Digitization challenges in dock management according to shippers and carriers

Although digitization is advancing, the study “Dock Management in Spain three years after RDL 3/2022: degree of digitization and perspectives of shippers and carriers” highlights some challenges in the digitization of dock management that need to be focused on.

We saw in the previous post that 51.16% of shippers already have technological solutions. In addition, almost 44% of shippers say that the shippers they work with provide them with a solution for slot reservation.

These data show a favorable scenario for the digitization of dock management. However, it is important to focus on the 48.84% of loading companies that still manage this activity manually. What is happening? Why is the digitization of dock management not already widespread?

Challenges in digitizing dock management for shippers

Although RDL 3/2022 has provided a boost to the digitization of docks, the truth is that the loading companies that have implemented a solution have encountered a number of challenges that have slowed down this digital transformation, as they confirm in the study.

Lack of integration

One of the main challenges highlighted by the loading companies when implementing a YMS is the lack of integration with other systems, with 30.23%.

Change management

For their part, with 27.91%, shippers point to resistance to change as one of the main challenges in the digitization of dock management.

Beyond being an external issue for the drivers, the study concludes that this resistance is also found within the loading companies themselves.

In addition, those companies that have not yet implemented a technological solution for dock management point to the complexity of implementing the solution in their network of collaborators as the main barrier (33.30%).

Selection of the technological partner

In addition, for 20.93%, the selection of the technology partner has been a challenge, probably due to the absence of solutions that are capable of adapting to their needs.

In fact, they explain that they have encountered great difficulty in finding a tool that covers all operational casuistries, indicating that there is still a way to go in the customization and scalability of digital solutions.

Challenges in the digitisation of docks_shippers_YMS_FIELDEAS

Barriers to dock management digitisation_shippers_YMS_FIELDEAS

Costs

Although it did not stand out above others, costs also posed a challenge for 9.30% of those loading companies that have already implemented a dock management solution.

Loaders without a YMS

In addition to the aforementioned change management, 28.60% of companies point to other reasons for not yet having digitized dock management, such as having the process outsourced or being in the development phase, which indicates that in the short term the list of companies with technological solutions of this type will continue to grow.

In addition, 19% explain that this aspect is not a priority. Lack of budget is a barrier for 14.30%, while 4.80% acknowledge not having sufficient knowledge about the available solutions, which points to a need for greater dissemination and training in the sector.

Challenges in the digitization of dock management for shippers

Although transport companies are not the driving force behind the digitization of dock management, they also face various barriers to joining the digital transformation of this activity, in which they are essential players.

Technological fragmentation

The main challenge in terms of dock digitization that transport companies point to is the use of different solutions for each shipper they work with.

In fact, 53.60% of transport companies say they use more than five dock management solutions on a daily basis, with 28.60% using more than ten solutions.

Resistance to change

Once again, resistance to change is one of the main challenges mentioned. Specifically, 26.53% of transport companies say that they encounter strong resistance from drivers.

Barriers to dock management digitisation_carriers_YMS_FIELDEAS

Challenges in the digitisation of docks_carriers_YMS_FIELDEAS

Lack of knowledge of solutions

In addition, 24.49% mentioned a lack of knowledge of the tools available, which shows that even when solutions exist, they are not always understood or taken advantage of.

16.33% attributed the problem to a lack of training on the part of the shipper, which limits the carrier’s experience in its practical application.

Finally, 2.04% indicated that the use of these solutions becomes an additional formality with no clear contribution to operational improvement.

How to overcome the challenges in the digitization of dock management?

All in all, the digitization of dock management is still at an early stage of maturity, with significant challenges for both shippers and carriers.

This disparity of challenges shows that, although there is a willingness to move towards greater digitalization, there are still significant problems of coordination, standardization and training at both ends of the logistics chain.

Thus, this reality shows that digital transformation in dock management requires much more than tools. It needs:

• Standardization
• Transversal training
• Shared vision among all links in the chain

In other words, the industry’s goal is to have a tool that fits into a connected ecosystem, not a single company.