To say that the introduction of ChatGPT has caused quite a stir would be an understatement.

Social media screams ChatGPT with everyone having a say about the latest development in the AI space. 

But enough about “will ChatGPT take my job”. From a B2B perspective, what are the enterprise use cases of ChatGPT?

A well-known example is Microsoft incorporating ChatGPT into Bing, its search engine, and its Office Suite.

But what other potential applications does ChatGPT offer for a business? How will ChatGPT influence supply chain operations in the future? What integration capabilities does it provide to streamline complex supply chain systems?

Conversations around AI as a useful technology are popular among businesses. In a previous blog, we identified Artificial Intelligence(AI) as one of the top four digital trends of 2023 in the supply chain industry. 

And looking at the immense hype around ChatGPT and its impressive ability to understand natural language and generate human-like responses – it’s safe to say that more businesses are talking about AI and its benefits to their supply chain.

With this article, we are joining the conversation too. Keep reading to understand what the supply chain has been able to achieve with AI so far, and how ChatGPT could affect digital adoption in the supply chain industry.

Continue reading How the supply chain benefits from ChatGPT and AI at Soft Freight Logic.

What are the key trends in digitalization that we’ve observed in our clients’ top management?

Imrah, our Director of Digital Adoption, explores the ever-increasing needs and patterns of logistics businesses as they face the wave of digitalization that is upon us and the challenges that surround not riding it.

  “I’m told that many of the technology initiatives being driven by top management are facing tremendous challenges in the implementation phase. Resistance to change is not something new…”  

To take advantage of and understand the five key trends she’s addressing, this video is for you!

Continue reading 5 Insights from our clients on digitalization at Soft Freight Logic.

Alhamdu Yaro, Product Specialist at SFL Insights, recently hosted a webinar on the topic of ‘Leveraging Tracking and Analytics in the Supply Chain in 2023’. During the webinar, he covered the evolution of tracking and analytics, as well as the benefits and challenges of utilizing this data for decision-making in the freight forwarding industry.

During the webinar, one key topic of discussion was the importance of having a comprehensive digital tool stack. An overview of the Analytics module of SFL Insights was also provided, demonstrating how this tool can help freight forwarders gain greater visibility into their operations.”

Continue reading SFL Insights Webinar: Leveraging Tracking and Analytics in the Supply Chain in 2023 at Soft Freight Logic.

Learn how warehousing operations can be centralized and streamlined through digitization and automations available in the industry today. As technology providers and service partners of both CargoWise and Microlistics, SFL is proud to offer digitization of your asset management system.

Continue reading Comprehensive tools to power your warehousing digitization at Soft Freight Logic.

Learn what drives supply chain digitalization, the logistics industry in 2022, and digital trends for 2023: blockchain, digital literacy, automation, 5g

Continue reading Supply Chain Digitalization in 2023: Trends, Statistics, Technology at Soft Freight Logic.

In this episode we deep dive into the effects of the Ukraine-Russia War, the consumer needs and wants, port congestions, port infrastructures, road and rail freight, the effect it has on Exports and how it is affecting the supply chain. Sal also humbly explains how a Professor became a YouTube Sensation for his podcast channel ” What is Going on With Shipping?” https://youtube.com/c/WhatisGoingonWi…

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Continue reading Supply Chain Crisis Explained with Salvatore Mercogliano at Soft Freight Logic.

The recent European supply chain industry trends have not been void of challenges. Since the COVID-19 outbreak led to several border blockades, the industry has not recovered from several backlogs, capacity constraints, and highly delayed delivery periods. 

European companies have consequently adopted technological strategies to resolve their supply chain problems. But, the adopted solutions still seem to not give the expected outcome as the challenges are persistent. 

Another influence that has complicated these issues is the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia. Several businesses and business associates within these countries and regions are in disarray. 

The emerging challenges due to the war may last for a long time. Hence, it is vital to take a critical look at these issues and draw inferences that will enable a serene supply chain industry.

Significant Challenges Disrupting European Supply Chain Technology

Here are some challenges hitting the European supply chain and logistics technology and how they affect the supply chain industry.

