Logistics and transport account for 6.9% of Spain's GDP, according to official data. If the impact of industrial, commercial, and service sector companies that perform logistics tasks is included, some sources estimate their contribution to the country's GDP at over 10%. To put this into perspective, tourism, Spain's flagship industry, generates 14% of the Gross Domestic Product. If we break down the data, in 2021 the logistics sector represented 2.74% of Spain's GDP, according to data from the Observatory of Transport and Logistics in Spain, which is part of the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility. It is a key industry for the economy, also indirectly, since many other sectors depend on the smooth functioning of transport, from retail to food, and even tourism. But for transport to function effectively, it is necessary to overcome the challenges affecting this sector, ranging from digital transformation to the shift towards sustainable energy sources. These are two major challenges that can be addressed with technology, but they require understanding the different options in order to create a roadmap that allows companies to lead the change.
Fleet management is key.
In this context of change, fleet management stands out as one of the factors that will determine the role of a logistics company in the transportation of the future. Currently, fleets are increasingly numerous, spread across more countries, and integrate third-party vehicles to scale them according to demand. This is where traceability becomes the most urgent basic need for real-time information that allows for monitoring routes and vehicles . “Traceability allows us to optimize routes to save fuel, take full advantage of vehicle load capacity to reduce the number of vehicles on the road, and guarantee cargo safety so that it arrives on time and in good condition at its destination,” explains Alayn Endaya, Marketing Manager of Wireless Logic Spain.
Technology now enables efficient and intelligent traceability that goes beyond simply locating vehicles on a map. It optimizes vehicle management and automates processes to streamline the daily operations of transport companies. Advanced features like geofencing, which defines a specific zone for each vehicle and sends an alert to the control center if it is breached, improve the security of transport companies, which are often targeted by organized gangs exploiting vulnerabilities. “Technology makes logistics safer by protecting cargo, vehicles, and drivers in real time and automatically,” emphasizes Alayn Endaya.
However, for fleet management to be fully digitized, a secure and resilient connectivity solution is essential. When it comes to monitoring vehicles, including drones and even ships, connectivity solutions tailored to each company's needs are crucial. Not all companies have the same number of vehicles or operate in the same markets. "In an increasingly internationalized environment, and considering that cellular telecommunications depend on infrastructure deployments in each region and relationships with operators, a reliable partner capable of providing robust, secure, and consistent connectivity is vital," adds Alayn.
Connectivity Technologies for Fleet Management:
Many logistics companies are unaware of the options already available on the market to ensure their fleet management meets the security and traceability requirements expected in the 21st century. Therefore, Wireless Logic, the world's leading provider of IoT (Internet of Things) connectivity, emphasizes the importance of integrating technologies designed to mitigate the impact of borders and be future-proof, such as embedded universal integrated circuit cards (eUICCs), more commonly known as eSIMs. These SIM cards allow users to switch mobile carriers without physical intervention. This is not only a more efficient solution, as it eliminates the need to replace the card when crossing a border, but it is also more secure, preventing cards from being lost, mixed up, or damaged.
To further improve these processes, Wireless Logic integrates Remote SIM Provisioning (RSP) . This enables remote loading and modification of SIM profiles and multi-IMSI capability, allowing users to switch between different profiles or local IMSIs and overcome the limitations of constant roaming. This becomes a key tool for seamless management in all circumstances. “To put it simply, what we offer at Wireless Logic is a SIM card that you insert into the device and that provides connectivity anywhere in the world, without having to insert a local SIM when you change countries. The same card works worldwide because the changes happen in the background, in real time, and remotely. The fleet management platform only needs to focus on keeping the software updated and running. Nothing else ,” explains Alayn.
The challenges of logistics in 2024 can be overcome with the right technology and trusted partners capable of responding to evolving and highly specific needs. That's why companies like Wireless Logic are also partnering with specialists in mapping (which projects the location of each vehicle) or satellite connectivity, as demonstrated by their recent authorized distributor agreement with Starlink. Collaboration is key to the digital future and will allow logistics to expand its capabilities to sectors such as connected urban mobility and private transportation, among others. "The key is to never stop innovating, partner with market leaders, and invest in technologies that offer the necessary balance between connectivity, security, traceability, and efficiency," concludes Alayn.
