DHL leverages IoT to slash trucking time across India by up to 50%

Deutsche Post DHLGroup (DPDHL),  the world’s leading mail and logistics company, today announced the launch of DHL SmarTrucking to provide an innovative trucking solution across an extensive line-haul express road network in India.

DHL SmarTrucking is the company’s first official move to accelerate the development of technology-enabled logistics solutions around the world, under the newly formed board department, corporate incubations, which was launched in April this year. The company has also appointed Neeraj Bansal as CEO of DHL SmarTrucking, who will be responsible for leading the company’s growth in India.

“India is an incredibly important market for Deutsche Post DHL Group. Presently, road freight comprises the majority of the total freight movement and is the largest transportation segment in India,” said Juergen Gerdes, Board member for corporate incubations, Deutsche Post DHL Group. “With greater efficiency from DHL SmarTrucking, we expect to transport 100,000 tonnes of cargo and cover a distance of approximately 4 million kilometres across India daily.”

TechLog cuts transit time, reduces driver workload
DHL SmarTrucking's ‘TechLog’ is logistics made smarter through the use of new and emerging technologies. Following a successful, three-month pilot that covered over 2,770,000 kilometres, DHL SmarTrucking leverages Internet of Things (IoT) technology and data-driven insights for route customisation.

This reduces transit times by up to 50 percent compared to the traditional trucking industry and provides over 95 percent reliability with ease of use, end-to-end consignment visibility, temperature-controlled capabilities and real-time tracking.

IoT-enabled sensors, monitored through the company’s centralized control tower, provide real-time temperature and consignment tracking. Information starts and status updates are also sent to customers and DHL SmarTrucking’s operations teams through the customer portal and external  and internal mobile applications.

Utilising an innovative and agile model, drivers are rotated at predetermined stops located across the country, with the original driver returning to the point of origin with another truckload

“This transportation model not only helps optimise efficiency but also reduces fatigue among drivers who spend less time on the road, enabling them to go home to their families every two or three days,” said Malcolm Monteiro, CEO, DHL eCommerce India. “Additionally, with the demand for temperature-controlled transportation estimated to grow at 15 percent per annum from 2016 to 2020, DHL SmarTrucking allows our customers in India to scale up and streamline their business operations to meet consumers’ needs.”

“DHL SmarTrucking’s emphasis on TechLog will change the game for customers in India,” said Neeraj Bansal, CEO, DHL SmarTrucking. “Leveraging the potential of the infrastructural transformation in India’s logistics ecosystem and our innovations through DHL SmarTrucking, we can help Indian businesses reach customers and markets in a faster and more secure manner.”