In an increasingly competitive environment, process optimization is criticalto staying ahead, however, the transition to automation poses significant challenges.
During the panel Elements of return on investment for automation , of the #SoyLogístico Association , the panelists agreed that in the automation process, suppliers must be chosen well to guarantee business continuity , especially because not all of them have good after-sales service.
“The priority is business continuity, we cannot stop because something is not working,” said Yessica Arzate, IT director for DHL Supply Chain .
On the other hand, Antonio Jiménez, Logistics Director of Grupo Corporativo Papelera , indicated that companies must know their logistics to begin their automation process and manage well the areas that require greater attention.
“There are different types of logistics, but for example, receiving purchase orders in bulk takes time, causes delays and errors. That is why it is necessary to automate that part,” he said.
The specialist also indicated that the impact of automation on inventory accuracy is equally significant.
In this sense, the implementation of advanced technology not only involves the acquisition of automated tools, but also a cultural and organizational change.
Yessica Arzate said that technology does not replace people, but rather redefines their roles, allowing them to focus on more specialized tasks.
Therefore, one of the most important factors for a successful transition is continuous employee training.
“It is critical that our people are 100% trained to do what they need to do on a day-to-day basis. This not only ensures that staff can effectively operate the new systems, but also helps reduce resistance to change,” Arzate said.
Another key aspect of automation in logistics is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) , which is why Arzate highlighted that AI helps make processes more efficient, analyzing data in real time, improving staff allocation and warehouse capacity.
Likewise, an essential part of any automation process is to measure its impact to justify the investment made and demonstrate the benefits that this technology has brought to your operations.
“The return on investment (ROI) in automation must be clearly projected from the beginning, with precise data on areas of improvement and expected benefits,” he said.
ROI measurement should not only consider immediate savings, but also long-term benefits such as reduced errors, improved traceability of operations and increased customer satisfaction.
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