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Meritxell Vázquez

SEO & Inbound Marketing Graduada en Diseño y Producción de Videojuegos formándose actualmente en Marketing Digital con enfoque al SEO y al Inbound Marketing. Creando artículos de valor y apoyando la comunicación al sector tecnológico.

Everything you need to know about the digital delivery note

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Primer plano las manos apuntando a la tableta - ventajas del albarán digital foto

Document management is one of the activities within the logistics sector that requires a lot of circulation and agility in the preparation and presentation of paperwork. For this reason, as the demand in the transport of goods grows, it is already a necessity to digitize the processes and start applying the digital delivery note.

To better understand what a digital packing slip is, how it differs from a paper packing slip and what benefits it offers, read on to learn more.

What is a digital delivery note?

A delivery note is a document with detailed information about the products delivered that serves as documentary proof of delivery. It is the selling company that generates the document and keeps a copy for the customer or the receiving company to receive the original and check that everything is in order. 

What is the difference between a paper packing slip and a digital delivery note?

Traditionally, these documents were generated with office software, printed and delivered on paper to the customer, while the salesperson kept a copy.

In contrast, the digital delivery note is generated with various types of programs, for example, with a module within a logistics software. In addition to that they are signed with an electronic device such as a smartphone so that the delivery is confirmed and all data is well checked.

What are the advantages of the digital delivery note?

Faster and easier access to information

When important documents such as delivery notes are printed and photocopied, copies are often limited for the number of staff who have to file and manage them. This leads to the situation of spending a lot of time searching for the papers when they need to be rechecked.

En cambio, con un albarán digital, todo el personal autorizado tendrá acceso a todos los albaranes desde los dispositivos que trabajen y podrán monitorizar cuándo son firmadas y confirmadas las entregas. Además de que los documentos se pueden gestionar directamente con un software específico, como con un TMS.

Reduction of errors and avoidance of losses and damages

Paper documents are more prone to errors, since the process of generating them is more manual. Moreover, another major disadvantage of physical documents is that they can be lost or damaged, which causes a lot of problems in document management.

For this reason, with a module in the software that creates and sends digital delivery notes, it is more difficult to make mistakes because its management is more automated. In addition, there is no longer the fear of losing the delivery notes once they are inside the company's ERP.

Concepto de firma digital ilustración vectorial de dibujos animados. Aprobado - ventajas del albarán digital vector

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How packaging and logistics software can become great allies for business improvement

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Cómo el packaging y software de logística optimizan operaciones vector

Logistics and packaging are known to be key elements in the supply chain, especially if their design and management are well optimized for success. As the logistics industry has become more competitive, more solutions have come to market such as logistics software and new packaging designs that make the difference to be more efficient.

That said, what elements do packaging and logistics software have in common to improve the supply chain? How can they be combined to be more efficient and provide better customer service?

The following points will explain how packaging and logistics software can become great allies in improving profitability and customer satisfaction.

Load optimization

Load optimization is one of the key aspects in the improvement of freight transport, as non-optimized planning can lead to loss of profitability due to the costs involved in transport. Both logistics software and packaging play an important role in this improvement.

It is known that one of the most common bad practices is the inappropriate use of larger packaging than necessary, which leads to more space being taken up in the load and has an impact on optimal load planning. Therefore, the application of more packaging types that cover the usual order range is indispensable for optimal load planning.

In addition, properly sized packaging gives a true picture of the capacity of the vehicle fleet, avoiding empty spaces that could be used. As a result, logistics software focused on route optimization and fleet management does a better job of planning the transportation of goods, helping to reduce costs and resources.

Applying sustainability in logistics operations

Nowadays, there is greater awareness on the part of companies regarding the environmental impact generated by the logistics sector, such as waste generation and CO₂ emissions. As a result, innovative solutions have been created in packaging and logistics software that aim to be sustainable.

For example, in the case of packaging, apart from using the right size, the aim is to use recycled and/or biodegradable materials and reduce the use of plastic in packaging in order to generate less waste. On the other hand, logistics software can have built-in modules specialized in emissions control that help calculate the amount of carbon dioxide emitted and make better decisions to reduce them.

Primer plano repartidor cerrando caja cartón cinta mientras prepara paquetes su envío - cómo el packaging y software de logística optimizan operaciones foto

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How are CO₂ emissions in transportation measured and reduced?

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joven trabajador controla rueda mal funcionamiento camion trabajo servicio - como medir las emisiones de CO₂ en el transporte foto

El sector del transporte es una de las industrias que más emisiones de dióxido de carbono emite, ya que en Europa supone alrededor del 25% de las emisiones totales. Por dicho motivo, cada vez son más los profesionales del sector que se preguntan cómo medir las emisiones de CO₂ en el transporte y establecer medidas … Read more

How is last mile distribution applied in rural areas?

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Caja de transporte de hombre de tiro medio - retos de la última milla en zonas rurales foto

Last mile distribution is known to consist of the entire delivery process to the end consumer, i.e. the routes from a distribution center to the customer's home or business. In many cases, special emphasis is placed on distribution within large cities and other densely populated towns because of the challenges of traffic and delivery by assigned zones.

