Evolution of the Logistics Industry

Archive: Jul 2021

1. Evolution of the Logistics Industry

   July 29, 2021 11:04 am Leave a Comment

   Every year as our nation’s economy shifts and grows, greater importance is placed on our logistics industry because of how every business needs its supplies in order to run. From the vehicles that transport our goods and supplies to the warehouses that store them, these all play just a part in how the entire logistics system works. Without all the components to our modern means of transporting goods and supplies, cities would become their own islands and the concept of a running a nationwide business would be drastically changed. Luckily, we’re in no such position to be reverting back to the times of old, and instead we’re inventing new ways to further improve the performance of our logistics industry as a whole. Let’s take a dive into how the future of logistics is shaping up!

   The Rise in Robotics

   Before robotics had made enough of a stride forward, we required pure manpower to move packages and items around a warehouse before loading them onto trucks and vehicles with the help of forklifts and other tools. But now it’s becoming even easier to run a warehouse. From a squad of robots organizing an Amazon warehouse to having GPS-guided robots delivering your items straight to your home, companies are discovering new ways that robotics can make logistics much easier—and, in the long run, eventually cheaper as running a warehouse in the world of logistics is becoming more complicated every year.

   Software Advancements in Logistics

   We may usually think of warehouses and big trucks when discussing logistics, but the software behind every decision also makes a difference. Software is used for virtually everything behind every decision made by a logistics company, shipping business, or warehouses. Whether it’s organizing where each item is destined to go or what items need to be returned because of a customer request, software allows the people working in the logistics industry to process that information easier and faster. As warehouse management and supply chain software continues to advance, managing the complexities of today’s logistics will be much easier, and matters such as shipping costs, distances needed to be driven, and more will be calculated faster. This kind of software can even help shipping companies find the best shipping routes to ensure maximum operational efficiency.

   Blockchain Technology Brings Unprecedented Security

   You may be wondering what could blockchain be used for in the world of logistics. It goes beyond just the cryptocurrencies that you hear about people trading, the technology and concept behind it allows for significant advancements in security that can benefit anyone in the logistics business. Blockchain technology allows for many contracts and paperwork to be transmitted and stored in a highly secure fashion, preventing traditional hacking from occurring and it can even keep your physical products secure by keeping information on your items private except for those who need to see it. Blockchain technology is still relatively in its infancy, but it has some big promises that can greatly benefit the logistics industry!

   Evolve Your Logistics with Reliable Couriers

   As businesses continue to sprout up, it is essential that the logistics industry evolves to meet the rising needs of both suppliers and consumers. But luckily, the logistics industry is taking this challenge on with gusto and from multiple fronts such as the examples discussed here. With Reliable Couriers same day delivery services, you can give your shipping the boost they need to reach their destinations faster than ever. While other shipping companies and courier services may take days to complete your delivery, you can always count on Reliable Couriers to get your shipping done in a matter of hours, all within the same day. With our versatile fleet, cutting-edge GPS technology, and our broad spectrum of rush courier services—Reliable Couriers stands ready to assist any business or individual with their deliveries and shipments!

2. The Pandemic’s Impact on Organ Donations and Transplants

   July 22, 2021 9:04 am Leave a Comment

   While the pandemic has certainly caused large waves of change across our news media, most of the talk has revolves around the catching of COVID-19, being placed in a hospital bed, and being put on a breathing apparatus, or people dying from COVID-19. But behind all of that, there is also another struggle going on—keeping up with organ donations.

   Organ Donations and Transplants Took a Hit on Multiple Fronts

   Several factors were at work the moment COVID-19 rocked the world that quickly hurt the world of organ donations and transplants. When the pandemic struck, PPE swiftly became short in supply. This in turn impacted the number of patients that could be tended to, and the staff that could work with those patients, and with COVID-19 being the absolute top worry, the whole process of organ transplants had to be paused because of how many people were dying and the unknowns of the danger that was causing these deaths.

