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Day: 30 March 2023

Inform Software Opens Portugal Office

Posted on by David Priestman

INFORM announces the opening of a new office in Portugal. With this step, the German-based optimization specialist not only aims to drive the expansion of its software solutions in the Portuguese market, but also to use the new location as a working hub to recruit international IT professionals.

With the new office in Lisbon, Portugal, the software company is expanding its presence on the Iberian Peninsula to meet the growing demand for software solutions to optimize business processes. The focus is on risk management and fraud prevention based on artificial intelligence (AI) and real-time recognition for financial institutions and the telecommunications industry. It also offers solutions for the aviation, logistics and workforce management industries, which are among the company’s core business areas in Portugal.

INFORM will also leverage the new office in Lisbon to recruit international IT professionals at the location. The newly recruited employees will then be integrated remotely into the international teams and project work at the company’s headquarters in Aachen, Germany. In addition, employees will have the opportunity to work at other INFORM Group locations for several weeks a year. INFORM thus continues on its path of offering its employees maximum flexibility for their work.

The announcement was made on March 23rd at the opening event in Lisbon, which was attended by Dr. Andreas Meyer, CEO of INFORM GmbH, and João Faísca, CEO of INFORM Portugal, among others. “We are excited to open our new office in Portugal”, said Faísca. “Our goal is to create a center for innovation and talent to attract people to work in Portugal and on international projects. At the same time, we want to demonstrate the company’s focus on the potential of the Portuguese market in the various sectors in which it operates.”

Automation Software for Service Robots

Posted on by David Priestman

Service robots for commercial and industrial activities are a major trend. According to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), 121,000 of the smart machines for professional use were sold worldwide in 2021, which represents a market growth of 37% in comparison to the previous year. The many possible applications encompass everything from the hotel and restaurant industry to medical technology, agriculture, and industrial cleaning.

The functional quality of mobile robots is largely determined by the automation software. Its development requires considerable robotics expertise and entails high investment costs. Thanks to a new software platform from Bosch, the automation of service robots can now be realized very quickly, easily, and efficiently. Machine manufacturers can thus concentrate on the core of their development work – that is, implementing the specific robot function for the application in question. “With our new software concept for automation, we are simplifying the development of service robots and making it easier for small and medium-sized manufacturers in particular to access the growing robotics market,” explains Philipp Kurek, who is responsible for the Off-Highway operating unit at Bosch Engineering GmbH.

The new software platform from Bosch has a modular structure and offers all the necessary functions for complete robot automation in the form of three sub-elements: localization and mapping, obstacle detection, and motion planning (navigation). The various software modules can be integrated into the robot’s control unit either individually or as a harmonized package. The Bosch Group boasts vast experience and extensive research expertise in navigation, driver assistance systems, and automation – for example, through developments for the automotive sector. “On this basis, we were able to create robot software with particularly precise, efficient perception of the surroundings, reliable signal evaluation, and smart navigation functions. Obstacles are safely avoided, and collisions are prevented,” adds Isabell Maier, head of automation and robotics at Bosch Engineering.

The parameters of the automation software can be flexibly adapted to the specific requirements of the respective application. For example, a narrow obstacle avoidance path for cleaning robots can be specified in the same way as a greater safety distance for robots transporting potentially hazardous substances (e.g., hot liquids). The software also provides great freedom when it comes to the hardware concept. Depending on the robot’s operating conditions, lidar sensors, cameras, or other type of sensors can be integrated into the system.

Standardized interfaces of the robot operating system (ROS) facilitate the integration of the software modules into the machine’s software architecture. After around three years of development, Bosch’s robot automation software has been in successful operation in a pilot application since the beginning of 2023. Further information is available to interested LogiMAT visitors at booth 6D31 in hall 6.

