Scandit launches 10x faster scanning solution

Scandit, a leader in smart data capture, has launched MatrixScan Count, an out-of-the-box scan and count solution for received goods and inventory. Part of the Scandit Smart Data Capture platform, MatrixScan Count enables the accurate scanning and counting of multiple items at once via smart devices, speeding counting workflows by up to 10 times. The solution is designed to boost worker productivity, reduce human error and maintain accurate stock levels.

Enterprises in retail and logistics are facing multiple business challenges. They must deliver first-class customer service in the face of economic pressures, ensure accurate supply chain visibility, and maintain an efficient and empowered workforce. Improving productivity can ease some of these challenges. By shifting tedious, repetitive tasks from frontline workers to technology, errors in stock management or goods delivery can be eliminated while people are freed up to engage in value-add activities.

Tasks like receiving, stock taking, and cycle counting can be incredibly time-intensive, inefficient, and error-prone. Offered as an out-of-box solution, the built-in UI in MatrixScan Count means that enterprises can start using the solution immediately with minimal development time. Equipping workers with MatrixScan Count maximises efficiency, as workers can speed up counting workflows by up to 10 times. Inaccuracies throughout the supply chain are reduced as workers using MatrixScan Count receive real-time on-screen alerts via augmented reality guiding them to complete counting workflows precisely, avoiding incorrect products, double-counting, or accidentally skipping items.

“Counting accurately is a critical part of many business workflows for multiple industries, but tedious, multi-step or manual processes still prevail,” said Christian Floerkemeier, CTO and co-founder of Scandit. “Enterprises are struggling to recruit and retain staff, so by introducing tools such as MatrixScan Count which reimagine processes to super-speed through tedious tasks, workers can engage in high-value assignments leading to an enhanced experience.”

Free workers to focus on value-add activities

MatrixScan Count is built for speed, accuracy, and reduced human intervention. MatrixScan Count offers enterprises across the retail, logistics, parcel and post industries the ability to optimise labour resources and maximise process efficiency by addressing the entire counting workflow, for example:

  • Achieving accurate stock taking and inventory counting with built-in stock information updates and confirmation
  • Reducing time-to-receive in warehouses and back-of-store operations with visual counting and confirmation against a list that includes expected items to receive
  • Maximising drivers’ efficiency in verifying and counting parcels for delivery during van loading and unloading

Customised Experiences with out-of-the-box UI

MatrixScan Count gives workers the freedom to work how they want, equipping them to count at speed with maximum comfort, leading to increased productivity and an improved working experience. Pre-set user interfaces mean that customisations including left-handed mode, strap mode, and landscape scanning mode are provided depending on user preference.

MatrixScan Count is designed with real-world conditions in mind with stable long-range performance for capturing as many items in one shot at once, particularly important where large items are included.

Available now on iOS and select Android devices, MatrixScan Count leverages MatrixScan technology to locate, track and decode multiple barcodes simultaneously.

Antwerp-Bruges €335m terminal renewal underway

Port of Antwerp-Bruges and PSA Antwerp has given the green light for the renewal of the quayside and terminal at Europa Terminal. The works, which will take about nine years and be carried out in three phases, will ensure that the latest generation of container ships can continue to call at Antwerp. These renovations will also result in an efficient and sustainable terminal that contributes to the transition towards a climate-neutral port.

In order to remain a top-class world port, it must be able to offer its customers a well-functioning infrastructure and additional container capacity. Port of Antwerp-Bruges and PSA Antwerp are therefore investing in the renewal of the Europa Terminal. It was officially inaugurated in 1990 as the first tidal container terminal in Antwerp. With the renewal, which will cost €335m, Port of Antwerp-Bruges aims to strengthen its competitive position while taking steps towards becoming a sustainable port.

