Subscribe

Month: November 2024

Warehouse Automation in 2025: Key trends to Watch

Posted on by David Priestman

There are six key trends in warehouse automation to look out for in 2025, writes Theresa Macdonald (pictured below), Business Development Manager at Element Logic.

As automation continues to reshape industries, warehouses are emerging as prime beneficiaries of this rapid technological evolution. By 2025, businesses that embrace a forward-thinking approach to warehouse operations will see significant gains in efficiency, sustainability, and overall competitiveness. But what trends will define these changes? Below, I’ll explore the critical innovations expected to reshape warehousing in the years to come.

Collaborative robotics: Collaborating with humans

Robotic systems are already transforming how warehouses operate, and by 2025, collaborative robots, or co-working robots that perform side-by-side with human workers, will become more widespread. Unlike early fears of full workforce replacement, modern robots don’t take jobs but complement human abilities by managing repetitive and physical tasks, like retrieving items or piece-picking. These collaborative robots are making workspaces safer and more efficient. For example, robotic arms powered by machine learning can continually refine their ability to pick and place products of varying sizes and weights-allowing for faster, error-free sorting. This collaboration between humans and robots optimises workflows and maximises productivity, all while reducing the physical strain on human workers.

Theresa Macdonald

The power of data: turning insights into action

In 2025, data analytics will become a central driver of decision-making in warehouses. Whether it’s predicting demand fluctuations, identifying potential bottlenecks, or conducting predictive maintenance, the insights generated by data are becoming invaluable for operational efficiency. Real-time data, fed through AI-enabled systems, will give businesses a competitive edge by optimising everything from capacity planning to inventory control. Ultimately, it’s not just about gathering data, but turning insights into precise, effective actions that keep operations running smoothly while minimising waste and inefficiencies.

Sustainability: A mandate, not an option

Sustainability has long since moved from ‘nice-to-have’ to ‘must-have’, and warehouses are no exception. With over 40% of global CO2 emissions attributed to buildings, warehouses are under pressure to lower their environmental impact. As we approach 2025, businesses will be prioritising eco-friendly operations, from the materials used in construction to energy-efficient lighting and climate controls. Technology has a crucial role to play in reaching sustainability goals. Automation systems like AutoStore are helping operators reduce their energy consumption-ten AutoStore robots, for example, use about the same amount of energy as a household vacuum cleaner per hour. Implementing such technology can lead to lower carbon footprints and operational efficiencies, both of which offer long-term savings alongside environmental benefits.

AI: Improving intelligence in the warehouse

Artificial Intelligence (AI) will become an increasingly important part of warehouse management by 2025. Already, AI powers predictive analytics for inventory management, helping businesses anticipate demand spikes and avoid stockouts. More advanced applications see AI driving automated systems to manage everything from picking errors to maintenance schedules. AI’s sophistication has reached a point where it can “learn” warehouse patterns and continuously adapt to optimise processes. This makes for a smarter, more flexible warehouse that can adjust to evolving customer demands and operational complexities-whether that’s managing peak busy periods like Black Friday or keeping everyday operations running smoothly.

Rising customer expectations: Speed and accuracy

E-commerce growth and just-in-time delivery models have changed what customers expect from warehouse operations. By 2025, fast delivery will no longer be a competitive advantage but a customer expectation. Warehouses must respond with better agility, accuracy, and scalability. Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS), like AutoStore, will help businesses efficiently manage surges in demand while maintaining operational flexibility. Automation allows companies to reduce picking errors, streamline returns, and ensure that even during peak seasons, customers receive their orders quickly and accurately.

Preparing for the future of logistics

Warehousing in 2025 isn’t just about embracing automation-it’s about building smarter, more sustainable operations that can adapt to changing customer needs while minimising environmental impact. By investing in AI, robots, and data-driven tools, businesses can future-proof their operations and ensure they stay ahead of the competition in an increasingly demanding market.

similar news

Industry View: Automation and the Future of Warehouse Racking

 

New Fork Positioner Boosts Handling Precision

Posted on by David Priestman

TVH, a leading specialist in parts for material handling, agricultural, construction and industrial offroad machines, announces today the launch of the PK-TS Fork Positioner, the latest addition to its CAM attachments range. Designed for precision and safety in material handling, the PK-TS offers features tailored for operators of material handling machines like forklift trucks and telehandlers.