However, what about last-mile distribution in rural areas? Despite being places with low population density and less traffic, distribution of goods has its own challenges due to the long distances and lack of facilities that urban areas often have. In this case, how does last-mile distribution in rural towns differ from urban areas?

If you want to learn about the challenges of the last mile in rural areas and how it is distributed in such environments, read on.

Partnership with local companies

Nowadays, it is already common to see logistics operators and other companies having partnerships with small businesses and other local companies to use their physical spaces as urban hubs or delivery points. In rural towns, such partnerships are more frequent and essential to optimize the rural last mile.

This is because local businesses located in agricultural areas have a better understanding of distribution areas, such as logistics social services that facilitate the delivery of products to families. Therefore, they have the potential to offer better logistical support, such as temporary storage areas or delivery points for delivery routes that are very extensive or difficult to access.

Use of specialized vehicles

Due to the uneven topography and road conditions, transport vehicles must be adapted to the usual rural road conditions. Sometimes it is even necessary to have an off-road or four-wheel drive vehicle.

However, there are a number of trucking companies and other organizations with a fleet of vehicles adapted for rough terrain. Either having your own fleet of adapted vehicles or relying on the services of another company that offers them are suitable options for adapting last-mile distribution to the rural environment.

Ilustración de concepto de camión vintage - retos de la última milla en zonas rurales vector

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What are the keys to promoting cycling in cities?

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Vector de reparto en bicicleta - claves para impulsar la ciclologística vector

Conforme el sector de la logística y del transporte se va adaptando a las últimas tendencias como el auge del e-commerce, se va encontrando con retos cada vez más difíciles de pasar por alto. Uno de ellos son las congestiones de tráfico y la contaminación del aire a causa de las emisiones CO₂ y los … Read more

How to manage the logistics of an omnichannel industry

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feliz trabajadora negra revisando lista verificacion hablando su companero trabajo que lleva caja carton almacen distribucion - Cómo gestionar la logística omnicanal foto

Las estrategias de gestión omnicanal están a la orden del día, ya que ofrecen una experiencia de compra más completa a través de los canales como las tiendas físicas, tienda online, apps, entre otros. Además de que, según la Confederación Española del Comercio (CEC), más del 50% de los consumidores han visitado tanto canales físicos … Read more

How IoT and AI is making a big impact on the logistics sector

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Entrega autónoma concepto abstracto ilustración vectorial - Cómo se usa el IOT y la IA en la logística vector

For several years now, IoT (Internet of Things) technology has been increasingly known and applied in different fields thanks to its increasingly reliable and complete technology. Undoubtedly, among the industrial sectors in which the use of IoT technologies is trending, the logistics sector stands out due to the growth it has experienced in recent years and the needs it entails. 

It is well known that all logistics operations require rigorous monitoring and agility to run efficiently, from supply chain management to last mile distribution. For this, one of the most popular solutions is IoT and digitization of certain operations in the logistics department.

In this case, in which logistics operations is IoT technology used specifically? If you want to find out how IoT and AI are used in logistics, read on:

Predictive analytics

It is one of the best known tools where both AI technology and IoT are used. It consists of using previously collected data to forecast future results and, to do so, it organizes the data obtained, preprocesses them and develops predictive models so that the results can be validated later.

The advantages of applying predictive analytics to the logistics sector are varied. Some of its most frequent uses are:

  • Demand forecasting: We analyze the sales history together with the market and estimate the sales that would be generated on the products.
  • Supply chain planning and optimization: Thanks to a prior analysis of the demand, the right quantity and timing of the production of the goods can be calculated.
  • Inventory optimization: Demand estimates help in making decisions about optimal stock levels for each type of inventory.
  • Improved resource management and savings: By applying current data taking into account constraints and other characteristics, it is possible to optimize resources and reduce operating costs.

In general, predictive analytics act as a guide for decision making and to give us a more accurate estimate of future activities. In this way, a clear view of the current and future situation of the supply chain and company is obtained.

Real-time shipment tracking

The most important and essential thing that customers ask for today is transparency in reporting the status of the order in real time to ensure that it arrives at its destination at the agreed time without incident. Today it is possible to receive all the data thanks to geolocation algorithms received by sensors via wireless networks.

The advantages of order tracking focus on estimating delivery times and detecting and solving problems. For example, if an order is not going to arrive on time or has been lost due to a wrong address or accident, the incident can be solved as soon as possible or an alternative can be offered to the customer.

Mujer joven tomando fotografías de cajas de entrega - Cómo se usa el IOT y la IA en la logística foto

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4 ways to deal with stock-outs

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Mujer de tiro medio con tableta. Cómo afrontar una rotura de stock foto

There is no doubt that one of the most difficult and essential processes in all logistics is to maintain "perfect" inventory levels so that the entire distribution and, therefore, supply chain runs smoothly. Among the various factors that can cause stock-outs are external factors that often come unexpectedly, such as transportation strikes.

