Category Archives: Technology

India’s first end-to-end online logistics platform in the long haul segment, ShipNext Solutions, has raised INR 4.5 Crores in its pre-series A round. Kerala-based Group Meeran, the promoters of the Eastern Group of Companies, led the round. ShipNext’s Machine Learning (ML)-based AI apps called ‘WeTruck’ and ‘WeTruck Partner’ automate the entire booking process for customers and operations for the service provider, ensuring seamless and transparent communication and service delivery. This tech-enabled match-making is ShipNext’s key focus area which leverages a state-of-the-art ML and AI-based system to assist customers with predictive modeling. From order placement to proof-of-delivery (POD) verification, invoicing, generating lorry receipt and real-time payments, WeTruck is the first app to offer the complete online procedure in the long haul segment. Clive Jose, Founder, and CEO, ShipNext Solutions, said, “At ShipNext, technology is central to how we leverage data to balance demand and supply. In logistics, often, customers find it challenging to obtain the correct pricing for their shipment and have apprehensions regarding multiple touchpoints and lack of transparency. To alleviate these concerns, we have set up a business model and a machine learning-based app that will offer the highest level of transparency to our customers and fleet owners. To simplify and minimize the learning curve on our app, we have introduced a chat-based model similar to WhatsApp that most of our users are familiar with and can easily understand. This investment is an endorsement in ShipNext’s platform as well as our vision to empower customers and partners with the only end-to-end paperless logistics app that ensures a completely online model of business.”

IT hardware firm Lenovo has signed up to use the “carbon neutral” freighter service offered by DB Schenker and Lufthansa Cargo. The tie up will see the computer company transport cargo, including include laptops, notebooks, and PCs, on Lufthansa Cargo’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) powered B777 freighter flight between Shanghai and Frankfurt. The partners have calculated that by using the flights, Lenovo will save around 20 tons of conventional kerosene per flight and, thus, 62 tons of greenhouse gases weekly. In addition, the around 16 tons CO2 resulting from the production and transport of the SAF are offset by compensatory measures. Ashwin Bhat, chief commercial officer, Lufthansa Cargo, said: “Our joint effort with DB Schenker to avoid CO2 emissions is continuously growing stronger. An increasing number of customers realise that we need to work together across industries to achieve our shared goal.” Gareth Davies, head of global logistics at Lenovo, added: “Sustainability is critical to our business and mission of delivering smarter technology for all. We are proud that we are further enhancing our solutions through this collaboration with DB Schenker and Lufthansa Cargo.”

Hero Electric, India’s leading e-scooter company, announced on Monday that it is going to join forces with a last-mile delivery solutions provider, Turtle Mobility and will deliver over 1,000 electric scooters by the end of 2022. The alliance is another step towards Hero Electric’s efforts to further the electronic (EV) transition in India, with special attention to the last mile delivery segment. The company is looking forward to converting 35% of its sales from the B2B segment. “We constantly strive to quicken the pace of transition to e-mobility and push forward the same through B2B partnerships to strengthen the EV ecosystem across India. This partnership is another step to boost the rapidly growing logistics and delivery industry and steer our commitment to carbon-free mobility by electrifying the segment.” said Sohinder Gill, CEO, Hero Electric.

Zypp Electric is getting into the drone logistics segment and for it, it has partnered with TSAW Drones. In a statement, the company said that it has plans to deploy 200 drones in four cities in the first phase. These services are planned in all the cities where Zypp Electric is operational such as Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Pune. According to the company, all the drones deployed will be equipped with smart lockers which can be opened only through an OTP provided to the customer, which will ensure the safety of the items at the time of delivery. These drones will be added as an extension to the company’s fleet of electric scooters to deliver medical, food, grocery in long distances and places with hilly terrains where deliveries through roads are tougher. Since long-distance, last-mile deliveries today aren’t exactly efficient and could be slow in progress due to traffic congestion and high dependency on human drivers, the introduction of these drones for automated deliveries could reduce the time and cost of last-mile deliveries.

KredX, an integrated financial services provider announced its vision of becoming a one-stop solution for supply chain financing for businesses. As a part of this rebranding, the company unveiled a new logo and a revamped website. The company has developed cutting-edge innovative products such as discounting of unpaid invoices etc. that has been fostering India’s fintech ecosystem. “Customers are the core of our business and as a customer-first company, we are committed to delivering innovative solutions as per their requirements,” said Manish Kumar, CEO and Co-founder of KredX. “We realised that our customers wanted us to take a deep-dive into supply chain finance and to become an end-to-end solutions provider that can cater to all aspects of supply chain financing and not just invoice discounting. Therefore, our rebranding initiative is a sincere effort to showcase this change and our commitment to the cause.” The company offers a host of customisable solutions ranging from enterprise finance to working capital and channel financing solutions for businesses, large and small, operating within the supply chain ecosystem. Recently, the company has also introduced a slew of new products catering to every player in the supply chain ecosystem – Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) for all kinds of online and offline B2B payments, Import – Export Financing with licensing from IFSCA to launch India’s first ITFS platform, and Capvel for enterprises looking to optimise their cash flow while further strengthening the alternative fixed income instruments offerings for investors on the platform.

