Key Takeaways
- Low-Code Supply Chain and Logistics: Utilize visual development tools and pre-built components to streamline software creation.
- Benefits: Faster app creation, cost-efficiency, enhanced productivity and collaboration, and improved operational agility.
- Use Cases in Transportation: Supply chain optimization and tracking, compliance and certification, collaboration, repairs and returns, and predictive analytics.
According to Forrester, low-code development reduces time, makes experimentation easier, and bridges the gap between tech teams and businesses. As supply chains grow more complex and less resilient, adopting low-code logistics app development becomes a natural choice for many companies. Over two-thirds of enterprises have already integrated low-code into their supply chain operations.
At Levisoft, we closely monitor the digitalization of logistics and transportation, delivering advanced, cost-efficient solutions. In this article, we’ll explore the main reasons for using low-code applications and examine their most common use cases. We’ll also discuss the challenges your business might face when implementing low-code development services for logistics. Buckle up!
Supply Chain Technology Trends
Navigating the complex global supply chain remains challenging, with nearly all businesses facing significant issues in the past year. 44% have addressed major challenges in their supply chain footprint, leading to necessary changes, and 49% reported planning challenges due to disruptions.
With advancements in technologies like IoT and smart sensors, more companies are shifting from linear supply chains to integrated networks, known as Supply Chain 4.0. This concept involves using innovative technologies for better performance and efficiency.
KPMG predicts that half of supply chain organizations will invest in applications that bolster artificial intelligence and advanced analytics capabilities. A recent Gartner study reveals that almost 80% of supply chain respondents plan to pilot or implement GenAI capabilities in 2024, allocating an average of 6% of their total technology and transformation budget.
However, the high cost of implementing advanced solutions and the lack of talent can hinder transformation. Only 8% of supply chain companies have enough in-house specialists for digitization, and internal reskilling programs have decreased by 27% in the past three years, while external hiring has risen by 15%.
Low-code in transportation allows business users with limited technical expertise to rapidly create, test, and implement new capabilities. Low-code platforms automate most supply chain tasks, utilizing APIs and pre-packaged integrations to connect disparate systems. Applications include planning, manufacturing, product lifecycle, supply chain collaboration, and track-and-trace. AI-powered technologies are also available in low-code solutions.
What is Low-Code Development for Logistics?
Low-code development for logistics involves minimal manual coding to create software applications tailored for industry specifics. This approach uses drag-and-drop components and pre-built elements, allowing users to design, develop, and deploy platforms quickly and easily.
Low-Code in Supply Chain App Development Can Address Specific Industry Issues:
- Automation: Automates repetitive and time-consuming logistics processes like order processing, warehouse management, and shipment tracking.
- Real-Time Visibility: Provides instant access to critical data, improving decision-making and reducing delays.
- Customization: Allows for the rapid development of customized solutions that adapt to specific business needs.
- Integration: Facilitates integrating different software and hardware components, fostering seamless data flow between systems.
- Mobility: Enables the creation of mobile applications, facilitating on-the-go access to information.
- Compliance: Allows for swift modification of apps to comply with new regulations, reducing compliance-related risks.
- Collaboration: Enables logistics professionals to participate in the development process, reducing dependency on IT specialists and accelerating system deployment.
4 Benefits of Adopting Low-Code in Supply Chain and Logistics
Citizen development has evolved from experimentation to replacing core applications. Currently, 39% of firms use low-code to empower non-IT developers, and an additional 27% plan to do so in the next 12 months.
The worldwide low-code development technologies market is projected to hit $31.9 billion by 2024. By 2026, developers outside formal IT departments will constitute at least 80% of the user base for low-code development tools, compared to 60% in 2021.
Improved Operational Agility:
- Low-code platforms enhance end-to-end visibility and data quality by integrating diverse systems. They also facilitate effective scenario planning through rapid application development, enabling quick adjustments to evolving market conditions.
