Subscribe

Category: Uncategorised

Digital Twin for French Warehouses

Posted on by David Priestman

Dexory, a leading provider of cutting-edge AI and robotics solutions, and ID Logistics have announced their collaboration as part of the ID Logistics’ ASTRID program, deploying Autonomous Stock Taking Robots for high-speed inventory management. The collaboration aims to increase warehouse accuracy and enhance overall efficiency to improve the service provided to their customers. Deployments have commenced at sites in France and look to expand to additional geographies in 2024.

The cornerstone of this collaboration is the state-of-the-art robot named Astrid. Operating seamlessly within the daily operations, Astrid conducts live, wall-to-wall inventory checks, flagging inaccuracies in real-time. This innovative approach saves countless hours, allowing the inventory team to promptly address discrepancies and prevent the knock-on effects of errors. Impressively, Astrid can process up to 10,000 pallets per hour, significantly boosting efficiency.

The implementation of this cutting-edge technology has been met with enthusiasm from site teams, becoming an integral part of day-to-day operations. The system has elevated accuracy levels to over 99.9%, nearly achieving perfection in operations. The robots operate during normal working hours, navigating around colleagues and machinery without the need to close aisles, ensuring uninterrupted workflow.

Key features of the collaboration include the utilisation of a digital twin, providing instant access to data with just a click. This allows teams to make informed decisions and enhances overall visibility into inventory management processes, resource allocation and beyond. The solution caters to all sizes of pallets and goods, demonstrating its versatility and adaptability to diverse operational needs.

Beniot Boiron, Group Innovation Manager at ID Logistics, added, “This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the evolution of inventory management and warehouse data acquisition. Astrid’s precision and real-time monitoring capabilities have transformed our day-to-day operations, bringing accuracy to new heights”.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with ID Logistics to support the elimination of inventory visibility gaps in their warehouses using real-time data. This partnership represents a significant leap forward in enhancing operational efficiency, accuracy, and overall productivity,” said Oana Jinga, Chief Operating and Product Officer at Dexory.

The success of Astrid in France has set the stage for further expansion into new geographies, promising to revolutionise inventory management practices on a global scale.

Enter the Eco-Digital Era

Posted on by David Priestman

New research by Capgemini reveals that the eco-digital economy is expected to double in the next five years to almost $33 trillion (€30.5 trillion), but that the UK is lagging behind.

The untapped potential of digital technologies is vast, and the eco-digital economy, driven by digital and sustainability, is expected to double by 2028. That’s according to the Capgemini Research Institute’s latest report, ‘The Eco-Digital Era: The dual transition to a sustainable and digital economy’ developed in collaboration with the Digital Value Lab at the Digital Data and Design Institute at Harvard. Implementing digital technologies has enabled organisations to reduce their energy consumption by almost a quarter and delivered a 21% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the past five years, cites the report.

In this new era of a dual transition to an eco-digital economy that delivers not only economic value, but also environmental and social value, the scaling up of digital adoption will propel economic growth with sustainability at its core.

More collaborative and platform-driven than ever before, this eco-digital era is giving rise to new business models and revenue streams, as well as enhanced cost efficiencies, all driven by data utilisation, cloud technology, collaborative ecosystems, and connected products and services. According to the report, seven in 10 organisations agree that digitally-driven business models will become a key contributor of revenue growth in the next three to five years. Furthermore, 60% expect digitally driven business models to generate more revenue than their traditional business models.

“In the eco-digital era, there is greater exploration of digital technologies’ value to business – for instance by the scaling of data and cloud, and by having digital technologies play a crucial role in achieving sustainability goals,” comments Dr. Suraj Srinivasan, Philip J. Stomberg, Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School and Head of the Digital Value Lab at the Digital Data and Design Institute at Harvard. “There is also a fast evolution of emerging tech such as generative AI and synthetic biology, and greater collaboration giving rise to digital ecosystems. This shift is truly fundamental, cross-sectoral and global in nature. One of the biggest questions that organisations have to address and manage, as they scale, is knowing what to centralise and what to decentralise in terms of platform architecture, and most importantly, data governance.”

