While global supply chain problems need no introduction, it certainly appears that some of the solutions to these issues do. A number of media outlets have focused on the problems and helped to raise awareness, but it seems less likely that individuals are familiar with the innovative ways that thought leaders from some companies and public sector organizations have been able to overcome problems and alleviate shipment slowdowns.
One of these growing industry trends seems to be represented by the sudden influx of investment money from the tech industry, which may make sense considering how global supply chain problems are upsetting semiconductor markets. The stability of these markets is, of course, necessary to ensure that computer industry firms are able to continue fulfilling goods. While this segment seems content to offer major logistics investments, it doesn’t seem like the automotive sector is anywhere near as forthcoming.
Car companies are every bit as reliant on semiconductor wafers as those in higher-tech spaces, but so far there has been relatively little money to flow out of this part of the economy into logistics or manufacturing.
Encouraging Outside Investment to Alleviate Shipping Issues
Larger technology providers have had money to burn for some period of time now, which has helped to put them in a position where they’re at least relatively free to invest in the securities funds related to logistics, which in turn provides seed capital for providers to grow. However, it’s unlikely that anyone besides perhaps institutional investors and governmental agencies could join them in this quest.
That’s created a gap ready to be filled by a handful of startup companies. Entrepreneurs are creating their own highly innovative workflows to deliver goods independent of existing overloaded infrastructure. While commercial grade drones are unlikely to be able to deliver products anytime soon, those who get together with several other like-minded individuals are often free to purchase more substantial pieces of equipment. A simple business loan might be all it takes to generate enough seed money to purchase a full-sized piece of equipment.
It’s likely that deliveries using this kind of technology on a distributed basis will become markedly popular even if the larger industrial operation drone market flounders in coming years. Others, however, are looking at much smaller solutions that are surprisingly effective.
Simple Ways Industrialists can Deal with Supply Issues
Rather than attempting to deal with logistics-related headaches on their own, many small business owners have opted to work with groups like My UK Mailbox, which takes care of most of the planning for them. This gives them at least the peace of mind in knowing when a specific shipment is going to arrive, though individuals who use these kinds of services are still often at the mercy of the current position of the market as a whole. As a result, some have looked at even more basic ways of dealing with the issue.
Perhaps the simplest so far has been to simply combine orders to reduce the reliance on shipping services. If one waits to order a large number of things all at once, then it could save time and money on shipping. Keeping an eye on delivery minimums has become very popular in the alcohol delivery market in Singapore. Thought leaders around the world are starting to take notice.
Paying close attention to holiday shopping trends is a good idea as well. Since some goods would have been out of stock or hard to ship at this time of year in any economic situation, waiting could be the best policy.
Interestingly, though, a few people are leveraging buying power to get what they need right away.
Buying Products in Bulk to Save Time
Naturally, buying in bulk isn’t at all new. However, the clever application of AI-driven agents can help people purchase goods at times when they’re seen as most affordable. This is especially true of international export analytics, which could aid someone attempting to import products from the UK into Australia.
Those looking to deploy this kind of technology are finding themselves with a surprisingly small amount of data. Logistics market representatives have noted that the industry has changed so much in the last year that only 12 months or so of information makes sense. Still, those who are willing to put in the extra time and effort should find that even this kind of investment should pay for itself.
It might just take time for the savings to become completely self-evident.
Photo by Dylan Gillis