Faster Digitalization:
- Low-code platforms simplify changes and technology adoption, freeing IT departments to implement AI and robotic process automation (RPA) into workflows.
Enhanced Productivity and Collaboration:
- Low-code in transportation management automates tasks like digitizing documentation and addressing specific issues like warehouse silos. This optimization leads to a more efficient supply chain.
Cost-Efficiency:
- Develop simple solutions without hiring top-notch software engineers. Low-code development provides a variety of tools to build and deploy applications on multiple platforms, saving development and maintenance costs.
6 Low-Code Use Cases for Logistics and Supply Chains
Low-code use cases in logistics and supply chains are similar to traditional development but offer faster customization and deployment. Here are six examples:
1. Supply Chain Optimization:
- Automate tasks like invoicing, warehouse management, and goods receipt. Low-code platforms accelerate integrations using application data model consistency and a wide range of APIs and prepackaged integrations.
2. Supply Chain Tracking:
- Enhanced integration capabilities enable better connections across various systems. Cloud solutions provide maximum transparency, IT governance, and cybersecurity.
3. Compliance and Certification:
- Create a centralized information bank to track certifications, audits, and employee safety training compliance. Applications can identify errors, alert about expirations, and provide necessary information, reducing non-compliance risks.
4. Supply Chain Portals:
- Improve communication and collaboration between parties like suppliers, warehouse managers, importers, logistics companies, and distributors. Conduct surveys and collect data for better planning and decision-making.
5. Repairs and Returns:
- Automate returns and repairs to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Track product movement, update inventory status, and generate transactions in real-time.
6. Predictive Analytics:
- Anticipate demand fluctuations, optimize inventory levels, reduce excess stock, and minimize downtimes with predictive maintenance. Low-code platforms provide intuitive interfaces and pre-built components for creating AI-powered predictive models and applications.
Challenges of Low-Code for Logistics and Supply Chains
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While low-code is beneficial, it can't fully replace experienced developers:
Limited Capabilities:
- As businesses grow, low-code may not meet all requirements. Leading platforms like Mendix, Topo, and JourneyApps use open technologies to mitigate this risk, allowing developers to extend functionality with custom code.
Lack of Low-Code Specialists:
- Although designed for non-technical users, platforms require an understanding of visual languages like Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN). However, user-friendly interfaces and prebuilt patterns reduce the learning curve.
Vendor Lock-In:
- Some platforms restrict code export or access to source code. Partnering with reliable vendors ensures full access to source code and export capabilities.
How Levisoft Can Help You with Low-Code Development for Supply Chain and Logistics
Low-code enhances software resilience and agility, driving growth and digital transformation in modern supply chains.
With nearly 8 years of expertise in software development and consulting, Levisoft accelerates supply chain modernization and automates development processes. We have hands-on experience across logistics, hospitality, healthcare, fintech, and other industries, building comprehensive low-code applications tailored to industry standards.
Our Low-Code Projects Include:
- Delivered a location-based social network app MVP within three months and a tight budget.
- Developed a cross-platform recovery app for a private psychological help center, resulting in a 36% increase in new patients and a 100% elimination of maintenance costs.
- Created a gas station app, reducing software engineering expenses by 40% and achieving a 50% cost reduction in mobile development.
Contact us to learn more about our low-code development services for logistics and supply chains on a subscription basis.
Sources of Information:
- KPMG: Supply Chain Trends 2024 https://kpmg.com/xx/en/home/insights/2023/12/supply-chain-trends-2024.html
- McKinsey: How Tech and Regionalization Bolster Supply Chain https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/operations/our-insights/tech-and-regionalization-bolster-supply-chains-but-complacency-looms
- Gartner: Supply Chain 2024 Predictions https://www.gartner.com/en/supply-chain/insights/beyond-supply-chain-blog/beyond-supply-chain-2024-predictions
- Forrester: Citizen Development Predictions 2023 https://www.forrester.com/blogs/predictions-2023-citizen-development-and-the-metaverse-stir-up-software-development/
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