IMHX Event Director Rob Fisher

With a wealth of experience gained from working with providers of materials handling and logistics services, IMHX Event Director Rob Fisher looks at the growing importance of IT in today's logistics environment.

According to figures from online retail association the Interactive Media in Retail Group (IMRG), in February 2016 UK shoppers spent £8.9bn online, 18% more than they did a year earlier.

The growth is the highest seen by the IMRG-Capgemini eRetail Sales Index since June 2015. Driving that growth were online clothing sales, up by 22% on last year - the highest increase since June 2013. Menswear was up by 31%, while accessories
were up by 35%, both year-on-year. In electricals, online sales
grew by 6% over the year.

As internet retailing continues to grow, supply chain operators face even greater pressure as customers demand faster delivery times. Amazon has upped the ante on this score, offering delivery within an hour through its Amazon Prime Now service in selected UK locations.

This builds on their existing same day delivery service, and they claim up to 10,000 products will be available for delivery within an hour, including everyday items such as coffee and nappies, but also games consoles, toys and sports equipment.

IT solutions are playing a key role in developing the infrastructure necessary to enable such speedy deliveries - and the connected supply chain to handle the inevitable returns. In response to these developments for the first time IMHX, the essential intralogistics event for supply chain professionals, will feature a dedicated Supply Chain IT Village.

Taking place at Birmingham's NEC from Tuesday 13th to Friday 16th September, and sponsored by finance provide Investec, leading providers will be on hand at IMHX to help visitors meet the challenges - and discover the latest e-commerce solutions.

Among those exhibiting will be Proteus Software who specialise in providing Warehouse Management Systems (WMS). Proteus take a consultative approach to projects, building long-term, harmonious partnerships that deliver agile, flexible solutions tailored to clients' business processes. Their intelligent, award-winning WMS ensures the right stock is in the right place every time. Warehouse performance and operational costs are improved by maximising throughput, increasing efficiencies and making savings that impact the bottom line.

David Bugden of Proteus explains why they will be exhibiting at the IMHX IT Village: "IMHX is a must-attend event for anyone involved in logistics and supply chain; this is our fifth time attending. The new IT Village provides a great platform for technology providers to meet potential customers and showcase new innovative developments. It will also help visitors by locating technology providers together. Proteus is looking forward to being part of this new initiative."

Honeywell is another leading supplier of IT solutions to the logistics industry exhibiting at IMHX. With their Vocollect Voice system at the cutting edge of voice recognition technology. Vocollect customers can batch-pick upwards of 12 orders, while achieving 99.99% order selection accuracy and increase worker productivity by 15-25% compared with RF Scanning and paper. The progress of orders can be tracked and quickly reallocated when needed, to ensure best-in-class customer satisfaction levels.

One of Honeywell's leading UK partners Voitecq will also be at the show. They use Honeywell's technology for their Voiceman Execution System which can be used for voice directed warehouse operation and workforce management, optimising use of the workforce and allocation of specific tasks and order to specific individuals.

IT continues to grow in importance throughout the whole supply chain and logistics environment. One of the best ways to discover the latest developments - and the benefits they can bring to your business - is to come and meet those who are at the forefront of providing the market leading solutions in the field, at IMHX 2016.

For further information visit www.imhx.net or contact:


Rob Fisher
Event Director
e: send an email
w: www.imhx.net