Process Automation Identified
Process Automation Identified as Mission-Critical for Logistics Companies
Hubspan Study Outlines Opportunities for Logistics Companies in a Tough Economy
SEATTLE, August 25, 2008 – Hubspan, Inc. today released a MarketInsight study identifying process automation as a strategic essential for logistics providers operating in today’s tough economy. The study focuses on opportunities for logistics providers to improve collaboration, streamline shared processes, and achieve operational efficiencies.
The Hubspan MarketInsight study surveyed more than 200 North American logistics companies with annual revenue between $30 million and $10 billion. Of those surveyed, 92 percent identified process automation between customers, carriers and distributors as critical for doing business in the current market.
“The logistics industry recorded strong growth over the past decade due to globalization and an increased demand for imported goods,” said Robert Pease, vice president of marketing for Hubspan. “However, the industry shifted in early 2008 due to a slowing economy, rising fuel costs and a shortage of qualified personnel. This shift drives the need for logistics companies to apply efficiencies that automate processes and streamline operations to overcome current economic hurdles.”
Despite the overwhelming response surrounding the need for process automation, 23 percent of survey respondents identified manual exceptions as a lingering issue. Track and trace applications were named as the primary cause for manual exceptions, accumulating 53 percent of responses. Order management followed with 29 percent.
Infrastructure and application compatibility continues to plague logistics providers. Fifty-seven percent of respondents identified incompatible systems as the biggest challenge surrounding the exchange of information with customers, carriers and distribution partners. This theme carried through with 45 percent of respondents identifying the integration of separate systems as their “greatest pain.”
“In an industry driven by efficiency, it is surprising that so few logistics providers are able to resolve core integration issues that impact on-time performance, process automation and customer service,” continued Pease. “Increasing process automation and system compatibility illustrate two key opportunities for logistics providers looking to outperform the competition and thrive in today’s tough economic environment.”
To learn more about Hubspan on-demand integration offerings for logistics optimization, and to receive the full Hubspan MarketInsight study, please visit the Hubspan website at: www.hubspan.com/
About Hubspan Inc.
Hubspan connects businesses by providing a complete business-to-business integration solution for companies of all sizes. More than 10,000 trading partners across 34 countries benefit from Hubspan’s scalable, flexible technology. Hubspan’s market-leading solution, delivered as a service, yields increased revenue, improved customer satisfaction and retention, and increased operational efficiency faster and more cost-effectively than in-house development. Hubspan serves some of the largest, global enterprises as well as organizations with just a few hundred employees – managing even the most complex business processes.