New global research from SOTI has revealed that transportation and logistics (T&L) workers are each losing 13 hours of productive time per month, as a result of device-related issues.
In the UK, the average downtime sits below this at 11 hours per employee. While lower than the global average, any unnecessary downtime still presents a significant disruption to business continuity and T&L workers in the UK are experiencing more technology-related stress than their global counterparts (54% versus 48%).
SOTI’s new research, The Road Ahead: Driving Digital Transformation in T&L, which surveyed 1,700 T&L workers across 10 countries including 300 in the UK, revealed that the UK is struggling to manage and secure the devices that are essential to the delivery of services. The study suggests that a lack of visibility could be the root of the problem with over a third (35%) of UK T&L workers stating an inability to identify downtime issues and reach a resolution quicky, was the key source of delays.
Security Woes
The study identified that data security is of high concern to T&L employees, with the main worry being the impact of losing a device or concerns over sharing devices. The majority (82%) of UK respondents feel adequately trained in keeping data secure (compared to the global average of 76%), but 53% fear the security repercussions of losing a work device and 51% report apprehension with shared devices. The study suggests this problem is likely to grow as 71% said the practice of swapping handsets, smartphones and scanners is becoming more common.
Stefan Spendrup, VP of Sales, Northern and Western Europe at SOTI commented: “Mobile technology is essential for the T&L sector. From order to delivery, organisations must meet increasingly demanding timelines in the presence of rapid technological disruption. In addition to being on time, focusing on seamless communication, replacing bulky devices with streamlined wearables and handheld devices requiring bespoke applications, is essential. And all of this technology must be effectively managed and secured.”
Employee Wellbeing
Device downtime causes stress for over half (54%) of the UK’s T&L workers, compared to the global average of 48%, and nearly 1 in 5 (16%) say they’ve had to increase their speed to avoid further delays and disappointing customers. Despite this, almost 2 in 5 (37%) miss their targets due to equipment failures, higher than the global average of 32%.
“This data underscores the urgent need for proactive tools that support devices and applications remotely,” added Spendrup. “Device analytics – tracking battery status, app functionality and network connectivity – can proactively address device-related issues without on-site intervention, leading to higher productivity, better employee wellbeing and customer satisfaction.”
Green Ambitions
The research found that almost all (98%) of UK T&L staff report their employers are taking steps toward sustainability, however over two thirds (68%) believe their companies could be doing more to protect the planet. Over half (59%) acknowledge that being more eco-conscious is difficult for the sector but 41% would leave their job if their employer wasn’t doing enough to protect the environment, indicating the potential impact on employee retention.
“Transportation and logistics organisations recognise the importance of equipping frontline workers with reliable and working mobile devices. This not only enhances real-time delivery tracking but allows for a greener and more sustainable operations, reducing the contribution to e-waste. Our research found that 50% of frontline workers said they would leave their jobs if their employer was not doing enough to protect the environment. This is where robust mobile technology is needed to support successful business operations,” concluded Spendrup.
Report Methodology
SOTI conducted its research in May and June 2024 across 10 countries. It is based on 1,700 online interviews with people aged 18+ who work as T&L drivers or in warehouses in organisations with 50 or more employees. The sample split is as follows: U.S. (300 respondents), Canada (200 respondents), UK (300 respondents), Germany (100 respondents), France (200 respondents), the Netherlands (200 respondents), Sweden (100 respondents), Mexico (100 respondents), Australia (100 respondents) and Japan (100 respondents).