Last Updated: February 1st, 2022
It doesn’t matter where in the world you live, the digital development explosion is changing the way you live your life, and let’s be clear about this, the new digital age brings with it many benefits for us all. This brings us to the main topic of this article, namely the white glove logistics sector, technical logistics that support the new digital devices that are replacing analogue systems.
What is White Glove Logistics?
White glove logistics involves the transportation, installation, and calibration of technical equipment, ranging from touch-screen vending machines to MRI scanners and just about everything in between. Wherever you happen to go, you will be interacting with the latest generation of digital devices, which are installed and maintained by technical logistics companies. uipath vs power automate.
The Importance of Product Certification
As you would expect, manufacturers of tech equipment are not going to permit unauthorized personnel to handle their equipment and all-white glove technicians must obtain OEM certification in order to carry out their work. The equipment they work with is highly technical and the only way to gain certification is to attend workshops hosted by the OEM. Once they have passed the course, they are certified to work with the equipment and a portion of the working time for a technician involves learning about new equipment.
Business Sectors That Use White Glove Services
The list is indeed long and includes the following:
- Banking & finance
- Media
- Manufacturing
- IT
- Warehousing
- Healthcare
- Cryptocurrency trading
- Sports & fitness
- Retail
- Mass Transportation
The above are just a few of the sectors that already rely heavily on technical logistics, which involves the transporting, handling, and installing of technical equipment of all kinds.
Essential Technical Logistics Services
A leading UK white glove logistics company would offer the following services:
- Asset recovery – Redundant IT hardware needs to be removed and disposed of according to WEEE directives; a large national company would hire a tech logistics firm when they wish to replace all their IT hardware, which happens every couple of years. The contract might include the installation and configuration of new IT hardware to replace the old equipment. Any form of redundant asset can be collected and if the client needs secure warehouse storage, the white glove logistics company has them covered.
- Data centre relocation – Many businesses use server relocation services from Rhenus Hightech, who are a leading UK technical logistics company that have all the solutions. Data collection is ongoing and as a business grows, so does its data collection and there will come a time when the data centre outgrows its venue and that’s a job for the white glove team.
- Full technical installation – Complex equipment requires specialist handling; power generators, complex scientific equipment, medical equipment and even access control systems that you find at train stations and sports arenas. OEM certified technicians are on-site and they handle every aspect of the installation, including user training.
- Final mile delivery – This is when technical equipment is delivered by the manufacturer to a pre-agreed location that is close to the final destination and from that point, the white glove team takes over. This can be extremely challenging; imagine having to get an MRI scanner up a flight of stairs, through corridors and into position in a hospital! The team would send a couple of technicians to survey the site, which means they can make preparations and bring the right tools and heavy lifting equipment needed to safely carry out the installation. If you are thinking of migrating your business data to the cloud, click here.
- Reverse logistics – It might be due to a major malfunction, or the lease period has expired and the equipment must be dismantled and returned to the OEM. Some equipment is used as a demo for a certain period of time, after which, it must be removed, which is a job for white glove teams. In the event equipment develops a fault that cannot be repaired on-site, it would be taken back to the manufacturer by the white glove team, while a replacement might have to be installed.
- Value added services –This includes pre-stage product configuration, data removal on demo products, cleaning & decontamination, equipment repair & maintenance (24/7 support), end user training and the removal of product for resale. As you would expect, the technicians are manufacturer-certified to work with the equipment and they need to attend workshops to learn about updates and new equipment.
Special Transportation
As part of the project involves transporting equipment, special vehicles are used that are designed to safely transport the equipment; the white glove provider invests heavily in customized vehicles from small vans to 40ft tractor & trailer units and everything in between. Delicate cargo often requires gas suspension vehicles to minimize vibration and the provider has all the equipment they need to complete the project.
High-Value Product Storage
If you are taking possession of valuable equipment and need a secure location for temporary storage, the white glove logistics firm has warehouses across the UK and can store the equipment until such time that it is required. If climate control and a clean environment are required, they also have you covered and with professional handling, your assets are safe with the technical logistics company. Check out this logistics growth review from the UK government, which highlights the importance of technical logistics.
The Internet of Things (IoT)
This is a World Wide Web for digital devices and it will change the way we do things; technical logistics will provide essential support services for this global platform and the 5G rollout also involves technical logistics – 5G towers are installed by such companies.
Partnering Innovation
The technical logistics sector is a vital partner in the digital transformation that is taking place all over the world and for those who are looking for a challenging career, technical logistics offers a lot. The industry adapts to their clients’ needs and provides essential services to many business sectors.