Parcel and Postal Technology International
  • News
    • A-E
      • Automation
      • Business Diversification
      • Construction / Development
      • Cross-border
      • Delivery
      • E-commerce
      • Expo
    • F-O
      • Freight
      • IT & Systems
      • Last Mile
      • Lockers / PUDO
      • Logistics
      • Mail
      • Operations
    • P-R
      • Packets
      • Parcels
      • Peak
      • Retail
      • Returns
    • S-Z
      • Sorting Systems
      • Staff / Personnel
      • Sustainability
      • Technology
      • Vehicles / Fleet
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
    • September 2023
    • June 2023
    • March 2023
    • December 2022
    • SHOWCASE 2019
    • Archive Issues
    • Subscribe Free!
  • Opinion
  • Videos
  • Analysis
  • Awards
    • 2023 Awards
    • 2022 Award Winners
    • 2021 Award Winners
    • 2020 Award Winners
    • 2019 Award Winners
    • Previous Winners
  • Supplier Spotlight
  • Events
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job – It’s FREE!
    • Manage Jobs (Employers)
LinkedIn YouTube Twitter
  • Sign-up for Breaking News Emails
  • Meet the Editors
  • Contact Us
  • Media Pack
Subscribe >
LinkedIn Facebook
Parcel and Postal Technology International
  • News
      • Automation
      • Business Diversification
      • Construction / Development
      • Cross-border
      • Delivery
      • E-commerce
      • Expo
      • Freight
      • IT & Systems
      • Last Mile
      • Lockers / PUDO
      • Logistics
      • Mail
      • Operations
      • Packets
      • Parcels
      • Peak
      • Retail
      • Returns
      • Sorting Systems
      • Staff / Personnel
      • Sustainability
      • Technology
      • Vehicles / Fleet
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
    1. September 2023
    2. June 2023
    3. March 2023
    4. December 2022
    5. SHOWCASE 2019
    6. Archive Issues
    7. Subscribe Free!
    Featured
    August 25, 2023

    In this Issue – September 2023

    Online Magazines By Dan Symonds
    Recent

    In this Issue – September 2023

    August 25, 2023

    In this Issue – June 2023

    July 6, 2023

    In this Issue – March 2023

    March 29, 2023
  • Opinion
  • Videos
  • Analysis
  • Awards
    • 2023 Awards
    • 2022 Award Winners
    • 2021 Award Winners
    • 2020 Award Winners
    • 2019 Award Winners
    • Previous Winners
  • Supplier Spotlight
  • Events
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job – It’s FREE!
    • Manage Jobs (Employers)
LinkedIn Facebook
Parcel and Postal Technology International
Opinion

OPINION: What will parcel logistics look like in 2047?

Liz FletcherBy Liz FletcherJanuary 27, 20234 Mins Read
Share LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email

When asked what parcel logistics will look like 25 years from now, Dennis Kollmann, Hermes Germany’s chief sales officer, discussed a variety of trends.

“It all comes down to customers and what they want,” muses Kollmann. “I’m reminded of that quote by Jeff Bezos, when he said, ‘It’s difficult for us to imagine that 10 years from now, customers will want higher prices, less selection or slower delivery.’ Speed, reliability and cost-effectiveness will likely be as important in 2047 as they are today.” Kollmann thinks that what may change are the types of packages people will be sending. Some trend forecasters believe that we’ll be buying far fewer goods on the net, instead preferring to 3D-print things we need at home or in our businesses. But Kollmann believes we’ll always need to purchase things on the net – even if it’s just material needed for the 3D printer – and that certain customer requirements that exist today will continue to do so in 2047. These include demands that delivery services must be emission-free and sustainable, fast and reliable, and inexpensive.

Clean vehicles
With this in mind, Kollmann’s view is that Hermes Germany must expand the use of e-vehicles for deliveries and that e-cars should become the norm. But with a view to 2047, he does wonder whether we will have the resources to produce enough electricity in a sustainable way. “The transformation period might be a challenge but we have to do it – humanity has to do it,” he says. Does he think the entire logistics field will use exclusively electric vehicles or will other fuel types be common in 2047? He notes that Hermes Germany is putting a significant focus on extending its fleet of ecological e-vans but is also experimenting with other technologies such as hydrogen-powered vehicles.

Use of quantum computers
One thing Kollmann can see happening is quantum computing playing a more important role in the logistics area. That’s because solving logistical problems accurately and in real time is extremely complex and requires advanced mathematical calculation capabilities. This is especially true when you have 2,000,000 parcels to deliver every day and need to continually ascertain the best way to do so. Ordinary computers can’t handle these problems satisfactorily today, and Kollmann says that’s the reason Hermes Germany, and its parent company Otto Group, is participating in a research program to apply what’s been learned about quantum computing to thorny logistical problems. “Our industry is the ideal area to test these technologies on and we could really benefit from a technology that is far faster than today’s computers and can perform multiple complex operations simultaneously,” he adds. These would include real-time route optimization taking various external factors (weather, traffic, etc) into account.

Internet-driven networks
Some experts believe that e-commerce – which today takes up a large part of the internet’s activities – will cease to be so important in the next couple of decades and only make up a fraction of what individuals and businesses use the web for. Kollmann says that the internet is already a key factor in controlling and managing all types of networks today and this will have increased considerably by 2047, with massive growth in areas like the Internet of Things (IoT).

Metaverse: how important will it become for parcel logistics?
Kollmann believes that the metaverse will reach maturity, although it’s currently unclear when and in what form. It will enable people to travel virtually as well as to test products, services and functions before purchasing them. “This aspect could be very good for the logistics sector because it would dramatically reduce the rate of product returns and the waste of resources it implies,” he says. “If I’ve been able to thoroughly test something and am sure it meets my needs, I’m much less likely to need to return it.” This would have ecological benefits while solving a huge customer problem – and that’s exactly why Kollmann believes the metaverse has a rosy future within the logistics area.

“Everything comes down to the customer and what they want and need,” he concludes. “Inventions that solve a customer need while remaining reliable, sustainable and energy efficient are the way forward – and any solution that meets all those criteria will come out on top.”

To read Hermes’ piece in full, click here.

Share. Twitter LinkedIn Facebook Email
Previous ArticleSeur to build logistics center serving Southern Spain
Next Article Nearly two thirds of consumers intend to spend less and cut back on online shopping, IPC survey finds

Related Posts

Opinion

OPINION: Warehouse staff and robots work hand in hand to meet demand

September 6, 20236 Mins Read
Opinion

OPINION: Crunching data for painless e-fulfillment growth

August 21, 20235 Mins Read
Opinion

OPINION: Barcode reading between the lines

August 1, 20235 Mins Read
Latest News

Unique integration with global post-purchase capabilities

September 8, 2023

Bettermile expands delivery cloud services to the US

September 8, 2023

EXCLUSIVE: Is the complexity of ICS2 hindering cross-border trade in the EU?

September 7, 2023

Receive breaking stories and features in your inbox each week, for free


Enter your email address:


Getting in Touch
  • Contact Us / Advertiser
  • Meet the Editors
  • Download Media Pack
  • Breaking News Emails
Our Social Channels
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
Supplier Spotlights
  • Base Handling
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Notice & Takedown Policy
  • Site FAQs
© 2023 UKi Media & Events a division of UKIP Media & Events Ltd

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.

CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.

Functional

Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.

Performance

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

Analytics

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

Advertisement

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.

Others

Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.

SAVE & ACCEPT