UK Lagging Behind

While global organisations are prioritising investment into evolving technologies such as generative AI or edge computing, to decrease costs and increase efficiencies, the UK landscape paints a different picture for some of its technologies – one that is lagging behind the rest of society.

The UK findings suggest UK organisations shows similarities with the global average for GenAI and edge computing implementations (13% vs. 15%, 13% vs. 14%), but only 6% of organisations in the UK are currently implementing digital twin technologies (vs. 13% globally), and only 8% even have a roadmap to do so. Instead, as many as 43% say they are only currently thinking about it (vs. 25% globally).

The picture is similar with blockchain technology, with only 4% implementing this technology, and AR/VR/Metaverse technologies (5%) – again, the difference appearing to be that the UK is far more likely to be stuck in the ‘thinking about it’ stage. Given the worldwide focus on sustainability, the low implementation number for climate/clean tech is particularly concerning – with only 5% of UK organisations currently implementing such technologies (vs. 13%), and as many as 37% still in the planning stage.“

The eco-digital economy is unlike anything that has come before it, and society has harnessed only a fraction of the overarching potential that mainstream technologies such as cloud, AI, and automation hold,” said Fernando Alvarez, Chief Strategy and Development Officer at Capgemini and Group Executive Board member. “Organisations will need to leverage focused efficiencies in their core business, enabled by digital, in order to free up investment to support their dual transition. We are at the dawn of a new transformative era and we have only scratched the surface of how digital technologies can help expedite the delivery of substantial economic, environmental, and societal benefits.”

Holistic Robotic Automation

Posted on by David Priestman

Arvato is increasing the targeted use of robots in its logistics centres. After the successful implementation of several robot-assisted palletizing and depalletizing applications at various locations, the supply chain and e-commerce service provider now has decided to use the robot item pick solution “justPick” from the Polish robot specialist Nomagic as the next step in its holistic automation strategy.

At its location in Dortmund, Germany, Arvato operates a 30,000 square meter distribution center for several fashion clients. As part of the “Autostore Port Picking” (ASPP) pilot project, Nomagic’s “justPick” robot will be used to pick individual item orders from the fully automated Autostore warehouse. It is planned that after the successful piloting, other robots will follow and pick at the Autostore system in Dortmund. Arvato currently operates ten Autostore systems worldwide and therefore sees great potential for further scaling of the robot solution. Further applications at shuttle storage workstations and for pocket sorter loading are also being planned.

“The autonomous robot system enables us to respond more flexibly and with shorter throughput times to our customers’ requirements by continuously processing customer orders – especially during late and night shifts,” says Axel Mayer, President Lifestyle Fashion & Sports at Arvato. At the Dortmund site, Arvato is taking a further step on the way to a fully automated order fulfillment process with the automatic provision of goods by the Autostore system and automatic picking by the robot. “Nomagic was the only supplier that was able to map both the pick process for order fulfillment and the returns replenishment process without changing the existing infrastructure,” explains Christoph Echelmeyer, Vice President Operations and Head of the site. With the “justPick” robot, not only are customers’ orders fulfilled, but the Autostore system is also replenished.

As far as possible, Arvato does not design all automation solutions, whether robotics, goods 2-person, AGVs or packaging solutions, as a stand-alone solution, but always in the context of its own “Warehouse Automation Toolbox (WAT)”. “We attach great importance to solutions with a high degree of modularity and flexibility. This approach is also driven by our high level of diversification and positioning in a wide variety of business areas such as high-tech, healthcare and consumer products with their large number of different articles. From our point of view, Nomagic’s “justPick” solution makes a special contribution to these points,” explains Markus Billmann, Senior Expert Process Automation and Future Warehouse Team at Arvato. Nomagic was able to convince Arvato with a large number of systems that have already been implemented, which are very close to the use case of the pilot project and the subsequent projects.

