Technology has helped optimize menial and time-consuming tasks, allowing humans to be more strategic and making all logistics processes, including drayage and transloading services, more efficient. Optimal services, however, still involve the human touch.
What exactly constitutes the human touch in drayage operations? And where does the delicate balance between humans and technology manifest in the drayage process? We’ll explore these questions in this article.
Technology is critical in drayage services today. However, the expertise of the people behind the scenes cannot be overlooked. In reality, the combination of human expertise and tech solutions enhances logistics processes, including drayage services.
For those who believe technology will eventually replace people in the container drayage process, it’s crucial to view technology as a tool. And a tool is only as effective as the people using it. Consider the many failing logistics operations that leverage the best technology solutions. Why didn’t technology save those businesses despite the limitations of the people behind the scenes?
The answer lies in the need for a balanced approach in which human expertise and technology work harmoniously to enhance all logistics processes, including drayage services. Today, in logistics processes like drayage services, tech excels where human intervention is not essential, such as the performance of repetitive or labor-intensive tasks.
Drayage is a challenging logistics operation as its success relies on several factors. For instance, the March collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore had major ripple effects on supply chains across the country, diverting their operations and shipping to neighboring ports on the East Coast.
While technology could provide more visibility, such as available drayage providers and routing information, it was the people who ultimately made decisions based on their experience and knowledge of the industry. They understood the limitations of these drayage providers and knew when and where to leverage relationships to get the best possible outcomes.
The human elements were crucial to mitigate supply chain risks, such as demurrage and detention fees. Human intellect clearly helps circumvent challenges when they happen. For instance, a drayage provider may be on the scene to move shipments awaiting clearance. Suddenly, that shipment is impounded or clearance is delayed for one reason or another. Assuming the supply chain solely leverages technology, what will the decision be? That answer highlights the importance of human decision-making in real-time problem-solving, especially in unpredictable scenarios.
At Golden State Logistics, we value our people and continue to leverage their brilliance in every drayage operation. We leverage the best technology solutions and have an amazing tech stack, but our people have made us reliable experts in drayage operations across Southern California. Combining the best of both worlds has kept us in business for 25 years and counting, and that is why we are the best drayage service provider for your shipping operations. Get in touch with us to know more.
In a logistics world characterized by increasing complexities and challenges, real-time reporting has emerged as the solution, allowing businesses to regain control of logistics processes, including shipping and drayage.
Telematics provides the supply chain with live information and status data, keeping it on top of the entire process.