FedEx Express (FedEx) announced the launch of FedEx International Priority® Express (IPE) offering customers who ship internationally the flexibility to schedule delivery by 10:30 am or noon to select destinations* worldwide. With the addition of this new service, FedEx now provides a wider range of time-definite international priority shipping options to its customers. Businesses across India can now select the right delivery option that suits their needs with choices, giving them enhanced convenience and flexibility. •The newly launched FedEx International Priority® Express (IPE) service provides customers in India with delivery by 10:30 or noon to select markets* in Asia (Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Australia), United States, Canada, and Europe. •FedEx International First® offers customers in India the option for early-day delivery to select postal codes and destinations* in the United States, Canada, and Europe. •And, FedEx International Priority® (IP) offers end of the day delivery to more than 220 countries and territories around the globe. These time-definite cross-border delivery options are part of FedEx efforts to support businesses amidst the soaring demand for cross-border commerce. The Indian logistics market is poised to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.5% between 2019 and 2025[1]. Express logistics forms a critical part of the cross-border e-commerce value chain. Consumers today expect fast, customizable, and convenient delivery options.

Logistics company Delhivery Ltd has invested in Falcon Autotech, a logistics automation solutions provider. The investment is in line with its objective of sustained investments in future-ready hardware solutions in its operations. Falcon Autotech is in the business of providing intralogistics automation solutions, sortation systems, conveyor systems, delivery-warehousing systems, and pick/put to light systems Commenting on the investment, Ajith Pai, Chief Operating Officer, Delhivery, said, “The collaboration with Falcon Autotech strengthens our ability to drive greater speed, precision, and efficiency across our business lines.” With this partnership, Delhivery said it expects to work closely with Falcon Autotech to design and implement new automation solutions for transportation and warehousing operations. The partnership will also enable the bundling of the hardware automated solutions along with Delhivery’s SaaS platform, one of the proposed growth verticals for Delhivery in the national and international market. Naman Jain, Chief Executive Officer, Falcon Autotech, added, “We are delighted to welcome Delhivery as a partner to Falcon. This investment is a testimony to Falcon’s commitment to our customers, our design, technology, and delivery capabilities, and the product roadmap ahead.”

SpiceXpress has confirmed acquiring electric cargo airplanes developed by US-based Bye Aerospace, in collaboration with India’s Pifore Group. The total investment is being estimated to be INR 300 to INR 500 million. The alliance is a pilot project to promote zero-emission freighters and also a closed airfield as emission free airport with an electric plane fleet and other zero-emission products. Pifore Group is engaged in provision of engineering, construction and technical services for private as well as public & government agencies/companies in India. They have signed an MoU with Bye Aerospace to deliver five electric cargo airplanes, which will be leased by SpiceXpress by 2024 and an additional five airplanes to be leased by 2026. Earlier this year, Spice Jet had transferred its logistics business to its subsidiary SpiceXpress and Logistics. SpiceXpress is a cargo specialist and is currently in the process of being hived off its parent company.

Shypmax, India’s first and only AI-powered Logistics Platform as a Service (LPaaS) for cross border shipping, announces its collaboration with the Netherlands based B2C Europe, a Maersk company specializing in B2C parcel delivery services in Europe. The collaboration will enable Indian businesses to deliver their products to Europe, including the UK, based customers cost-effectively using a single-window platform. Shypmax, enables Indian companies, especially SMEs, Direct-to-customer, B2C, and E-commerce firms, from over 27,000 pin codes, to deliver any product across European markets and beyond. Shypmax automates processes related to compliance with current regulations in the European Union. As India’s first Import One-Stop-Shop (IOSS) ready facility enabling centralised declaration and payment of VAT by European customers at the point of sale, Shypmax is saving Indian companies and the European customers from the hassles of navigating through different tax systems in Europe. The services also include customised labels, pickup, packaging, and door-to-door delivery via more than 100 connected carriers across Europe and beyond by B2C Europe.

Occupier confidence has improved in the latter half of 2021 with occupiers closing large office deals, cementing the resilience of the sector and the underlying importance of offices. Occupiers remain focused on enhancing the well-being and experience of their employees as they plan to return to the office, chasing lucrative leases while realigning long-term plans. Developers are determined towards asset enhancement through requisite retrofit to remain relevant and retain tenants. “The year 2021 was a watershed moment for India’s real estate sector. Even when the going was tough, the sector not only remained resilient but also emerged stronger than expected. India’s office sector is coming out of the woods, with demand back to pre-record levels. The year 2022 will even be better, even if marred by the new Covid-19 variant. We have now learned to live with uncertainty. Gross absorption in 2022 should be about 15-20% higher than this year as occupier confidence is back in the market. In terms of global capital chasing real estate, the office will continue to remain a dominant sector, but residential and industrial & warehousing will strengthen in 2022 aided by strong business fundamentals,” said Ramesh Nair, CEO, India and Managing Director, Market Development, Asia, Colliers.