The depth of vessels that can moor at the 1,200m quayside will be increased from 13.5m to 16m. Because ships must be able to continue to moor during the extensive works and in order to minimise operational impact, the port authorities are tackling the quayside in three major phases. In addition, they will create additional temporary moorings for inland navigation, so it can guarantee that its customers will receive a smooth service. The works will be spread over about nine years and have been carefully plotted based on expected traffic.

The renovation of the terminal will also contribute to the transition towards a climate-neutral port. Electrification and other optimisations will reduce CO2 emissions per container by 50% and wind turbines will increase the share of renewable energy.

The new quayside will be given a new orientation to ensure sufficient distance between passing ships and the terminal, and to protect the nearby Galgenschoor nature reserve. The works include in the final phase the construction of an underwater dam to provide additional protection for the nature reserve and ensure it does not subside.

During the entire process, all parties involved will take the necessary measures to minimise disruption, in close consultation with the surrounding area.

Following a tender process, the contract for the works was concluded today with a temporary company of four contractors, Artes-Roegiers, Artes-Depret, Herbosch-Kiere and Boskalis, all with extensive experience in large-scale hydraulic engineering projects.

Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO Port of Antwerp-Bruges: “With the modernisation of the Europa Terminal we are underlining our ambitions as a container port. As a world-class port, it is essential that we continue to play at the highest level and are able to accommodate the biggest ships. We are, however, aware of the impact of our activities on the surrounding area and local residents. That is why we are committed to reducing mooring emissions, among other things. With a new efficient and sustainable terminal, we are building the port infrastructure of the future.”

Annick De Ridder, Port Alderwoman of the City of Antwerp and Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Port of Antwerp-Bruges: “Our port is the economic engine of Flanders. Interventions are needed to make it function optimally. With the deepening of the Europa Terminal from 13.5 to 16m, together with PSA Antwerp, we are ensuring that we can continue to receive the largest container ships. I look forward to the further progress of the works and an even brighter future for container handling in our port.”

Cameron Thorpe, CEO PSA Belgium: “At PSA Belgium, we are delighted that construction works on the quayside are underway. This will allow us to start the transformation process of Europa Terminal with a highly sustainable investment while increasing capacity by more than 700,000 TEU annually. This reflects our confidence in the future of Port of Antwerp-Bruges and underlines the PSA Group’s commitment in Belgium.”

Jurgen De Wachter, General Manager at PSA Antwerp Container Business: “The development of the Europa Terminal will future-proof our operations and service levels, by reducing our carbon footprint by more than half, improving the safety of our people and meeting our customers’ increasing demand for mega-ship capacity.”

Artes-Roegiers, Artes-Depret, Herbosch-Kiere and Boskalis: “We are very happy to undertake this project. It is a strategic project for the future of the port. It is technically complex and will be carried out in phases without too much disruption to container traffic. It will be a technical and operational feat, but one that we can handle thanks to our extensive expertise. Sound agreements have also been made about this with Port of Antwerp-Bruges and PSA.”

DispatchTrack unveils industry-first CO2 tracking tool

DispatchTrack, a global leader in last mile delivery solutions, has announced the availability of AI-powered carbon emissions tracking to help companies meet their supply chain sustainability goals. Available as a feature in the DispatchTrack routing console, CO2 tracking enables companies in any market worldwide to better understand their existing carbon output on a per-route, per-stop, and per-vehicle basis, optimise routes to reduce CO2 output, and gather data to illustrate the impact of their sustainability initiatives.

Fuel consumption in last-mile delivery is one of the largest contributors to emissions in the modern supply chain, as well as one of the greatest costs for delivery companies. Using DispatchTrack’s AI-powered route optimisation engine, companies can discover green delivery options that leverage the most efficient routes with fewer miles driven and less fuel used. By taking into consideration all of a day’s stops and shortening the total distance that drivers have to travel in order to fulfil their orders, DispatchTrack can help last-mile delivery companies reduce fuel consumption across their fleet by at least 10%.