Partners to Deliver Unified Last-Mile Experience

Posted on by David Priestman

FarEye today announced a strategic partnership with Syscons to deliver a streamlined, end-to-end pre- and post-purchase last-mile delivery experience for retailers, fashion brands and manufacturers in Europe. The FarEye delivery management platform becomes part of Syscons’ supply chain and omnichannel solutions they support and implement, with the aim to simplify and expedite customers’ implementations, leading to faster time-to-market and increased value on their investments. FarEye will work closely with Syscons with customers particularly in Southern Europe to deploy their last-mile solutions.

FarEye will work with both divisions of Syscons Group – Syscons Interactive and Syscons Industries- which supports fashion brands and retailers in their digital transformation journey and manufacturers in their direct-to-consumer transformation journey. Together, the companies will provide a superior last-mile technology platform with Syscons’ omnichannel portfolio for a complete end-to-end commerce solution. This partnership also combines Syscons’ SAP expertise as well as FarEye’s SAP-certified last-mile and parcel visibility capabilities to bridge the gap between strategy and execution of the complex transition from serving business to serving consumers.

“One of the biggest challenges for companies in implementing a last-mile platform into their technology stack is the sheer complexity and volume of technology to integrate – from WMS to OMS to ERP,” said Suryansh Jalan, president, FarEye. “Combining our last-mile platform with Syscons’ expertise deploying large-scale omnichannel solutions solves this challenge, leading to faster deployments and value for companies as they look to turn the order-to-door delivery experience into a competitive advantage.”

FarEye’s products are oriented to key areas in the last-mile delivery journey – Ship, Track, Route, Execute, and Experience. Underpinned by the FarEye delivery management platform, FarEye ensures deliveries are on-time and accurate, from order-to-door. Companies rely on FarEye to increase operational efficiencies in the last mile, and create brand loyalty through successful delivery experiences.

“We share a common vision with FarEye to ensure a superior consumer experience. Combining both our technologies and our expertise strengthens our collective ability to help brands and retailers create efficient, successful commerce strategies that drive revenue and lower costs,” said Fabio Arrigoni, Partner, Syscons Interactive.

“We look forward to expediting manufacturing last-mile delivery strategies together for our joint customers,” said Pierpaolo Russo, Managing Director, Syscons Industries.

FarEye’s Delivery Management platform turns deliveries into a competitive advantage. Retail, e-commerce and third-party logistics companies use FarEye’s unique combination of orchestration, real-time visibility, and branded customer experiences to simplify complex last-mile delivery logistics. The FarEye platform allows businesses to increase consumer loyalty and satisfaction, reduce costs and improve operational efficiencies. FarEye has 150+ customers across 30 countries and five offices globally. FarEye, First Choice for Last Mile.

Partners to Deliver Unified Last-Mile Experience

Posted on by David Priestman

FarEye today announced a strategic partnership with Syscons to deliver a streamlined, end-to-end pre- and post-purchase last-mile delivery experience for retailers, fashion brands and manufacturers in Europe. The FarEye delivery management platform becomes part of Syscons’ supply chain and omnichannel solutions they support and implement, with the aim to simplify and expedite customers’ implementations, leading to faster time-to-market and increased value on their investments. FarEye will work closely with Syscons with customers particularly in Southern Europe to deploy their last-mile solutions.

FarEye will work with both divisions of Syscons Group – Syscons Interactive and Syscons Industries- which supports fashion brands and retailers in their digital transformation journey and manufacturers in their direct-to-consumer transformation journey. Together, the companies will provide a superior last-mile technology platform with Syscons’ omnichannel portfolio for a complete end-to-end commerce solution. This partnership also combines Syscons’ SAP expertise as well as FarEye’s SAP-certified last-mile and parcel visibility capabilities to bridge the gap between strategy and execution of the complex transition from serving business to serving consumers.

“One of the biggest challenges for companies in implementing a last-mile platform into their technology stack is the sheer complexity and volume of technology to integrate – from WMS to OMS to ERP,” said Suryansh Jalan, president, FarEye. “Combining our last-mile platform with Syscons’ expertise deploying large-scale omnichannel solutions solves this challenge, leading to faster deployments and value for companies as they look to turn the order-to-door delivery experience into a competitive advantage.”

