Author: Nicole Rutkowski

 

Here at TalaTrans we just recently read an article about how Intel and Honeywell are collaborating on some new technology. This specific technology could mean some big things in the world of logistics. You’re probably wondering what sort of ground breaking technology this must be, well, it’s sensors. That’s right, sensors. What would make these so significant in the wide world of logistics especially when sensors are not new? Well, it would allow for companies to track what is happening to the products they are moving in real-time. However, it is not only tracking the location, it is also able to track things like shock, temperature, vibration, tilt, humidity, pressure, and exposure to light. It has the ability to do so by using a mobile gateway that is then “transmitted via a cellular network to a cloud-based platform”.

Being able to collect data like this would be extremely helpful in most shipping cases to make sure all the products are delivered correctly. For instance, when TalaTrans Worldwide ships a compressor used for digital imaging, it must be handled with extreme care. It is not allowed to be exposed to light or moved around too harshly. This sensor would allow for us to insure it is delivered without damage. Not only is this for sensitive items like that, but also great for food and beverage.  This type of technology can will be useful to many types of industries and we here at TalaTrans look forward to seeing more technologies like this.

What type of industries do you think could benefit most from this new sensor?

 

 

 

 

This past weekend TalaTrans Worldwide was fortunate enough to be able to participate in a Feed My Starving Children event. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Feed My Starving Children foundation, it is non-profit organization started in 1987. With the help of their volunteers, they help to make meals which are specifically formulated for malnourished children. The organization’s mission is to be able to feed all of God’s children, even the ones in the hardest places to reach. The type of meals prepared for the children are rice, soy, dried vegetables, and a mix of vitamins and minerals. All of which is then sealed and shipped off to the countries where kids need it most.

Employees and their families of TalaTrans Worldwide combined to make a volunteer team eager to lend a helping hand. The goal for this packing session was to box a total of 169 meals for Haiti. They were able to surpass their goal and complete a grand total of 246 boxes of food.

 

Here is what our team had to say about the event:

Q: What did you think of the event?

A: I believe that it was a great event that allows us to come together as a caring community to lend a hand to those in need. We live in a fast-paced society and many times can forget how fortunate we are. While we were watching a video of some of the children that have benefitted from this organization, it reminded me that it is not always about yourself or your family. There are many people in need, and we must come together as humanity to provide any possible help we can.

Q: Describe your experience.

A: Exhausting and rewarding – I oversaw the of collecting full boxes from all the stations, weighting them, sealing them and palletizing them. Once a box was full – the team would alert me and I quickly collect the box so they could fill up the next one. During our 2-hour period, we managed to fill out 246 boxes which surpassed the goal of 169 boxes.

Q: What did you like about the event?

A: The amount of teamwork there was – all the stations work together as quickly as they can to pack as many bags as they can. The runners replenished all items in the stations to avoid any setbacks – the boxers built all necessary boxes to make sure no station would be without a box and the box runner took all full boxes away from stations to make room for new ones.

Q: What did you dislike about this event?

A: In all honesty, there was nothing that I did not like about this event or this organization.

Q: How friendly/helpful was the staff?

A: The staff was very helpful, understanding, patient and knowledgeable during the session. Such a pleasure to work with them.

Q: What was your impression of the organization?

A: Seems like a very well organized and very proactive organization.  It was a real eye opener that I think everyone should experience or be a part of.

Q: Would you recommend other companies/families to part take in this event?

A: Absolutely, no doubt about it. Personally, I would really like to sign up again. Whether we went as a company or participated alone. I will definitely be returning and lending a hand again.

 

 

If you would like to help the Feed My Starving Children Foundation, please click the link below to find a location in your neighborhood!

Feed My Starving Children

 

Unmanned aerial vehicles could be coming to a town near you!

Calm down these aren’t going to be something out of a weird sci-fi movie, in more familiar terms, they’re drones. Drones in the last few years have made leaps and bounds in the technology industry from being basically remote controlled helicopters, to being able to fly around towns for cool aerial videos, to then delivering your online order in as little as 30 minutes. So, what could this mean in terms of the logistics industry?

Well, it could mean the possibility that having humans operating trucks, planes, and boats for transportation could be a thing of the past. Not to worry, as this is not something that will happen overnight. In more realistic terms, it’ll mean the prices for shipping can drop quite a lot, making it harder for companies to become competitive with this new technology update.

