Cold logistics businesses operate in an environment where precision, speed and control matter every day. From temperature-sensitive warehousing and transport to customer expectations, cyber security, limited resources and fast-moving technology, the pressure to stay efficient and competitive is only increasing. That is why choosing the right IT foundation is no longer just an operational decision, it is a strategic one. As a South African reseller of Boltrics, Linc helps logistics service providers implement Boltrics, a proven, industry-specific solution built on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central to support smarter, faster and more connected logistics operations.
1. Resource capacity: doing more with the people you have
The cold logistics industry continues to face a shortage of skilled resources. For many providers, labour constraints can limit growth, place service level agreements under pressure and make it harder to keep up with daily operational demands. The right software can help reduce that pressure, however, by giving teams better tools, clearer processes and more automation.
- Automation: Low-code and no-code capabilities make it easier to automate repetitive tasks and reduce manual work. With a scalable, industry-specific solution such as Boltrics, businesses can standardize processes and free up teams to focus on higher-value activities
- Enablement: The faster new employees understand your processes, the sooner they can contribute. Intuitive software, clear training and standardized workflows help accelerate onboarding and support more consistent execution across the business
- Move to the cloud: Resource pressure is not limited to warehouse and transport teams. IT departments also face capacity constraints. Moving to a cloud solution helps reduce the burden of hardware maintenance, backups and on-premises infrastructure, allowing your team to focus on innovation and improvement
2. Industry cloud solutions: keeping pace with innovation
Technology is moving quickly, and logistics providers need systems that can keep up. The challenge is that limited internal capacity often forces businesses to choose between maintaining existing systems and investing in new capabilities. This is where industry cloud platforms become increasingly important. Boltrics highlights Gartner’s prediction that by 2027, more than 70% of enterprises will use industry cloud platforms to accelerate business initiatives. For cold logistics, this means adopting software that is not only modern and secure but also built around the realities of the industry.
- True SaaS: A scalable, multi-tenant SaaS environment gives logistics businesses access to the latest technology without the complexity of managing it alone. Boltrics is designed for logistics and built to evolve with the industry
- Industry standard: Generic systems often require extensive configuration and can force businesses to reinvent processes that have already been proven elsewhere. Industry-specific solutions combine flexibility with best practices, shortening time-to-market and making it easier to automate processes in a practical, sustainable way
3. Cyber security: protecting your operation and your customers
As cold logistics become more digital, cyber security becomes a business-critical priority. Greater connectivity brings clear benefits, but it also increases exposure to cyber threats, fraud attempts and operational risk. Customers are increasingly likely to ask for proof that their logistics partners have the right safeguards in place. A secure, cloud-based and regularly updated IT environment helps protect your operation, your data and the trust your customers place in you.
- Stay up to date: Keep applications across your IT landscape on current technology to reduce vulnerabilities and benefit from the latest security improvements
- Create awareness: Even strong systems can be weakened by human error. Training employees to identify scams, fraudulent emails and unsafe behaviour is essential to building a stronger security culture
- Move to the cloud: Cloud-based software can strengthen security by leveraging certified systems from leading technology providers and reducing the risks associated with outdated or fragmented infrastructure
4. AI and integration: turning data into better decisions
AI is often discussed as a trend, but in logistics its value lies in practical application. Cold logistics businesses exchange large volumes of data across customers, suppliers, transport partners and internal teams. Without the right integration strategy, that data can quickly become difficult to manage. With the right platform, AI and integrations can reduce manual work, improve accuracy and give decision-makers clearer insight into what is happening across the operation.
- Faster time-to-market: Packaged integrations can reduce integration timelines significantly, helping businesses connect systems and partners more quickly
- Unstructured data: AI can help capture and interpret unstructured information, converting it into structured data inside your software. This reduces manual input, lowers the risk of errors and supports scalability
- Better analysis: With large volumes of operational data, businesses need tools that support faster and more informed decisions. AI-driven analytics and predictive capabilities can help optimize warehouse processes and give teams the insight they need to act with confidence
Why partner with Linc?
Linc brings together local implementation experience and the global strength of Boltrics. Our team specializes in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and supports logistics providers with practical, industry-aligned solutions across warehousing, transport and freight forwarding. For cold logistics businesses, that means a solution designed around proven best practices, implemented with local support and configured for the way your operation works.
Ready to future-proof your cold logistics operation? Contact Linc today to explore how Boltrics can help your business improve visibility, automate processes and build a stronger, more connected logistics operation.
Original article by Jan-Cornell van Ekris, Boltrics. Original blog: The top 4 Challenges in Cold Logistics and How to Tackle them Link: https://www.boltrics.com/en/2024/12/19/blog-the-top-4-challenges-in-cold-logistics-and-how-to-tackle-them/