The “justPick” robot is equipped with a gripper tool changer, which enables the independent change of different suction and gripping tools during the container change at the carousel port of the Autostore system. On the one hand, this increases the possible throughput of the system, as downtime or idle times are effectively minimized, and on the other hand, it increases the number of tangible items on the hardware side, which has a positive effect on the future-proofing and scaling of the system in terms of third-party usability. Markus Billmann: “This flexibility is enormously important to us in the dynamic environment in which we operate as a 3PL service provider.”

LogiMAT ’24 Has Your Back

Posted on by David Priestman

Exhibitors from nearly every sector of the industry are coming to LogiMAT 2024 to present their latest products and solutions for ergonomically optimized intralogistics processes, healthy workplaces, and injury prevention. The spectrum ranges from modular workstation designs and systems to hoists not yet exhibited anywhere in the world, software-driven language-based picking processes with smart glasses, and new accessories and assistance systems for forklift operators. An Expert Forum taking place during LogiMAT presents tools and solutions for the ergonomic design of workstations and processes.

The intralogistics industry has not been spared the ravaging effects of demographic change and labor shortages. Some 100,000 logistics-related jobs in Germany alone remain unfilled. This makes ergonomics a topic of growing importance for businesses. Higher-quality workstations, improvements in how physical activities are performed, smart workstations designed with the help of digital technology, human-robot collaboration, and devices to ease the physical strain on workers: These are just some of the tools that can make workflows more efficient and the field of intralogistics more attractive. To cite just one example, a study published in late 2023 on the introduction of wearable exoskeletons found that they could reduce muscle strain in workers with the most strenuous jobs by up to 30 percent. Accuracy rose 27 percent, and speed was up 10 percent. Workplace safety improved while illness-related absences fell. “Ergonomics is an important element of intralogistics. Ergonomic workstations ensure the future of intralogistics and make it easier for the industry to compete for talent,” explains Exhibition Director Michael Ruchty from event organizer EUROEXPO Messe- und Kongress-GmbH in Munich. “LogiMAT, in its role as a barometer for intralogistics industry trends, is the primary platform for presenting the latest developments in this sphere. That’s why we’ve embraced this topic as one of the three areas of focus at this year’s event, as captured in our theme ‘SHAPING CHANGE TOGETHER: Sustainability – AI – Ergonomics.’”

Veronika Kretschmer, Senior Scientist for Assistance Systems and Human-Technology Interaction at the Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics IML, highlights possible solutions for ergonomically realigning workstations and workflows in her Expert Forum in the East Entrance Atrium, taking place on the second day of LogiMAT 2024. The forum’s content is aligned with Fraunhofer IML’s “Social Networked Industry”—a vision for the workplace of tomorrow in which people and new technologies work together collaboratively in an atmosphere of safety and trust. The tools introduced to support this vision range from exoskeletons and pick-by systems providing cognitive support for pickers to AI-based analytics of movement data for the optimization of intralogistics processes.

Human-machine collaborative workstation

Exhibitors from every sector of the intralogistics industry are also coming to LogiMAT in Stuttgart, March 19–21, to showcase their latest innovations for reducing physical strain and ergonomically optimizing how workstations are designed and equipped. Systems integrators and industrial machinery and equipment manufacturers in Halls 1, 3, 5, and 7 will exhibit new products for the ergonomically optimized design of picking and sorting stations, such as those used in AutoStore systems. The theme greets visitors as soon as they arrive through the East Entrance with the design for a manual picking and packing workstation, presented in the live demonstration of an assembly line innovation that includes custom packing tables and a centralized robotics system that supplies material and removes empty containers.

Exhibitors in Halls 4 and 5 are presenting various new workstation systems for modern assembly, logistics, and warehouse operations. Optimized ergonomics, flexibility, functionality, and a customized modular concept are the hallmarks here. This makes it possible to easily adapt individual components such as shelves, holders, packing tables, and worktables to different body sizes and processes, and to implement upgrades and extensions or integrate new digital technologies at any time. The result is ergonomically efficient systems for logistics jobs with long-term viability. New automated packaging solutions offer customized packing processes that optimize the use of resources and reduce the number of tasks that still need to be performed manually.

