Information Technology (IT) has been one of the fastest-growing industries. Basically, we can say what you learn today is old news tomorrow. But let’s put all the exaggeration aside, technologies are developing at rocket speed, and all industries should be ready to adapt to them. And more importantly, they should be ready to utilize them and get the most out of it. Cloud computing is one of those technologies that logistics can heavily benefit from.

 

EasyCargo and cloud

Source: www.canva.com

What is cloud computing?

The future of logistics lies in automation and new technologies such as the cloud. It represents a computing infrastructure and data center you can rent and access via the Internet. The use of the cloud itself is a diverse range of constantly increasing possibilities: from storage to networks, office, or other programs such as language processing, and other artificial intelligence applications.

Cloud computing is an extensive network of interconnected servers used for data storage but also for running applications or company software. Cloud computing providers have their own servers where they back up your data, and you can access them from anywhere and at any time.

Benefits of cloud in logistics

Increased Efficiency

It goes without saying that the logistics industry is about doing the most work you can in the least amount of time possible. Every day, logistics specialists are under huge pressure from stressful factors such as the goal of meeting short delivery dates. To take at least some responsibility off your employees’ shoulders, you can automate some tasks thanks to cloud computing. It also reduces the need to enter data manually, which leads to a reduction of possible mistakes.

Security

As cloud computing is developing and more and more companies use it rather than their on-premises solutions, its security level is being carefully controlled even by the law. The data is also protected thanks to regular backups done by cloud providers. The provider should also guarantee—apart from the data security—that the applications running on the cloud will be working smoothly.

Scalability

Cloud computing is unequivocally dominating the area of the flexibility of storage. This option can be offered by any other already existing technology. It doesn’t matter if you handle millions of goods a day or are just a small local supplier planning a few shipments every week. You can scale the storage according to your needs.

Systems Integration

Logistics can become hard to manage easily as you use different software for shipping, bookkeeping, and other things. Thanks to the cloud, you can integrate the systems well together and coordinate them. The cloud brings a unique opportunity of integrating the systems into a single platform. Logistics specialists will have data under more control, which will also help them to prevent some unconscious mistakes.

Cutting costs

As logistics is facing many challenges affecting the prices lately—such as the war in Ukraine—the pressure of keeping the expenses at the lowest possible level is greater than ever before. And with cloud computing, you can cut both initial and operating costs by automating some processes. It also eliminates the need to buy new hardware and software and doesn’t cost anything for maintenance.

A huge advantage of the cloud for companies is that you don’t pay for your own IT technologies but only for their use. And also, only for the storage you would use—as we explained the scalability of the cloud before.

Types of cloud services

Cloud computing works in 3 service models.

  • Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): The provider rents you the hardware, and you must take care of it yourself.
  • Platform as a Service (Paas): You are provided with servers and software, but applications and programs are up to your choice.
  • Software as a Service (SaaS): In this case, your company can use providers’ software and applications mostly running in the browser.

EasyCargo is an app working on a SaaS basis. You rent the software in which your logistics specialists operate. It helps you with planning the most efficient loading thanks to 3D visualization of loaded containers and trucks. Save money and time for your employees with new technologies such as EasyCargo, and don’t miss the opportunity to be ready for the future.

Martina Krupičková | Published 28 Feb 2023