the driver and their load.

Real-time route planning systems have come leaps and bounds in recent years. By coupling up with user-updated mapping systems and other databases, these systems dramatically reduce errors in the route planning process, resulting in a substantial reduction of delays overall.

Eliminating fulfilment and packing errors

With warehouses getting bigger and bigger all the time, it’s becoming increasingly important that packing processes are automated and digitised to ensure that errors are kept to a minimum. These automated systems, whether used by human packers or automated robots, mean that fulfilment issues are effectively eliminated. 

This has a double benefit. Not only does it reduce costs for the business in question by reducing the number of orders they have to fulfil multiple times, but it also improves customer satisfaction rates, thereby improving overall perceptions of their brand.

Reducing bottleneck issues

Lastly, one of the main issues in logistics is the occurrence of bottlenecks. Luckily, this is also an issue that automated restocking programs can also help to eliminate, or at least substantially reduce. 

By attempting to predict upcoming demand increases and decreases, and analysing upcoming shortages by scanning the internet for relevant news, automated ordering systems can have a hugely positive impact on bottleneck reduction, allowing businesses to operate with minimal unnecessary disruptions.

Automation isn’t something that can simply be done and then just be forgotten about. Automated systems can always be improved upon, by being made more efficient and cheaper to run. It’s important to keep an eye on updates in the realm of logistics automation, to see whether any new systems have been brought out that might have a positive influence on your business.