CLDA 2024 FALL_WINTER Magazine | Page 33

best-suited algorithms and picking the one with the highest impact by analyzing the tradeoffs between coverage , mileage , asset usage and cost .
CLDA Mag : Are there new uses for AI that you expect to be introduced in 2025 ?
Raman : The industry standard for communicating with customers is EDI , which uses structured data in a standardized way . However , 20-50 % of communications still happen by email , which requires employees to manually read and respond , even for routine requests like order tracking . Enter AI assistant “ workers ” for email . These tools can understand and reply to emails automatically . Imagine if you gave ChatGPT access to your inbox and business systems and trained it to take orders , track orders , schedule appointments , and do customer service . The first batch of AI workers will be deployed alongside human operators who will approve their work . And in the coming years , routine tasks will be offloaded , and human operators will spend their time with relationship building , problem-solving and escalations .
CLDA Mag : What improvements in route optimization do you expect to see in 2025 ?
Jagad : One of the critical advancements will be AI ’ s evolving ability to mimic human intuition . As AI continues incorporating more sophisticated logic and adaptive learning , route-building and route-optimization algorithms will adjust dynamically to various operational scenarios . For example , AI can optimize routes in dense urban clusters by grouping stops more effectively or planning around major highways to avoid tra ! c congestion during peak times . Additionally , AI-based algorithms will improve at incorporating preferential logic , enabling logistics companies to prioritize fleet utilization before assigning deliveries to third-party providers or independent contractors . By maximizing fleet capacity first , AI enables cost e ! ciency and reduces unnecessary dependency on third-party providers . This will help organizations maintain control over operations and reduce costs . This enhanced level of customization in routing logic will enable logistics companies to optimize various routes while balancing fleet capacity and third-party providers more effectively .
CLDA Mag : How will technology help last-mile providers meet rising consumer expectations within the next 12 months ?
Jagad : In the next 12 months , technology will become increasingly instrumental in helping lastmile providers meet higher-than-ever customer expectations for speed , accuracy , convenience , and transparency . Consumers have come to expect real-time delivery updates on their phones , so last-mile providers must adopt mobile technologies that accurately track packages , including estimated time of arrival and driver location tracking . Customers want to know exactly where their package is and when it will arrive . These technologies provide that level of service and are key differentiators . Providers that do not adopt them risk falling behind and losing customer loyalty .
Automated notifications , either through text messaging or push notifications through the lastmile provider ’ s mobile app , sent at various stages of the delivery process , can significantly improve customer satisfaction and enhance customer loyalty . These notifications help ensure customers feel
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