The disparity in Tech-Adoption and Talent Shortage

The integration of supply chain visibility has led to some upgrades in the telematics involved in the supply chain. Recent technological inventions that are geared towards improving better service delivery have become too complicated for workers in the supply chain industry.

Continue reading Europe’s Supply Chain Technology Challenges: Balancing Privacy and Trust at Soft Freight Logic.

Optimise your warehouse operations using Robotics and your ERP system CargoWise One. And use AI Technology for greater warehouse visibility in 2022.

Continue reading How to Use Technology to Optimise Warehouse Operations in 2022 at Soft Freight Logic.

In recent years, several challenges have negatively affected the supply chain globally. For instance, the vacuum created by the impact of the pandemic in 2020 is still vigorously testing the resolve of the supply chain and logistics industry.

Another massive hit for the logistics industry is the recent Russian-Ukraine war affecting significant sectors worldwide. In addition, pandemic-hit China has also resulted in congested port operations and freight backlogs.

Amidst these industry challenges, the U.S is a significant player in the logistics and supply chain business. In addition, geopolitical crises, shortage of labor, and problems with LTL are gradually becoming growing concerns affecting not only the U.S. but also other countries.

In truth, the U.S. plays a huge role in the supply chain. This means that unchecked issues will create ripple effects in the global logistics industry. 

This article discusses some of the challenges of the supply chain and logistics industry in the U.S. We will also explore some of the ripple effects of these challenges in other countries worldwide.

4 Challenges of the U.S. Supply Chain & Logistics industry

The challenges facing the supply chain and logistics industry in the U.S.

Continue reading Top 4 Challenges of the U.S. Supply Chain Industry & How it Affects the Rest of the World at Soft Freight Logic.

Take a listen to the amazing video of Kovini Moodley (CA(SA) and CEO of Boss Babes of South Africa). An amazing interview focusing on the Great Resignation, Importance of Risk Management in Business and how digital solutions can decrease audit risk if done with the correct service providers.

We live in a world where we are able to empower others through skill sharing, Boss Babes of South Africa is the perfect digital channel that allows skilled individuals to leverage their power through knowledge transfer initiatives and digital masterclasses – Kovini Moodley (CEO of Boss Babes of South Africa)

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Continue reading Mitigating Business Risks with Kovini Moodley CA(SA) and CEO of Boss Babes of SA at Soft Freight Logic.

Customers around the world are expecting a faster delivery time and companies are in need to find solutions to ensure goods are delivered across borders in a fast and affordable manner.

Continue reading Digital Trends to Increases Sales in Logistics Industry 2022 at Soft Freight Logic.

The news of the Russian-Ukraine war has been trending since it began in early 2022. Countless lives and properties have been lost in the conflict. 

Besides the humanitarian crisis the war has caused, there have been disruptions in global supply chains. As if this is not enough, the recent pandemic-triggered lockdown in China has further strained the logistics industry.

Downgrading its earlier prediction in January by 0.8 and 0.2 percentage points, the IMF predicts that the world’s economy will expand by 3.6% in 2022 and 2023. This is a clear drop from the 6.1% growth of 2021 – this can be attributed to the war.

Let’s not even get started on what this will mean for price inflation globally. The supply chain has been fragile since the pandemic, only slowly recovering. In this article, we discuss how the Russian-Ukraine conflict will further threaten the stability of the logistics industry globally.

3 Industries That Are Suffering Major Hits From The Russian-Ukraine War

The multiplying ripple effects of the conflict in Ukraine and Russia are not just felt in these regions. On the contrary, these effects have become ‘seismic waves’ affecting many businesses and countries. 

For instance, Russia is among the world’s top natural gas, coal, and oil exporters.

Continue reading How the Russian-Ukraine War has Impacted the Global Logistics Industry at Soft Freight Logic.

Listen to KellyLynn McLaughlin unplanned but destined journey as a Commercial Truck Driver. Her younger days of being a pilot of being adventurous really made her take the leap to not have regrets but rather push forward and explore a new world.

Listen to her challenges of being unique and breaking barriers in this Industry.

KellyLynn breaks barriers and embraces her uniqueness

Continue reading KellyLynn McLaughlin from Pilot to Truck Driver at Soft Freight Logic.