CAM attachments, subsidiary of TVH, specializes in manufacturing attachments for off-road equipment. Today they introduce the PK-TS Fork Positioner. This new attachment allows drivers to adjust fork spacing hydraulically from the cabin, eliminating the need for manual adjustments. This reduces the risk of injuries and operator fatigue, leading to a safer and more efficient work environment. Additionally, the sideshift function enables precise lateral movement of loads, cutting down on cycle times and enhancing productivity.

Kobe Naert, Chief Product & Procurement at TVH, states: “Thanks to their numerous benefits fork positioners are increasingly becoming a standard upgrade feature on material handling equipment. By enabling precise adjustments of fork spacing, they enhance safety and efficiency in various operations. Operators can handle a wider range of loads with greater comfort, reducing strain and the risk of accidents. Additionally, the robust design of these positioners ensures durability, making them a reliable choice for diverse industrial applications.”

PK-TS Fork Positioner Technical Details

The body is designed from 2 C-Profiles for precise guiding of the fork carriers. Equal arm movement is guaranteed by choosing cylinders according to the hydraulic principle of communicating vessels, instead of applying flow divider valves or throttles on the cylinders.

The PK-TS also features a reinforced frame and a scratch-resistant powder coating, the connections between piston rods and fork carriers are made of stainless steel extensions which feature ball eye rod ends. This helps absorb deflections between cylinder, body and carrier which happen in dynamic load-handling processes, especially when moving loads over uneven grounds or under other tough conditions.

Its compact design and low over-height improve visibility and manoeuvrability in confined spaces, making it deployable for a variety of applications. This model comes as a hook-on version with carriers to install standard forks (ISO 2328:2011). Other models of PK-Series can include fork arms and come either integrated, with or without a sideshift function, or in various combinations of these features.

High Throughput; Tried & Tested

Posted on by David Priestman

David Priestman visited Ocado’s Luton customer fulfilment centre (CFC) in Bedfordshire, England, to experience one of the most sophisticated hive storage and retrieval systems in global logistics.

CEO of Ocado Intelligent Automation (OIA) is Mark Richardson, who spoke to us for our May issue (p 30-31) about the company’s OSRS system and ambitions to become a major force in non-grocery warehouse automation systems. He provided an extensive tour of the Luton CFC, which opened last year. The CFC has rapidly scaled its operations to approximately 55,000 orders per week since its go-live in September 2023, relative to a planned design capacity of approximately 65,000 orders per week. With its more than 500 restless bots this facility ships 250 units per labour hour, with a target of increasing that to over 300 per hour when all the automated picking robots have been installed.

OIA’s bots are deliberately unclad and without skirting. This makes them lighter, shows the inner workings, makes maintenance easier and perhaps feeds greater acceptance by users – the warehouse engineer staff programming and monitoring them. They have luminous green lights visible to the engineers, which turn red should a bot be in error mode, which happens very rarely, Richardson assures me. The new 600 series bot is now being manufactured, featuring more plastic components and smaller motors to make it lighter and even faster, whilst using less power.

Action all induct stations

Most of the products in the OSRS grid are newly arrived items. They are brought on pallets to the induct station, adjacent to the metal grid, where items are manually unloaded and unpacked before being fed into the 200,000 white, injection-moulded plastic storage bins that are used inside the grid. In the future OIA may switch to auto-depalletization technology for this. The company is also now introducing metal bins, with a similar weight, that are fire-resistant to protect assets. Customers can choose between all plastic bins with firewalls in the grid, a combination of materials, or all metal for very cautious environments.

