The author says: Carriers will continue to invest in online price quotes, capacity and shipment management solutions in 2019

Trend Four - Smart Warehousing:  Today, with robotic package handling, sorting and automated forklifts and other warehouse equipment we are nearing the reality of complete mechanisation of smart warehouses. While tech companies such as Amazon led the way, now even regular manufacturing companies are starting to automate their warehouse operations due to cost reductions in warehouse robotics. In 2019, major manufacturers and distributors will continue on a strong trend towards complete warehouse automation, which will improve equipment life cycles (via preventive maintenance), accelerate product movement, optimise inventory management (through better predictive models), and also increase warehouse safety.

Trend Five - Digital Freight Management: Freight and logistics management is being disrupted at a rapid pace due to large investments by funds in new-age digital freight tech firms and simultaneous digital developments by carriers. Customers will adopt new technologies more rapidly as they better understand the efficiency and logistics cost savings available. For instance, CII (Confederation of Indian Industry) in a study mentioned that digitization can reduce indirect logistics costs by 8%.
Conclusion: In 2019, carriers will continue to invest in online price quotes, capacity and shipment management solutions. For instance, CMA CGM a major shipping line has started operating smart containers that transmit real-time data on container position and condition. Moreover, freight tech start-ups will continue to develop cutting-edge freight management platforms for supply chain managers in 2019, enabling them to manage their entire freight and logistics rate procurement, track shipments real-time and analyze logistics expenditure and performance online. Furthermore, new technologies like blockchain will become more abundant, eventually resulting in paperless shipping documentation and giving all stakeholders visibility of their shipments from manufacturing to final delivery - hence eliminating the chance of fraud and mishandling.
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