So, once it happens... What can you do about it? If you want to know the ways in which you can maintain an optimal availability rate and cope with a stock out, take a look!

Assess breakpoints

Once a stockout has occurred, it is advisable to analyze the points that have led to the depletion of safety stock. The main causes are poor sales forecasts and lack of internal and external communication, but external factors such as delayed shipments from suppliers or difficult-to-prevent changes in market trends also play a part.

To do this, you need to communicate with the rest of the staff to understand what happened. In this way, you will get a clearer picture about the causes of the stockout and can start taking action as soon as possible to avoid being out of stock for a longer period of time. 

Establishing a good replenishment policy

If it has been shown that the current replenishment policy is not sufficient to ensure optimal availability rates, it is best to employ the necessary improvements to start stocking the inventory as soon as possible. The measures to be reviewed to avoid stock-outs are as follows:

Inventory forecast

Undoubtedly, not making a good demand forecast is one of the most common causes that leads to stock-outs, especially if there are sudden peaks in demand, even if they are not seasonal. For this, you should study the inventory distribution data to detect its growth and adjust the stock to it with reliable suppliers.

Define rotation type

Along with demand forecasting, it is necessary to analyze how much time the goods spend in the warehouse until they are shipped, particularly if the product needs to be shipped well in advance. It is classified as high, medium and low.

Calcular plazos de entrega

Los plazos de entrega deben de ser los más cortos posibles para poder cubrir la demanda. Para conseguirlo, se debe mantener una comunicación eficaz con los proveedores, informando cualquier incidente presente y asegurando de que los pedidos lleguen a su destino.

Ilustración vectorial del concepto de escaneado de códigos de barras. Cómo afrontar una rotura de stock vector.

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What are the differences between Dropshipping and Crossdocking?

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Concepto de ilustración de negocio de dropshipping - Diferencias entre Dropshipping y Crossdocking vector

Nowadays e-commerce is one of the fastest growing sectors in Spain in recent years and this is due to changes in consumer habits at a time when they were not allowed to visit physical stores. That is why many companies and businesses have decided to take the leap and start selling online.

When deciding to sell online, it is important to choose the distribution model that best suits the characteristics and needs of your business or company. Dropshipping and Crossdocking are commonly discussed. But how do we know which is the right option for our online store?

Here are the definitions of both types of logistic distribution to understand the differences between Dropshipping and Crossdocking:

Dropshipping

Dropshipping consists of a type of distribution in which all the distribution and transportation of the products is carried out by the supplier or manufacturer instead of the business that sells on its own behalf. It should be noted that it is a very popular distribution model among small e-commerce because of its accessibility, since it dispenses with warehouses and all the management and expenses involved.

Crossdocking

Crossdocking is a type of distribution where the supplier or manufacturer sends the orders to the same seller or to a distribution center to be delivered to customers. It is certainly a distribution model recommended for stores with small warehouses where they can prepare orders.

Once the types of distribution are known, you should take a look at the following points that mark the differences between Dropshipping and Crossdocking:

Logistics costs

Undoubtedly, the most economical model for the distribution of orders to end customers is Dropshipping because it is not necessary to have available space to store all the merchandise. And this is because orders are shipped directly from the supplier's warehouses to the end user, without the need to go through so many intermediaries, which means that they also take care of the logistics costs except for reverse logistics.

However, Crossdocking is also a relatively inexpensive system because of the short time shipments spend in your inventory. That is, once the order is received from the supplier, you go to a carrier to pick it up and ship it to the end customer. Although it takes an additional day for the package to arrive, the inventory holding costs are less than the cost of a warehouse to store the merchandise.

Agreement with suppliers

It is worth mentioning that each supplier has its own preferences in terms of the type of distribution it offers to merchants and businesses. In general, Crossdocking is the most accepted system by suppliers and the most compatible with a relatively high volume of orders and more variety in the e-commerce catalog.

However, this does not mean that there are several suppliers that ship using the Dropshipping model, which is especially focused on small online stores, but they are limited. In this regard, choosing one type of distribution or another depends entirely on the products themselves and the volume of orders received by the online store. 

Mujer joven asiática vende ropa empresaria que trabaja en casa. sta - Diferencias entre Dropshipping y Crossdocking foto

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5 ways to streamline your supply chain

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Ilustración vectorial del concepto de análisis de la cadena de suministro - maneras de agilizar la cadena de suministro vector

Una cadena de suministro que no está agilizada y no es eficiente solamente supondrá una carga para la economía de una empresa y podría causar el declive de ésta. Por este motivo, la cadena de suministro es primordial para la actividad económica y el control de las operaciones logísticas y se debe trabajar en aplicar … Read more

What are the challenges for the Supply Chain at Christmas?

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Logistics, Supply Chain and Delivery Concept - Retos de la Supply Chain en Navidades

Se conoce que las épocas del año en el que la cadena de suministro se enfrenta a muchos desafíos son, sin duda, los picos de demanda acompañados con festividades como el Black Friday y Navidad. Estos últimos años, a causa de los cambios en la economía provocados por la pandemia, la cadena de suministro ha … Read more

How can carriers and delivery drivers be helped with a voice assistant?

