Two-thirds of the UK’s transport and logistics (T&L) leaders believe mobile-first technology will be critical to deliveries in five years, according to new research from mobile and IoT management solutions provider SOTI. 

As the pace of technological change picks up, half of T&L leaders globally believe mobile-first technology will increase the speed of the delivery process, while a quarter said wearables will play a more important role during that time. A fifth expect the use of drones to become significant.

As part of its Mobilising the Delivery Workforce: State of Mobility in Transportation and Logistics 2021 Report, SOTI commissioned researchers to interview 550 IT decision-makers in the T&L industry across eight countries.

It found that in the last 12 months, 75 per cent of T&L leaders say their organisation has invested considerably in new technology.

80 per cent agree that their organisation plans to invest considerably in new technology such as mobile devices, wearables and IoT devices and solutions in the next 18 months. 

Despite this, over half (57 per cent) agree that legacy systems have prevented their organisation from sufficiently upscaling their operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

When explored further, however, the research revealed that 72 per cent have failed to adequately integrate their systems and technology.  

Sarah Edge, Director of Sales, UK at SOTI said: “Organisations have been investing heavily in new technology over the past year and plan to continue to do so, yet they are besieged with technological or system difficulties that hold them back. 

“While over half agree that legacy systems have prevented their organisation from sufficiently upscaling during the pandemic, this isn’t the real problem.”

Edge added: “It’s just not practical or feasible from a cost perspective to rip out every piece of legacy technology and start again. 

“Instead, effective integration of systems and a solid mobile strategy are key.”