Web-based delivery services are a crucial part of the current world. From food delivery to e-commerce fulfilment, everyone, including individual consumers and organizations, depends on various web-based delivery services to keep their operations running.
Hence, it is crucial to iron out any inefficiency in these services. Unexpected delays, sudden demand fluctuations, and rising costs are a few of the many challenges service providers face that affect the supply chain and logistics.
Thankfully, there is an efficient way to navigate around these roadblocks.
Operational technology (OT) elevates real-time web-based delivery operations by integrating hardware, software, and automation tools. Companies can leverage OT to get ahead of issues and fulfil obligations within deadlines.
In this article, let’s look at four ways how OT is revolutionizing web-based delivery services, identify the challenges you may face while implementing OT into your business processes, and discuss solutions to those challenges.
How Operational Technology is Transforming Web-Based Delivery Services
1. Delivery Process Automation
The scale and scope of web-based delivery services’ demand is ever increasing. This requires more fulfilment professionals on the road delivering the packages to their destinations. While it sounds like a straightforward solution, there’s much more to it.
For instance, planning the routes of every delivery driver based on how the parcels for the day are distributed across a city can be difficult.
Operational technology leverages advanced hardware, such as drones and self-driving vehicles, to enhance the delivery service process. This allows the transport of more goods faster with reduced human intervention.
You can expect to see a dip in manual errors, labor costs, and delivery times — all great signs.
Moreover, these tools can help you provide 24/7 web-based delivery services and meet customer expectations for same-day or even instant (~10 min) fulfilment.
2. Real-Time Monitoring and Tracking
Comprehensive visibility across the supply chain process has been a persistent problem in supply chain and logistics. Decision-makers struggle to know where and how the shipment is, making them a sitting duck for any potential issues.
OT hardware and software such as Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and computer vision can provide accurate updates related to the packages in transit in real-time.
For example, if a pharmaceutical company is leveraging web-based delivery services to transfer medicines, they can use temperature and humidity sensors to ensure the goods travel safely. If they observe fluctuations, the relevant executives can be notified immediately to address the issue.
This is critical for businesses that use delivery services to move fragile or perishable items such as handicrafts and food.
3. Delivery Route Optimization
Traditionally, delivery executives relied on static routes, which failed to account for variables such as traffic congestion, road closures, or weather conditions. Businesses have to grapple with unexpected delays, which affect customer satisfaction.
AI-powered GPS technologies optimize routes for logistics personnel based on live traffic data, delivery priorities, and vehicle availability.
Apart from saving time and upholding stakeholder trust, real-time delivery route optimization can also save fuel, decreasing expenses further. Consequently, companies can look forward to efficient and effective web-based delivery services.
4. Enhanced Safety and Sustainability
A typical web-based delivery service workflow requires multiple professionals to collaborate, which can introduce potential vulnerabilities. OT solutions can help keep an eye on such vulnerabilities to improve safety.
Consider a delivery driver who has been working for many hours and is getting tired. IoT sensors in the driver’s cabin and the vehicle telemetry can track this before it escalates to an accident.
Moreover, sensors can inform teams about vehicle and equipment maintenance. This can identify potential flaws and issues in machines, enabling you to tackle them before they cause harm.
We briefly mentioned that OT solutions can help fulfilment executives pick the best route, saving fuel in the process. Furthermore, weight sensors can recommend the ideal load for a vehicle, optimizing performance further.
Many companies are also gradually increasing their dependency on renewable energy sources to reduce carbon footprints and cut long-term energy costs.
Challenges While Implementing OT and How to Tackle Them
There are four major challenges while implementing operational technologies. Let’s understand them and find a simple yet effective solution.
1. Skill Gap and Training
Employees lacking experience with advanced hardware and software such as IoT and automation tools may be inefficient and resistant to change. Businesses can provide proper training by creating detailed knowledge bases with in-depth educational content.
The content must explain the fundamentals such as ‘what is operational technology’ and ‘how AI-powered route optimization works.’ Additionally, you can conduct live training sessions.
2. Cybersecurity Threats
OT relies on interconnected systems which creates multiple access points within your workflow.
These access points, when unprotected, may get brutally violated by individuals or organizations with ill intent. You may experience data breaches, operational disruptions, and financial losses.
Apart from investing intraining employees adequately, you should encrypt communication, adopt real-time cyber threat monitoring software, and perform regular security audits.
3. Integration with Legacy Systems
Established businesses may find it difficult to let go of their on-premise or in-house developed software. However, connecting these tools to modern operational technology software can be a hassle.
Focus on bringing gradual software upgrades to legacy systems, such as middleware APIs, to establish robust integrations within the OT tools stack.
4. High Initial Investment
OT solutions include advanced hardware and software such as IoT sensors, robots, and data analytics tools. These can be too much for growing brands as they will struggle to justify the investment.
A practical workaround is to adopt a phased implementation strategy, prioritizing must-haves before considering the nice-to-haves.
Wrapping Up
There are plenty of challenges when a typical web-based delivery service workflow is executed which affects efficiency, costing businesses time and money.
Organizations, in order to tackle this effectively, must invest in operational technology.
OT integrates hardware, software, and automation tools within your web-based delivery service process to streamline supply chain and logistics. It can automate delivery, optimize routes, unlock real-time monitoring, and enhance safety and sustainability.
It is valuable to stay vigilant of challenges such as cybersecurity threats and lack of employee education and address them promptly while adopting OT solutions. The key is to ensure transparency through communication and move forward incrementally.
