Leaders in the transportation space are becoming more aware of the promise of digital transformation. Responding to the global challenges sparked by labor shortages and supply chain disruptions, companies are turning to data and IT to streamline operations and maximize profits.
Among the digital tools available to these businesses, one in particular has stepped into the spotlight: Kubernetes (K8s). First launched by Google in 2015, this open-source system grants users a means of orchestrating cloud-based application bundles, or containers. This empowers organizations to become more nimble, reduce IT costs, and transform data into actionable insights.
Let’s review how Kubernetes and the hybrid cloud allow transportation companies to drive efficiency and innovation as well as data-driven growth.
Boosting efficiency and innovation on the hybrid cloud
Since its release, Kubernetes’ popularity has surged. This is largely thanks to its approach to containerization: by virtualizing operating systems in the cloud, K8s connects team members by sidestepping the accessibility and compatibility issues often associated with legacy infrastructure. For transport companies, this not only simplifies talent and fleet management—it also leads to considerable savings.
For instance, the transportation industry is facing a significant labor shortage. With Kubernetes, businesses can more easily find and onboard the talent they need. Importantly, containers enable both of these tasks to be carried out remotely; leaders can vet and interview from any location or device, and new hires can follow training protocols on the cloud without worrying about authentication roadblocks.
On the ground, containerization supports personnel networking and fleet management at scale. For example, Kubernetes could serve as the foundation for a cloud-native application bundle that uses IoT data generated along the supply chain to connect office and warehouse employees, drivers, and customers. For team members, this would promote collaboration and improve the overall driver experience, while for customers, it would unlock reliable delivery timeframes, accurate tracking, and exciting new products and services—all key drivers of brand loyalty.
Kubernetes also permits transportation companies to save money on IT costs. While running cloud-native applications and platforms, for instance, teams can use K8s to automate cluster deployment. To reduce operational complexity and minimize compute spend, more clusters could be set to spin up during charged shipping periods and fewer set to handle downtimes.
Diamanti’s centralized approach to Kubernetes simplifies such tasks with multi-layer automation. In addition to reducing server costs, this all-in-one platform makes it easy to offload tedious, repetitive tasks and frees employees up to concentrate on innovating.
Delivering growth with real-time data
In the transportation industry, leaders know that data is a motor for growth. For this reason, it’s worth zooming in on how companies can get the most out of their data with Kubernetes.
Remember that cloud-native application bundle? On the road, it can collect and store data from IoT sensors, shipping manifests, customs documentation, and traffic and weather information. And because it’s available across the hybrid cloud, it can provide front- and back-end users anywhere with actionable insights on in-route delays, driver detention, or hours-of-service limits. These insights can then be leveraged to increase efficiency by reducing delays both in-route as well as at gas and weigh stations, warehouses, and ports.
Datapoints like these aren’t just necessary for improving load planning, dock scheduling, and package tracking—they’re also important for ensuring security and regulatory compliance. Given the vast amounts of data that are being generated by Industry 4.0, for example, it’s no wonder that transportation leaders are often preoccupied with concerns over consumer data breaches and electronic logging device (EPL) rule alignment.
Thankfully, Diamanti’s K8s platform makes sure that every bit of this data is centralized and secure. In addition to built-in analytics pipelines, the Diamanti interface features layers of cloud-native data protection (including end-to-end back-up and recovery) that automatically protect sensitive customer information and IP.
With quick access to secure and transparent data, businesses can gain peace of mind and dedicate their attention to what really drives growth: going the extra mile for their customers.