DispatchTrack’s new CO2 tracking feature can be easily added to a customer’s existing DispatchTrack portal. Emissions data is included within routing and reporting screens, allowing users to visualise carbon emissions for each stop, and will dynamically update as routes are changed, all based on configurable emissions expectations based on different vehicle and load types.

Alex Buckley, General Manager of EMEA and APAC Operations at DispatchTrack, commented, “Consumers are making more and more of an effort to make sustainable choices. What better way for brands to help them do that – and show off their own success at boosting sustainability – than by being able to seamlessly track and report the reduction of CO2 emissions in their deliveries?”

“When it comes to the last mile, businesses around the world are taking sustainability seriously. There’s mounting pressure to do better and to invest in initiatives that actually reduce CO2,” said Satish Natarajan, DispatchTrack co-founder and CEO. “With the industry’s first AI-based CO2 tracking capabilities, we’re helping our customers double down on their net-zero commitments and achieve their sustainability goals. By providing CO2 emissions numbers in real-time and route optimisation powered by AI, DispatchTrack is helping our customers reduce their emissions with confidence and become even more competitive.”

 

NAiSE and Pilz establish partnership

Pilz is expanding its range for the safe use of driverless transport systems (DTS): In cooperation with the material flow automation expert NAiSE GmbH, the automation company Pilz is offering the world’s first traffic and order manager for all participants in intralogistics – for people as well as for transport systems. With NAiSE Traffic AGV applications can be implemented safely and efficiently thanks to precise real-time localisation. The goal: higher productivity in intralogistics.

Using sensor infrastructure and intelligent, integrated and cross-manufacturer communication, the traffic and order manager NAiSE Traffic analyses the flow of traffic and goods in intralogistics applications in real time. The software coordinates and controls the traffic of all participants – people and industrial trucks such as AGVs or forklifts. This provides operators with a holistic, manufacturer-independent material flow automation solution. Traffic jams, bottlenecks and accidents are avoided. This increases safety and optimises traffic control – for more transparency, efficiency and productivity.

With the traffic and order manager from the Stuttgart start-up NAiSE, Pilz is further expanding its comprehensive range of solutions in the field of intralogistics.  For safe automation of driverless transport vehicles (AGV) or systems (AGV), Pilz offers an extensive portfolio of safety components with sensors and control technology as well as a security solution.

In addition, Pilz provides support with the right services for vehicles and applications – in accordance with ISO 3691-4 standards and up to CE marking. Manufacturers and operators receive a complete package from Pilz for safe and productive intralogistics applications.

Unilode goes green with electric trucks from Briggs

Unilode Aviation Solutions, a leading service provider to the aviation sector, is the latest business to invest in electrification with Briggs Equipment following the introduction of electric Hyster trucks to its Heathrow site.

The new forklifts replace a fleet of gas machines and will allow Unilode to deliver on its sustainability targets and reduce environmental impact. Additionally, Unilode will benefit from lower operational and maintenance costs, underlining the long-term benefits of choosing electric.

The new trucks are already making a positive impact on-site, with positive feedback received from operators on their comfort, ease-of-use and extensive safety features.

Babak Yazdani, Chief Operating Officer, Unilode, commented: “The new electric trucks supplied by Briggs Equipment are a fantastic addition to our industrial equipment fleet. The new equipment is cleaner, greener and more efficient, helping our operators complete their work with greater precision. These are more productive forklifts with zero emissions that will help us to continue reducing our carbon footprint. Over the coming year more stations in our MRO network will be making this change to further enhance the sustainability of Unilode’s ULD solutions.”

Ben Creighton, Senior Sales Executive, Briggs Equipment, commented: “We are delighted to have completed this delivery to a new Briggs customer in Unilode. Right throughout the tender process, they have shown a clear commitment towards reducing environmental impact and delivering on their carbon footprint objectives.

“At Briggs, we are committed to helping our customers build an effective and future proofed carbon strategy that is capable of evolving with our customers. We are now looking forward to working closely with the team at Unilode to ensure they get the most out of their new trucks and keep delivering an outstanding service for their customers.”

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