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Mujer usando el teléfono mientras conduce en el coche. Ayudar a los transportistas con un asistente virtual foto

En uno de nuestros webinars se ha hablado sobre cómo facilitar la vida de los transportistas con un asistente virtual. En él, Gandolapp y Washa Logistics han debatido sobre las condiciones que viven los transportistas y repartidores actualmente y cómo, con un asistente virtual, se vería beneficiado su desempeño laboral. Dicho tema nos resultó muy … Read more

What are the logistics trends for 2023?

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Sistema de transporte global concepto abstracto ilustración vectorial. tendencias de logística para el 2023

Cuando se está finalizando el año, es hora de dar un repaso a las tendencias de logística para el 2023 y observar qué le depara a este sector tan desafiante pero imprescindible. Entre ellas se suele incluir desde nuevos avances tecnológicos que optimizan las operaciones logísticas hasta nuevas prácticas que buscan una mejor concienciación por … Read more

Why reverse logistics is key to Black Friday

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Mujer angustiada hablando por teléfono mientras prepara paquetes - Logística inversa en el Black Friday

It's getting earlier and earlier when you start hearing offers weeks and even months in advance of Black Friday, a key date for Christmas pre-shopping. And that's because more and more large retail companies are deciding to extend these dates of consumption, launching offers before Black Friday and after Cyber Monday.

This translates into a supply chain that is less pressured by the bottleneck generated by a peak demand originally focused on a single day. However, there is a key element in peak demand strategies: reverse logistics due to the nature of the purchases and their expected high volume of sales, of which another large number of returns are expected after the holidays.

If you want to know the important points of reverse logistics on Black Friday and other demand peaks, take a look!

Packaging damage

According to this DS Smithstudy, it was estimated in 2021 that e-commerce shoppers would receive more than 14 million damaged and spoiled products and 64% of online shoppers had already claimed to receive their purchase in poor condition before. This results in a high volume of merchandise returns, especially if the price is more than 25 euros, and high consumer dissatisfaction.

This problem can be avoided without much mystery by applying the right packaging for each product or order. Either choosing the right package size without being unnecessarily bulky, applying suitable protectors for them and closing the box properly avoiding spaces that can be opened. Besides it is necessary to avoid overpacking because, sometimes, it turns out to be more counterproductive for the protection of the article and generate more waste of materials.

It should be noted that staff must follow instructions on how to handle packages, as quick but careless handling could cause knocks and damage the item. In addition, not all products are eligible for return because, if the shipping costs turn out to be higher than the price, it is decided not to take the package back to the warehouse and, instead, alternatives and compensation are offered to the affected customer.

Servicio de entrega urgente ilustración vectorial plana - Logística inversa en el Black Friday

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Why is the cold chain so challenging?

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Página de aterrizaje isométrica de transporte refrigerado- retos de la cadena de frío vector

Cada tipo de producto acorde con el sector y las necesidades que posee tiene sus desafíos específicos en el momento de planificar sus rutas y transportarlos.  Uno de los más prominentes son los retos de la cadena de frío, de la cual es necesaria para abastecer y distribuir productos que suelen ser imprescindibles como alimentos … Read more

3 questions most frequently asked by customers about the supply chain

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Gente de negocios usando una tablet digital. Preguntas frecuentes sobre los modulos logisticos

More and more companies are betting on the digitization of their logistics processes in order to optimize costs, obtain visibility of the movement of goods, improve communication between staff, among others. The different logistics solutions on the market can focus on a single function or can come with several modules.

However, there are a number of questions that customers interested in Hedyla software often ask about lesser-known integrated modules that complement more complete solutions such as a TMS or route optimizer. What in particular do these modules consist of and how are they helpful?

If you want to learn more about the logistics software modules less known by the market, read on.

Digital Twin

As its name suggests, the Digital Twin is a physical representation of any object or process to be replicated. In this case, it is used to create simulations of delivery routes, either in route optimizer or in the TMS.

In order to create the digital twin, it is necessary to collect data from the company's historical routes. It is useful to contrast them with the optimized routes based on the applied operational and business constraints. In this way, you can see the changes that will be applied to the new delivery routes and the time and resources that will be required to implement them.

The scenario simulator is also used for consulting projects for scenario analysis. In this way, changes in the supply chain and production lines can be better evaluated, such as analyzing the location of new logistics centers, among others. Its main function is to make better decisions based on productivity, efficiency and costs.

Ilustración vectorial del concepto de asociación. Preguntas frercuentes sobre los modulos logisticos.

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4 advantages of Click and Collect in logistics operations

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vehículo de transporte furgoneta de reparto dibujos animados. Ventajas del Click and Collect

The importance of implementing sustainability in supply chain processes is often discussed from the point of view of the logistics and transportation industry. In this case, in terms of sustainability, users demand both commitment and convenience in the delivery of their orders. However, these desires are not compatible with a genuine commitment to the environment, at least not with the technology currently employed.

