Dovetail Addresses Delegates at the Zimbabwe Transport Indaba

In support of coming together to encourage stronger networks, and develop strategies and models focused on building momentum and growth within the procurement, supply chains and logistics industry in Zimbabwe, Dovetail took part in the Transport Logistics Indaba 2014 which was hosted by Swift Unifreight in Harare, Zimbabwe.

The Indaba took place on November 13 to 14 and the theme was “Keeping The Wheels Turning While Taking Charge Of Our Destiny” and served as a platform to everyone related to the industry to engage and learn from each other. The event was endorsed by the local Zimbabwean governing transport body, the Transport Operators Association.

Swift Unifreight noted that “transport is an essential service within Zimbabwe which stresses the need for all stakeholders to come together on an annual basis and discuss the state of the industry as a whole with the primary goal of the Indaba being to share, network and learn.”

Dovetail Business Solutions Key Accounts Director Ralf Rolle was invited as a guest speaker at the Indaba, along with other industry experts such as the Minister of Transport, CEO of Stuttafords, Chairman of the ZNCC and leading economists.

Rolle’s presentation focused on current industry trends and how they provide logistics companies with opportunities for growth and expansion.

“A crucial factor for survival in the transport industry is collaborating and taking hold of global trends. Currently, ecommerce and mobile technology are two big trends providing an array of opportunities to the logistics industry,” Rolle explains, citing Takealot.com as an excellent example of a company that has used innovation and collaboration to ensure success for many years to come.

“Since receiving a funding boost of $100-million, Takealot.com has announced a merger with Kalahari.net and have reported that they are on track to achieve R1-billion in sales. In addition, the company also acquired a stake in fast food delivery company, Mr. Delivery, and now comprises an existing home delivery network,” he explains.

“Logistics companies need to think outside the box, consider global trends and growing markets and see where they can innovate and collaborate to strengthen operations.”

Rolle adds that consumers are increasingly using mobile technologies to buy products and can compare product prices and information with the click of a button, further stressing the need for supply chains to become stronger, more effective and more transparent and to use mobile technologies for streamlined service delivery.

Mobile Trends Changing the Logistics Landscape

Rolle notes that, owing to the rapid deployment and advancement of mobile technologies, consumers are more demanding and informed than ever before, further stressing the need for supply chain management improvement.

“Just as consumers have taken advantage of the many benefits and luxuries that mobile technology offers them, logistics companies need to take hold of mobile technologies for increased control and visibility over supply chain processes,” he explains.

“Mobile Technologies host promising advancements and improvements for the logistics industry,” he stresses, citing VDC Research 2014 which reported that mobile technologies reduced operational costs in the logistics industry by 37% and improved mobile worker productivity with 33%.