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Day: 23 July 2021

LogiNext launches last-mile delivery platform

Posted on by David Priestman

LogiNext, a global technology company on a mission to optimise and automate delivery management for enterprises, has launched MILE, an integrated last-mile delivery platform.

This is the first time a cloud-based software has brought together various elements in the shipper, carrier and dispatcher ecosystem to deliver a Transportation Management System 2.0 which LogiNext calls a Transportation Automation Platform.

Legacy on-premise software has existed for the logistics industry, but this is the first time all elements of delivery management have been brought together under one SaaS offering. An integrated last-mile delivery platform is an interconnected ecosystem of web applications and mobile apps for operation managers, CSCOs, delivery partners and end customers to ensure a seamless last-mile delivery experience.

“On demand delivery has skyrocketed in the past two years with a major shift in consumer behaviour due to the pandemic. Same-day delivery is the norm and consumers now expect deliveries in a preferred time window with real-time delivery communication. To ensure brands can deliver up to the promise, we’ve launched LogiNext MILE to help our clients in various industries provide a world-class delivery experience to the end user,” said Dhruvil Sanghvi, Chief Executive Officer of LogiNext.

Brands like McDonald’s, UPS or Walmart can use the LogiNext MILE portal to collect all orders (via their own app, third-party aggregators, etc.), and then the AI-powered route planner generates trips for drivers on the LogiNext driver’s app. The entire delivery experience is digitally recorded to give insightful data and analytics which ensures delivery compliance.

Enterprises in various industries – CEP (Courier, Express, and Parcel), QSR Chains, eCommerce & Retail, and Transportation – are using LogiNext MILE to reduce costs, improve operational efficiency and deliver a brilliant customer experience.

“We’ve built a plug-and-play product which enterprises are using to go live instantly to automate delivery management, be it a B2B or B2C play. Brands are seeing delivery efficiency shoot up 20% within a few months and this helps tremendously in increasing revenues and staying ahead in the curve of digital transformation that the world of logistics is going through,” said Dinesh Dixit, VP of Client Excellence, LogiNext.

LogiNext launches last-mile delivery platform

Posted on by David Priestman

LogiNext, a global technology company on a mission to optimise and automate delivery management for enterprises, has launched MILE, an integrated last-mile delivery platform.

This is the first time a cloud-based software has brought together various elements in the shipper, carrier and dispatcher ecosystem to deliver a Transportation Management System 2.0 which LogiNext calls a Transportation Automation Platform.

Legacy on-premise software has existed for the logistics industry, but this is the first time all elements of delivery management have been brought together under one SaaS offering. An integrated last-mile delivery platform is an interconnected ecosystem of web applications and mobile apps for operation managers, CSCOs, delivery partners and end customers to ensure a seamless last-mile delivery experience.

“On demand delivery has skyrocketed in the past two years with a major shift in consumer behaviour due to the pandemic. Same-day delivery is the norm and consumers now expect deliveries in a preferred time window with real-time delivery communication. To ensure brands can deliver up to the promise, we’ve launched LogiNext MILE to help our clients in various industries provide a world-class delivery experience to the end user,” said Dhruvil Sanghvi, Chief Executive Officer of LogiNext.

Brands like McDonald’s, UPS or Walmart can use the LogiNext MILE portal to collect all orders (via their own app, third-party aggregators, etc.), and then the AI-powered route planner generates trips for drivers on the LogiNext driver’s app. The entire delivery experience is digitally recorded to give insightful data and analytics which ensures delivery compliance.

Enterprises in various industries – CEP (Courier, Express, and Parcel), QSR Chains, eCommerce & Retail, and Transportation – are using LogiNext MILE to reduce costs, improve operational efficiency and deliver a brilliant customer experience.

“We’ve built a plug-and-play product which enterprises are using to go live instantly to automate delivery management, be it a B2B or B2C play. Brands are seeing delivery efficiency shoot up 20% within a few months and this helps tremendously in increasing revenues and staying ahead in the curve of digital transformation that the world of logistics is going through,” said Dinesh Dixit, VP of Client Excellence, LogiNext.

Freightliner secures funding for emissions tool

Posted on by David Priestman

Freightliner, in partnership with a consortium of specialist suppliers, has successfully secured government funding to develop a Rail Freight Energy and Emissions Calculator (REEC) that will be deployed on the existing NR+ platform used for rail- freight planning.

The project is one of 30 winners in the latest round of the First of a Kind (FOAK) competition announced recently by the Transport Secretary. Already the safest and greenest mode of ground-freight transportation, the competition has been aimed at making railways even cleaner and greener.

