3PL’s Must Be Ready For These 4 Emerging Technologies

The future of logistics is not coming, it’s already here. We know what they are and we have to fully embrace them to stay ahead. If you don’t know what they are, here are the 4 emerging technologies you should familiarize yourself with.

3D Printing

19.2% of manufacturers and retailers are already using 3D printing according to a EFT study, which also found that most 3PL providers do not have much expertise or knowledge on the concept. Only 12% have some knowledge, 2.6% have comprehensive knowledge, 1.5% have complete knowledge, and only 7.5% have plans to learn.

The Internet of Things (IoT)

This technology allows devices to communicate with no human effort. This machine to machine technology is expected to increase speed, decrease waste, and reduce overall costs. Over 25% of 3PLs are already using this technology while over 45% plan to utilize it in the future.

Drone Delivery

Although this technology has not been completely mastered many believe we will be utilizing it more efficiently in the next 5-10 years.

Driverless Vehicles

This is another technology that has yet to be mastered and is further down to road, however 42% of manufacturers would like 3PL’s to know about driverless vehicles.

Surveys show manufacturers want their 3PL’s to have knowledge of all emerging technologies and adopt them as quickly as possible. They might seem far off but technology is being developed at unprecedented speeds, which means your adoption of them must be as well.

EFT>>