'It's all about interpreting data'

Technology is possibly one of the biggest game-changers in the logistics sector and companies willing to embrace it and who encourage their employees to do so will steal a march on their competitors. That’s the view of Professor James Stock of the University of South Florida who addressed the monthly Transport Forum in Cape Town last week. But it's not only about the data – it's about data analysis, said Stock. “Just having data is no longer good enough. It is about being able to interpret the data and make it applicable to one’s particular business in order to make it more efficient and effective.” This, he said, must also happen faster than ever before as customers have become more demanding, with a continued need for information. “A simple example is the installation of GPS within vehicles to ensure drivers know where they are going. That might be the thinking behind the device, but the data that is collected through this technology can bring about major changes within a company,” he explained. “So through the GPS the company is not only able to track its operations but it can also collect data on the movements of vehicles, how many times they stop, the various routes followed and the road conditions to name but a few. All of that data can be used to make critical decisions.” By using the data a company could, for example, assess the risk associated with different roads, find the quickest route between two locations or determine the productivity of its work force. “From the introduction of technology for one specific purpose comes a host of data that once analysed can assist the business to be more effective and efficient.” INSERT & CAPTION Just having data is no longer good enough. It is about being able to interpret the data and make it applicable to one’s particular business. – James Stock