The NR+ platform, developed by University of Hull, is the first digital platform that fully captures the UK rail network capability from a freight operator’s perspective, including data on loading gauge, permitted weight and electrification constraints. It will be augmented with route gradient and line speed data, together with high-accuracy train performance modelling, to deliver a low-cost intelligent emissions calculation and mapping solution.

Rail-freight operators and customers will be able to calculate precise energy and emissions estimates for their routes, easily model the performance limitations of different traction options and varying train loads, or compare rail freight with other transport modes to determine the effects of modal shift on overall emissions.

“Freightliner is excited to be a key partner in this pioneering rail-freight project with University of Hull, Aether, Carrickarory and University of Derby,” said Freightliner UK Rail Managing Director Tim Shakerley. “There are significant economic and environmental benefits generated by rail freight, and the development of the Rail Freight Energy and Emissions Calculator can support an increased modal shift from road to rail, ensuring that rail freight is well positioned to deliver even greater economic benefits and the decarbonisation of the UK economy.”

With 44% of the UK network currently electrified and no more than 80% likely to be electrified in the next few decades, REEC can also be used to analyse the freight impact of different electrification plans, options, and alternatives. Freight operators are actively pursuing ways to decarbonise diesel trains, which is not just a matter of switching to lower carbon energy sources but also operating more efficiently – for example, by operating longer trains that are more energy and emissions efficient. However, a detailed energy and emissions calculator, that can simply and easily evaluate all the permutation of performance requirements, efficiency improvements and mitigation measures is not currently available.

The lead organisation, University of Hull, has successfully developed the NR+ platform and demonstrated its ability to combine big data and analytics to deliver scalable rail applications. The energy and emissions calculations will be led by consultants from Aether and Carrickarory, who have worked with Department for Transport and Rail Safety Standards Board on rail emissions understanding and reduction, and an expert from the University of Derby.

Amar Ramudhin, Director of the Logistics Institute, said: “Building on our innovative NR+ platform, our energy and emissions calculator will provide much more precise emissions data. This will allow DfT and Network Rail to align their investment on rail electrification to areas with higher emissions and lead to opportunities to plan routes that are lower in carbon emissions, contribution to the UK’s commitment to providing a more reliable, efficient, and greener railway, as well as the University of Hull’s commitment to accelerating a net zero future.”

Freightliner secures funding for emissions tool

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Freightliner, in partnership with a consortium of specialist suppliers, has successfully secured government funding to develop a Rail Freight Energy and Emissions Calculator (REEC) that will be deployed on the existing NR+ platform used for rail- freight planning.

The project is one of 30 winners in the latest round of the First of a Kind (FOAK) competition announced recently by the Transport Secretary. Already the safest and greenest mode of ground-freight transportation, the competition has been aimed at making railways even cleaner and greener.

The NR+ platform, developed by University of Hull, is the first digital platform that fully captures the UK rail network capability from a freight operator’s perspective, including data on loading gauge, permitted weight and electrification constraints. It will be augmented with route gradient and line speed data, together with high-accuracy train performance modelling, to deliver a low-cost intelligent emissions calculation and mapping solution.

Rail-freight operators and customers will be able to calculate precise energy and emissions estimates for their routes, easily model the performance limitations of different traction options and varying train loads, or compare rail freight with other transport modes to determine the effects of modal shift on overall emissions.

“Freightliner is excited to be a key partner in this pioneering rail-freight project with University of Hull, Aether, Carrickarory and University of Derby,” said Freightliner UK Rail Managing Director Tim Shakerley. “There are significant economic and environmental benefits generated by rail freight, and the development of the Rail Freight Energy and Emissions Calculator can support an increased modal shift from road to rail, ensuring that rail freight is well positioned to deliver even greater economic benefits and the decarbonisation of the UK economy.”

With 44% of the UK network currently electrified and no more than 80% likely to be electrified in the next few decades, REEC can also be used to analyse the freight impact of different electrification plans, options, and alternatives. Freight operators are actively pursuing ways to decarbonise diesel trains, which is not just a matter of switching to lower carbon energy sources but also operating more efficiently – for example, by operating longer trains that are more energy and emissions efficient. However, a detailed energy and emissions calculator, that can simply and easily evaluate all the permutation of performance requirements, efficiency improvements and mitigation measures is not currently available.

