Addressing the Application Server Needs of the Logistics Sector - Here's What Industry Experts Say

As the international trade volume and the e-commerce sector continue to surge, the global logistics industry is experiencing unprecedented growth. To address the needs of a rapidly expanding and demanding user base, logistics companies are investing in software applications that can support faster and more transparent delivery services. For enterprise logistics apps to function seamlessly, the use of a robust and reliable application server is a must to remain competitive.

Learn what Roman Zrazhevskiy, Founder and CEO of MIRA Safety, Sergey Taver, Marketing Manager of Precision Watches have to say about application runtimes for e-commerce and logistics and why Hermes and DPD choose Payara Platform. 

Logistics is an integral and growing part of the global economy, and it is among the top, if not the one, fastest-growing industry in many countries. The considerable and constant growth of the logistics sector is largely driven by the increasing global internet user access and the popularity of e-commerce, including mobile commerce. This has transformed customer expectations. Consumers now demand same-day or next-day deliveries, real-time tracking and seamless customer service. Businesses are also expecting quicker delivery times and optimized experiences. To this end, competitive industry players are looking at ways to improve supply chain visibility, optimize routes and enhance the robustness of data management systems.

All these aspects are being addressed in the development and deployment of sophisticated logistics applications. These, however, do not operate as stand-alone tools. These business-critical applications require a reliable and scalable application server platform.

The Role of Application Servers in Modern Logistics

Application servers are the backbone of enterprise logistics applications, ensuring that software solutions function smoothly and reliably, even under heavy loads. However, the solutions available on the market can vary greatly in their offering. By selecting application runtimes and vendors that are able to address the strict needs of e-commerce and logistics applications, companies can rely on highly effective systems.

Roman Zrazhevskiy, Founder and CEO of MIRA Safety, shares his experience: “As a business owner who oversees technology decisions, I’ve encountered firsthand how poor vendor support can derail operations.

“One example was when a key application server failed, resulting in significant downtime. This impacted our ability to process orders, update inventory, and respond to customer inquiries, leading to a direct hit on our bottom line.

“For an e-commerce business like ours, every hour of downtime can translate to thousands of dollars in lost revenue and damage to our customer trust. When you run an online business, every minute counts and poor vendor support isn’t just frustrating—it’s damaging.”

Roman and MIRA Safety are not the only experiencing key issues. Sergey Taver, Marketing Manager of Precision Watches, says: "As a Marketing Manager at Precision Watches, I often collaborate closely with our IT team to ensure our digital marketing platforms run smoothly. When we faced poor application server support from a vendor, it impacted our e-commerce site, leading to increased downtime and lost sales opportunities.

"One example that stands out is during a crucial holiday season. The server's runtime issues caused slow load times and even some crashes, directly affecting our user experience. This not only led to a dip in sales but also hurt our brand's reputation."

Selecting An Effective Runtime for Logistics Applications

As logistics companies scale their operations and expand their digital footprint, the need for robust, enterprise-grade application servers becomes even more critical. In effect, they are key to support the complexities of modern logistics operations and providing the flexibility to adapt to a rapidly changing marketplace.

Generally, a value-adding application server for enterprise logistics applications must be capable of handling high transaction volumes, providing real-time data processing as well as integrating seamlessly with a variety of services and databases. Additionally, companies should look for the following capabilities:

Cloud Readiness and Scalability

As companies invest in their digital transformation and move their operations to the cloud to take advantage of scalability and cost-efficiency, businesses should look for an application server that supports seamless cloud deployments, such as Payara Platform. This choice is key to optimizing operational expenses and reducing cloud spend waste, allowing companies to scale their applications dynamically in response to fluctuating demand. This is particularly important for companies dealing with seasonal spikes in activity, such as during the holiday shopping season.

Enhanced Performance and Reduced Costs

To support the high-speed requirements of logistics activities, industry players should select a platform that is designed to optimize application performance and infrastructure costs, helps logistics companies achieve faster processing times and more efficient operations. For instance, Payara Platform Enterprise’s ability to integrate with monitoring tools like Prometheus allows companies to gain deep insights into their application performance, enabling proactive management and optimization.

Robust Security Features

In the logistics industry, where data security is paramount, a suitable application runtime should offer strong security features to protect sensitive data and ensure compliance with industry regulations. This is critical for maintaining customer trust and avoiding costly data breaches.

Payara offers standard-based APIs and advanced security tools that are designed to protect application resources accessed by multiple users and data traveling across unprotected networks, such as the internet. In addition, we align with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) and adhere to guidelines set by the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP). Payara is also part of the Eclipse Foundation’s Open Regulatory Compliance Working Group to help develop specifications that enable the Enterprise Java software development industry to meet regulatory requirements, such as those outlined in the EU Cyber Resilient Act (CRA).

Comprehensive Support

If e-commerce platforms operate 24/7, it is only logical for an application server provider to offer the same level of service. Logistics companies should partner with vendors that provides comprehensive support options, as these ensure that any issue is resolved quickly and efficiently. Whether it’s through 24×7 support or customized migration assistance, Payara’s support services help companies keep their critical applications running smoothly, minimizing downtime and ensuring business continuity.

Real-World Applications of Payara Platform Enterprise in Logistics

While the general trends and stats highlight the importance of robust application servers in the logistics industry, real-world examples demonstrate the tangible benefits.

When leading logistics company, Hermes, wanted to move to the cloud, it decided to adopt Payara Platform Enterprise. With the help of Payara’s support team, Hermes completed the migration 100 days ahead of schedule. In addition, the company achieved a 30% increase in performance speed and reduced its operational costs.

Another major player in logistics, DPD, relied on Payara Platform Enterprise to stabilize their Web APIs, which are crucial for integrating customer systems. Previously, the lack of commercial support led to recurring issues that the company’s team struggled to resolve. In the face of growing demand for faster and more transparent deliveries, DPD needed a solution that would provide the stability and quick support response critical for maintaining their operations. The platform’s support services allowed DPD to maintain a high level of service while relying on its existing support team and ensuring cost-effectiveness.

Preparing for the Future of Enterprise Logistics Apps

As the logistics industry continues to grow and evolve, the need for reliable, scalable and secure application servers will only increase. Therefore, choosing the right application server platform is a strategic decision that can significantly impact a company’s success. Payara Platform Enterprise is uniquely positioned to meet these demands, offering companies the tools they need to optimize their operations, enhance performance and maintain a leading edge in a sector where competition is fierce.

Ready to optimize your logistics operations with Payara Platform Enterprise? Sign up for a free trial or contact us today to learn how we can support your business goals and help you stay ahead in the rapidly advancing logistics industry.