The future of logistics: TIMOCOM and Roland Berger publish FreightTech white paper

Together with Roland Berger, TIMOCOM has published a white paper on the development and definition of ‘FreightTech’ within the logistics industry. It identifies current and future digital technologies that will influence and change the entire value-added chain within the next five years.

The white paper shows, among other things, how logistics companies can profit from the implementation of innovative freight technologies:

• Maximise prices and market share by providing a new level of value for customers.
  
• Increase cost efficiencies in operational and sales processes by creating optimal data flows.
  
• Use innovation from other market participants to utilise and further develop growth opportunities.
  

The white paper divides the FreightTech industry into the following three areas:

• Integration – includes the use of cloud computing and digital ecosystems such as logistics platforms or blockchain ledgers to connect market participants and standardise processes.
  
• Automation – includes both static and mobile systems such as 3D printing and autonomous vehicles, and simplifies adherence to various regulations.
  
• Intelligence – includes big-data processing and analysis for calculating optimal delivery and distribution planning, artificial intelligence and machine learning for predicting deviations from the plan, and sensors and connectivity for tracking and sorting goods in order to provide real-time visualisation within the supply chain.

“We believe in a future in which integrated solutions such as our Smart Logistics System and the digital transformation lead to comprehensive networking above and beyond industry borders,” Tim Thiermann, Managing Director at TIMOCOM explains. TIMOCOM has long been a trailblazer when it comes to new technologies, a digital pioneer in the logistics industry, and intends to contribute significantly to the establishment of the FreightTech sector in Europe. “We plan to invest around 100 million euro in research and development by 2030,” says Thiermann. The focus will be on logistics applications designed to further digital transformation within the European logistics sector.

“Digitalisation has had a radical effect on the logistics industry – in terms of technology, certainly, but also strategy,” notes co-author and Roland Berger partner Marc Pisoke. “Data from a variety of sources can be combined; at the same time, automation is paving the way towards more efficient logistics processes. This creates innovative business models as well as an entire ecosystem consisting of new companies providing modular logistics solutions. Established logistics companies need to adjust their business models accordingly, in order to ensure they remain competitive.”

The entire white paper can be downloaded for free under the following link:

https://www.timocom.co.uk/freighttech2020

About TIMOCOM

TIMOCOM GmbH is a mid-sized FreightTech company. The IT and data specialist uses smart, safe and simple solutions to support its customers in achieving their logistics goals. More than 43,000 verified companies are connected via TIMOCOM's Smart Logistics System, where up to 750,000 international freight and vehicle space offers are entered every day.

About Roland Berger

Roland Berger, founded in 1967, is the only leading global consultancy with German heritage and of European origin. With 2,400 employees working in 35 countries, the company has successful operations in all major international markets.  Roland Berger has 52 offices in central economic locations around the globe. The consulting company is an independent partnership wholly owned by around 230 partners.