Development in a northern environment implies notions of distance, isolation, inventory volume, storage, handling, supply, and transportation adapted to the northern environment.
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In our case, this is similar to the northern environment. However, this logistics model can be similar to any isolated environment that relies on a very limited number of supply modes and that suffers from climatic or seasonal constraints that limit the frequency and volume of deliveries.
With the retirement of our Baby Boomers and a certain shortage of manpower, the logistics operators have less experience in this field. The risks of errors are becoming more frequent and more costly. Technology will play an increasing role in this field of expertise by acting as a safeguard against errors and omissions and by creating a digital trail of historical and statistical predictive data collected by various digital means.
Thus, digital sensors can provide information on the life expectancy of mechanical components, geographical, climatic and social data can be combined with the availability of suppliers, carriers, handlers and others to create the most opportune time for supply or inventory movements.
This type of logistics requires priority management and an analytical mindset that allows for optimization both in terms of volume and the risk of operations shutdown. The contribution of digital data and decision-making and analysis tools are risk and cost reduction factors.
Inventories tracking and instantaneous location with radio frequency detection is a tool for optimizing inventories on hand and for planning imminent needs. In a context of supply difficulties, the traceability of inventories in movement and stored is a major issue. The implementation of intelligent supply chains represents a logical and digital tool that can reduce costs and unnecessary downtime.
The upcoming arrival of autonomous vehicles and equipment highlights technologies that will have an impact on global logistics. Autonomous equipment does not necessarily replace humans, but it does make them more accountable. These innovations will require increased vigilance and instantaneous logistical follow-ups.
Nordic logistics has the particularity to work in a context where mistakes are expensive. The huge costs of the Nordic context, the huge delivery times between the supplier and the end user have an impact on the productivity and profitability of Nordic projects. Logistics is the main element that will tip the balance between profitability and financial disaster.
Jean-Yves Poitras, industrial commissionner