FarEye’s products are oriented to key areas in the last-mile delivery journey – Ship, Track, Route, Execute, and Experience. Underpinned by the FarEye delivery management platform, FarEye ensures deliveries are on-time and accurate, from order-to-door. Companies rely on FarEye to increase operational efficiencies in the last mile, and create brand loyalty through successful delivery experiences.

“We share a common vision with FarEye to ensure a superior consumer experience. Combining both our technologies and our expertise strengthens our collective ability to help brands and retailers create efficient, successful commerce strategies that drive revenue and lower costs,” said Fabio Arrigoni, Partner, Syscons Interactive.

“We look forward to expediting manufacturing last-mile delivery strategies together for our joint customers,” said Pierpaolo Russo, Managing Director, Syscons Industries.

FarEye’s Delivery Management platform turns deliveries into a competitive advantage. Retail, e-commerce and third-party logistics companies use FarEye’s unique combination of orchestration, real-time visibility, and branded customer experiences to simplify complex last-mile delivery logistics. The FarEye platform allows businesses to increase consumer loyalty and satisfaction, reduce costs and improve operational efficiencies. FarEye has 150+ customers across 30 countries and five offices globally. FarEye, First Choice for Last Mile.

Iraq Joins TIR Convention to Boost Development

Posted on by David Priestman

The Republic of Iraq, at the crossroads of several trade routes in the Middle East, has become the 78th country to accede to the United Nations TIR Convention. Iraq’s accession to the TIR Convention anchors its strategic role as a transit hub and supports the country’s economic vision to expand its non-oil sectors.

The TIR system will boost regional trade and stimulate economic development and stability in Iraq and the wider region. IRU Secretary General Umberto de Pretto said, “We are thrilled that Iraq has joined the TIR system.

“This development will allow Iraq to fulfil its huge potential as a regional trade hub, supporting east-west and north-south connectivity. Iraq’s accession to the TIR Convention is a golden opportunity to confirm the country’s readiness to leverage the potential of international trade in supporting economic growth and driving prosperity and development,” he added.

Globally recognised for its high security standards and efficiency, the TIR system has been rapidly expanding in the Middle East. From Oman and the United Arab Emirates to Saudi Arabia, and most recently in Qatar, TIR is already significantly reducing border-crossing times and boosting trade in the region.

What is TIR?

TIR is the only global transit system. It enables goods to be shipped from a country of origin, through transit countries, to a country of destination, via a secure, multilateral, multimodal and mutually recognised system. TIR also provides a financial guarantee, managed by IRU, for the payment of suspended duties and taxes.

IRU is the world road transport organisation. We represent the entire industry – bus, coach, truck and taxi, and drive the sustainable mobility of people and goods across the planet.

 

 

Space-optimisation with Narrow Aisles

Posted on by David Priestman

Narrow aisle warehouses are masterpieces in space-saving. Yet the narrow aisles between the high racks still need to be navigated, placing particular requirements on handling long loads and calling on logistics operators to take specific safety precautions. Two new vehicle series from Hubtex, designed for narrow aisles – the PhoeniX 2829-XS and 2921-S – guarantee both safety and compactness.

Companies short on storage space often opt for a narrow-aisle warehouse, preferring to pack their products high to minimise aisle width. This means reducing the safety clearances between each side of the industrial truck and the rack from their usual 500 mm to a minimum of 100 mm. It also places greater demands on the materials handling equipment, requiring it to be strong, compact and manoeuvrable in order to transport and lift long loads along the narrow aisles. HUBTEX’s new PhoeniX 2829-XS and 2821-S series have been developed specifically for use in narrow aisles. “Lift truck drivers can manoeuvre safely while also lifting their customers’ specific loads without causing any damage because the vehicles are so compact and come equipped with integrated rack guidance systems such as mechanical, inductive or optical track guidance,” says Michael Röbig, Head of Product Management. “Space-saving sit-down or stand-up cabs also give lift truck drivers an unbeatable all-round view. At the same time, assistance systems such as the mobile personnel protection system fitted to the vehicle, which uses laser scanners, helps to improve employee safety even further.”