Great Interview with Terri Danz, President of Crest Container Lines.

Listen to her journey and challenges of being in the Logistics Industry as a Women in Leadership.

Continue reading Woman In Logistics,Terri Danz, displays courage through her challenges at Soft Freight Logic.

We see how much the world has evolved during this pandemic. There has been an acceleration in the usage of technology that was always there but just underutilised.

Logistic companies are known for mundane tasks and an accumulation of paperwork. Whilst the demand in e-commerce increased which put immense pressures on the Logistic and Supply Chain Industry.

It is evident that along with technological advancements finding quality skills is crucial to ensure operations are run smoothly.

According to McKinsey, the successful implementation of AI has helped businesses improve logistics costs by 15%, Inventory levels by 35%, and service levels by 65%.

What is AI technology?

The definition of artificial intelligence is the theory and development of computer programs that are able to do tasks and solve problems that usually require human intelligence. Things like visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and word translation are all things that would normally need human intelligence, but now computer programs are able use their intelligence and capability to solve these tasks.

There are many ways to implement AI into the supply chain and into the logistics sector. It improves logistics processes and reduces costs. It also plays a major role in automating routine tasks to improve the speed and accuracy in numerous back-office applications.

Continue reading How are Logistic Companies Using AI Technology at Soft Freight Logic.

An extraordinary interview with Amanda O’Brien, Director at Australian Worldwide Logistics T/As Xtreme Freight on her journey in the Logistics Industry and how humility in business is key.

“People are the greatest commodity of this Industry”

Amanda ‘O Brien

Full video Interview with Amanda ‘O Brien and Saadiya Fahim

Continue reading Xtreme Freight Director, Amanda O Brien says humility in business is key at Soft Freight Logic.

Supply chain mapping allows you to put strategies in place to rapidly react when there are supply chain problems like a supplier faces a shortage, an order gets lost in the system or unpredicted industry challenges.

David Leifsson is a Supply Chain guru with knowledge on carbon footprint in the supply chain Industry.

Listen to David Leifsson explaining how supply chain mapping can assist your business and how AI and your ERP can do the work for you.

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Continue reading Supply Chain Mapping with your ERP at Soft Freight Logic.

AI has taken a major role in digitally transforming the logistics and supply chain industry for the past few years. Here’s how AI Automation in warehousing provide greater visibility.

Artificial Intelligence has taken a major role in digitally transforming the logistics and supply chain industry for the past few years. With the increase in demand for the industry and the processes becoming more and more complex, businesses have developed AI applications to analyse data and streamline operations. 

Use of AI for warehousing

Optimizing workflows using AI at warehouses is one-way freight forwarders can stay ahead of the current disruptions affecting the industry while also reducing their operating costs.

Most companies use Warehouse Management Systems to seamlessly manage operations. However accurate data entry into these systems is important to ensure correct decisions are made. AI is one way to ensure your data extraction into these systems is done accurately.  AI can understand different data from various formats and extracting unstructured data into structured data ensuring accuracy.

Visibility

Using AI, it will be possible to analyse data gathered in the warehouse to make accurate forecasts about inventory. This information can be used for inventory processing allowing to improve efficiency and increase profit.

Continue reading AI Automation in Warehousing for Greater Visibility in 2022 at Soft Freight Logic.

In order to track the shipment with ease, businesses are largely depending on shipment tracking system software. From tracking the item in real-time to knowing the exact delivery time, shipment tracking platform assists at every stage.

Continue reading Introducing SFL Insights | Customizable web/mobile app for Freight Forwarders at Soft Freight Logic.

Take a listen to the full video below to hear what Jade has to say about the Airfreight Industry, Leadership, Digitisation and Humanitarian Aid.

Continue reading Airfreight is Vital in sending Humanitarian Aid at Soft Freight Logic.

Nicolas Aubert, President of Jones International, gives us some Industry Insights into some of Canada's Supply Chain challenges and the type of Leadership he developed during the Pandemic.

Continue reading Nicolas Aubert, President of Jones International with Canada Industry Insights at Soft Freight Logic.

