Day: 1 September 2020

Körber, the global supply chain technology leader from software to materials handling automation, today announced the results of its 2020 State of Supply Chain Complexity survey. Among the top findings: manufacturing and fulfillment complexities only continue to grow – and 91% of supply chain professionals cannot stay ahead of these challenges.

More products, distribution channels, and customer expectations make supply chains more complex. Körber polled 1,200 global supply chain professionals to learn how they cope with supply chain complexity, how they feel their solutions stack up against the competition and how they’re managing the transition from manual to automated processes.

Technology integration and customer demand ranked among the top challenges today’s supply chain faces. The issues respondents said most often contribute to their company’s supply chain complexity include:

48% ‒ integrating and ensuring software, materials handling equipment (MHE), and technologies work together throughout the entire logistics ecosystem

46% ‒ integrating functions across the supply chain – from manufacturing to end-customer deliveries

• 46% ‒ meeting consumer expectations for speed, cost and adaptability

More businesses are paying attention to these supply chain headaches. Nearly three-quarters of survey respondents said senior executives view the supply chain as mission-critical – an important step in gaining support for upgrading warehouses and last mile technology.

“Now isn’t the time for supply chains to break under pressure – yet, 48% of companies have experienced growth in complexity this past year,” said Rene Hermes, chief marketing officer for Körber Supply Chain. “It’s good to hear so many executives see this business area as mission-critical. Now we must transform that understanding into action.”

With solutions spanning software, automation, voice/vision/mobility, robotics and MHE to streamline complex processes, as well as the global expertise to construct highly-tailored supply chain solutions no matter the challenge, Körber is uniquely positioned to address today’s demands.

“With Körber, businesses can embrace their supply chain complexity,” Hermes said. “We are uniquely positioned to integrate new and existing technologies, optimize workflows and enhance processes to roll out supply chain solutions quicker and more cost-effectively. Körber’s integrated solutions make us the right ally for customers to conquer their supply chain complexities.”

All former 12 supply chain company brands have now officially transitioned to Körber. To discover more about today’s challenges and opportunities from the 2020 State of Supply Chain Complexity Survey, access the report here: https://www.koerber-supplychain.com/complexitysurvey

Finnish postal and logistics leader Posti has begun its migration to Infor CloudSuite WFM (Workforce Management). Driven by a need to address key business process improvements, the cloud-based application will cover more than 22,000 Posti employees in Finland.

Infor CloudSuite WFM will simplify the shift planning process and offer an improved user experience, including mobile access, whilst decreasing running costs and enabling seamless upgrades.

The existing on-premise Infor WFM application handles the scheduling and fully automated time and attendance related to operations such as sorting, transportation and delivery of mail and parcels. In addition, the application handles complex, Posti-specific pay rules and more than 20 collective and local agreements. Infor CloudSuite WFM will continue to support all this existing functionality.

Additional capabilities within Infor CloudSuite WFM will include mobile-based, employee self-service including shift timings, leave requests and shift swapping; new management capabilities to improve staff coverage during holiday seasons and geo-fencing.  Infor CloudSuite WFM will cover five new employee groups and enable integration with other Posti systems.These new capabilities built on a cloud deployment will provide Posti employees with the flexibility they need to quickly adapt in today’s environment.

“Posti’s business includes postal services, parcels, freight and logistics solutions. We have the widest network coverage in Finland and we visit about three million households and companies every weekday. The complexity and scale of the manpower behind this operation demands world-class management processes and tools,” said Marja Leena Hirvonen, Digital HR Lead, WFM, Posti. “We must ensure not only correct payment and full compliance with Finland’s complex employee and holiday entitlement program and union rules, but also empower our staff to take control of their working practices. This necessitates a cloud-based technology platform in which we have already got a great deal of confidence – and that is what we have found in Infor CloudSuite WFM.”

“Migration to the cloud is no longer just a financially-driven decision,” said Johan Made, executive vice president and GM, Nordics, Infor.  “This evolution within Posti demonstrates not only cost-savings but also huge leaps forward in terms of functionality and process improvements. This is a clear validation of the decision to move to the cloud and Posti joins the growing list of companies moving business-critical systems into the cloud, with Infor, with confidence.”

Transporeon is to integrate Sixfold’s real time visibility (RTV) technology with its cloud based platform for transportation logistics offering full access to RTV for all Transporeon customers. Transporeon says it is the only company to provide an execution platform with an integrated visibility offer.

For clients, says the company, the integration of RTV by Sixfold represents a major development in logistics management as well as the delivery of a seamless experience. Transporeon will absorb usage costs until 31 August 2021. After this time, Transporeon is committed to making a further investment by offering highly competitive pricing. Stephan Sieber (above), CEO of Transporeon, underlined: “We need to remove upfront barriers. We’re serious about cre-ating data transparency for all and combining visibility with execution will enable our cus-tomers to continuously improve their operations and open a whole new set of innovation potentials to all of us! “

Today, integrating RTV for individual customers is very laborious, slow and risky. Sieber added: “Our go-to-market approach will leverage the necessary coverage for RTV. We add value and create a win-win for both shippers and carriers. Transporeon’s unique integrat-ed solution and execution platform is conceived for all transports to be visibility enabled. Once implemented, it will help our customers to better manage resources, increase their revenues and profitability, whilst ideally contributing to reduce carbon emissions!”