The world’s first fully mobile manipulator

Hall 7 will give visitors the opportunity to test new products never yet exhibited anywhere in the world, innovative wire rope hoist and workstation crane systems, and new modular lifting devices for ergonomic, easy, effortless handling. The modular concept lets workers configure their mobile or stationary industrial lifting equipment to match their individual needs. The assistance systems for simplified manual load handling on display in Hall 7 will also include innovative new suction grippers for cardboard packaging and bags. Visitors should also keep an eye open for the world’s first fully mobile manipulator for handling cartons, crates, packages, and containers.

For the manufacturers of industrial trucks and attachments in Halls 9 and 10, ergonomics is focused primarily on providing a comfortable workstation for forklift operators and easy-to-use, multifunctional attachments. Visitors to LogiMAT can look forward to experiencing innovations in equipment and assistance systems. One example is the first-in-Europe live demo of a combination package for forklifts with both location- and event-related features designed to automatically identify and avoid any dangers to people, vehicles, or loads—for enhanced safety and a more comfortable ride. New concepts for improved human-machine interaction and machine learning in the use of autonomous devices will also be presented. A new eurobin tug on display in Hall 9 is an ergonomic lifting and transport solution that gives workers a powered boost in moving eurobins weighing up to 300 kg in an optimal, upright working position, significantly reducing physical strain.

Vision picking for the digital warehouse

Many of the software developers in Hall 8 are showcasing new features and applications in their systems that reflect the role IT solutions can play in the ergonomic planning and design of facility layouts and workflows. A vision picking solution featuring smart glasses illustrates how the integration of cutting-edge technology in ergonomically optimized workflows can support digital warehouse logistics.

Next door in Hall 6, visitors can experience the latest innovations for collaborative workflows in the human-machine interface with automated guided vehicle systems and all the latest robotic solutions: cobots, stationary industrial robots, mobile picking robots, and autonomous mobile robot transport systems. The focus here is on sensor-based safety and ergonomic workstation design at transfer points and the periphery of the line, for example. Sensor technology and convenient identification solutions are also a defining feature in the new products and solutions presented by the specialists for automatic identification and data capture (AIDC), concentrated this year in Hall 2. Smart labels whose data can be read and modified by stationary and mobile readers, and cloud apps with automated interfaces and features for direct printing: These are just a couple examples of how AIDC solutions cut down on walking distances and make life easier for warehouse workers.

“Ergonomics in intralogistics helps maintain worker health and prevent injuries and excess physical strain, ensuring the continuity and efficiency of intralogistics processes,” Ruchty concludes. “Exhibitors at LogiMAT 2024 are presenting a wide range of state-of-the-art solutions for ergonomically optimized workstations. Integrating this cutting-edge technology improves working conditions in the intralogistics industry, and this can enhance the image of logistics-related careers.”

LogiMAT ’24 Has Your Back

Posted on by David Priestman

Exhibitors from nearly every sector of the industry are coming to LogiMAT 2024 to present their latest products and solutions for ergonomically optimized intralogistics processes, healthy workplaces, and injury prevention. The spectrum ranges from modular workstation designs and systems to hoists not yet exhibited anywhere in the world, software-driven language-based picking processes with smart glasses, and new accessories and assistance systems for forklift operators. An Expert Forum taking place during LogiMAT presents tools and solutions for the ergonomic design of workstations and processes.

The intralogistics industry has not been spared the ravaging effects of demographic change and labor shortages. Some 100,000 logistics-related jobs in Germany alone remain unfilled. This makes ergonomics a topic of growing importance for businesses. Higher-quality workstations, improvements in how physical activities are performed, smart workstations designed with the help of digital technology, human-robot collaboration, and devices to ease the physical strain on workers: These are just some of the tools that can make workflows more efficient and the field of intralogistics more attractive. To cite just one example, a study published in late 2023 on the introduction of wearable exoskeletons found that they could reduce muscle strain in workers with the most strenuous jobs by up to 30 percent. Accuracy rose 27 percent, and speed was up 10 percent. Workplace safety improved while illness-related absences fell. “Ergonomics is an important element of intralogistics. Ergonomic workstations ensure the future of intralogistics and make it easier for the industry to compete for talent,” explains Exhibition Director Michael Ruchty from event organizer EUROEXPO Messe- und Kongress-GmbH in Munich. “LogiMAT, in its role as a barometer for intralogistics industry trends, is the primary platform for presenting the latest developments in this sphere. That’s why we’ve embraced this topic as one of the three areas of focus at this year’s event, as captured in our theme ‘SHAPING CHANGE TOGETHER: Sustainability – AI – Ergonomics.’”

