They are now security questions which will cause of new research and innovations

The springs of innovation in transport and logistics are the same as in all other sectors of activity: "the number one factor remains the profitability," exclaims a pattern of the sector. The benefit passes including by a reduction in costs, particularly to offset the rising cost of energy, and by an increase in productivity. "More and more shippers conflict contracts with their logistics providers of plans in progress setting improvements in productivity of 5 to 6 per year, accompanied by bonus malus", said Nicolas Gellé, Valtech Axelboss Cabinet. Hence, for example, the burst of countless software and accelerated exchange of information means. Idem for the follow-up of the fleets of vehicles by geolocation, the rise of the means of tracking or mechanization oversimplification of warehouses. To contain increases in labour costs in warehouse voice picking with helmet (guided by radio command preparation) is thus generalized.

At the same time, logistics providers seek to create new more remunerative services. "They have interest to evolve their model and to develop services value added because the margins of transport have been cropped," commented Nicolas Gellé. It is in this sense that are born relay packages among the traders or the automatic instructions in the city to meet the final customer and save the transportation of the "last mile". Same thing for the very specific logistics of e-commerce or tracking information that makes visible the flow of goods in real time.

Selling point

But next to profitability requirements, several external factors push logistics in his deletions of innovation. The first factor is the constant pressure of waves of national and European regulations. The logistics of recovery (reverse logistics) was established from scratch under the impetus of European regulations, and the electronic version of the customs, or even the tools of traceability, including in the food. The toll will allow to travel with a single badge on all public or private of European motorway networks has also driven with Brussels. They are now security questions which will cause of new research and innovations.

Second exogenous factor is invited in logistics is the aspect environment for sustainable development, which is combined in itself often regulatory wave, for example through more stringent of truck engines emission standards (Euro 4 until Euro 5 in 2009). "As for security issues, these regulations become more stringent and structuring", notes Hervé Cornède, Delegate General of Transport and Logistics France (TLF) for which "the environment became a source of strong innovation and permanent in all areas of logistics, for vehicles, warehouses or management". "In our business, which has a reputation as a delicate because it places vehicles on the road, sustainable development has become a strong incentive to innovate", confirms François Bertreau of Norbert Dentressangle. It is also understanding the promoters and constructors of logistics platforms that make their warehouses high quality environmental (HQE) a selling point.

However logistics providers and real estate developers initiatives leading a little remains an exception. For Hubert - Marie Bouillet, Director of Freight Traders: "It is the necessity that brought the logisticians to the environment." They do not often cringe but are sandwiched between two conflicting requirements: on one side of the more demanding customers in terms of quality, frequency, or splitting of shipments; the other, officials of factories who think only to large series. "Regulatory pressure and corporate social responsibility were now added to these common constraints to imagine always more innovative solutions.