Descartes survey: 54% of supply chain and logistics leaders focus on automation to reduce workforce shortage 

Companies increase productivity by optimizing delivery routes and tracking shipments in real time

More than half of supply chain and logistics leaders (54%) are focusing on automating repetitive tasks to improve employee productivity. This can help address workforce shortages. Consider the many functions in supply chain and logistics that are routine, non-integrated and require manual intervention. That's according to research from Descartes Systems Group, a leader in software solutions for supply chain and logistics.

Optimizing delivery route is priority

To increase employee productivity, supply chain and logistics leaders particularly choose solutions to optimize delivery routes (54%) and increase mobile driver productivity (45%). Respondents' top technology choice to support knowledge workers is for a solution to track shipments in real time (53%).

Companies are adapting their recruitment and retention strategies and tactics

In addition to investing in technology to combat supply chain and logistics workforce shortages, the survey shows that companies are also adjusting their recruitment and retention strategies and tactics. According to the survey, hiring workers (e.g., warehouse workers and drivers) and knowledge workers (e.g., planners, managers, analysts) are the most frequently mentioned (54%) when it comes to addressing workforce availability challenges. The survey also found that flexible working hours (35%) and using the latest technologies (34%) are the best strategies for attracting employees, while on-the-job training and education (35%) and higher pay (34%) are the best strategies for retaining employees.

"The study confirms that most supply chain and logistics organizations have adapted their operational, technological, recruitment and retention strategies to combat the problem", said Chris Jones, EVP Industry at Descartes. "Based on the results of the survey, we believe that employers must continue to invest and develop to make the most of their existing resources and focus on more than money to hire and retain a capable workforce."

The results of the study also showed that the strategies, tactics and technologies used by companies to address labor constraints vary based on financial performance, growth, the importance management places on supply chain and logistics operations and the success of employee retention programs.