One of the rising trends in the retail sector is Click & Collect, an option that has gained prominence in recent years and offers several advantages for both the store and the consumer, including reducing carbon emissions.

If you want to know the advantages of Click and Collect in logistics operations, take a look!

Accorciare l'ultimo miglio

The last mile often has a number of challenges that have arisen in recent times, which are difficult to circumvent and employ good capillarity in delivery. For example, restrictions on the entry of large vehicles into urban centers and difficult access to certain addresses with very narrow streets along with the common challenge of facing the usual traffic congestion of large cities.

With Click & Collect , the final destination is shortened, being its ultimate transport objective that it arrives at the establishment meeting the established objectives. However, it still depends on the location of the premises, which will be easier if it is located in a shopping center on the outskirts with a good platform for unloading goods or just as difficult if it is in a pedestrian area in the heart of the city. Nevertheless, it is still a very economical option for both the logistics operator and the company.

Avoid missed deliveries

One of the biggest inconveniences faced by deliveries to the end customer is that they are not completed successfully. Among its main causes are the absence of the end customer at the home or office, generating more inconvenience for redelivery, which results in more reverse logistics costs. In addition, not all logistics operators can guarantee that the order will arrive in a very specific time slot requested by the customer.

El Click & Collect gives the guarantee of successful delivery of the package and the freedom to pick it up at the store or post office when the customer is available. This is as long as it does not exceed the order booking period (usually about 15 days) and within the business hours of that establishment. Although time restrictions can be eliminated with the option to store them in automatic lockers accessible 24 hours a day.

Empresaria preparando el envío de paquetes. Ventajas del Click & Collect

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3 sectors that need to optimize their logistics in e-commerce

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Do you know the sectors with e-commerce potential that need to consolidate their logistics operations? Discover them in this list.

We are already familiar with one of the key events that has affected the economy and most of the known sectors on a large scale: the confinement and restrictions due to the pandemic. With the impossibility of opening dispensable physical stores and offering face-to-face services, both large and small companies have had to reinvent their models against the clock to circumvent and adapt to this scenario.

As a result, the e-commerce sector is one of the sectors that is gaining more and more relevance due to the changes that consumers have made in the face of this abrupt change in their habits and are now accustomed to this way of consuming. However, there are important sectors that are not progressing as much in the e-commerce section as expected despite the demand to offer this type of business.

If you want to know some of the sectors with e-commerce potential that need to mature their services, take a look!

Pharmacy

According to this study, more than 75% of patients prefer to use the services of a telepharmacy or receive their medicines at home instead of going to the pharmacy in person, with 9%. However, pharmaceutical e-commerce in Spain has only experienced a growth of 2% compared to other countries such as Italy and Germany, which have had a growth in turnover of 34% and 10% respectively.

This is because infrastructures still need to be improved to ensure data protection on the part of patients and to enable them to use these services at home. Despite this, the pharmaceutical sector has had very good communication in the supply chain to cope with the health crisis and ensure the supply of several drugs.

It is worth noting that one of the solutions that has potential in the face of occasional drug shortages is FarmaHelp, a digital platform that allows a pharmacy to notify and contact other nearby pharmacies when a drug is out of stock and there are supply problems so that the patient can receive it in time. 

ilustración del concepto de dropshipping amplio. sectores con potencial en el e-commerce

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4 challenges your company must take into account when installing a TMS

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Edificio isométrico de almacén con camión de reparto. retos al instalar un TMS

As new logistics software solutions are being created to improve part of the supply chain processes, there are also challenges or mistakes that are often made in the use and installation of a TMS system. While it is true that more and more companies are taking the step to digitize and optimize transportation management, it is possible that operations are not performing as well as expected.

Se queste irregolarità non vengono affrontate, si perde la fiducia nel sistema di soluzioni logistiche, con conseguente insoddisfazione dei clienti e dell'azienda. Quindi, quali sono gli errori o le sfide più comuni quando si implementa e si applica efficacemente un TMS? Va notato che si stima che tra il 20% and 30% of the companies actively use a TMS.

If you want to know the most common challenges when installing a TMS and using it effectively, take a look!

Data collection

One of the challenges in installing a TMS that are also important and notable in the supply chain is that logistics operators and carriers are not yet able to reconcile their data. Such a challenge poses a problem in case there are service failures that have not yet been detected.

It is evident that every company in every part of the supply chain collects separate KPIs or SLAs from those that are stored on their own servers and systems. By the time dashboards are made for analysts or errors are reported via e-mails or spreadsheets, the information received is usually not accurate and the process is very tedious.

Therefore, it is important that the TMS or other similar software such as an ERP be able to collect and share data from both operators and carriers, avoiding irrelevant or erroneous information. However, it is recommended that such sharing can be done as smoothly and efficiently as possible, avoiding delays that cause misinformation about the status of transport.

Revisione della strategia

Before considering installing a TMS, as with any project, it is essential to establish a solid and realistic strategy in order to assign coherent objectives related to this action. In addition, all documents on departments, carriers, among others, must be updated and in order to start implementing them in the TMS.

