Use Software to Make IT Green

In 2021, there was a significant shift of businesses and consumers towards environmental sustainability. This is largely due to the fact that millennials (19 to 34-year-olds) have become the largest consumer group. According to research, 80% of them choose companies that support solving social and environmental problems. Companies need to reduce costs and improve their brand reputation by going green. Not sure where to start? Look for solutions that include at least a few of the following software (and possibly hardware) features.

Optimization

The key to processing your data and extracting the maximum value from it can be achieved by using a reliable supply chain management software solution. Not only will the right system collect the data you need, but also analyze it, draw conclusions and automate processes.

Optimization is possible by combining disparate processes for loading and delivering goods into a single system using logistics programs. Knowing in advance the number of shipped products and the points that need to be visited, it is possible to more efficiently plan the chain from the issuance of goods at the warehouse to delivery to the recipient. The application of the described solution is possible both for b2b and b2c: for shipment from a manufacturer to the distributor’s warehouse, transportation of goods from the warehouse to the retail supply chain, and delivery of online orders to customers.

Logistics programs accumulate data on the number of flights per day, the volume of products transported, and the endpoints of delivery; all of this makes it possible to plan the workload and routes for trucks and their drivers.

Drones And Supply Forecasting

Drone software development is of great interest to various industries such as Construction, Oil & Gas, Utility companies, Security, Agriculture, Insurance, Telecommunications, Logistics, and Warehouse management. Drones navigate by using GPS technology. Their built-in compass locates satellites and allows them to fly with great accuracy and speed.

Mobile applications allow you to control a drone with your smartphone and monitor it in real time. The basic functionality of the drone can be expanded depending on the goals of the user. 

For example, the global express delivery giant UPS successfully tested drones for delivering goods on the last mile of their delivery route. Already today, this method of transportation is being used to deliver parcels to geographically isolated areas. Moving forward, the technology will require fewer human resources and lower financial costs. In particular, launching a drone from a truck to complete a complex delivery could cut many costly miles from a delivery. In addition, the use of electric drones is much more environmentally friendly than gas or diesel-powered trucks.

Supply forecasting is necessary for manufacturers and shippers to minimize the number of airline flights, truck routes, (or drone flights) by delivery points to avoid situations when they have to repeatedly deliver goods or continually pick up excess goods. The accumulated statistics in supply forecasting programs allow you to analyze how many goods are purchased by retail chains depending on the day of the week or season Now you can plan demand and bring as much to sell as needed, rather than write off and pick up what has not been sold, thereby incurring additional costs.

First Line Software together with Viastore WMS, has developed a fully automatic solution for replenishment and inventory of warehouse stocks. From an IT perspective, the solution allows for real-time calculation and reporting of inventory balances, as well as data processing and integration with the warehouse information and shipping system.

Industry Leaders Using Drones And Software

Today, major online retailers are looking to speed up their delivery of goods by using drones. Businesses are testing drone-based delivery services to deliver orders to customers faster and with less environmental impact. In the very near future, Amazon Prime Air will be able to deliver packages weighing up to five pounds in half an hour. And supply forecasting software reduces the time it takes to find the right product in the warehouse.

The logistics operator DHL began working on the delivery of parcels by drones much earlier than Amazon. In 2016, they delivered a package to a pharmaceutical company located on an island in Germany using a “parcelcopter”.

Green Logistics

The concept of green logistics means logistics companies need to plan their work in such a way as to minimize their negative impact on our environment. Transportation activity pollutes the air by consuming massive amounts of oil products and natural gas. It also creates dangerous levels of noise and vibrations, and in many cases still generates a large amount of paper documents.

A few facts:

• On average from one industrial-growth tree, you can get 17 packs of paper, 500 sheets each (that is, one tree turns into 8500 sheets of office paper).
• An office employee per year uses approximately 353 lbs. of paper or 64 packs of A4 paper (approximately 4 trees per year). The production of one such pack requires 18  lbs. of wood. At the same time, 45% of all printed documents are thrown away before the end of the day.
• A driver involved in the delivery of goods carries with their sets of documents which average 60 sheets every day.
• The average commercial company spends about 3% or more of its income on printing.
• The volume of deforestation today is several times higher than the volume of its natural restoration. Large amounts of water and electricity are also used to produce paper products.

Every year, the possibilities of using electronic document management are expanding, including the field of transport logistics. The transition to digital document exchanges and data storage in the clouds can significantly reduce office costs and save natural resources. For example, in just a year and a half of using electronic document management technology, a company can save about 10 million sheets of paper, which corresponds to about 1200 trees!

This software-driven approach can positively affect the speed and performance of work. In companies that have implemented systems for entering and recognizing documents (translating documents into electronic form), a six-fold increase in the speed of customer service and task processing was noticed. 70% report at least a 3x speed increase, and a third (29%) report a 10x speedup of workflows.

Consider implementing:

• An exchange and signing of documents with contractors online
• Storing internal documents in the cloud or on a company server instead of printing
• Programs to automatically fill out waybills
• Applications for drivers to receive transportation tasks and communications with dispatchers

All of this increased efficiency means massively reduced C02 levels!

Use Software To Analyze Your Data And Automate Processes

We support the idea of caring for the environment in our professional activities and everyday lives. The solutions developed by First Line Software allow companies to improve their logistics and manufacturing processes, all of which have a positive impact on our planet. Talk to our team today to make your workflows green!