Veronika Kretschmer, Senior Scientist for Assistance Systems and Human-Technology Interaction at the Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics IML, highlights possible solutions for ergonomically realigning workstations and workflows in her Expert Forum in the East Entrance Atrium, taking place on the second day of LogiMAT 2024. The forum’s content is aligned with Fraunhofer IML’s “Social Networked Industry”—a vision for the workplace of tomorrow in which people and new technologies work together collaboratively in an atmosphere of safety and trust. The tools introduced to support this vision range from exoskeletons and pick-by systems providing cognitive support for pickers to AI-based analytics of movement data for the optimization of intralogistics processes.

Human-machine collaborative workstation

Exhibitors from every sector of the intralogistics industry are also coming to LogiMAT in Stuttgart, March 19–21, to showcase their latest innovations for reducing physical strain and ergonomically optimizing how workstations are designed and equipped. Systems integrators and industrial machinery and equipment manufacturers in Halls 1, 3, 5, and 7 will exhibit new products for the ergonomically optimized design of picking and sorting stations, such as those used in AutoStore systems. The theme greets visitors as soon as they arrive through the East Entrance with the design for a manual picking and packing workstation, presented in the live demonstration of an assembly line innovation that includes custom packing tables and a centralized robotics system that supplies material and removes empty containers.

Exhibitors in Halls 4 and 5 are presenting various new workstation systems for modern assembly, logistics, and warehouse operations. Optimized ergonomics, flexibility, functionality, and a customized modular concept are the hallmarks here. This makes it possible to easily adapt individual components such as shelves, holders, packing tables, and worktables to different body sizes and processes, and to implement upgrades and extensions or integrate new digital technologies at any time. The result is ergonomically efficient systems for logistics jobs with long-term viability. New automated packaging solutions offer customized packing processes that optimize the use of resources and reduce the number of tasks that still need to be performed manually.

The world’s first fully mobile manipulator

Hall 7 will give visitors the opportunity to test new products never yet exhibited anywhere in the world, innovative wire rope hoist and workstation crane systems, and new modular lifting devices for ergonomic, easy, effortless handling. The modular concept lets workers configure their mobile or stationary industrial lifting equipment to match their individual needs. The assistance systems for simplified manual load handling on display in Hall 7 will also include innovative new suction grippers for cardboard packaging and bags. Visitors should also keep an eye open for the world’s first fully mobile manipulator for handling cartons, crates, packages, and containers.

For the manufacturers of industrial trucks and attachments in Halls 9 and 10, ergonomics is focused primarily on providing a comfortable workstation for forklift operators and easy-to-use, multifunctional attachments. Visitors to LogiMAT can look forward to experiencing innovations in equipment and assistance systems. One example is the first-in-Europe live demo of a combination package for forklifts with both location- and event-related features designed to automatically identify and avoid any dangers to people, vehicles, or loads—for enhanced safety and a more comfortable ride. New concepts for improved human-machine interaction and machine learning in the use of autonomous devices will also be presented. A new eurobin tug on display in Hall 9 is an ergonomic lifting and transport solution that gives workers a powered boost in moving eurobins weighing up to 300 kg in an optimal, upright working position, significantly reducing physical strain.

Vision picking for the digital warehouse

Many of the software developers in Hall 8 are showcasing new features and applications in their systems that reflect the role IT solutions can play in the ergonomic planning and design of facility layouts and workflows. A vision picking solution featuring smart glasses illustrates how the integration of cutting-edge technology in ergonomically optimized workflows can support digital warehouse logistics.

