Mobility and Logistics
Evolution and tech change
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1970
New stock management methods
Technological evolution made stock management tasks easier and allowed to introduce more efficient supply methods, which reduced the amount of stock needed.
Advance
Just in Time (JIT)
Warehouse optimisation
Impact
1970
Advance
Just in Time (JIT)
This inventory management method was developed in Japan in the 1950s. Goods are received in the strictly necessary amount and at the exact moment to complete the production process. This reduces the need for stocking goods.
Impact
Warehouse optimisation
There is a value increase of professional profiles related to supply planning and production control, working to guarantee resource availability and to optimise stocking costs. As a consequence, this area of activity requires skills in information management related to the company’s production process.
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1990 - 2000
Warehouse computerisation
For efficiency reasons, in the context of an expansion of international trade, there is a wider use of radio frequency readers to make warehouse management and picking faster.
Advance
Warehouse Management System (WMS)
Multiplication of volume of goods
Impact
1990 - 2000
Advance
Warehouse Management System (WMS)
These computer software products conduct control, management and automation processes such as material reception or stock counting, using data analysis. Using this software improves the operative efficiency and the coordination between professionals.
Impact
Multiplication of volume of goods
Given the huge increase in freight transport these days, there are new professional profiles related to itinerary supervision and delivery tracking. In order to conduct these tasks, employees must become familiar with specific localisation and order management software.
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2000 - 2010
Low-cost flights
Thanks to the deregulation of airspace, airlines increased their capacity and lowered prices, which caused a rise in passenger volume.
Advance
Global Distribution System (GDS)
Need for more staff at the airports
Impact
2000 - 2010
Advance
Global Distribution System (GDS)
GDS technology (a booking system that provides flight information to distribution points through the Internet) is applied to commercial aviation since the 1990s and it boomed in the 2000s due to the popularisation of low-cost flights.
Impact
Need for more staff at the airports
The deregulation of air traffic led to the opening of new regional airports and expanded the activity of already consolidated airports. This caused a rise in the demand for both airport staff (runway agents, air traffic controllers, etc.) and air transport professionals (pilots, cabin crew, etc.).
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2010 - 2020
Servitisation of urban transport
City traffic and pollution foster a transformation in the urban mobility model, which promotes shared and low-emission transport.
Advance
Mobility as a Service (MaaS)
Multiplication of volume of goods
Impact
2010 - 2020
Advance
Mobility as a Service (MaaS)
MaaS are platforms -usually apps- that bring together mobility services of a city or region. Through these apps, users may check information and pay for using several transport services (shared mobility services, electric vehicle charging, parking, etc.).
Impact
Multiplication of volume of goods
The growing complexity of mobility services intensifies the planning tasks related. Therefore, some professional profiles are becoming more popular, such as sharing fleet managers, who supervise the correct functioning of shared mobility digital platforms, and mobility consultants, who design solutions for an efficient, sustainable and safe mobility.
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2010 - 2020
The logistical challenge of e-commerce
Due to the popularisation of e-commerce, this sector has to face large volumes of orders and shorten delivery times to create satisfactory user experiences.
Advance
Automated warehouses
Digitalisation of logistics profiles
Impact
2010 - 2020
Advance
Automated warehouses
Robots are used to obtain the necessary speed and efficiency levels in warehouses that are increasingly larger and more dynamic. Amongst them, two stand out: conveyor systems and elevators to carry the goods from one place to the other, and picking robots that assist in order preparation duties.
Impact
Digitalisation of logistics profiles
Not all tasks may be automated, but the adoption of this technology entails an almost complete digitalisation of the facilities. Consequently, there is a need for professionals specialised in predictive maintenance to avoid stopping in the event of a breakdown. Staff must also be trained to use warehouse software and automatic systems.
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2020 - Future
Self-driving cars, at the horizon
On a global level, there have been some successfully designed self-driving vehicles, some of which are specifically designed to deliver goods. In the future, this technology may be applied to any means of transport.
Advance
Drones
Building a new mobility
Impact
2020 - Future
Advance
Drones
Drone size and cost reduction has promoted its application in many areas. In the case of mobility and logistics, drones are used to carry out transportation and localisation duties at warehouses and to watch the traffic in areas where there is a higher risk of accidents, amongst others.
Impact
Building a new mobility
The expansion of self-driving vehicles will reduce the demand for professional drivers. However, the process of vehicle design and manufacturing will be more intensive on a technology level, which will increase the need for profiles related to research and development of advanced mobility solutions, such as smart mobility engineers or smart mobility engineers.