Disruptive Technology Workshop

By Colin Windell

The transport and freight industry has been presented with plenty of new challenges with the explosive growth of technology over the past decade.

Digitisation, big data. e-commerce, cloud-based freight market places, connected platform technologies, online load boards, connected containers, online customs processing – none of these were around a few years ago, but today they are disrupting the freight forwarding and supply chain industries and changing the way the industry does business forever.

Freight forwarding companies that embrace these disruptive technologies could boost their business and their competitiveness – by up to 13% annually, according to Accenture’s 2017 ‘Digital Disruption in Freight & Logistics – Ready to Roll?’ report. Those that do not will lose both their competitiveness and value.

 This year’s Congress of the SA Association of Freight Forwarders (SAAFF), which takes place on  August 29 and 30 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, features an experiential Disruptive Technology workshop, aimed at giving delegates hands-on exposure to a wide range of new technologies.

MakerSpace Founder Steve Gray will be facilitating the workshop and says: “Our workshop aims to enlighten and engage delegates on the future of technology.”

His team of innovators, thought leaders, trend analysts and facilitators will be there to share their knowledge and expertise with the freight forwarding industry.

“We aim to get delegates thinking differently about training and skills development in the Industry to prepare companies for ongoing disruption and current opportunities. Delegates will leave excited and encouraged by the opportunities these offer.”

Congress delegates will interact with and experience first-hand the transformative power of the technologies that bombard our work and home lives on a daily basis.

Ten technologies that will form part of the workshop are: Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality, the Internet of Things, Open Source Electronics, Artificial Intelligence, Self-Driving Technology, Robotics, Design Thinking and Lean Canvas, 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing, Drone Technology as well as CryptoCurrency and BlockChain. 

Themed ‘Logistics through Innovation and technology’, the SAAFF Congress 2018 will focus on innovative technology that helps achieve objectives, logistics solutions, opportunities in this economy and the African context, as well as stories to inspire, motivate and transform the industry.