However, it is possible that the TMS may begin to show unsatisfactory results or detect more frequent and more serious errors. In the event that the TMS does not have many problems collecting accurate information, one of the most likely cases is that the current strategy has become obsolete due to internal company or external changes affecting a large part of the industry.

In such a case, the established strategies and objectives should be revisited to see if they fit with the current landscape. If inconsistencies are detected, the strategies and objectives need to be redirected. An example would be if there have been very large changes in fleet volume, either a reduction or expansion of vehicles and carriers.

gestión de la flota. Retos al instalar un TMS

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Is sustainable packaging suitable for industrial sectors?

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Mujer joven trabajando en un almacén y encintando una caja de cartón para su envío. packaging sostenible

One of the rising trends in recent years is the use of sustainable packaging in consumer sectors such as e-commerce and the Horeca channel. This is because new generations of consumers are increasingly aware of the environmental impact of packaging and are willing to support brands and companies that show such commitment to the planet.

However, how is this trend affected in the B2B and industrial sectors? Is it necessary to make many changes in operations to adapt to a different packaging than the traditional one?

If you want to know the key points of sustainable packaging within the B2B industry, take a look!

Overpacking or underpacking of products

When product or e-commerce distribution routes are not well defined, there is a risk of over-packing or under-packing orders. On the one hand, you are not promoting sustainability, wasting more material than necessary and, on the other hand, you would be leaving items too unprotected with the risk of being damaged.

However, there are products that must comply with current regulations that require overpacking, such as dangerous goods. For this reason, in operations involving packaging, picking and route planning, it is advisable to apply new measures to use the required amount of material, paying attention to the routes planned by a route optimizer.

One example that helps to avoid overpacking is cardboard boxes of various heights with adjustable volume to optimize space and material used.

Sustainable materials

It is already known that cardboard boxes are one of the most popular options for packaging orders, especially in e-commerce, in addition to the fact that this type of material is recyclable. But, within the more industrial sectors, what options are there to replace, for example, the plastic boxes in which food is loaded?

To this end, recyclable plastics made from recycled plastic or vegetable biomass have been developed with efficient designs that are resistant, light and space efficient. In addition, the Waste and Contaminated Soil Law has been updated to promote the circularity of materials.

póster isométrico de la línea de producción de la fábrica automatizada. packaging sostenible

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Differences between Push and Pull distribution

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Ilustración isométrica de un almacén. diferencias entre distribución push y pull vector

It is known that inventory management is based on the structure and objectives of the company's distribution network according to the sector in which it operates. This is done by deciding on the distribution channels through which to deliver products to customers and seeing which are the most optimal in terms of customer service and cost and resource savings.

To this end, there are two ways to fill inventory in a distribution channel: Push and Pull. Knowing their definitions and their advantages and disadvantages is crucial to choose the right strategy according to the industry you work in and your needs.

If you want to know the differences between Push and Pull distribution, their benefits and drawbacks and for which cases one strategy or the other is intended, read on.

Push Distribution

In a Push distribution system, it is the manufacturer or supplier that decides how many units of product are manufactured and distributed. First, they aggregate all the lower level storage points to historical demand and then perform demand forecasting to determine quantities. Next, replenishment inventory is shipped through the warehouses from the originating supply facilities.

This method makes the first nodes of the supply chain responsible for replenishing the stock, manufacturing the efficient amount of goods to be able to ship them to their distributors and avoid excess inventory.

Push Advantages

One of the advantages of this method is that high inventory levels can be maintained by predicting demand to generate a safe stock level. This is a producer-centric strategy. Therefore, for products that have peaks in demand at specific times of the year or are in high demand throughout the year, such as the food sector, such an approach is effective.

Push Disadvantages

However, one of the most notable drawbacks of Push distribution is that, as this decision is made by the lowest nodes in the supply chain, it is far removed from the actual demand being demanded by current customers. For this reason, it suffers from a notable lack of transparency and visibility into the needs of those customers.

That is why it is difficult to adjust to peaks in demand that are difficult to predict and provide good service, usually causing stock-outs. In addition, it requires good management to maintain a good product flow.

foto-media-hombre-usando-auriculares. diferencias entre distribución Push y Pull foto

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Logistics KPIs and the importance of analyzing them

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Cerrar la mano del hombre de negocios ocupado en el escritorio de oficina en el cuaderno y documentos de trabajo - KPIs de logística foto

In many professional fields, especially in business, it is of utmost importance to collect data and organize it into performance measures, better known as KPIs. Because you can analyze performance with numbers, either a quantitative or qualitative value, you have clearer information about the progress of your objectives.

It is very important to establish logistics KPIs because they have one of the highest costs along with manufacturing and marketing expenses. This would result in huge losses if they are not properly monitored. This is when we ask ourselves, what are the essential KPIs to accurately measure your logistics objectives?

If you want to learn more about the different areas of logistics where the logistics KPIs cannot be missing in the dashboard, take a look!

Storage

It should be noted that warehousing should not be confused with inventory or stock because these indicators do not indicate the stock itself. KPIs are about analyzing the internal processes that take place in warehouses, such as picking and order preparation.

