Good in business
The starting point: Logistics is one of the three largest economic sectors in Germany. It is in third place, directly behind the automotive industry and trade, and ranks ahead of the electronics industry and mechanical engineering. There are currently more than 3 million people employed in logistics. At the same time, the sector is plagued by recruitment problems. Yet logistics is one of the world's growth industries. Germany became world logistics champion for the third time in 2018. This is not least due to the fact that German logistics has always responded to social trends, ecological developments and economic innovations. Whether globalization or digitalization, the responsible use of resources or increasing customer requirements - the industry is open to innovations, trends and new developments.
Main topics
The discussion about the future of logistics will focus on two main topics. Firstly, climate change and the resulting measures that will have a direct impact on logistics processes. Secondly, technological developments will determine how such processes are shaped in the future. Sustainability issues will have a major impact on the logistics world of tomorrow. New distribution models will also represent a major challenge for companies if they prove to be practicable and meet with widespread acceptance. Demographic developments and the resulting changes in conurbations/living spaces will also give rise to new concepts and methods in logistics.
All digital
Many developments that experts believe will play a leading role in logistics in the future are already in practical use. New engine technologies, for example. With hydrogen or based on electrical energy. The fact that a truck is now networked with its logistics base is also a technology that is already well developed. The software solutions not only manage transportation, but also search for fast, safe routes or even take care of all the paperwork. Telematics can be used to measure and monitor various conditions of the vehicle and the load, such as temperatures, condition of the goods, humidity in the vehicle, location of the vehicle, theft protection and much more. Intelligent, fully automated and networked systems in production, storage and transportation ensure a fast and optimal workflow. The digital future can no longer be held back. Robots are already being used reliably and economically in logistics today.
Nothing works without standards
Standards are not only an absolute must today, but especially in the logistics world of tomorrow. Uniform interfaces are needed to enable communication between different systems on a common level. Hardware and software, but also different special solutions, must find a language that everyone understands. This is about important commonalities that do not end at the boundaries of one's own company.
AI is setting new trends
Artificial intelligence is more than just a buzzword. AI is currently opening up completely new possibilities that would have been considered completely impossible just a few months ago. The fact is that there is currently a huge amount of hype surrounding AI. This is currently being helped by chatbots, for example, which can be easily used internationally and have no language barrier. Whether AI is overrated will certainly only be known in a few years' time.
Technology moves
Technological progress continues to be geared towards the social/political debate surrounding climate change or issues such as sustainability. But where the focus is on economic benefits and financial success, investments are also made. And so market-leading companies are showing what they can do and what the trends of tomorrow will look like. Digital is here to stay. It is not yet clear which drive technology will take the lead. The truck of yesterday is increasingly becoming a rolling information and distribution system for the driver, who is taking on new and exciting tasks. Modern tarpaulin cover systems, such as those from market leader Edscha TS, help to reduce time and costs. What Edscha TS has retained is the investment security of its systems. Edscha TS remains Edscha TS.
