Digitalization of Russian logistics

The future of logistics lies in digitalization.

Today, there is a need for simple and intuitive services that can automate all the processes associated with freight transportation. First and foremost, document management and settlements. This will greatly simplify the receipt of funds and speed up the entire logistics chain. For example, nowadays it takes us a long time to receive original documents from remote locations, and in some regions cash payment is still occasionally required. The introduction of digital services should solve these problems.

In addition, it will increase the transparency of the market: it will be possible to trace the entire chain (as in the case of deliveries from abroad, when you can see the entire “history” of goods by commodity code) and get information about counterparties. Digitalization also eliminates the possibility of non-existent flights, fictitious documents and the like.

Data collection, which is always carried out when working with such services, can also be useful. This information is the basis for the formation of analytical reports, on the basis of which it is possible to evaluate and adjust the current activities of the company, as well as to carry out strategic planning.

I would add to this that automation initially serves to make more efficient use of human resources. There is still quite a lot of routine manual labor in our sphere, especially when it comes to paperwork.

Thus, there is no doubt about the need to create digital logistics platforms. But there is a lot of work to be done in this direction.

In my opinion, a single digital platform will not cover the entire logistics sector. Most likely, initially it will be different services for different types of transportation, some point developments.

Perhaps in the not-too-distant future we will have an ideal scenario - a common service through which it will be possible to conduct any logistics chain in its entirety. Another modern trend associated with digitalization is the consolidation of companies. In today's market, those companies that have more resources - material, infrastructural, digital, intellectual - have a better chance of winning the competition. And ideally, administrative resources as well. Large companies will be able to create their own IT products and provide a greater range of services to the client at all stages of work. And this issue cannot be solved by finances alone; it requires logistical experience and understanding of specifics. That is why the existing large projects that are developing this topic (for example, Sber) are still unprofitable. The optimal solution may be to unite transportation and IT companies, perhaps with the support of the state.

The main disadvantage of digitalization that I see: in case of technical failures or other “unclear circumstances”, data loss may occur and all electronic documents will be lost. There are already such precedents. Therefore, I think it is important to duplicate information and to receive and keep proof of transportation and payment on paper!

JML follows the trends, we are not left behind and we are also trying to “catch the wave” of digitalization. At the same time, we are sure that while developing virtual service, it is important not to forget about the main thing - the real service. After all, in addition to the automation of all processes, the physical chain must also work clearly, and this depends solely on the “human factor”. In this case, on the professionalism of the logistics company's employees.