After three years in a successful partnership, Transporeon and Sixfold will take it a step further in their merger. Integrating Sixfold’s state-of-the-art RTV solution within Europe’s largest network of shippers and carriers will generate important scaling effects, meaning that all parties to the Transporeon platform can enjoy far greater transparency than any individual RTV solution could offer.

Transporeon is pursuing a one platform approach. All users benefit from the integration of new free-of-charge functionalities. These include, for example, TMS interfaces to enable every carrier to share visibility data; control tower support to provide carriers with a bird’s-eye view of all their shipments; electronic proof of delivery to reduce manual effort; a CO2 calculator to help carriers track and reduce environmental impact; and a platform to ad-vertise their real-time visibility status.

Wolfgang Wörner, CEO of Sixfold, commented: “In just 3 years we have built one of the leading real-time visibility networks in Europe, thanks to our strategic partnership with Transporeon. Thus, joining forces to upgrade Transporeon’s entire network is a logical and very exciting next step!”

Sixfold monitors over 500 million euros worth of goods in real-time every day for custom-ers in 40+ countries with 25 languages. The platform is secure and GDPR-compliant. When scaled up and shared by a large network of shippers and carriers, RTV results in higher efficiency and less costs across the transportation industry — and ultimately less CO2 emissions. As of today, every third lorry is driving without cargo on our roads. Empty mile-age is not only generating higher freight costs for shippers and carriers. It is also harmful for the environment and the carbon footprint of the sector.

Leading provider of sustainable packaging solutions, DS Smith uses Sixfold to bring real time visibility to its supply chain and manage short-term challenges, as well as build long-term supply chain strategies.

Utilising Sixfold in its logistics network provides DS Smith with information relating to real-time vehicle positioning, while also enabling delay risk identification and waiting time management and improvements. The integrated system also provides clear metrics to the business for performance analysis.

These benefits were on clear display during the Covid-19 pandemic, when most European countries deemed the recycling, paper making and packaging industries critical to the supply chain for delivery of vital food, pharmaceuticals and PPE. DS Smith took immediate measures to safeguard the flow of vital deliveries allowing the supply chain to continue to operate efficiently. These measures included providing daily updates and advice on border delays, where extra lead time is built in and information to customers was provided working closely with both Sixfold and Transporeon.

Petra Lippertova, Head of Operations – Group Logistics at DS Smith, explained: “As part of our programme to deliver integrated logistics across our offering, we partnered with Sixfold to increase our data efficiencies. The ability to integrate information from a wide portfolio of transport suppliers using various tracking systems with shipment information has been of particular benefit and means we can now provide reliable information to our customers. During the pilot, the solution delivered significant benefits and efficiencies and we are rolling it out across Europe, while also preparing a pilot for US.

Hyster has launched its new J7.0–9.0XNL forklift series with fully integrated lithium-ion batteries. The zero-emissions electric lift trucks with 7-9 tonnes of lift capacity offer comparable diesel engine performance, and rapid opportunity charging, according to the company.

Achieving 100% charge in 80 minutes, the new trucks have high voltage lithium-ion batteries and the endurance to support three shift operations in demanding industrial applications. Paper, brick and block, timber, metals, and other heavy-duty industries can now easily bring tough electric lift trucks into their fleet which offer class leading turn radius, fast acceleration, and even more responsive operation.

“The launch of this truck series gives tough applications a credible alternative to an IC truck, thanks to the unique combination of a lithium-ion battery, a high voltage drive system, and the use of multi-phase permanent magnetic motors,” says Phil Ireland, Programme Leader 20/20 Platform, Counterbalance Solutions for Hyster. “Operations can expect IC-like capability in terms of productivity, control and autonomy, alongside the added benefit of reduced noise levels, zero emissions and a low Total Cost of Ownership.”

The four new models (two compact and two standard) can operate at maximum capacity for a full 8 hours. The job can be completed quickly, thanks to fast acceleration over the first 15 metres and top speeds of up to 21 km/h (unladen) and 18km/h (laden), ideal for sites with long driving distances.

The tough new trucks are designed for dependability in both indoor and outdoor applications. The maintenance-free Hyster® Stability Mechanism™ helps keep the truck steady for efficient operation even on rough surfaces while a robust chassis and high strength mast design optimises capacity, visibility, and rigidity.

With the Pacesetter VSM™, all vehicle systems are managed electronically to optimise performance and increase reliability. CANbus wiring, sealed connectors and hall effect sensors reduce complexity for truck system communication.

For the driver, the truck is comfortable. The operator compartment has clear unobstructed foot space, an adjustable steering column, rear drive handle with horn, and is easy to access. Operators sit comfortably thanks to the full suspension seat and low whole-body vibration levels, while automotive-style pedals give precise low-speed control and smooth electronic inching. TouchPoint mini-levers integrated into the armrest provide hydraulic control and other key functions.

“Autospeed hydraulics help to maximise overall truck responsiveness and controllability. Plus, as there is no need to manually control the speed of lift motor during lifting, operators may be even more productive,” says Phil. “The Auto Deceleration System (ADS) helps reduce operator fatigue by bringing the truck to a controlled stop when not accelerating and the excellent through-mast visibility and overall rigidity can help boost driver confidence.”

To help match the performance of the truck to the specific application, wide hook-type carriages allow the fitting of a wide variety of forks and attachments and there are many other options and additional features available.

In the right application, this truck series is designed to deliver a low whole life Total Cost of Ownership with all the advantages of running and maintaining an electric truck, even in low hours operations. Although the initial costs of the truck, battery and charger is higher, payback is possible in as little as two years compared to an IC equivalent.