The manned pick stations, situated in a ‘tunnel’ underneath the centre of the grid to keep products closest to the pickers, are designed by Ocado and manufactured by a contractor. Pickers use a visual system featuring a large screen that shows images of each product to be taken from a storage bin and placed into a delivery tote. The screen shows the picker exactly where items are to be placed as there are 3 plastic carrier bags inside each delivery tote. “No voice picking is used,” Richardson explains, “as we’re visually presenting the exact product to be picked.” It’s intended to provide a ‘gamification’ experience for staff.

The ambient part of the Luton OSRS grid is 21 totes high, with the chilled zone being just 8 high (well above ground level). The delivery bins sit inside the storage totes that always remain in the grid. Between two and four hours’ worth of delivery items are kept inside the grid at any time, waiting for their delivery departure slot. This means the OSRS acts as a despatch buffer, which is very effective as, whilst customer delivery times are from morning to late evening, picking inside the grid should be a 24/7 operation. For reference, the average Ocado grocery order consists of 46 items.

Typically, there are around 20 customer deliveries per individual van route. Items for each van are fetched quickly from the grid to be loading manually in roll cages, as well as via some automatic loading systems.

Choreographed picking robots

The Luton OSRS currently has 45 on-grid robotic picking arms fixed in position on top of the grid, above the picking tunnel. They are spread all over the top of the grid; 22 are in the ambient zones, 23 in chilled. Each one can reach to and pick from the 8 storage bins surrounding it. The system brings bins into any of these 8 locations, some are storage bins, some are delivery totes. The robots then do the necessary picking and placing, quickly but precisely. They will be added instead of installing more manual pick stations, which there is space for in the tunnel. The robotic pick solution at Luton is currently picking around one-third of the volumes at the CFC. At target, OIA expect approximately 70% of the range will be picked robotically, with a high proportion of the chilled goods, so as to keep temperature-controlled products inside the grid.

“We tried ground-level robotic picking,” Richardson informs me, “but we decided that on-top was better. We’re slowly teaching the robots and driving productivity up. This will be our most productive warehouse. We can use any robotic arm on it as the magic is in the software. The robot mustn’t just drop an item but place it in the best spot in the delivery bin.” The picking robots are being rapidly deployed for large-scale use across other Ocado and grocery customer sites internationally, and they can be used for non-grocery items too, of course.

The Luton CFC is the most advanced Ocado site in the world and it represents a complete step change in the productivity that can be achieved. Not only does it use Ocado Group’s bot and grid technology (as opposed to the 10 miles of conveyor at the company’s first-generation CFC in Hatfield, Hertfordshire), but it also houses OIA’s latest automation.

Large scale use

The use case for installing an OSRS is based on leading-edge efficiency and the proven expertise that Ocado has gained over 20 years using it as sites like Luton for up to 50,000 sku items. “If you have a demanding use case then we can really help,” says Richardson. “We’re not new to materials handling, it’s tried and tested. We’re more interested in the productivity of the whole site than the speed of individual machines. General merchandise warehouses are ideal, as is pharma, apparel and fashion, plus small consumer electronics.”

OIA can also configure the set-up to include picking some items outside the grid for warehouse staff to do value-add things like packaging and personalised messages before despatch. With the picking robots in operation the company is now gaining more large-scale use-case experience. “Whether our system is superior to competitors or not,” Richardson tells me, “the expertise we’ve gained is the key. We’re fully ready to deploy OSRS with picking robots. We’re not bolting it on, it comes with the grid and is well thought-out.”

