2016 offers our industry a unique opportunity to define how the “sharing economy” will be applied within the logistics world. Enabled by mobile phones, the utilization of unutilized assets is becoming a powerful tool in the toolbox of many logisticians. From CB radios to drones, supply chain professionals have always been at the forefront of embracing technology to make their businesses better to drive efficiencies and effect positive change. The sharing economy is just another example.
These models are not just available for the Amazons of the world, but are now proliferating our industry and readily available. They provide a unique value proposition for each company to find ways to incorporate the capacity, data and efficiencies the sharing economy model brings to the supply chain. For example, after a container leaves the port, most of us do not know exactly where that particular container and driver goes, or exactly when it will arrive at its destination, even though that information is now available via the drivers’ phone in real time. This is invaluable data for many organizations that is not currently being captured by traditional systems. The sharing economy, empowered by new and exciting technology, is changing that.
The transparency and efficiency that the sharing economy provides benefits all stakeholders in the logistics space. It seems the timing is right for us in the supply chain to leverage these assets to make our companies and industry the best it can be in 2016.
Brett Parker, Co-Founder and President, Cargomatic