Next door in Hall 6, visitors can experience the latest innovations for collaborative workflows in the human-machine interface with automated guided vehicle systems and all the latest robotic solutions: cobots, stationary industrial robots, mobile picking robots, and autonomous mobile robot transport systems. The focus here is on sensor-based safety and ergonomic workstation design at transfer points and the periphery of the line, for example. Sensor technology and convenient identification solutions are also a defining feature in the new products and solutions presented by the specialists for automatic identification and data capture (AIDC), concentrated this year in Hall 2. Smart labels whose data can be read and modified by stationary and mobile readers, and cloud apps with automated interfaces and features for direct printing: These are just a couple examples of how AIDC solutions cut down on walking distances and make life easier for warehouse workers.

“Ergonomics in intralogistics helps maintain worker health and prevent injuries and excess physical strain, ensuring the continuity and efficiency of intralogistics processes,” Ruchty concludes. “Exhibitors at LogiMAT 2024 are presenting a wide range of state-of-the-art solutions for ergonomically optimized workstations. Integrating this cutting-edge technology improves working conditions in the intralogistics industry, and this can enhance the image of logistics-related careers.”

Major Innovations from Itoh Denki

Posted on by David Priestman

Itoh Denki, a leading international specialist in motorised drive roller (MDR) based material handling technologies, is set for a busy first quarter of 2024, with major innovations to be displayed at two major international trade shows in March.

The company will be exhibiting at both SITL (stand J086) – short for ‘Salon International du Transport et de la Logistique’ – and LogiMAT, the leading international trade show for intralogistics solutions and process management (stand 1K25). Both shows will welcome visitors from 19th to 21st March in Paris and Stuttgart respectively.

At each event, Itoh Denki will be showcasing major innovations which will bring new opportunities for efficiency and flexibility across a broad range of applications.

Among the new products on display will be M-RAT, a highly innovative new diverter and sorter module, developed in response to burgeoning demands from customers globally for systems which can cope with heavier products, especially in manufacturing or on assembly lines. Drawing on a similar acclaimed 24V DC powered design which form the heart of the company’s F-RAT compact 90° diverter and sorter module for the precise transferring of smaller loads, M-RAT will be able to handle individual loads of up to 250kg. This will provide greater flexibility for specifiers and designers needing to move heavier loads who have previously had to rely on heavily motorised or pneumatically powered systems which bring very specific challenges around commissioning, maintenance and safety.

Also on show will be a prototype of FNR, a new MDR-powered conveyor module which transfers loads via an innovative patented bed comprising plastic wheels. Offering a ready alternative to traditional belt conveyors and belt on roller conveyors when handling small items, FNR is a highly cost-efficient solution boasting supreme safety, near-silent operation and very low maintenance. A versatile solution for many applications, it notably offers a practical and cost-efficient solution for singulation of items for order preparation. The prototype on display will demonstrate how FNR can be used in a singulation application, conveying and separating small individual packets of sweets.

Tatsuya Akashi, President of Itoh Denki Europe, explained: “We have exhibited regularly at both SITL and LogiMAT in recent years, and every year, both events have proved highly valuable in reinforcing existing contacts and forging new partnerships. We’ll have knowledgeable colleagues from our expert European team on hand throughout both events to discuss customers’ application requirements and demonstrate our technical capabilities. We look forward to welcoming decision-makers and specifiers from across Europe and further afield to our stands.”

Major Innovations from Itoh Denki

Posted on by David Priestman

Itoh Denki, a leading international specialist in motorised drive roller (MDR) based material handling technologies, is set for a busy first quarter of 2024, with major innovations to be displayed at two major international trade shows in March.

The company will be exhibiting at both SITL (stand J086) – short for ‘Salon International du Transport et de la Logistique’ – and LogiMAT, the leading international trade show for intralogistics solutions and process management (stand 1K25). Both shows will welcome visitors from 19th to 21st March in Paris and Stuttgart respectively.

At each event, Itoh Denki will be showcasing major innovations which will bring new opportunities for efficiency and flexibility across a broad range of applications.