   This chaos also led to a reduction of available organ donors. Fear of catching and dying from COVID-19 led many who died of other causes to die at home—there is a specific window of time for when organs must be harvested for transplant. This impacted the number of organs readily available for transplant. However, enough people were still dying in hospitals to cushion the impact. What would eventually tip the number of organ transplants into the negative was donations from living donors. Fears from COVID-19 and the stresses of dying relatives from COVID-19 all contributed to a reduction of living donors, which resulted in almost 2000 less living donors from 2019 to 2020. This translated into over 700 more deaths during that time span as people waited for an organ transplant but never received it in time.

   Solutions to the Organ Transplant Troubles

   This situation could’ve been a lot worse, if not for the efforts of many medical professionals across the nation and the sheer logistics they had to go through to ensure that most patients were still getting their much-needed transplants. For areas where certain organs may have been short, hospitals were communicating with neighboring areas to have the needed organs transplanted as fast as possible. This helped mitigate the potential loss of life that we could’ve suffered versus the losses that we did experience. However, the fact remains that we need more donors, and COVID-19 has certainly left its mark on the world of organ transplants.

   Get Your Organ Transplants and Medical Supplies Rushed Faster Than Ever

   With Reliable Couriers and our specialized medical courier services, all of your medical shipments can be completed within the same day and in just a matter of hours. Our experienced OSHA and HIPAA protocol trained drivers have delivered medical specimens, medical equipment, temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals, bloodwork, and much more. Ensure that your healthcare facility has what it needs and give your patients the care that they deserve—let Reliable Couriers be your rush courier service provider for all your medical supplies!

3. The Hope to Save Lives with the FDA’s New Shortage Prevention Program

   July 19, 2021 10:21 am Leave a Comment

   Since COVID-19 first struck the world, supply lines became strained to the breaking point as shelves were running empty at stores and hospitals were struggling to have enough PPE and equipment to handle the sudden surge of patients as people became sick or were dying from the effects of COVID-19. It wasn’t too long before the FDA began putting a plan together to try countering the shortages that shocked the nation as healthcare workers struggled to find the means to protect themselves as well as save the lives of others. Enter the CARES Act, or the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.

   What Does the CARES Act Do?

   Signed into law back on March 27, 2020, the CARES Act was the FDA’s move to assume the authority of preventing the shortage of medical equipment in the case of a public health emergency, or even in anticipation of a possible public health emergency. This is crucial because of how the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed that even with knowledge of a possible pandemic, our public health emergency response was nowhere near sufficient and hundreds of thousands have died for it. The main weakness that the CARES Act is meant to address is in our medical supply chain. There were not enough materials and equipment before to meet the rising demand when the pandemic had struck—and there was a need for establishing where the decision-making really needed to be. Now, the FDA can have the power to make those decisions quickly and decisively.

   How Will the CARES Act Be Carried Out?

   The FDA already has its 2022 budget outlined with $21.6 million to be invested into their new Resilient Supply Chain and Shortages Prevention Program (RSCSPP). This funding will be for the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) and will be dedicated to establishing the first permanent program in the US for supply chain resilience regarding medical devices—it is but a first step, but a crucial one towards building a stronger nation in the face of future public health emergencies. It is a somber thought that the science community is already predicting that there will be more public health emergencies to follow in the wake of sweeping changes to our climate, but the CARES Act and consequent funding for the FDA will aid in the necessary steps to preparing us all.

   What is the Ultimate Goal of the RSCSPP?

   The RSCSPP is designed to ultimately provide the CDRH with the means to provide fast and well-backed intervention for when possible supply shortages may occur or when supply chains may possibly be disrupted regarding medical supplies and equipment. Here are just some of the ways that this will be made possible:

   • Regulatory measures may be made, and valuable partnerships can be forged with the medical industry, healthcare providers, and patients.
   • The development and improvement of supply chain intelligence through predictive modeling.
   • Develop the means for early signal detection and constant surveillance.
   • Invest in preventative measures that can help ensure that shortages don’t occur in the first place when domestic supply chains become stressed.

   All of this goes into more than just preparing for emergencies, it will also benefit everyday operations—the health of all in the United States will benefit in the end.

