Smart City Distribution requires Smart Logistics Software
Research has shown that half of the logistics costs of an e-commerce delivery are attributable to the last mile to the delivery address. This is especially true for the larger cities. In order to tackle this problem, the trend has arisen to create city distribution centers, or transhipment hubs, on the outskirts of large and medium-sized cities in the Netherlands. Sometimes it is an initiative from the government, sometimes this initiative arises from commerce or the real estate market. We would like to tell you what the role of logistics software can be in achieving a more efficient city distribution.
A Mobility Delta Plan has been made by the Mobility Alliance. The Delta Plan must prevent transport from, to and within the Dutch cities from jamming. On a national scale, 40% of all freight transport takes place in the city. And demand for freight continues to grow. Urban distribution must therefore be changed.
For a long time, governments have mainly focused on mobility solutions such as:
- routing of flows
- setting window times: when are companies allowed to enter the city or not
- privilege policy, which means priority in the city if, for example, cargo is brought together and bundled.
Source: Buck Consultants InternationalÂ
This must be done differently, more together, and more forward-looking. Davanti Warehousing greatly welcomes this trend because it can play a meaningful role in making society more sustainable. From the hubs on the outskirts of the city where different carriers deliver goods, the different deliveries are bundled – also known as consolidation – and transported into the city in a sustainable manner. The use of freight hubs reduces the number of transport flows in the city. This results in fewer traffic jams and less CO2 emissions. The quality of life in the inner cities will improve. The tendency to supply the city center with electric vehicles is of course entirely to be welcomed. Never again watch a PostNL, DPD ánd DHL transporter pass by within 1 hour.
What can a Warehouse Management System bring for a logistics hub?
Consolidating freight is the magic word in this trend and that’s where we come in with our Warehouse Management System. Below we explain point by point the added value of a SaaS WMS:
Do you want to know what Davanti’s SaaS WMS can mean for your logistics hub? Contact us and we will quickly schedule a consultancy call without any obligation. Make an appointment.