Among the new products on display will be M-RAT, a highly innovative new diverter and sorter module, developed in response to burgeoning demands from customers globally for systems which can cope with heavier products, especially in manufacturing or on assembly lines. Drawing on a similar acclaimed 24V DC powered design which form the heart of the company’s F-RAT compact 90° diverter and sorter module for the precise transferring of smaller loads, M-RAT will be able to handle individual loads of up to 250kg. This will provide greater flexibility for specifiers and designers needing to move heavier loads who have previously had to rely on heavily motorised or pneumatically powered systems which bring very specific challenges around commissioning, maintenance and safety.

Also on show will be a prototype of FNR, a new MDR-powered conveyor module which transfers loads via an innovative patented bed comprising plastic wheels. Offering a ready alternative to traditional belt conveyors and belt on roller conveyors when handling small items, FNR is a highly cost-efficient solution boasting supreme safety, near-silent operation and very low maintenance. A versatile solution for many applications, it notably offers a practical and cost-efficient solution for singulation of items for order preparation. The prototype on display will demonstrate how FNR can be used in a singulation application, conveying and separating small individual packets of sweets.

Tatsuya Akashi, President of Itoh Denki Europe, explained: “We have exhibited regularly at both SITL and LogiMAT in recent years, and every year, both events have proved highly valuable in reinforcing existing contacts and forging new partnerships. We’ll have knowledgeable colleagues from our expert European team on hand throughout both events to discuss customers’ application requirements and demonstrate our technical capabilities. We look forward to welcoming decision-makers and specifiers from across Europe and further afield to our stands.”

Temperature-controlled Rail Transport between Europe and Asia

Posted on by David Priestman

The Swiss InterRail Group successfully carried out its first reefer container transports between Asia and Europe last year. This year, the transport company has added temperature-controlled rail transport to its regular range of services.

InterRail uses diesel-powered 45-foot pallet wide reefer containers on the route between Europe and Asia, which can cool or heat independently of the infrastructure on different modes of transport. The performance and internal temperature of the containers are monitored around the clock. Customers receive at least one detailed report per day with all relevant information about their goods.

The refrigerated containers each hold up to 33 euro-pallets, the use of which allows for good air circulation within the container. Temperature-controlled rail transport offers a number of advantages over other modes of transport: it reaches its destination faster than by sea, is cheaper than air freight, and no transshipment of goods is necessary along the route.

Successful deployment

In late summer last year, InterRail transported 13.5 tonnes of high-quality Swiss chocolate from the Basel region to Shanghai. The reefer was operated at a set point of 12°C and proved its worth even under extreme outside temperatures of up to 42°C. Another example of its successful use is the transport of miso ramen soups from Shanghai to Hamburg. The reefer container successfully protected the goods from the cold at a set point of 10 °C and a lowest outside temperature of -27 °C.

“Especially given the current situation in the Red Sea, our new product is an interesting option for certain sensitive/perishable goods that won’t stand the additional transit time caused by the alternative sea route via the Cape of Good Hope. In addition to the Europe – China route, we can also offer this service to and from Central Asia as well as within Europe,” says Stefaniea Klermund, Business Development Manager at InterRail Holding AG.

Gaining Marginal Advantages in Logistics

Posted on by David Priestman

Few industries understand the importance of efficiency as profoundly as supply chain and logistics operators. In fact, the entire business model hinges on eking out incremental enhancements that collectively yield substantial benefits, say BluQube.

Numerous strategies in the logistics sector, such as reverse logistics, process automation, inventory management, and technological innovations, are widely acknowledged and documented.

Yet, for all the focus on operational effectiveness and efficiency, non-core back-office functions like accounting systems often receive less attention. Here a more ‘make-do’ approach can prevail which runs counter to the DNA of organisations that rightly have inefficient practices in their crosshairs.

Logistics companies’ accounting function today extends beyond the mere handling of invoices and billing. Just as sophisticated logistics software provides managers with comprehensive insights into the supply chain, modern accounting software offers a holistic view of operational data. This can be invaluable in equipping organisations with the necessary insights to react promptly and identify efficiencies that can help mitigate ongoing challenges.