Continue reading Webinar | Logistics Technology overload – how to keep it simple in 2022 at Soft Freight Logic.

The Biden administration issued a proclamation to modify the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) of the U.S. (HTSUS) on the 23rd of December 2021. The proclamation was published with a 30 day implementation timeline.

The US International Trade Commission (USITC) has implemented the changes to the HTS with World Customs Organization’s (WCO) five-year updation of the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System. 

WCO makes this update every 5 years in order to keep the HS up to date with all the latest technological developments. These changes will also provide visibility into new product streams and emerging global issues.

Read our blog to learn more about the HTS and key factors in HS 2022 amendments.

The modifications to the HTS will impact 350 products and product groups that are under various sections in the HTSUS. It will change the tariff codes of the 350 importing products. The suggested modifications also make changes to the nomenclature of the HTSUS changing;

• HTSUS headings
• HTSUS subheadings
• Section notes
• Chapter notes
• Additional U.S. notes
• General notes

In the proclamation, pursuant to section 1206(a) of the 1988 Act, President Biden determines that the proposed modifications is “in conformity with United States obligations under the Convention and do not run counter to the national economic interest of the United States”.

Continue reading The Biden Administration changes to the HTS 2022 implemented on 27 January 2022 at Soft Freight Logic.

With the COVID 19 pandemic continuing to affect the supply chain, the U.S. freight forwarding industry welcomes another new year with a new set of challenges. However, the industry experts have predicted some challenges and opportunities 2022 will bring for freight forwarders.

1. Labour shortages and skill gap

The pandemic has driven many consumers around the world to adapt to e-commerce which has drastically increased the demand of the supply chain more than the industry could handle. This has resulted in an employee shortage in the logistics and supply chain industry in the US. The pandemic has also directly affected the availability of staff, especially considering the COVID 19 safety measures.

Companies in the US are facing Great Attrition while the competition for labour is constantly increasing. McKinsey has reported more than 19 million US workers have left their jobs since April 2021. It has further stated that employees are focusing more on the human aspects of the workplace. This is largely due to the increasing awareness of physical and mental health caused by the pandemic.

According to KPMG, the technological advancement due to the pandemic has led to the supply chain becoming more complex.

Continue reading Predictions for the U.S. Freight Forwarding industry in 2022 at Soft Freight Logic.

Many technological breakthroughs help companies across sectors improve logistics efficiency while keeping costs low and giving expert technical support with several activities ranging from delivery scheduling to allocation to routing to real-time tracking and tracing. Below are some ways through which technology can help you in solving some of the biggest challenges of all time in the first and last-mile delivery.

• Dynamic Routing to reduce delivery timing: Trying to figure out the best route to take to go to a specific location in a certain amount of time is a huge challenge for every driver. Smart businesses are embracing modern dynamic routing systems to ensure that the best last-mile solution offers faster delivery, more profits, and more enjoyable experiences. Thanks to dynamic routing, logistics managers can keep track of their executives and fleet in real-time. It would recommend efficient routes for expediting package delivery.
• Auto Dispatching reduces service time and saves on labor cost: The routing software will appeal to logistics managers. It not only effectively distributes resources but also keeps final-mile costs under control. The application assists you in organizing your routes, assigning tasks to drivers, and even tracking their location.

Continue reading How Technology Can Solve the Biggest Last & First-Mile Challenges at Soft Freight Logic.

For those unfamiliar, the ‘last mile problem’ is a challenge that businesses of all types face every day. In telecom, It’s a phrase that refers to the final leg of communication networks delivering connectivity to retail customers–the last 20% of the overall network fabric that actually reaches the end-user.

What is Last-Mile Delivery?

Last-mile delivery is the process of conveying packaged items from a courier company’s warehouse to the buyer’s location. The above image clearly shows the entire delivery cycle of an order.

Problems in Last-Mile Delivery

The above chart is a simplified depiction of what expectations a customer has on the last mile delivery of the order. It is therefore important to keep track of things and ensure that there is no fault in our last-mile delivery procedure. Below are some of the last-mile delivery challenges which all logistic companies should take care of.