   Get STAT Delivery for Your Medical Equipment and Supplies

   Being short on any medical supply can be detrimental to the health of your patients. With Reliable Couriers and our same day medical courier services, you can help make sure that you’re never short on any medical item for long. Our medical courier services can help transport and ship medical supplies not just from anywhere in your state, but also from your neighboring states—what’s more, we can get the job done within the same day, so that you can get those invaluable supplies faster and save more lives. Our medical courier services can be used for both one-time shipments as well as for regular supply lines—stay supplied with Reliable Couriers on your side!

4. How to Ensure Your Temperature Sensitive Pharmaceuticals Are Kept Safe

   July 12, 2021 9:01 am Leave a Comment

   In the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued guidance on how to properly store and transport temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals to ensure that they remained viable. This has since been incredibly important due to the sensitivity of the all-important vaccines that are now giving people a much better chance at surviving the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Knowing how to maintain the proper storage temperatures for your pharmaceuticals not only maintains your supply line, but it’ll ultimately improve the chances of survival for many. A single break in that supply chain can potentially deprive someone of a vaccine or other medications—in the worst case, it can lead to the death of another.

   Let’s take a look into what the WHO has recommended that organizations do to ensure that their pharmaceuticals are properly kept, whether they’re being warehoused or transported to another location!

   Ensuring Proper Transition Through Importing and Customs

   Considering how sensitive pharmaceuticals can be to temperature changes, it is important that pharmaceuticals are transported through ports of entry that are equipped to properly store these items while they’re waiting at dock. There is usually a bit of a wait time while items are being processed through customs, time that pharmaceuticals could be exposed to unsuitable temperatures—that’s why it is crucial that there is a temporary storing area designed to keep temperature-sensitive items safe and within acceptable temperature ranges. Here are some ways that this complication can be potentially avoided:

   • Achieve pre-clearance for your pharmaceutical items
   • Have a customs clearing agent who is an expert in the handling of temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals

   Warehousing and Proper Storage

   Once your pharmaceuticals have been cleared from customs, your pharmaceuticals should be stored in a warehouse designed to maintain the proper temperature and environment for your pharmaceutical items. Other design considerations should be warehouses designed to also prevent damage from natural disasters and prevent exposure to dust and direct sunlight. Due to how pharmaceuticals can be recalled on occasion or can be found faulty upon arrival or during storage, the warehouse being used should also include an area for the quarantining of bad or compromised pharmaceuticals. Here are some other considerations to take into account when selecting a warehouse for pharmaceutical storage:

   • Security for your building should be assessed since pharmaceuticals can make for pricey items to be stolen.
   • Check for the integrity of the warehouse’s environmental controls to ensure that they are both accurate and operational.
   • Ensure that the power supply of your warehouse has a backup—having a power outage can lead to the spoiling of your stored pharmaceuticals as temperatures are allowed to change and leave the proper storage temperature range. With a backup power supply, this disaster can be prevented.

   Features of a Proper Temperature-Controlled Storage Unit

   For your pharmaceuticals, it is best to ensure that the storage unit being used for them contains important features that provide monitoring for key information about the unit’s temperature, all to ensure that your pharmaceuticals are kept at the proper temperatures. Here are some features to look for in a temperature-controlled storage unit for pharmaceuticals:

   • Sensors for humidity, temperature, and for spotting where fluctuations may be occurring.
   • Incredibly sensitive temperature sensors with a margin of 0.5 degrees Celsius.
   • Alert system for when temperatures go outside of acceptable temperature ranges (also known as temperature excursions)

   These are just some of the features to look out for, but the more features available the better—it is important to remain aware of how your stored pharmaceuticals are doing to ensure that they remain viable for use.

   Transporting Temperature-Sensitive Pharmaceuticals

   When your pharmaceuticals need to be transported by road, it is crucial to have your items transported by a specialized courier service that has vehicles and personnel dedicated to the safe transportation of temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals. A fault in shipping can lead to a significant drop in the viability of pharmaceuticals such as vaccines—improper handling is responsible for roughly a third of vaccines that go bad while in-transit. Vehicles transporting pharmaceuticals should be equipped with temperature sensors, data loggers, and should have the pharmaceuticals packed or stored with cooling materials such as gel packs that can prolong the proper storage temperatures until they’ve reached their destination and are properly stored in warehousing again.