Simply the densest

OSRS is scalable, with no limit or maximum breadth. Richardson claims that OSRS is the densest ASRS system available, thereby maximising footprint and ideal for new greenfield site distribution centres, as well as retrofitting an existing DC. It can be used for ambient goods and with a cold store. Above all, it is seriously fast, due to the advanced communications with all the bots. McKesson, the large Canadian pharmaceutical distributor, is going live next summer with an OSRS for retail store replenishment.
Next year’s LogiMAT (where Ocado are in the same hall as us, Hall 8), ProMAT and IMHX shows should see a good deal of interest in OIA’s booths, from both customers and competitors.

similar news

ASRS to OSRS Automation

 

Ferag and Sparck Collaborate for Automated efulfilment

Posted on by David Priestman

In an ecommerce industry first, systems integrator, Ferag, and auto-boxing specialist, Sparck Technologies, have collaborated to develop a continuous ‘one touch’ process from order-picking to individual ‘fit-to-size’ boxes ready for despatch. The technological leap closes the gap between order-picking and packing, enabling ecommerce businesses to offer its customers secure and compact boxed orders prepared with complete accuracy, and without manual intervention, from pick right through to despatch. A ‘one touch’ operation.

Single system solution

The innovative step, considered a ‘game-changer’, came about soon after Ferag installed its Skyfall automated pouch sortation system at a leading retail brand’s ecommerce centre in the UK. Equipped with 24,000 overhead pouches the Ferag system carries, directs and sorts a wide variety of picked goods from pick-stations, served by ASRS and Autostore systems, to over 70 manual packing benches and one automated ‘fit-to-size’ boxing system – a CVP Everest from Sparck Technologies.

Ferag’s Skyfall pouch system is located on a mezzanine level above the Autostore, maximising the use of available overhead space. Here ordered items are picked from totes into open pouches and carried away, sorted and accumulated within dynamic storage buffers, before being called off to order and delivered at speed to packing benches. The system is designed for a throughput of 16,000 pouches per hour, with a buffer capacity of an hour, where pouches can be held for single or multiple item orders. A key advantage of the system is that each pouch is designed to carry multiple items together – hanging garments, as well as flat-packed and boxed items, such as shoes.

Auto-unloading pouch

The Skyfall overhead pouch sorter was originally sourced to deliver single and multi-item orders to mainly manual packing desks. However, Ferag had recently developed an automated unloading capability for its pouches. This prompted the idea of closing the gap between picking and auto-packing, creating a direct infeed to Sparck’s CVP Everest to automate the whole process. The CVP Everest is capable of producing 1100 boxes per hour with two operators. So, the question was, could Ferag’s pouch sorter and the new Everest boxing system be integrated to produce a continuous process from pick to despatch, with no manual intervention? If so, it would be a game changer.

The challenge

It was a great idea, but it wasn’t without its complications. The highly versatile Ferag pouch sorter is designed to carry a diverse range of goods, making it well suited for varied product profiles, such as garments, accessories, and shoes.

Chris More, Ferag UK’s Head of Sales, explains how the pouch design was critical: “When it came to tendering and specifying the type of pouch needed, we put forward a couple of technologies for consideration, one being our soft pouch and the other being a hard pouch. The hard pouch has a wire frame which allows it to be opened automatically by our newly developed auto-unloading technology. We had various options for unloading, and a gentle unloader was ultimately selected. This would prove critical.”

But the challenge was, how to present a wide variety of products with different profiles in the right order and orientation to Sparck’s CVP Everest? It was a complex issue.

As it happens, Sparck Technologies’ development team was in the process of looking at ways of auto-infeeding items, as singles and possibly multiple units, into their automated boxing machines to remove the need for manual intervention. The CVP machines had always required manual induction of order-items for an otherwise completely automated process of 3D scan, cut-to-size, fold, seal and label, and then on to despatch.

“We immediately knew we could provide a solution as we were already working on a more holistic approach to the problem, with agnostic, scaleable and modular solutions,” said Jo Bradley, Business Development Manager for Sparck Technologies in the UK.

More added, “We understood exactly what was needed, so we entered into close collaboration with Sparck to set out how the two systems would exchange information, creating a tight integration between upstream and downstream processes, with reliable hand-over and acknowledgement of product and order information.”

Meanwhile, Sparck carried out further work related to ensuring a smooth and consistent induction of a variety of sized items to the CVP Everest. A clever ‘Z’ shaped conveyor section efficiently aligns and positions each item ready for 3D scanning and processing, providing a well matched, consistent pace sequenced with the upstream Ferag sorter.