The lead organisation, University of Hull, has successfully developed the NR+ platform and demonstrated its ability to combine big data and analytics to deliver scalable rail applications. The energy and emissions calculations will be led by consultants from Aether and Carrickarory, who have worked with Department for Transport and Rail Safety Standards Board on rail emissions understanding and reduction, and an expert from the University of Derby.

Amar Ramudhin, Director of the Logistics Institute, said: “Building on our innovative NR+ platform, our energy and emissions calculator will provide much more precise emissions data. This will allow DfT and Network Rail to align their investment on rail electrification to areas with higher emissions and lead to opportunities to plan routes that are lower in carbon emissions, contribution to the UK’s commitment to providing a more reliable, efficient, and greener railway, as well as the University of Hull’s commitment to accelerating a net zero future.”

MHS introduces cross-belt sorter for small items

Posted on by David Priestman

MHS, a single-source provider of material handling automation and software solutions, has unveiled a new cross-belt sorter designed to handle small items. The HC-Loop Double Cell has an innovative design that uses sections of two cross-belt cells that can either work simultaneously to handle a single large item or independently to handle two smaller items and boost capacity.

The versatility of the double-cell design enables the sorter to handle items as small as 75x75x3mm and as large as 850x650mm. The HC-Loop Double Cell gives operations a solution to reliably handle small items like flyers, polybags and shoe boxes, while maintaining the flexibility to handle larger packages like electronics or office supplies.

The precise diverts of the HC-Loop Double Cell enables the use of narrower chutes to increase density and reduce the total footprint of the system, while achieving up to 99.99% sortation accuracy. An intelligent induction system works to increase the utilization of available sorter cells by booking them in advance for target parcels, helping operations reach a capacity of up to 4,500 parcels per hour using a single compact induction line.

“As operations face a demanding product mix and rising commercial real estate costs, the HC-Loop Double Cell sorter offers the versatility they need in a compact, efficient package,” says Luis Antezana Vila, Product Manager, Cross-belt Systems, MHS. “But avoiding unplanned downtime is also critical. That’s why we’ve worked to establish strong component reliability and leverage sensor-based technology to predict and prevent unexpected outages.”

Sensors placed along the sorter track and within each cell constantly monitor overall system status and individual components. Through predictive analytics, MHS can detect when a failure might be imminent, based on data reaching pre-determined thresholds, and proactively alert maintenance teams to help avoid unnecessary downtime. The company provides local sales, support and service for implementations worldwide.

Click here to view the video

 

MHS introduces cross-belt sorter for small items

Posted on by Keith McKinley

MHS, a single-source provider of material handling automation and software solutions, has unveiled a new cross-belt sorter designed to handle small items. The HC-Loop Double Cell has an innovative design that uses sections of two cross-belt cells that can either work simultaneously to handle a single large item or independently to handle two smaller items and boost capacity.

The versatility of the double-cell design enables the sorter to handle items as small as 75x75x3mm and as large as 850x650mm. The HC-Loop Double Cell gives operations a solution to reliably handle small items like flyers, polybags and shoe boxes, while maintaining the flexibility to handle larger packages like electronics or office supplies.

The precise diverts of the HC-Loop Double Cell enables the use of narrower chutes to increase density and reduce the total footprint of the system, while achieving up to 99.99% sortation accuracy. An intelligent induction system works to increase the utilization of available sorter cells by booking them in advance for target parcels, helping operations reach a capacity of up to 4,500 parcels per hour using a single compact induction line.

“As operations face a demanding product mix and rising commercial real estate costs, the HC-Loop Double Cell sorter offers the versatility they need in a compact, efficient package,” says Luis Antezana Vila, Product Manager, Cross-belt Systems, MHS. “But avoiding unplanned downtime is also critical. That’s why we’ve worked to establish strong component reliability and leverage sensor-based technology to predict and prevent unexpected outages.”

Sensors placed along the sorter track and within each cell constantly monitor overall system status and individual components. Through predictive analytics, MHS can detect when a failure might be imminent, based on data reaching pre-determined thresholds, and proactively alert maintenance teams to help avoid unnecessary downtime. The company provides local sales, support and service for implementations worldwide.

Click here to view the video

 

myGW offers Kärcher supply chain transparency

Posted on by David Priestman

Cleaning appliances manufacturer Alfred Kärcher GmbH is benefitting from the myGW customer portal of the Austrian logistics company Gebrüder Weiss.

During the hot summer months, people like to water-blast their terraces, façades or cars. Appliances made by Kärcher have become synonymous with the notion of high-pressure cleaning, with the German word Kärchern (derived from the company’s name) even making it into Duden, the German equivalent of the Oxford dictionary, meaning to clean with a high-pressure water-blaster.