Executing Same Day Delivery or on-time delivery: According to studies, more than 80% of customers currently are prepared to pay extra for faster delivery, and meeting this expectation is the most difficult obstacle for last-mile deliveries. Reduced delivery turnaround times are exceedingly difficult to achieve due to inefficient routing systems, human dependence on distributing work, and poor third-party logistics provider management, posing a risk to the entire shipping process.

Continue reading Understanding The Challenges To Last-Mile Delivery at Soft Freight Logic.

As a result of the ongoing epidemic, the already-complicated final-mile distribution became considerably more chaotic in 2020. Contactless delivery, cashless payments, health updates, and other issues arose at a period when businesses were attempting to meet new customer demands such as same-day delivery. Customers that see the importance of total transparency in the fulfillment process are looking for such a mechanism wherein they can receive the full information about their order. They want to know where their order is, who will deliver it, and when it will arrive. Customers want brands to provide a range of delivery options, and it doesn’t end there. Customers are more loyal to companies that provide a flexible online shopping experience and respond to their specific requirements.

To meet these demands, supply chain leaders must reconsider their last-mile delivery strategy. Traditional hub-and-spoke logistics solutions will not be enough to strike a balance between customer satisfaction and profitability. Therefore, logistics companies need to develop an effective last-mile delivery strategy to fulfill the demands of their customers.

The above chart denotes the estimated value of the First and Last Mile Delivery Market by 2028, denoting 14.17% of growth in this sector of the industry.

Continue reading How To Optimize First-Mile Delivery at Soft Freight Logic.

The bottlenecking at the ports is more than what we see at the ports. There have been many events that have led to the congestion.

Continue reading Digital Tools to assist with the Port Congestion at Soft Freight Logic.

Looking to the Future

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Continue reading Webinar: Key Trends for the Logistics Industry at Soft Freight Logic.

The session started with a review of the disruption to the industry on business thinking, sales, finance and operations, which was discussed in the first two sessions. We reviewed the state of marketing in logistics and the feasibility of current strategy.

Continue reading Webinar: Branding In a Recession at Soft Freight Logic.

Is your company ready for the future of work in logistics?

Continue reading Prepare for the future of work in logistics at Soft Freight Logic.

This November marked two years since the first outbreak of the Covid-19 virus. The future of logistics business operations completely shifted as companies were forced to reimagine their workforce and processes.

Continue reading Logistics, Automation, & the Future of the Workforce at Soft Freight Logic.

In this past year, the freight-forwarding and logistics industry suffered hugely thanks to the pandemic and many other consequential and inconsequential factors.

Continue reading Huge Blows To The Freight Forwarding Sector of 2021 at Soft Freight Logic.

Here’s a look at the key takeaways from our session 6th of May 2020.

SFL Co-Founder and CEO, Ikraam Reyaz was joined by Raja Ratandeep SFL Co-Founder and COO, Abbas Sethwala (EFL Chief Administrative Officer) and Martin Schultze, Managing Director of Contra Consolidations.

We’ve outlined key takeaways from the session below as a recap for those who attended and a quick catch up if you missed the live session. Click below to view the full session.

THE MACRO PICTURE

 Challenges to the Industry

Industry challenges were examined from a lens of changing government regulations as countries enter new phases in the battle against Covid-19. Some of the key challenges were:

• Equipment shortages
• Port congestion due to ineffective government intervention
• Overcoming overstay and demurrage by transferring cargo to Customs licensed depots operated by consolidators
• Premium rates for existing capacity in air freight
• Decrease in availability of trucking personnel

Industry predictions for the next six months were analyzed against a Ushaped economic recovery and included:

• High air freight rates for the next 3-6 months
• Increase in sea freight and the adaptation of smaller package sizes
• Increased financial exposure and risk

ENABLING THE MICRO 

Organizational Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Three fundamental challenges organizations will have to grapple with were outlined as:

• Remote working: as an “onsite” industry becomes “offsite”
• Silos: Disconnected Independent Systems
• Workforce: Retool and Training

For effective remote working, workflow implementation was discussed as being the goal to achieve within organizations.

Continue reading Webinar: Optimising Operations Around the World and in the Workforce at Soft Freight Logic.