   Ship Your Vital Pharmaceuticals Safely and Swiftly with Reliable Couriers

   At Reliable Couriers, our 24/7 medical stat courier services are the perfect solution for all your shipments involving temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals. Every vehicle is operated by OSHA and HIPAA protocol trained drivers who will ensure that your pharmaceuticals remain safe in their original condition while they’re zoomed towards their destination. We know how important it is that your pharmaceuticals, especially vaccines, are transported with speed and efficiency to ensure that they’re kept at the proper temperatures—our drivers will find the most direct routes possible to ensure that not a minute is wasted. Give us a call or visit our website to get a free, zero-obligation price quote for your next medical shipment—Reliable Couriers stands ready to have your pharmaceuticals shipped and delivered STAT!

5. The Difference Between a Box Truck and a Cargo Van

   July 9, 2021 10:07 am Leave a Comment

   When it comes to the world of shipping, having the right vehicle for the job can make a difference in both shipping capacity as well as ensuring the safety of those packages being delivered. While most may imagine a box truck and a cargo van being similar vehicles, there are some distinct differences to both that make them ideal for different purposes. Depending on what kinds of items you need shipped or moved, one vehicle may be better suited to your purpose than the other. Let’s take a dive into what separates the two vehicles from each other…

    

   The Versatile Box Truck

   

   It’s in the name! Box trucks are well-known for their box-like cargo storage compartments that allow for a lot of packages and items to be stored within. These storage compartments are kept separated from the cab of the box truck, though there may be a means to access the storage compartment from the cab (this differs from model to model). Typically, you’ll find people using box trucks for the transportation or delivery of a lot of large box items, furniture (such as moving to a new house or moving offices), and other large appliances. These vehicles are also popular for smaller amounts of cargo that need to be transported and delivered, such as delivering restock to popular retail and department stores. Box trucks also come in a variety of sizes, allowing them to suit the many needs of both regular people as well as businesses. Box trucks can also come with lift gates, making it much easier to load and unload large boxes and items!

    

   The Reliable Cargo Van

   

   You see them every day! Popularly used by companies such as FedEx and UPS, the cargo van is a mainstay when it comes to needing a vehicle that can move a large number of items in a compact storage compartment. These vehicles are also used by other businesses like plumbers, mechanics, electronic repair services, and a variety of courier services. These vehicles come as a one-piece vehicle, instead of having the storage compartment separate from the cab of the vehicle. These cargo vans can also range in such, from the large ones being like those used by delivery services to smaller ones that you commonly see plumbers using—but they all serve the same purpose of a capable vehicle with a large storage capacity compared to a sedan or a standard family van.

   Determining Which Vehicle is Best

   While both vehicles provide impressive amounts of storage capacity, the box truck can potentially provide more carrying capacity than the cargo van. But if you’re transporting far less than what the box truck can carry, it’s likely that the cargo van can be a better fit. Having too much open space can be detrimental as it can create the risk of items shifting, colliding, and even breaking. If you have objects that are incredibly heavy, a box truck with a lift gate can make it much easier to load and offload your items. There are methods to help ensure that your items stay stationary or cushioned on either vehicle but consider each vehicle and their capabilities before deciding on which one’s the safest for your items.

   Need a Lot of Shipping Done? Reliable Couriers Can Get It Done!

   Whenever you need a lot of items shipped, there’s none as well-equipped as Reliable Couriers when it comes to fast shipping and delivery! We sport a diverse and large fleet of sedans, cargo vans, box trucks with lift gates, and freight trucks. Whenever you have a lot of heavy and/or large items, our expert bonded drivers will make sure they’re loaded onto the most appropriate vehicle for your shipment size, so that your packages will remain safe and secure while they’re rushed to the destination! Give us a call or check out our website to learn more about our 24/7 same day delivery services—we’ll be happy to offer you a free, zero-obligation price quote for your next shipment!