Counting the benefits

After thorough testing in late summer 2023, the ‘one touch’ solution went live. The performance of the system has exceeded the retailer’s expectations, with accurate, consistent and reliable delivery of ‘right-sized’ boxes to despatch, maximising the full potential throughput of the system and standing as testament to the successful collaboration between Ferag and Sparck.

Bradley says: “Automating the interface between order-picking and ‘fit-to-size’ boxing has been a ‘Holy Grail’ for the sector for a number of years. Creating a smooth, seamless process free from human intervention has not been easy, given the complexity of the task, but now we have developed technology that aligns and positions individual items for induction into our CVP machines with great speed and accuracy. We are delighted to have worked with Ferag on achieving an industry first.”

With no need for direct human intervention between upstream order-picking processes and the fast, automatic production of ‘right-size’ ecommerce boxes – cut, formed sealed and labelled, ready for dispatch – exposure to risks, such as labour shortages and sickness, are significantly reduced. Flexibility to ramp up easily for peaks is an added bonus. This innovative step takes out cost, increases throughput and offers the retail client the reassurances they need to perform efficiently at peak.

similar news

Sparck Celebrates 100 years of Innovation

 

FIFA Appoints Official Logistics Provider for World Cup

Posted on by David Priestman

FIFA has selected Rock-it Cargo, a Global Critical Logistics (GCL) company, as the Official Logistics Provider of the FIFA World Cup 26™ – the game-changing edition of the tournament set to take place across 16 Host Cities in Canada, Mexico and the USA from 11 June to 19 July 2026.

Rock-it Cargo will help FIFA create history, providing multi-year planning, management and event-logistics services as the FIFA World Cup™ expands to 48 teams and 104 matches across three countries and 16 Host Cities in 2026.

Appointed following a highly competitive request-for-proposal process, Rock-it Cargo demonstrated exceptional experience in planning and delivering event logistics to the world’s most complex and high-profile sporting and entertainment events.

FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström said: “In Rock-it Cargo we have found the perfect partner to entrust with the critical logistics services for the biggest FIFA World Cup ever. We’ve been impressed by Rock-it Cargo’s experience and attention to detail, teamwork and passion to deliver operational excellence. Their global model fits perfectly with our extensive ambitions for the tournament.”

As the Official Logistics Provider of the FIFA World Cup 26, Rock-it Cargo will provide planning, management and event-logistics services, including with regard to customs and international freight forwarding, warehouse and distribution operations, on-site venue operations at the International Broadcast Centre and team equipment operations.

The multi-year partnership will begin in 2025, with Rock-it Cargo providing selected services for the new FIFA Club World Cup™ to be hosted across 12 stadiums in 11 different cities in June and July next year. The partnership will expand in scope to include a broader range of services for the FIFA World Cup a year later, with Rock-it Cargo also taking up a position as a Tournament Supporter for the game-changing global event.

President and CEO of GCL, the parent company of Rock-it Cargo, Daniel Rosenthal said: “We are deeply honoured to have been selected by FIFA to support the planning and delivery of the biggest FIFA World Cup ever. For nearly 50 years our team has been trusted by the world’s biggest artists and North American sports leagues to deliver extraordinary experiences through extensive planning, contingency management and outstanding event coordination. We look forward to drawing on our experience in the FIFA World Cup 26 stadiums and Host Cities to help successfully execute the 39-day tournament.”

Beyond its direct relationship with FIFA, Rock-it Cargo’s status as FIFA’s Official Logistics Provider – combined with its deep North American operational and customs experience, centralised warehouse infrastructure and last-mile ownership – will enable a more efficient and sustainable logistics service to be provided to FIFA’s partners, vendors, broadcasters and other stakeholders.

similar news

Liverpool FC and UPS Deliver Partnership

 

Industrial Doors to Play Their Role at Innovation Site

Posted on by David Priestman

A state-of-the-art 29,700 sq. ft. research and manufacturing facility is set to transform Sheffield with its innovative design and commitment to sustainability. The new development will feature a large open-plan factory space, individual workshop areas, and adaptable ancillary spaces, all underpinned by a robust, sustainable design addressing environmental, social, and economic responsibilities.

