“WebXpress is the collective wisdom of over 80 leading supply chain companies across 8 countries and 20,000+ users. WebXpress is built by customers — we have only enabled right technology, people and processes to make you successful,” says Apurva Mankad, Founder & CEO. In a tête-à-tête with Manufacturing Today, Apurva talks about the vision of WebXpress – Deploying technology for a sustainable and capital-efficient logistics industry.
Could you tell us about WebXpress and how it is different?
WebXpress was started with the aim of bringing the latest technology to a highly unorganised but very crucial sector – Logistics. WebXpress built its logistics technology solutions by combining customer needs with the technology and process know-how of the founding member team. With the advent of the Cloud, WebXpress has transformed into a SaaS-based solution that covers an entire rainbow of transportation solutions from e-commerce to Express to Hyperlocal to Full Truck movement. Today, WebXpress processes over 3.5 million orders and monthly analyses over 100 mn IoT signals. Although a technology company, WebXpress’s key strength is the domain knowledge and ground-level experience of successful deployments. WebXpress very well understands the limitations of ground-level logistics operations and thus ensures its technology is practical and useful daily.
What disruptions are happening in the logistics space – especially in India?
Logistics is witnessing massive changes in India, driven by the government and the private sector. The government of India has launched a Logistics Policy to create a framework to reduce logistics costs from 14% to 9% of GSP. Under its Gatishakti program government is fast-tracking the building of multi-modal logistics parks. Also, it has created a Unified Logistics Interface Platform- ULIP- to connect all stakeholders for visibility across the logistics chain. Indian states are also fast recognizing that the key to a thriving manufacturing sector lies in world-class logistics infrastructure. The central government has started LEADS – Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) program helps to compare state-wise performance.
States such as Gujarat, Punjab and Andhra Pradesh have been ranked as Top improving states as per LEADS 2021. Such initiatives will bolster overall logistics practices in country and create a very conducive environment for attracting more and more manufacturing investment to India.
New technologies are enabling greater efficiency and more collaborative operating models; they’re also reshaping the marketplace in ways that are only just beginning to become apparent. What will the logistics marketplace look like in five to ten years?
Logistics worldwide is witnessing massive disruption and changes due pandemic and now due to the Ukraine conflict and the China+1 policy of MNCs. At the same time, technology such as 5G, IoT, Artificial Intelligence and integration of multiple systems is providing unprecedented data and insights into the operations of global supply chains. At the same time, “sustainable supply chains” will become central to logistics investments in the next 5 to 10 years. Logistics accounts for 15% of global GHG emissions. Thus, there is likely to be massive investment in electric vehicles, carbon reduction solutions, and carbon trading.
Changing customer expectations – how is WebXpress dealing with this aspect?
Customers are increasingly focussing on technology as an operating expenditure. They expect technology companies like WebXpress to invest capital in innovation and bring ready-to-use solutions to them.
Customers also expect WebXpress to ensure successful deployment and usage of technology. Also, they expect integration with multiple systems to ensure their overall benefit from the entire investment. WebXpress is responding by heavily investing into consulting teams for the process and technology. WebXpress also uses Integration Automation to plug its solutions into leading ERPs such as SAP and Navision. WebXpress has created a Digital Ecosystem to connect with IoT solutions, E-way Bill system, and FastTag toll system, among others. WebXpress has tied up with educational institutions to train Managers and provide them with free access to WebXpress software
There are many new entrants to the industry. How are you staying ahead of the competition?
The emergence of Unicorns or Soonicorn from India is great news for all the players. The logistics market is very large and requires specialised technology solutions in multiple areas. WebXpress competes as well as collaborates with many start-ups.
In fact, we use start-ups to increase our solution capability. For example, we are working with an AI-based start-up to use CCTV to manage docks. We are working with another start-up to get real-time data on Vehicle KYC. With one more start-up, we are deploying Robotic Process Automation.
The way we see the market is there will be a set of fulcrum companies, such as WebXpress, ensuring solution delivery and ensure security and governance. These will then work with various start-ups to offer a larger solution competing with global giants.
Collaboration and standardisation increase efficiency. Are you building on any partnerships?
WebXpress is continuously looking to add value to customers in the shortest possible time. Thus, we look at collaborating with multiple technology partners. We have recently added partners for AI-based Dock Management and Vehicle Management, Real-time Vehicle and Driver KYC to automate vehicle verification and capacity capture for demand planning, among others. We are also collaborating with companies in the IoT field to bring their solutions to our customers.