An example of logistics KPIs used in warehousing is the unit cost of warehousing which calculates their respective expenses. Apart from that, to analyze warehouse performance and productivity there are the KPIs of on-time complete delivery rate and internal cycle time that serve to calculate the time elapsed between the order request and the dispatch of the order itself.

Inventory

This is, of course, one of the most important sections of logistics because it deals with the products themselves and the stock that circulates through the supply chain. In addition to the fact that classifying and sorting the different types of stock is paramount to its proper functioning, so is assigning objectives and their respective logistics KPIs.

For that, the KPIs to be commonly taken into account are the following: Stock Breakage to analyze how many times the inventory has been emptied and what can be improved, Stock Turnover to estimate how many times the inventory needs to be renewed and, of course, inventory costs. It is worth mentioning that a high Inventory Turnover means that profits are being made on sales.

Ilustración de concepto abstracto de kpi - KPIs de logística vector

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How has AI been successfully applied in the supply chain?

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examples of artificial intelligence in vector logistics

Artificial Intelligence is known to be a growing trend in many industries around the world. And it is no mystery when logistics and transportation are looking for ways to apply such technology for the improvement of all their operations within the supply chain. From back office solutions to IoT control solutions, there are several examples of artificial intelligence in logistics.

However, for people who are not deeply involved in the industry, it is not very clear to them what specific operations AI is involved in. What are the current supply chain issues for the supply chain to be optimized with AI? And what advantages does this technology confer over the competition?

If you want to learn how AI is being applied in supply chain management with these examples of artificial intelligence in logistics, take a look!

Warehouse automation

Sectors such as e-commerce have gained much relevance in recent years, so the increase in demand and the need for a more efficient storage management call for a solution. For this reason, there has been a notable trend in warehouse automation as one of the notable examples of artificial intelligence in logistics.

Warehouse automation encompasses various operations, from the application of automated storage systems with stacker cranes to warehouse management software. Within it, they use data analysis and demand forecasting to coordinate various processes in the warehouse.

And not only do they perform this step, but they synchronize the tasks of both the operators and the automated systems. In this way, personnel can focus on other tasks.

Inventory control

This operation usually goes hand in hand with warehouse automation and, it seems, is going to be an essential element for companies. Currently, it is known that the volume of shipments is dropping considerably due to inflation, as a result of which stock is accumulating and will take longer than desired to accumulate in the warehouse.

First, the warehouse is stocked with the right amount of inventory according to demand prediction based on previous sales, market analysis, among others. Then, automation systems would be unified with catalog control to improve stock visibility by alerting on low stock levels and detecting defective products and packaging before they are shipped via AI cameras or sensors.

Thanks to one of the examples of artificial intelligence in logistics, it is possible to reduce error margins and time spent on tasks, obtaining high customer satisfaction and competitive advantage over other companies where logistics plays a crucial role.

Primer plano de un ordenador portátil que ejecuta un algoritmo que analiza el código en el escritorio frente a los programadores que trabajan en equipo - ejemplos de inteligencia artificial en la logística foto

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Which route will get you to your customer first?

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Tiro medio hombre hablando por teléfono. cómo llegar antes a tu cliente foto

One of the most important and, at the same time, tedious tasks to perform in a company with logistics and transportation is the calculation and planning of routes for a specific day or week. With the increasing number of challenges in the industry such as low-emission zones, high fuel prices and higher demands for satisfactory customer service, it is necessary to re-manage routes to adapt and become more efficient.

Para encontrar la ruta definitiva que hará llegar antes a tus clientes se deben de tener en cuenta varias características de las paradas, vehículos y restricciones, entre otras. Además de mantener una comunicación sólida ante cualquier incidente que pueda ocurrir, ya sea un factor interno o externo.

If you want to know the key factors for optimizing delivery routes and how to reach your customer faster, take a look!

Distances between delivery points

Entre los principales factores que se piensan primero cuando se habla de optimizar rutas de reparto son las distancias entre el centro logístico y los puntos de entrega. Además de que es más sencillo calcular una ruta concreta en cuanto echamos un vistazo a la proximidad entre varios puntos de entrega.

Generally, if other factors and constraints are not taken into account, one of the best routes is the one that starts with the stop closest to the warehouse. And then follows the second stop close to the first, and so on until you have finished with all orders and return to the logistics center.

However, a simple glance at delivery points can hide narrow and difficult to navigate last-mile streets that can significantly delay deliveries. Consequently, this factor is one of the first to be considered when creating a "sketch" route and then assigning drivers, vehicles and other constraints.

Delivery and staffing schedules

It is known that, with a number of batches or individual orders for a specific day, a delivery time zone is agreed with the users when calculating routes. However, these customers are increasingly requesting more precise time zones, according to their needs. Therefore, such orders must be assigned to the carrier with shifts and agreements that are compatible with the assigned time slot.

