Digitalization and collaboration, the ways to achieve efficient transport

The freight transport sector presents multiple challenges common to all modes, such as the current socioeconomic context, the lack of professionals, the complexity of bureaucratic processes, regulatory pressure in terms of decarbonization and digitalization. Therefore, we can affirm that the greatest challenge of all is to achieve efficient transport on three levels: environmental sustainability, talent and profitability.

Within transport, the road is the mode that presents the greatest challenges due to the shortage of drivers and because it is the mode that pollutes the most, taking into account that it has more than 95% of the market share, both in Spain and in Europe.

This was the starting point of the III Transport Forum, organized by the Spanish Logistics Center (CEL) on the occasion of the European Logistics Week, where collaboration and digitalization were presented as the ways to achieve efficient transport.

Collaboration for efficient transport

Each of the speakers at the event agreed in highlighting collaboration as one of the main tools to achieve efficient transport and to turn Spain into a logistics hub of reference in Europe. In addition, collaboration at different levels was discussed:

• A closer relationship between the public and private sectors was called for, with the aim of adopting regulations that take into account the specifics of freight transport and reduce administrative obstacles.
• In addition, collaboration between companies in the sector was advocated, with the aim of boosting the competitiveness of freight transport. Creating synergies between the different links in the supply chain is key to driving the supply chain forward.
• The main conclusion of this meeting is that efficient freight transport will be intermodal or it will not be. The lack of drivers, low levels of demand and the need to decarbonize the activity make it necessary for road, rail, air and ship to work together to strengthen the supply chain.

Digitalization for efficient transport

Along with collaboration, the digitization of all transport processes is the way to achieve efficient transport, as it enables the achievement of decarbonization goals, helps improve the working conditions of workers, offers greater profitability to the companies involved in each stage of the supply chain, and also boosts collaboration between modes, companies and the public and private sector.

At the panel discussion “Digitalization and AI for the challenges of freight transport”, FIELDEAS’ Presales Manager, Alfonso Martín, presented the advantages of implementing technological solutions to optimize transport and, therefore, the entire supply chain.

The common thread of Alfonso Martín’s speech was that digitalization should not be seen as a cost, but as an investment. Investing in new technologies, in new fuels and in new processes is what will really improve the quality of workers and allow them to focus on tasks with real added value, and what will boost the competitiveness of the sector.

The eCMR or electronic consignment note as a lever to drive forward

Digitization of transport documentation is one of the most important issues in achieving efficient transport.

Eliminating paper from transport document management is essential to achieve environmental sustainability objectives, but also to optimize processes and gain profitability, improve the conditions of workers in the freight transport sector, especially road, and improve collaboration between the different actors and modes.

Within the digitization of transport documentation, the eCMR or electronic consignment note is of particular relevance. The FIELDEAS Presales Manager pointed out that implementing eCMR should be seen as a lever to boost competitiveness, and not as an obligation.

It is important to understand that by digitizing the waybill you are digitizing a day-to-day process, which will allow you to optimize transportation processes and gain flexibility and efficiency.

In addition, the eCMR must comply with certain legal parameters set by law, which are vital for electronic documentation to be useful and advantageous. The eCMR is not only about transforming data into a digital document, but it must have the advanced digital signature and biometric data of each of the signatories: shipper, transport operator or carrier and consignee.

The SeamLess eCMR by FIELDEAS Track and Trace takes into account the different casuistry and the level of technological maturity of each of the actors and, therefore, our solution allows the stakeholders to be permanently connected and manage the eCMR, and the rest of the elements of the chain, in a way that is legal, optimal and fastwithout impacting their organizations.

On the other hand, in line with our commitment to collaboration, we do not discard the software that companies already have installed, but we connect to them.

Real-time information in transport processes

Real-time information is a very useful tool to achieve efficient transportation, as it provides visibility.

At FIELDEAS Track and Trace we use it to drive management by exception. Our system allows that when there is any alert or incident, the program notifies all those involved, so that those in charge do not have to be aware of the status of the transport operation at all times.

Likewise, real-time information is key in dock management. Our solution allows us to anticipate inconveniences and warn the driver of delays.

In this way, in addition to optimizing operations, we are increasing the driver’s quality of life by putting the driver in the spotlight and worrying about waiting times.

Digital solutions for transport and eCMR from FIELDEAS

FIELDEAS, through its Track and Trace solution, raises awareness of the fact that the digitization of transport processes is not an expense, but an investment that will allow companies to grow and evolve.

In the transport sector the most important thing is collaboration and from FIELDEAS we work to eliminate the old conception that solutions are only to manage a company in an opaque way for the rest of the chain. In the current context, collaboration is essential and transparency must be advocated to drive and optimize the supply chain.

In this sense, the core of FIELDEAS is to make a collaborative solution where all the members of the chain have an important relevance and are informed at all times. In addition, the SeamLess eCMR from FIELDEAS Track and Trace provides a reliable and 100% legally compliant solution.

FIELDEAS collaborates in the CEL’s solidarity gala dinner

As a culmination of the European Logistics Week, FIELDEAS has collaborated as a sponsor in the IV edition of the Gala Dinner of Solidarity of the CEL, where all proceeds went to the Eslabón Association, focused on the training of people at risk of social exclusion.

Transportation is a key, strategic and driving force for our country and, in addition, it is also a sector of solidarity.