A tiny startup company in California has been working on a 30-foot long prototype drone to change the way we transport goods through the air. Being that it can completely cut out the need for a human crew on board, it also means it can fly at a slower rate. This means there’s a lower cost. How is this possible? You do not have to worry about paying for a crew or pilot fatigue. An example of how low their drone could drop prices by, can be understood with this example: a shipment that weighs 200,000 pounds from Los Angles to Shanghai would cost about $260,00 taking 11 hours using traditional methods, whereas if you used their drone it would be around $130,000 taking up to 30 hours.*

This change will not only influence air services, but on truckloads, ocean, and rail services as well. For truckload services, it’s not only drones, in the kind that fly up in the air, but with also the potential of being autonomous vehicles (like self-driving cars). Other than the cars being autonomous and saving time and space, there is also potential to give them the ability to self-load and unload. The cost will be much cheaper, and it allows for companies to be more accurate without having to worry about human error. As for ocean services, it allows for certain processes to be made simpler and more effective. Rail services can be improved by allowing drones to deploy from a train before it meets its destination to deliver cargo.

This information for logistics companies can be very helpful as they continue to grow and improve their businesses to compete with these new trends. Third party logistics companies will become a large part in helping them to continue to give their clients the best mode of transportation. While these new trends become more pronounced in the industry, it is just as important to remember that these will help to improve accountability and efficiency helping to keep the industry, as a whole, growing.

 

Tell us your thoughts on all of this!

 

 

*Fact sourced from (www.nbcnews.com)

 

Starting in December 2017, all trucking companies will need to switch from paper logging to an electronic logging device (ELD). An ELD is a system that allows professional truck drivers and commercial motor carriers to track their hours of service faster and easier. Although most trucking companies are already compliant with this, some of them are dreading the impending switch over—mainly smaller businesses that have put off the switch for reasons such as price and a “wait-and-see” outlook on the situation.

The effect this switch could have on smaller businesses could be large. Their lack of sufficient funds to support the change is a huge factor in this. This change will give them less ability to be flexible on hours for their drivers that are on the road. This will help make them more honest on their logs, and potentially spending more money on paychecks. So, not only will they have to pay for ELD’s but they will also have to continue to pay for hours they may not be able to afford.

Another concern with the ELD switch is that there could be a potential loss of truck drivers and carriers in the industry. Why leave the industry if this digital upgrade is supposed to help things run smoother? Well, because the move from hand-done to digital, means that the drivers will have to be very honest about their hours. Not that all companies violate their hours to maximize their time, but it may make some of the ones who do, ultimately leave.

From the companies who have already made the switch, they have reported only a three to five percent loss in their productivity. However, to combat such situations as productivity loss, all the carriers and shippers need to improve things such as their communication, and to be able to collaborate more effectively. Working better as a team will not only make this system transfer easier on them, but it could help their carrier-friendly practices improve as well—helping to make them a better company in the long run.

Let us know your opinions on the ELD switch over!

 

Logistics—It is a word that originated in the military, with a similar meaning to what we consider
the modern definition of logistics today. In its rightful sense, it is a way for people and equipment
to be transported from one location to another. However, the Merriam-Webster dictionary definition
of the word logistics, means to “plan and organize a complicated activity or event that involves
many people.”*

So, what in the world does this word have to do with your business? It could mean a few things for your company, but from a logistics provider’s standpoint, it means being the resource you need for your company to transport resources effectively and safety to its final destination.

A lot of planning goes into handling the transportation of your product, and we want it to be the best possible plan for it. Your product could be moved with one mode of transportation or with several. These modes of transportation can break down into three general categories: truck, air, and ocean services for overseas traveling through use of cargo. From there, it can breakdown into further categories depending on your business’s needs.

For some logistics needs, it is something that can be handled in house—such as inventory or warehousing. If your business has larger or more complicated procedures, reaching out to a third
party could be useful. There are benefits to handling logistics in-house, especially for start up companies. It allows for it to be used as a marketing tool to better connect with new customers and
to help make a lasting impression on them. Once your business becomes larger though, it would make more sense to start outsourcing to a 3PL (Third Party Logistics). Finically, it would be better because of the large amount of product you have to allow a 3PL to step in and help out.

Something to keep in mind: Logistics is not something solely kept in one specific location that you or your company resides in. Logistics is worldwide, and is a fantastic tool to help your company not only get the resources you need, but from a large dynamic of markets that can be valuable to you, wherever you are in the world.

Certain logistics providers, such as TalaTrans Worldwide, are there ready to help you make sure your business picks the correct plan of action for whatever needs you may have.

 

 

 

*Merriam-Webster Definition