To meet the advanced needs of this cutting-edge facility, ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems supplied an array of industrial doors, ensuring both functionality and security. Among the installations are two OH1042P Secure by Design sectional doors, two electrically operated tube motor fire shutters, and one HS9110P internal high speed door. Each door system has been carefully selected to enhance operational efficiency, safety, and environmental performance.

One standout feature of the project is the electrically operated tube motor fire shutter, measuring 3000mm wide by 2400mm high. This fire-rated roller shutter, certified to BS EN 1634-1:2014 standards, boasts a one-hour fire resistance rating. Designed to house recycling waste securely, the shutter operates via a 240V tubular motor with a key switch. Its uninterruptible power supply ensures reliable operation during power outages. The robust construction includes a galvanised steel curtain, a T-section bottom rail, and a durable powder-coated finish, ensuring both resilience and longevity.

Equally impressive are the two OH1042P sectional doors, certified to Resistance Class 2 (RC2) and part of the Secured by Design initiative. These overhead sectional doors prioritize security, thermal efficiency, and durability. With wind-resistant reinforced panels and advanced anti-lift features, the doors provide unparalleled protection against unauthorized access. The inclusion of burglar-proof window panels allows for increased natural light while maintaining high security. The largest of these doors, measuring 6000mm by 6000mm, operates with vertical lift tracks and wind bracing, making it ideal for the facility’s industrial environment.

Inside the factory, the HS9110P high speed door plays a vital role in enhancing traffic flow and maintaining energy efficiency. This door, with a bright yellow curtain measuring 5000mm by 5000mm and equipped with vision panels, operates at speeds of up to 2.4 m/s. Designed for heavy-duty use, it features a break-away and automatic reset system, reducing downtime in the event of impacts. Its advanced dual-barrel power drive and retention belt technology create an excellent draft seal and pressure resistance, ensuring reliable performance under demanding conditions. The automation of the door features a radar motion detector with an integrated active infrared presence detector, enabling seamless automatic door opening while ensuring the safety of both people and vehicles.

This Sheffield facility embodies a vision for sustainable and innovative industrial development, with ASSA ABLOY’s advanced door systems playing a crucial role in achieving its goals. By integrating cutting-edge security, energy efficiency, and operational reliability, these solutions exemplify the future of industrial design and functionality.

similar news

24/7 Endurance Doors

 

FarEye Wins Award for Last Mile Logistics Solutions

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Hurun India, in partnership with ASK Private Wealth, has honoured FarEye with the prestigious 2024 ASK Private Wealth Hurun India Future Unicorn Award in the Last Mile Logistics Solutions category. This recognition highlights FarEye’s innovative approach to transforming global logistics through cutting-edge technology, optimizing last-mile deliveries, and reshaping how goods move across the globe.

The Hurun India Future Unicorn Award identifies high-growth companies on the cusp of becoming unicorns. The awards reflect Hurun India’s deep understanding of global markets, as evidenced by the network of Hurun rankings in China, the Middle East, and now India, as it continues to spotlight companies that are shaping the future of various industries.

Gautam Kumar, Co-founder of FarEye, expressed his gratitude for the recognition, stating: “We are thrilled to be recognized by Hurun India with the Future Unicorn Award. For over a decade, FarEye has been relentlessly focused on transforming the global delivery landscape, empowering businesses to deliver smarter, faster, and more efficiently. This recognition is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and innovation of our team, and we are incredibly grateful to be acknowledged for our contribution to revolutionizing last-mile logistics worldwide.”

Anas Rahman Junaid, Co-founder of Hurun, and Rajesh Saluja, Co-founder and CEO, ASK Private Wealth also shared their perspective, saying: “India has emerged as a breeding ground for some of the most successful unicorns, and we believe FarEye is well on its way to becoming one of the next big success stories.”

