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OPINION | Logistics must evolve to survive digital workplace

Logistics has evolved into the backbone of every sector, connecting people, processes and products or even services across industries, says the writer Image: monticello / 123rf The term "logistics" typically brings to mind the business of trucks, warehouses and transport routes. However, that narrow definition is simply no longer accurate in the current economy.Logistics has evolved into the backbone of every sector, connecting people, processes and products or even services across industries. As technology reshapes the way goods and information move, the success of SA’s workforce will depend on its ability to master new logistics skills: digital literacy, data handling, systems thinking and collaboration across industries.Every business relies on logistics. Behind every product launch, infrastructure project or service delivery is a complex network of planning, movement and coordination.Logistics is what turns production into progress and it extends far beyond physical transport. Today, logistics is about managing intelligent systems and information flows as much as trucks and cargo. Artificial intelligence, robotics, cloud computing and the Internet of Things (IoT) are transforming supply chains into smart, interconnected ecosystems. This shift demands a new generation of professionals who can interpret data, integrate digital tools and optimise operations across multiple sectors.To stay relevant, SA’s workforce must evolve alongside these systems. Traditional operational expertise must be paired with technical fluency, which requires an understanding of how to work with data, automation and analytics. The logistics professional of tomorrow may never step inside a warehouse; instead, they may design digital platforms, monitor sustainability metrics or manage energy distribution networks.This evolution opens opportunities for upskilling and reskilling across all levels of the economy. Continuous learning programmes that focus on technology integration, leadership, data analysis and communication will help workers and businesses stay relevant in this digital future. Companies also have a vital role to play by making these opportunities accessible, breaking training down into manageable, step-by-step pathways that empower people to participate in the digital transition rather than fear it.As logistics becomes technical and interconnected, traditional distinctions between manual and office-based work no longer apply. Today’s logistics environment demands a blend of operational expertise and digital capability – people who can combine practical experience with data-driven decision-making and technological insight. This integration of hands-on knowledge and analytical skill is what will define the logistics workforce of the future.Roles such as cloud logistics architect, sustainability compliance specialist and IoT device technician are emerging as critical to the future of logistics. These positions require different training and mindsets but share a common foundation: the ability to manage complexity and deliver efficiency through technology. Recognising and investing in these skills will elevate logistics from a support function to a strategic growth driver.Developing SA’s logistics workforce also means widening the talent pipeline. Encouraging participation from women, youth and diverse communities expands the skill base and stimulates innovation. Diversity is not just about representation; it is about building teams that think differently and bring fresh solutions to complex logistical challenges.From operating AI-assisted vehicles to managing data-driven supply networks, the next generation of logistics professionals will need creativity as much as competence. Nurturing that diversity of thought is essential to ensuring SA remains competitive and inclusive as the world transitions to smart logistics.Logistics is no longer a single industry; it is the operating system of modern economies. By investing in digital skills, fostering lifelong learning and championing inclusion, SA can turn the logistics transformation into a catalyst for employment, innovation and growth.Every sector, from mining and energy to healthcare and retail, depends on logistics. Both the challenge and the opportunity lie in preparing people with the skills to manage the logistics of everything.Phiri is a director at Oxyon People Solutions

admin October 16, 2025 3 min read

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The term “logistics” typically brings to mind the business of trucks, warehouses and transport routes. However, that narrow definition is simply no longer accurate in the current economy.

Logistics has evolved into the backbone of every sector, connecting people, processes and products or even services across industries. As technology reshapes the way goods and information move, the success of SA’s workforce will depend on its ability to master new logistics skills: digital literacy, data handling, systems thinking and collaboration across industries.

Every business relies on logistics. Behind every product launch, infrastructure project or service delivery is a complex network of planning, movement and coordination.

Logistics is what turns production into progress and it extends far beyond physical transport. Today, logistics is about managing intelligent systems and information flows as much as trucks and cargo. Artificial intelligence, robotics, cloud computing and the Internet of Things (IoT) are transforming supply chains into smart, interconnected ecosystems. This shift demands a new generation of professionals who can interpret data, integrate digital tools and optimise operations across multiple sectors.

To stay relevant, SA’s workforce must evolve alongside these systems. Traditional operational expertise must be paired with technical fluency, which requires an understanding of how to work with data, automation and analytics. The logistics professional of tomorrow may never step inside a warehouse; instead, they may design digital platforms, monitor sustainability metrics or manage energy distribution networks.

This evolution opens opportunities for upskilling and reskilling across all levels of the economy. Continuous learning programmes that focus on technology integration, leadership, data analysis and communication will help workers and businesses stay relevant in this digital future.

Companies also have a vital role to play by making these opportunities accessible, breaking training down into manageable, step-by-step pathways that empower people to participate in the digital transition rather than fear it.

As logistics becomes technical and interconnected, traditional distinctions between manual and office-based work no longer apply. Today’s logistics environment demands a blend of operational expertise and digital capability – people who can combine practical experience with data-driven decision-making and technological insight. This integration of hands-on knowledge and analytical skill is what will define the logistics workforce of the future.

Roles such as cloud logistics architect, sustainability compliance specialist and IoT device technician are emerging as critical to the future of logistics. These positions require different training and mindsets but share a common foundation: the ability to manage complexity and deliver efficiency through technology. Recognising and investing in these skills will elevate logistics from a support function to a strategic growth driver.

Developing SA’s logistics workforce also means widening the talent pipeline. Encouraging participation from women, youth and diverse communities expands the skill base and stimulates innovation. Diversity is not just about representation; it is about building teams that think differently and bring fresh solutions to complex logistical challenges.

From operating AI-assisted vehicles to managing data-driven supply networks, the next generation of logistics professionals will need creativity as much as competence. Nurturing that diversity of thought is essential to ensuring SA remains competitive and inclusive as the world transitions to smart logistics.

Logistics is no longer a single industry; it is the operating system of modern economies. By investing in digital skills, fostering lifelong learning and championing inclusion, SA can turn the logistics transformation into a catalyst for employment, innovation and growth.

Every sector, from mining and energy to healthcare and retail, depends on logistics. Both the challenge and the opportunity lie in preparing people with the skills to manage the logistics of everything.