The logistics industry is a crucial component of the global economy, with the facilitation of movement and storage of goods from origin to destination. It is an industry which is driven by technology, change, and innovation – and it is unsurprising that in the UAE, a region which prides itself on being at the forefront of all these areas – logistics is being improved and developed with technology and data-driven innovations.
In this article, we will look at the UAE Logistics market, how Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and business automation are helping this industry right now, the future of CRM and automation in logistics, and what you need to consider as a UAE business before investing in your own CRM and automation tools.
According to Mordor Intelligence, the UAE Freight and Logistics market is estimated to be $20.03 billion (USD), and is expected to reach $27.51 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 6.55% between 2024 and 2029.
With the region providing a strategic geographic location and supported by an excellent transportation infrastructure, the UAE is seen as a regional logistics hub, and there is a growing demand for supply chain and logistics managers in the area as the industry continues to develop.
The very nature of logistics businesses means that information needs to be handled quickly, correctly, and as efficiently as possible – there is very little room for error when your business model involves being the solution.
To this end, the use of Business Process Automation (BPA) and CRM software has been growing and becoming more embedded in the necessary operations inside the industry.
Some of the key elements that logistics companies are looking for in supporting technologies include:
Lead Tracking is the process of identifying the source of a lead, evaluating the various stages of the sales funnel, and then implementing strategic actions to close the deal. Sales teams, in conjunction with marketing teams, are able to obtain more qualified leads, focus marketing and advertising campaigns, and boost sales as a result.
GPS Meeting Tracking allows team members to accurately record their time, capture 'active work' and ensure that clients are billed accordingly. This offers a level of transparency that logistics customers find helpful, as well as allowing team managers the ability to structure and manage resources and assets more effectively.
Order Management offers a digital solution to tracking, processing, and handling an order through its entire lifecycle. By following an order through each stage of the process, customised depending on the simplicity or complexity of the business process, evaluations can be made on how effective a process is, responsibility can be given to specific team members, and the potential for orders to be lost or dropped in the process is reduced.
Quote Templates allow information to be presented in a unified, standardised, and easily understandable format, making it quicker, more efficient, and effective for team members to put together quotes in a way that meets legal obligations, and company standards, and delivers the right brand image to the client.
BPA and CRM are going to continue to be an integral part of the logistics process and the logistics industry as a whole.
As technologies become more effective, streamlined, and integrated with digital architectures, the tools will grow more adaptable, functional, and flexible to meet industry standards, legal obligations, and business needs.
Investing in the development of business automation, and the right CRM software will soon be a key differentiator between businesses succeeding, or not – and the reliability and security of these platforms will be vital to company success.
Automation especially for logistics industries is going to tie in deeper with big data needs, and the real-time applications and analysis the industry generates. Companies who are looking to grow and expand are going to need to ensure their data architecture is robust, and well-supported by tools that are capable of growing with them.
Investing in the development of your company, and the digital infrastructure that will support it, is something that needs to be carefully considered and strategically implemented.
The right CRM tools need to be adaptable, flexible, and suitable for your needs – which means an 'off-the-shelf' solution is highly unlikely to provide value for your budget, or the right applications to handle your needs.
As a logistics company, you will often be dealing with large orders from multiple suppliers, customers in various regions and parts of the globe, communications from many different sources, and tight time frames, which means you need a platform that provides you with at least:
When considering your automation and CRM software needs, some of the key areas you need to consider include:
Taking your time to carefully evaluate your software needs, and working with experts who have experience in both CRM and automation for business will allow you a deeper understanding of your business needs, the support required to setup and operate your tools correctly, and the freedom to grow your business knowing that you have trusted partners working with you to improve your business from the ground up – leading you to a more successful future, increased sales, and a business that will last.
Business in the UAE is going to continue to grow more streamlined and data-driven, and its location as a regional logistics hub mean that competition will be fierce, and every advantage should be pressed.
TEB Apps is growing in the logistics industry as it will give you the tools to automate your manual processes and drive your growth. From lead tracking to item and order management, TEB Apps will streamline your processes and supercharge your team's performance. With TEB Apps you will:
Maximise your lead conversions – With advanced lead tracking, follow-up reminders and scoring your team will be able to maximise their conversions and boost your revenue.
Track your stock – Keep track of all the items you are selling to make stock management easy and accurate.
Streamline quote creation – Create quotes easily with custom templates, and specification, bundle and volumetric pricing criteria.
Track your on-field activity – Track your on-field sales activity with GPS tracking to stay on top of your client meetings and events.
Book a demo today and reach your full potential with TEB Apps.