Assistance systems: an optimised workflow for narrow aisles

Besides track guidance and camera systems, it is primarily the HUBTEX Load Manager (HLM) and electronic load chart that help drivers to handle bulky, long or heavy loads. The HLM is an electronic device with 99 freely programmable lift height positions. The lift mast stops at the pre-selected rack compartment level. The system works differently depending on whether goods are being moved in or out of storage, saving valuable time while also reducing the risk of damage to goods in storage. This is because there is no danger of goods being damaged through uncontrolled penetration into the rack compartment.

Another feature, the electronic load chart, uses sensors to record the angle of the fork carrier, the centre of gravity of the load, its weight and its lifting height. The display screen shows the driver how high their goods are allowed to be lifted. Exceeding the permitted lifting height or other parameter thresholds will trigger an overload message. Depending on how it is configured, the system can also instigate overload actions: the lifting process can be stopped automatically, the symbol on the screen can turn red, and an acoustic warning can sound. As long as the symbol stays green, the goods can be lifted safely to their maximum height.

Visit HUBTEX at LogiMAT 2023 from 25 to 27 April at Stand 10B20 (Hall 10).

Space-optimisation with Narrow Aisles

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Narrow aisle warehouses are masterpieces in space-saving. Yet the narrow aisles between the high racks still need to be navigated, placing particular requirements on handling long loads and calling on logistics operators to take specific safety precautions. Two new vehicle series from Hubtex, designed for narrow aisles – the PhoeniX 2829-XS and 2921-S – guarantee both safety and compactness.

Companies short on storage space often opt for a narrow-aisle warehouse, preferring to pack their products high to minimise aisle width. This means reducing the safety clearances between each side of the industrial truck and the rack from their usual 500 mm to a minimum of 100 mm. It also places greater demands on the materials handling equipment, requiring it to be strong, compact and manoeuvrable in order to transport and lift long loads along the narrow aisles. HUBTEX’s new PhoeniX 2829-XS and 2821-S series have been developed specifically for use in narrow aisles. “Lift truck drivers can manoeuvre safely while also lifting their customers’ specific loads without causing any damage because the vehicles are so compact and come equipped with integrated rack guidance systems such as mechanical, inductive or optical track guidance,” says Michael Röbig, Head of Product Management. “Space-saving sit-down or stand-up cabs also give lift truck drivers an unbeatable all-round view. At the same time, assistance systems such as the mobile personnel protection system fitted to the vehicle, which uses laser scanners, helps to improve employee safety even further.”

Assistance systems: an optimised workflow for narrow aisles

Besides track guidance and camera systems, it is primarily the HUBTEX Load Manager (HLM) and electronic load chart that help drivers to handle bulky, long or heavy loads. The HLM is an electronic device with 99 freely programmable lift height positions. The lift mast stops at the pre-selected rack compartment level. The system works differently depending on whether goods are being moved in or out of storage, saving valuable time while also reducing the risk of damage to goods in storage. This is because there is no danger of goods being damaged through uncontrolled penetration into the rack compartment.

Another feature, the electronic load chart, uses sensors to record the angle of the fork carrier, the centre of gravity of the load, its weight and its lifting height. The display screen shows the driver how high their goods are allowed to be lifted. Exceeding the permitted lifting height or other parameter thresholds will trigger an overload message. Depending on how it is configured, the system can also instigate overload actions: the lifting process can be stopped automatically, the symbol on the screen can turn red, and an acoustic warning can sound. As long as the symbol stays green, the goods can be lifted safely to their maximum height.

Visit HUBTEX at LogiMAT 2023 from 25 to 27 April at Stand 10B20 (Hall 10).

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