It should be noted that special attention must be paid to labor restrictions for carriers. For example, drivers are not allowed to work more than 6 hours at a time without a break in a day, so they must rest for a minimum of 30 minutes. If it is a very long route, the appropriate time slot would be assigned in accordance with the regulations and, if necessary, another carrier would be assigned to cover the shift. Not to be forgotten are the hours when loading and unloading is allowed in the cities or at the logistics center receiving the delivery.

Punto de entrega concepto abstracto ilustración vectorial. cómo llegar antes a tu cliente vector

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Do you know how to manage your fleet and get the most out of it with a TMS?

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Mujer joven preparando paquetes para su entrega y escaneando el código de barras - administrar tu flota con un TMS foto

Fleet management is an arduous and tedious task in which it is easier than we would like to admit to make mistakes and pay for it with poor performance and loss of time and money. For this, there is the option of managing your fleet with a TMS to assist, optimize and automate operations.

However, TMSs are thought to be a product exclusively for large companies with huge fleets because of their sophistication and complexity. But, nothing could be further from the truth, any company that manages its supply chain and operates with a transportation fleet has the need to install a digital control tower for cargo operations.

If you want to know the advantages of managing your fleet with a TMS, take note!

Allows you to organize the company and grow with it

Thanks to the ability of a TMS to collect all the necessary information about your fleet, your customers and your orders, it is now possible to unify all the data in one place. This eliminates the need to go through calls, messages, e-mails and paper documents to check the accuracy of accounts, which wastes too much time and resources.

Therefore, apart from the ease of successful operations, it is also much easier to collect the KPIs applied to your monthly, quarterly and even annual targets and act on them. In addition, thanks to better communication and customer satisfaction, it allows the company to grow and adapt to the volume of demand, because it takes just a few steps to add new vehicles and new hires to the TMS database.

Avoid unnecessary calls

Usually, to carry out the transportation of an order, either to get it to the distribution center or to the end customer, a team member is needed to make the calls to the shipper and the broker to check the availability of the freight and agree on a rate. With this action, too many time and financial resources have already been invested that may result in the freight not being available or not being dealt with by the people involved.

However, the TMS automates this entire process, as the system collects information about the available fleet and sends this data to customers in very few steps and time invested. In this way, time is spent on other tasks and relationships with shippers and intermediaries are improved, and they are eager to return to your services because of their effectiveness.

It is worth noting that shippers are looking for their automated processes to adapt to the automated processes of third parties, as they want to leverage their investment in a TMS and would be burdened by doing business with a logistics operator that does not have one.

Ilustración vectorial del concepto de solicitud de presupuesto de flete - administrar tu flota con un TMS vector

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How vacations affect logistics and distribution

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Worker loading a box onto a truck-vacation in the logistics vector

El verano ya está aquí y sin duda, es la época del año en la que la mayoría de la gente tiene y/o decide coger sus vacaciones. Se conocía que tiempo atrás gran parte de las empresas, incluidas con logística, cerraba por descanso del personal durante el mes de agosto, con la excepción de sectores … Read more

How to plan the management of light electric vehicles?

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Hombre de entrega montando bicicleta con paquete - gestión de vehículos ligeros eléctricos foto

When people often talk about a fleet of vehicles, their most familiar image is usually that of trucks, trailers and even vans, given their relevance in the logistics industry. However, we should not forget the latest protagonists in terms of alternative vehicles to the usual ones: motorcycles and bicycles.

More and more companies have already implemented electric light vehicle management, promoting sustainability and last mile capillarity. However, how can you have control over a fleet of motorcycles and bicycles? Does it differ much from a conventional fleet of trucks and vans?

If you are curious about the following points to keep in mind when controlling a fleet of light vehicles, take a look!

Define a fleet management strategy

Like any logistics fleet, such a fleet requires a good strategy in its respective document in order to be in line with the needs and other business strategies. In particular, if one takes into account objectives such as the sustainability of the activities for which an electric light vehicle management can grant.

It should be noted that a fleet strategy must be connected to the fleet policy, which establishes everything that can be covered by the strategy, both its objectives and the rules to be followed by both the personnel involved and the drivers. Consequently, it is essential that all the organization involved in the fleet participates in the realization of the strategy so that the strategy is defined in a realistic and well realized way.

Automate routine tasks

Fleet management (and, for that matter, electric light vehicle management) is known to have very tedious tasks and optimizing time and cost savings is paramount to improving the efficiency of the process. These include paperwork, MOT, fines, regulatory compliance and supplier cost invoices, and so on.

Therefore, the automation of manual processes is an almost essential step because of the numerous benefits it provides. Among its advantages are reducing the number of unnecessary tasks, going paperless, creating the possibility of analyzing data collected from operations and improving the use of human resources.

Mensajero profesional que entrega el pedido en la ilustración plana de scooter - gestión de vehículos ligeros eléctricos vector

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Hedyla, the cloud platform to optimize logistics

Hedyla is a software company dedicated to optimize logistic processes of medium and large-sized companies through Artificial Intelligence.

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Hedyla Technologies S.L. ha sido beneficiaria de un Proyecto subvencionado por el CDTI con la colaboración del Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación. Número de expediente SNEO-20201090
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Received Startup Capital 2019 Grant
Funded by ENISA