More shippers and carriers will look to outsource their supply chain and logistics requirements to IT-savvy logistics firms for speedy execution and delivery as well as collaborative solutions in 2012, said Freightgate, a California-based Internet solutions provider for freight and logistics.
“More companies will explore vested outsourcing for supply chain and logistics requirements [because] the increasing demand for better collaborative business processes, rate management, and logistics procurement with greater execution capabilities is beyond the knowledge base, response time, and budgets of most in-house I.T. departments,” Freightgate said.
It said the drive to compete in what is shaping up to be a tough year is leading to a trend to contract logistics software companies that can provide solutions beyond the basics, including event management, information visibility, collaborative what-if solutions, and data security.
Freightgate said 2012 will see the convergence of cloud, mobile and information technology into a unified set of forces that will shape IT decisions and marketplace competitiveness.
“More companies will adopt cloud computing and mobile applications within their supply chain and logistics processes. The trends for cloud computing and mobile applications are creating faster collaborative sharing of information top down and bottom up creating teamwork synergies improving processes, financial results and quicker solutions to customer requirements.”
Transportation procurement this year is no longer only about freight rates and service parameters but also about security, the environment, cost-cutting and a range of other issues, it pointed out.
“The procurement footprint is quickly expanding to include carbon footprint, security compliance, reduction of non-core costs, acceleration of business value, collaborative cloud-based analytical platforms, and more global environmental awareness.”
Finally, the software firm forecasts greater emphasis among companies for better response management to a changing environment including to unplanned events.
“Response Management drives demand for quicker, timely decision-making, rapid planning and predictive analytics to scenario responses of unplanned events,” Freightgate said. “Logistics in [an] ever-changing environment combined with marketplace competitiveness can impact fiscal results in hours not days. The goal of What-If scenarios is proactive anticipation instead of reaction. It equates to delivering the most timely knowledge and insights to ensure informed decision-making.”
