Coyote Logistics commissions new third-party industry study that sheds light on the challenges facing today’s European shippers and carriers. Survey data captured from year-long studies reveal similar roadblocks for shippers and carriers, and their preferred balance of technology and human expertise in the supply chain.
[Coyote] – As excessive fragmentation continues to impact the European road freight market – with 50% of shippers working with over 30 carriers at a time – supply chain professionals are faced with navigating a complex industry. To do so effectively, shippers and carriers need to understand the dynamics of the market, which is why Coyote Logistics, a leading global third-party logistics (3PL) provider, is releasing exclusive new research today on the challenges facing supply chain professionals in today’s unpredictable market.
Titled “The Evolution of Technology + Humanity: Building a Supply Chain for Long-Term Success”, the study is comprised of results and data from two unique shipper and carrier surveys, along with Coyote Logistics’ own customer research. Developed in collaboration with third-party research firms MakerStreet (headquartered in Amsterdam) and Martec (satellite office in Frankfurt), Coyote Logistics investigated the unique challenges of decision makers across all European markets to understand the ideal balance between technology and human expertise.
Notably, the studies identified that shippers and carriers, in large part, are facing similar challenges. Rising costs, increasing complexity, shortage of capacity, the need for flexibility and agility, and increased visibility across the supply chain were among the top roadblocks identified. It also showed that shippers and carriers believe the ideal balance between technology and human expertise across tasks in the supply chain is 60:40, which reaffirms Coyote Logistics’ longstanding position that the two must work together to succeed in an evolving world.
“At Coyote Logistics, we know through our research and experience in the European road freight market that technology and human expertise are needed for long-term supply chain success,” said Joel Gard, Head of Europe, Coyote Logistics. “From the findings in the Technology + Humanity study, we have come to more deeply understand the challenges shippers and carriers face today in relation to evolving technologies, which allows us to better support both parties with the knowledge, resources, and insights they need to meet and exceed their business goals.”
Striking a balance
To better understand how shippers and carriers can strengthen efficiencies in their supply chains, Technology + Humanity analyzed which of 13 tasks are best suited for human expertise, which functions can be optimized with technology, and which require a combination of both. The results demonstrate that human expertise is irreplaceable in creative, decision-making and strategic-thinking tasks, such as communicating with customers and resolving shipment and delivery problems.
Regarding automation, shippers and carriers reported that technology is best positioned to strengthen operational functions such as managing inventory and booking shipments.
Shipper Preferences: Technology vs. Human Support. ©_Coyote
However, while the study illustrates the many opportunities to incorporate technology into the supply chain, respondents did not identify any functions that they believe are best served only by technology. Instead, shippers and carriers advocated for a 60:40 balance of technology and human expertise in supply chain tasks.
“The best results happen when technology and humans are working together, as we focus on keeping up with the changing demands of the market and consumer. Neither can exist in a silo”, Christina Bottis, Chief Marketing Officer, Coyote Logistics said. “Technology provides visibility and data that is critical to building a supply chain strategy, while human expertise is the key to unlocking the real values of the tools, synthesizing data into actionable supply chain initiatives and making the best strategic decisions for the business.”
What this means for shippers and carriers
In order to achieve the ideal blend of technology and human support, shippers and carriers should begin by evaluating their current supply chains to identify which tasks technology can handle, and which are best left for human expertise. From there, supply chain professionals should investigate opportunities to increase efficiency and identify gaps in the business that technology or skilled talent can fill.
To download the full results, which includes insights from all three research studies, or to stream a recording of a webinar about the research, visit coyotelogisitcs.com/resources.
Coyote Logistics is a global third-party logistics provider that combines a diverse, centralized transportation marketplace matching more than 10,000 shipments globally every day. Coyote Logistics offers a multi-modal solutions portfolio – including truckload and less than truckload (LTL) – with data intelligence and market insights to help empower our customers’ business growth in a rapidly changing world. Coyote Logistics became a UPS company in 2015, adding to our expanding portfolio of global services. Headquartered in Chicago, Coyote Logistics has more than 3,000 employees operating in 20 offices worldwide. The European headquarters is located in Amsterdam.