A global leader in cleaning technology, it is represented in 72 countries with 127 national companies and produces and sells its extensive product range around the globe. Behind it is an equally comprehensive logistics network, one in which many different moving parts must come together perfectly for its products to be at the right place at the right time: at hardware stores, garden centres or Kärcher’s stores.

An eye on everything

In Austria, the international transport and logistics company Gebrüder Weiss is responsible for distributing Kärcher’s range of products. The logistics expert developed an impressive concept characterised by proactivity, flexibility, and transparency, the centrepiece being the new digital customer portal myGW.

In myGW logistics managers and customer advisors can keep an eye on an order at all times and are always up to date with the latest information: “When a customer calls us, there is normally a sense of urgency behind it,” explains Bernadette Nieman, Head of Customer Service, Claims & Returns at Kärcher Austria. “Mostly they want to know where a shipment is at the moment or why it hasn’t arrived yet. What’s important now is to provide reliable and transparent information to take the edge off any complaints. Experience shows that the subjective waiting time of customers is shorter if they know why they have to wait and how long for.”

New and improved

Giving reliable answers is no longer a problem since Kärcher customer service has myGW. The portal provides accurate information regarding the status, location and expected time of arrival of a shipment (ETA) in real-time. If necessary, the end customer can also be sent a link to check the shipment’s progress.

But that’s not all myGW can do. It also provides access to all relevant documents such as invoices or delivery receipts stored online, enabling them to be viewed at the touch of a button.

“Previously, we experienced difficulties rather frequently when it came to delivery receipts,” says Nieman. “Now, such requests are dealt with quickly. This is not only a relief to our customers, but also makes work easier for our employees. Long and tedious searches are now a thing of the past.”

Data reliability and transparency represent real added value for her and her team, as does the ease with which the online tool can be used along with the general improvement in communication. “Kärcher stands for solutions that are synonymous with performance, quality and reliability. myGW won us over with the very same features, making it a perfect match.”

myGW offers Kärcher supply chain transparency

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Cleaning appliances manufacturer Alfred Kärcher GmbH is benefitting from the myGW customer portal of the Austrian logistics company Gebrüder Weiss.

During the hot summer months, people like to water-blast their terraces, façades or cars. Appliances made by Kärcher have become synonymous with the notion of high-pressure cleaning, with the German word Kärchern (derived from the company’s name) even making it into Duden, the German equivalent of the Oxford dictionary, meaning to clean with a high-pressure water-blaster.

A global leader in cleaning technology, it is represented in 72 countries with 127 national companies and produces and sells its extensive product range around the globe. Behind it is an equally comprehensive logistics network, one in which many different moving parts must come together perfectly for its products to be at the right place at the right time: at hardware stores, garden centres or Kärcher’s stores.

An eye on everything

In Austria, the international transport and logistics company Gebrüder Weiss is responsible for distributing Kärcher’s range of products. The logistics expert developed an impressive concept characterised by proactivity, flexibility, and transparency, the centrepiece being the new digital customer portal myGW.

In myGW logistics managers and customer advisors can keep an eye on an order at all times and are always up to date with the latest information: “When a customer calls us, there is normally a sense of urgency behind it,” explains Bernadette Nieman, Head of Customer Service, Claims & Returns at Kärcher Austria. “Mostly they want to know where a shipment is at the moment or why it hasn’t arrived yet. What’s important now is to provide reliable and transparent information to take the edge off any complaints. Experience shows that the subjective waiting time of customers is shorter if they know why they have to wait and how long for.”

New and improved

Giving reliable answers is no longer a problem since Kärcher customer service has myGW. The portal provides accurate information regarding the status, location and expected time of arrival of a shipment (ETA) in real-time. If necessary, the end customer can also be sent a link to check the shipment’s progress.

But that’s not all myGW can do. It also provides access to all relevant documents such as invoices or delivery receipts stored online, enabling them to be viewed at the touch of a button.

“Previously, we experienced difficulties rather frequently when it came to delivery receipts,” says Nieman. “Now, such requests are dealt with quickly. This is not only a relief to our customers, but also makes work easier for our employees. Long and tedious searches are now a thing of the past.”

Data reliability and transparency represent real added value for her and her team, as does the ease with which the online tool can be used along with the general improvement in communication. “Kärcher stands for solutions that are synonymous with performance, quality and reliability. myGW won us over with the very same features, making it a perfect match.”

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