FarEye’s commitment to innovation has attracted global attention, with major clients across e-commerce, retail, and logistics sectors relying on FarEye’s solutions to meet the growing demand for faster and more reliable delivery services. With India at the heart of its success story, FarEye is positioned to be a leader in the rapidly expanding logistics sector, with significant investments driving its future trajectory.

similar news

FarEye Platform on SAP for Parcel Visibility

 

The Benefits to Trailer Side Skirts

Posted on by David Priestman

As the European Union tightens its regulations on trailer aerodynamics, Ewals Cargo Care are taking proactive steps to meet and exceed these standards. The upcoming Vecto-rules, mandating a 10% reduction in CO₂ emissions for new trailers by 2030, represent a forward-looking approach to addressing climate change. Although trailers themselves do not directly emit CO₂, their design plays a critical role in the fuel efficiency of the trucks towing them. Improving the aerodynamic performance of trailers can lead to significant reductions in fuel consumption, which in turn lowers overall CO₂ emissions.

Consider a conventional box-shaped trailer, which creates significant air resistance when hauled by a truck. Adding features like side skirts, rear trailer tails, and smooth underbody panels can streamline airflow and reduce drag. For instance, a study by the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE) showed that adding side skirts to trailers can improve fuel efficiency by up to 7%, while trailer tails can contribute another 4-5%. These modifications collectively reduce the energy the truck needs to maintain speed, leading to lower fuel consumption and a corresponding decrease in emissions.

Ewals’ approach to innovation

Ewals Cargo Care are starting with a pilot program to test a single trailer equipped with Aerodymax’s side skirts. This innovation can reduce fuel consumption and emissions by up to 5%. This pilot will allow Ewals to evaluate their performance in various transport modes, including ferry and rail. Lashing trailers on ferry ships and positioning trailers with side skirts into train wagons will require monitoring for potential damage or wear and tear. However, they hope for a positive result from the pilot. By embracing innovative solutions like aerodynamic skirts, Ewals are not only complying with regulations but also innovating in sustainable way.

Read Similar…

Survey Finds 70% of Fleets Impacted by Distracted Driving

Data: The Driving Force Behind the Logistics Industry

Posted on by David Priestman

Data is the key driver of the logistics industry. Organisations require information about the time they need to process an order, get the shipment ready, arrange for transport, put the item on a transport vehicle and make a timely delivery. Without data, companies may not know how to address inefficiencies or protect themselves from disruptions in transportation routes. Fortunately, data tools for logistics are abundant. Businesses can integrate technology into existing systems to optimise routes, find problems in order processing and cut costs. By implementing these technologies, logistics professionals can guide effective decision-making that improves efficiency and accuracy.

Gain Insights About Transportation Patterns

Logistics professionals have to remain current on the latest transportation patterns, which they can achieve with data. Descriptive analytics uses past data to identify changes in preferences over time. Predictive analytics can take this data to highlight changes to transportation patterns and potential disruptions to movement. With this information, logistics companies can be certain they have the most accurate information for forecasting and order management.

Optimise Routes

The choice of shipping route affects costs, delivery time and overall efficiency, highlighting opportunities for technology to optimise the route. Companies select shipping routes based on a variety of factors, including traffic, cost of fuel and the potential for lengthy delays. Optimising the route helps to reduce costs and time spent making a delivery, particularly in the last few kilometres of a journey. Prescriptive analytics can provide detailed information based on historical and current trends, automatically highlighting routes that improve performance.

Improve Efficiency

Data can provide the tools to increase efficiency at all points in the process, from forecasting demand and increasing the robustness of the supply chain to improving the order process. Companies need to know how demand is changing for a particular product, so they can maintain an ideal inventory to handle it. Predictive analytics can also highlight weaknesses in the supply chain, so that businesses can identify alternatives. AI can automate various aspects of the order management process, to minimise bottlenecks and complete order processing more accurately.

