Trucking logistics companies constantly manage complex workflows requiring manual labor with industry-specific knowledge. However, among those activities, software can automate many of them. And to make the most out of a software solution, data must flow among the necessary departments and stakeholders of organizations. Moreover, what technologies are available to facilitate this information exchange and task automation, and what are they best used for?

By João Ricardo Gubolin, Chief Business Development Officer · January 24, 2023.

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EDI

Electronic data interchange (EDI) is one of the most traditional forms of data exchange between software. Information technology (IT) departments often use EDI to exchange mass amounts of digital documents that don’t need sharing in real-time. Some examples of EDI use are inventory documents, shipping documents, proof of purchase, and invoices.

API

For the past two decades, Application programming interface (API) has been a technology that has become increasingly popular for exchanging information between software. APIs are most often used when users need to share or retrieve information in real time. This can be a field, such as status or location real-time update.

RPA

Similar to API, robotic process automation (RPA) has become increasingly popular in the past two decades. In some cases, RPA’s application can temporarily replace EDI or API. Algorithms can retrieve, digitize, process, calculate and summarize data according to users’ needs. However, an effective and efficient RPA application often addresses a manual, repeatable, and digital task that adds value to business relationships by using the organization’s resources effectively. RPA project’s size varies according to the number of tasks it is responsible for. Therefore, when EDI and API do what they are originally designed to, RPA does the end task after API or EDI has retrieved information.

Conslusion

EDI, API, and RPA are valuable technology tools to improve trucking logistics operations. However, companies must structure projects to apply the best business case for each situation the tool aims to solve. Companies can leverage their operation by applying best practices to each tool’s specialty and gain significant ROI from each solution.

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João Ricardo Gubolin is the Chief Business Development Office of Ghubee.

Ghubee is a platform specializing in trucking logistics APIs, integrations, and intelligent systems. Our focus is to automate the communication-integrated systems of vehicles through next-gen networks, AI and machine learning, IoT, big data, cybersecurity, and 5G in the best possible way and at the lowest possible cost. Expanding a company’s culture to new technologies is necessary to remain in the current market. In addition to reducing costs and increasing productivity, integrating digital services into the organization’s systems is essential in the new economy. To schedule a free consultation, click here or visit https://ghubee.com.

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