An approach to the network of operations that are necessary to make it feasible for a given product to reach the final consumer, from the place where the raw materials are obtained, passing through the space destined to its production; which undoubtedly implies all the operations of transportation, storage and distribution to the market is, in essence, the logistics activity. Now, the logistics activities that correspond to what is being called "the intelligent company", with planning strategies updated with respect to the benefits offered by new technologies, specifically oriented to achieve maximum efficiency for the achievement of greater surplus and satisfaction, and always according to a demand that is becoming more and more demanding, is the subject that concerns us on this occasion.  

We will refer to the type of logistics company 4.0, which is rebounding in relation to the highest levels of operability and performance. Being a company based on the principles of automation (robotics), digitization through specialized technologies in intelligent analysis (artificial intelligence), and the advancement of interconnectivity processes (Internet of things), they promote, as never before, the acceleration of productivity and business profitability. It is not strange to find interpretations related to the world of production, which assert that the 4.0 type of companies is considered "the fourth industrial revolution of mankind", since they introduce for their functions aspects related to intelligent systems and automation and information in the cloud, which replace and optimize tasks at the level of the entire supply chain.

The effort to reduce time, costs and errors is, in essence, the leitmotiv of the 4.0 companies, since the aim is to optimize the supply chain, but modifying the processes to make them simpler, autonomous and in full interconnectivity with all its parts. The aim is, with great effectiveness, the streamlining of shipping procedures, the adaptation of production to the different needs of customers, greater efficiency through the optimization of routes, the geolocation of drivers and customers, the improvement of storage spaces and stock and the automation of processes for the cancellation of fees, remunerations and all activities associated with administrative tasks. The aim is also to link procedures throughout the entire supply chain, interconnecting production areas with other processes associated with the world of communications to meet the needs of the end consumer, making him a partner (through elastic systems) in the processes of innovation and redesign of goods.

The 4.0 company accelerates the innovation process of offered products, developing and integrating information and communication technologies at the level of the entire value chain. It creates from there, intelligent networks that, by integrating with customers and suppliers in a very flexible way, brings great benefits, generating a type of integrated industrialization.

The following are 4 fundamental elements that allow a closer understanding of what the 4.0 type of business activity consists of:

1) Implementation of Cyber-Physical systems: broad connection between digital and physical systems, achieving a true integration process. It is about joining the capabilities of computational, storage and communication systems, with processes of tracking and control of objects in the physical world.

2) Development of the Internet of Things (IOT): procedures through which light bulbs, watches, cell phones, appliances, household appliances, automobiles, medical devices, etc., are effectively connected via the Internet.

3) Development of the Internet of Services (IOS): very similar to the Internet of Things, but this time it is about the effective connection of the Internet with digitized services for those companies that offer it. In the same sense, it allows the creation of processes that can identify and predict the right moment in which corrective or maintenance processes should be carried out.

4) Generation of smart factories: creation of automated systems at the production level to make human intervention less necessary.

In addition to the above, it should be mentioned, in order to understand more broadly the operation of the logistics company 4.0, the automatic information technology, whose purpose is focused on recognizing the information of objects, through the processing of data related to transportation, storage and distribution. Similarly, real-time location processes (RTLS), to achieve greater traceability and greater tracking around the location of objects and people and the implementation of technologies based on intelligent sensors that are able to capture temperature levels, humidity generation and even measure the concentration of ethylene in food for human consumption (mainly fruits and vegetables), avoiding harming, ultimately, the health of consumers.

As can be seen, the logistics activity in the 4.0 company, a clear expression of the fourth industrial revolution, by combining digital and physical systems in a dynamic and advanced way, drives the organization of production, distribution and supply processes of goods and services in an unprecedented way, improving the quality of life of citizens in an economy that is constantly growing and that demands, on the part of consumers, greater participation and integrality.