CargoWise now produces Certificates of Origin documentation for ChAFTA exports from Australia to China.             

What is ChAFTA?

ChAFTA is short for the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement. It was a trade agreement signed between the 2 economic powerhouses on the 20th of December 2015 which has greatly improved trade between the 2 countries by eliminating tariffs on the vast majority of goods moving between them. 

Only goods that originate in either China or Australia are eligible for the preferential tariff rates. A ChAFTA Certificate of origin is a document that confirms that the goods originated in Australia or China in accordance with the provisions of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement.

What are the ChAFTA Preferential Rules of Origin?

ROO which stands for ChAFTA Preferential Rules of Origin are agreed criteria used to ensure that only goods originating from Australia and China end up getting the preferential treatment under the agreement. One of the main aims of these rules is to prevent goods from a 3rd party transshipping through Australia or China to take advantage of the FTA.

Any imports into Australia or China that do not comply with the ROO will be subject to the general MFN rate of duty.

Continue reading How ChAFTA benefits trade between Australia and China? at Soft Freight Logic.

The responsibility of decision making is a duty you know well. As someone who holds a leadership position in your organization, making the right decisions comes with its rewards, however, the role also comes with its risks.

Continue reading Automating Your Logistics Business: 3 Valid Fears Company Leaders Have at Soft Freight Logic.

The Southern African Customs Union (SACU) comprising of South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini is currently undergoing migration from HTS 2017 to HTS 2022.

Continue reading Southern African Customs Union (SACU) Roadmap for Migration from HS 2017 to HS 2022 at Soft Freight Logic.

Shippers, Forwarders and LSPs are completely reassessing their supply chain operations and their strategies. Adoption of technology and digitalization have further accelerated as a result of the pandemic.

Continue reading Freight Forwarding Industry Post COVID 19 at Soft Freight Logic.

The World Customs Organization (WCO) will implementing a new set of changes to the Harmonized Tariff System (HTS) from the 1st of January 2022.

Continue reading New HTS codes to be implemented by 1st of January 2022 at Soft Freight Logic.

By the end of March 2023, CHIEF (Customs Handling of Imports and Export Freight) which is the system that records the movement of goods by land, air and sea in the UK will be fully replaced by CDS (Customs Declaration Service)

Continue reading UK Customs : Transition from CHIEF to CDS at Soft Freight Logic.

Running a logistics business, to put it mildly requires high quantities of responsibility, accountability, and diligent efficiency – not just from you, but your entire team. Transporting goods across the world is no small feat.

Continue reading 4 Ways Data Entry Automation Can Ramp up your Logistics Business. at Soft Freight Logic.

At its most basic, an integration between software is the process of combining two pieces of software to solve the problem of isolated data.

Continue reading Systems Integration -How to Mimimise Data Duplication? at Soft Freight Logic.

Pathways to Future Proof Your Logistics Business

Continue reading Tech Tools to Digitally Elevate – 2 at Soft Freight Logic.

Pathways to Future Proof Your Logistics Business

Continue reading Tech Tools to Digitally Elevate at Soft Freight Logic.

In logistics, Consolidators have the complex task of coordinating with several overseas partners on disparate Software to ensure that over 20 shipments in a single consolidation are successfully completed. Multiply this with hundreds of consolidations and what do you get?

Continue reading Automating Business Process Offshoring with Machine Learning at Soft Freight Logic.

In a hypercompetitive logistics space, freight forwarders need to find avenues to increase sales that go beyond pricing-to-the-bottom strategies. How exactly can this be achieved?

Continue reading How Can You Improve Sales As a Freight Forwarder at Soft Freight Logic.

How do businesses that operate in multiple countries, with each branch operating on disparate software, consolidate business operations?

Continue reading UK, US Implementation and Training at Soft Freight Logic.

Implementing CargoWise One in Africa for automations on Land Transportation and Logistics.

Continue reading Connecting African countries to the rest of the world and within Africa. at Soft Freight Logic.

4 legacy systems transitioned to 1 ERP spanning 2 continents.

Continue reading UK, US CargoWise One Implementation and Training at Soft Freight Logic.