Revealed: how transporters can survive Covid

E-commerce and transport and logistics (T&L) players have experienced a complete upheaval since the start of the pandemic.

This sector, although buoyant, has not only become very volatile, with freight costs going through the roof worldwide, but inflation has also affected the cost of products locally. The business rules have changed completely and – as the economy restarted after shutdown conditions and restrictions lifted – T&L operations are requiring very specific and customised solutions to meet the ever-changing conditions.

Simon Grisdale, managing executive of Bidvest Mobility, mobile computing and barcode specialist (which provides solutions to the large players in the T&L and other sectors), says the T&L landscape has shifted since the start of the pandemic.

“Operations are having to face different challenges, from new supply chain demands, e-commerce pressures and customer demands to safety and health requirements.

“What’s been imperative is to include features in our T&L mobility solutions that efficiently manage social distancing, cleaning procedures and device traceability, while at the same time ensuring the operations can maintain service levels and get on with the T&L tasks at hand,” he says.

T&L operations use mobile computing and barcoding devices, such as barcode scanners, mobile computers and barcode printers, to automate and efficiently manage the movement of goods through the supply chain. These mobile devices are used frequently throughout the day by many different operators, working on a shift basis, which makes it imperative to include processes such as cleaning before and after use, as well as a chain of custody to track mobile users to ensure that Covid levels of safety and reporting are maintained.