Reduce Excess Costs

Cognitive analytics, as part of a comprehensive package of data analysis, can reduce excess costs at every stage. Companies spend more to have a human perform tasks that AI can do autonomously. Implementing an AI system allows a business to verify inventory and process an order quickly, highlighting any problems for prompt review. The system can also use past data

to identify existing problems with various processes, so that professionals can address them. These improvements increase the accuracy of each order, decreasing the financial impact of returns or lost clients.

Increase Customer Satisfaction

Ultimately, the incorporation of data into a transport management system leads to better outcomes in customer satisfaction. Customers expect orders to be processed efficiently, calling for an accurate and sensitive inventory management system. They also want deliveries to occur quickly and accurately, with tracking that provides relevant information and does not compromise their personal security. Integrating analytics into all systems can ensure that customers get everything they need during each step of the process.

Data integration is transforming the efficiency and accuracy of many worldwide industries, transportation and logistics in particular. With technology’s ability to handle massive amounts of data in record time, the benefits are obvious. Recording and processing data provides crucial information for businesses to improve their processes to meet the needs of the future. Using data analytics to analyse past problems, evaluate the potential for solutions and create a plan to weather future changes can save companies significant time, money and effort.

Read Similar…

Research Highlights Untapped Potential of AI to Boost Fleet Safety

Common Entry Point in Warehouse Cyberattacks

Posted on by David Priestman

Ivanti, a tech company that breaks down barriers between IT and security so that ‘everywhere work’ can thrive, released its latest report on Supply Chain and Warehouse Trends in 2024 and Beyond, which reveals the state of the industry, key insights from insiders and trends to watch.

According to Ivanti research, 32% of warehouse respondents report that social engineering is one of the most-used entry points in warehouse cyberattacks – tied with software vulnerabilities (32%) and followed by devices (19%). As the backbone of the supply chain, a cyberattack on a warehouse can result in major consequences such as significant operational downtime, damage to a company’s reputation and financial losses. Given the vast amount of data warehouses possess, hackers may also obtain access to sensitive customer information, impacting trust and loyalty. Despite these risks, according to supply chain managers, cybersecurity is a top concern for only 58% of warehouses, while 13% do not view it as a concern at all.

“The supply chain industry has been slow to adapt to the evolving cybersecurity landscape. With the rise of warehouse modernization, the proliferation of IoT devices and the growing rate of cybercriminals targeting this industry, the risk of damaging cyberattacks has significantly increased. Without adaptation, the supply chain industry won’t have the resilience needed to address looming threats,” said Daren Goeson, SVP Product Management, Unified Endpoint Management at Ivanti. “Warehouse and supply chain managers must adopt a multilayered approach, utilizing advanced training and unified endpoint management (UEM) solutions to help mitigate or prevent human error.”

Key findings from the report include the following:

• Budget Priorities & Strategies:

The top budget priorities for supply chain managers are sourcing and procurement (41%), workforce productivity (40%), automation technologies (39%), and lowering operating costs (39%). However, none of these priorities will function properly in the event of a significant cyberattack. This emphasizes the urgent need for supply chain managers to prioritize cybersecurity in their overall strategies.

• Modern Warehouses: A Recruitment and Retention Tool:

Warehouse workers are drawn to modern warehouses equipped with robots and AI that can automate mundane tasks and help them achieve KPI targets efficiently. While only 39% of managers recognize the significant impact of new technology and modern devices on recruiting and retaining employees, almost all (94%) supply chain workers who use technology like automation, AMRs and AI believe that these tools enhance their productivity and efficiency. Additionally, 35% view robotic automation as a promising solution to address worker shortages in warehouses.

Ivanti conducted a survey in 2024, with 800 supply chain professionals from multiple countries, including the US, UK, France and Germany. Respondents had to work in a supply chain, manufacturing and/or warehouse setting.

similar news

Shipping Industry Remains Easy Cyber Target

 

Subscribe

Get notified about New Episodes of our Podcast, New Magazine Issues and stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter.