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Can you write me recommendation based on my assignment providing below: Automation technology The implementation of automation technology within the logistics and supply chain sector

Can you write me recommendation based on my assignment providing below:

Automation technology

The implementation of automation technology within the logistics and supply chain sector has been known since the beginning of the 21st century. Benanav (2020, pp.5) defined automation may be different from other forms of labour-saving technology because automation technologies fully replace human labour, rather than simply enhancing human productivity. Automation technology uses machines, such as robots and other automated systems, to carry out activities that were traditionally carried out by people.

Amazon is an international logistic company that use autonomous robots within its warehousing facilities to streamline its supply chain operations. Autonomous robots are used to facilitate the movement and transportation of products without the need for human involvement, while increasing operational efficiency. According to Radivojeviet. al. (2019, pp.289) the adoption of robotics and automation in industrial processes is aimed at achieving several objectives, including improving the quality and safety of final products, minimising errors, reducing labour and expenses, and enhancing quality standards.

In Amazon, there are multiple types of robots that are used for a variety of tasks. The first one called Kiva robots. It is orange and use to move pods and shelves faster and cheaper.

The second robot introduced in 2007 named Hercules. Hercules serves the purpose for heavy lifting. Robotstow is the third roboticdesigned for the purpose of transporting pallets around. Agrawal el. at. (2023, pp.420) commented, Amazon's initial goal in implementing "Kiva" is to enhance their picking and packaging processes and reduce delivery time. As Amazon's business grew exponentially, their warehouses expanded and moved to different locations. In order to enhance their operational efficiency, they adopted autonomous technology. The autonomous robots in Amazon have sensors and cameras devices. This allows them to safely traverse the warehouse without encountering any collisions with either other robots or personnel working within the warehouse. The implementation of a transportation system within a warehouse can effectively facilitate the movement of goods from one location to another. Therefore, it mitigates the necessity for manual labour in the transportation of heavy items. This has substantially decreased the risk of worker injuries and enhanced workplace safety.

Utilising autonomous robots has significantly enhanced Amazon's supply chain management by decreasing the time required to fulfil orders, enhancing inventory management, and lowering operational costs. Robotic systems exhibit the ability to operate continuously for a full day, seven days a week, without requiring any rest or extra payment for extended working hours. This enables Amazon to manage a greater order volume, thereby enhancing customer satisfaction by reducing delivery times and ensuring products are in stock.

Accurate order fulfilment is another advantage of Amazon's use of automation in its warehouses. Robotic technology has the capability to efficiently and precisely identify and retrieve the appropriate items, leading to a decrease in inaccuracies and increase in customer's satisfaction. Fernandez el. at. (2018) believed that Robotic Process Automation (RPA) has the potential to enhance organisational productivity, minimise expenses, improve accuracy and swiftness of work processes.

Blockchain technology

Blockchain technology authorises corporate networks exchange data among members of a business network. Queiroz et. al. (2020) defined blockchain as an operating digital ledger of transactions, characterised by decentralisation, disintermediation, transaction sharing, and tamper-proofing. The adopting blockchain technology enables businesses to monitor their products throughout the entire supply chain, from starting phase to the final stage. As Tijan et. al. (2019,pp.1185) said the blockchain technology makes it easier to keep track of any type of activities, whether they involve money, data, or information. As a results, there has been a rise in supply chain transparency and a reduction in operational costs.

Maersk known the world's largest container shipping company. The company has implemented blockchain technology in order to enhance the transparency and efficiency of its supply chain. Maersk collaborated with IBM to develop a blockchain-powered solution known as TradeLens, which aims to improve supply chain transparency and accessibility. This particular platform facilitates the real-time access and exchange of shipping information among shippers, freight forwarders, and customs authorities. This prevents the necessity for intermediaries and diminishes the likelihood of fraudulent activities and inaccuracies.

The use of blockchain technology has made a big difference in how Maersk manages its supply chain. It reduces the use of paperwork, enhancement of transparency, and mitigation of the potential for fraudulent activities. Before the intervention of blockchain, the process of managing the supply chain required the manual input of data and the processing of a large number of documents. It was time-consuming and prone errors to fraud and blunders. However, since the introduction of blockchain, manual entry is replaced by technology which has led to the improvements of accuracy as well as its level of safety. Phan et. al. (2019, pp.14) believed that blockchain technology is considered to be highly secure due to a specific feature that it offers, which enhances security in comparison to other centralised technologies. By this feature in blockchain, transactions can be recorded in a secure and transparent setting. The information that is inputted into the blockchain is immutable preventing any form of tampering or modification. This has decreased the occurrences of supply chain fraud, such as cargo theft and counterfeit products.

Implementing blockchain technology has also increased the efficiency of supply chain operations by reducing the processing and verification time for documentation. Markus (2020, pp.189) described the benefit of the blockchain technology, considering how the fundamental features of blockchain technology can impact speed, a shared immutable ledger facilitates eliminating wasteful among supply chain actors because they all have access to the same, secure information in real-time. This has greatly decreased the time necessary to process paperwork and enhanced the supply chain's speed and accuracy.

Drone

Drone is one of the most recent technologies that has found considerable utilisation across multiple industries. One of the fields that has benefited from the innovation of drone technology is the product logistic and how it managed through the supply chain.Benarbia (2022, pp.357) discussed in recent years, many companies have begun to focus more on the creation of drones designed for package delivery in various areas, such as e-commerce and the logistic industry for example Amazon, DHL, Walmart etc.Kirschstein (2020) believed drone technology changes logistic by reducing transport costs, shorten delivery time, increasing customer satisfaction, and reducing carbon footprint.

Walmart is a global retailer that employs drones to improve inventory management and product delivery in its supply chain. Since 2015, Walmart has been conducting trials using drone technology in its warehouse and delivery operation. At present, the company is utilising drone to transport goods to it client home.

Drones are designed to be lightweight, agile and autonomous flight capabilities. It is equipped with four electric motors, four arms, four blades, andseveral sensors, including crucial gyroscope systems and navigation radars. This allows them to navigate the warehouse and detect the location of items. Control drones can be carried out manually, via the use of computer software, or through a combination of computer programme inputs and sensor data.

In warehouse, drones use to conduct stock-taking and assess essential information, including product discrepancies and shelf organisation. It avoids the need for manual data input and enables more accurate product monitoring which contribute to efficient inventory management. Additionally, drones can be used to conduct aerial surveys of warehouses and distribution centres, gathering useful information that can be utilised to improve operations.

Walmart uses drones to deliver goods to customers faster. Drones have the power to carry cargo weighing up to 2.7 kilogrammes (5 pounds) and fly up to 400 feet. Because it is capable to fly, drones can avoid areas with heavy traffic congestion and transport goods to remote locations. This enables shorter shipping time and improved operational efficiency in the supply chain therefore it increases customer's satisfaction.

The utilisation drones also have the potential to mitigate carbon emissions. According to Navigant Research 3AD (2020) said that drones present an opportunity to reduce carbon emissions, traffic congestion, and operational expenses while simultaneously satisfying customers' demandsand hyperlocal delivery. Most of drones are powered by batteries instead of fuel like truck or rail. This leads to a reduction in petroleum consumption, thereby contributing to a decrease in carbon emissions. All of this point to be concluded that, Walmart's use of drones for inventory management and product delivery has increased operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and reducing carbon emissions

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