Unleashing Resources

Just as the finance department never operates in a silo, financial software needs to be able to work with the necessary programmes and processes to be truly effective. Interoperable software streamlines information exchange with third-party providers, eliminating the need for manual integration and significantly saving time. Inputting information once automatically replicates it across all organisational systems, reducing data discrepancies and time-consuming tasks. This efficiency proves vital for overcoming challenges posed by disparate systems, contributing to the overall health of logistics organisations in times of shortages and heightened competition.

Automation and Employee Satisfaction

Interoperable systems, like any form of automation, liberates employees from monotonous or formulaic tasks, fostering job satisfaction and fulfilment. This liberated time allows organisations to reallocate resources to more strategic areas, enhancing overall productivity.

Empowering Data-Driven Decisions

Effective interaction with data from various business areas transforms financial software into a powerful performance insight and decision support mechanism. It aids in identifying production roadblocks and extracting broader business information for flash reports, saving considerable time compared to manual data collation and report writing. Organisations embracing this approach gain valuable insights that inform their strategy, giving them a competitive edge over those with siloed systems.

Futureproofing Amid Uncertainty

In a world of geopolitical and economic uncertainties, where demand fluctuates rapidly, crafting the ideal supply chain can be daunting. However, system interoperability plays a pivotal role in supporting organisations’ agility and flexibility. It facilitates seamless integration of new automation solutions into existing networks, enabling data sharing without the complexities of merging disparate systems or dismantling existing infrastructure.

As interoperability gains traction in the realm of logistics software and automation solutions, organisations gain the freedom to curate their warehouse or logistics infrastructure from a diverse range of specialised providers, ensuring that each component meets its unique requirements. This approach contrasts with generic solutions that often fall short in functionality and performance.

This enhanced level of customisation and choice fosters a more resilient and adaptable supply chain, allowing organisations to respond promptly to demand shifts, seamlessly integrate new technologies, and optimise operations across the entire supply chain. System interoperability empowers businesses to navigate the complexities of modern logistics with agility and resilience.

Marginal Advantages

While interoperability may not be a groundbreaking software function, its growing significance in addressing challenges and enhancing efficiency is undeniable. It eradicates data silos, liberates staff, improves visibility, and transforms performance insight into a robust decision-support mechanism. Professionals seeking system upgrades should prioritise interoperability and future requirements, recognising that even small changes can yield significant impacts in the quest for logistics efficiency.

Synergy Logistics’ new Head of EMEA Sales

Posted on by David Priestman

Warehouse technology innovator Synergy Logistics has appointed a highly experienced business performance lead as it looks to scale up on expansion, growth and drive change. Chris White joins as Head of Sales for Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) with a dual remit of further improving client engagement and advancing the commercial arm of the business.

White has over 25 years of experience in large-scale operations, having worked with companies like Hewlett Packard, Pitney Bowes, and DHL Express. He has held senior positions in IT, supply chain, warehousing, and distribution. In his previous role as a Director for the SaaS Enterprise Division of Parcel2Go, a leading player in the fulfilment market, he achieved a growth of 300% in just seven years. As a result, the Enterprise Division now accounts for 60% of the Group’s overall business and their portfolio has expanded from three to thirty different organizations.

White, who began his career playing professional football for 14 years at Portsmouth FC, Peterborough United and Exeter City, stated: “I am thrilled to be a part of Synergy – a company that is as flexible, agile and adaptable as its software solutions. The products they offer make a real, tangible difference and I am excited to contribute to the positive trajectory of the business.

“I’ll also be working very closely with Synergy’s EMEA CEO, Tony Dobson, who has unrivalled contacts and experience within the industry and continued passion for technological advancement. I can contribute additional expertise in building strong partnerships and delivering enterprise level value.”

To bolster Synergy’s ambitious growth plans, he will be supported by Kirsten-Reece Tarpey, who has been promoted to Business Development Manager, and Dan Moss in his new role as Commercial & Operations Manager.

Synergy Logistics is a leading innovator in warehouse management technology, powering warehousing operations globally for over 50 years. Synergy’s cloud-based warehouse management system (WMS), SnapFulfil, delivers cutting edge technology and rapid return on investment using a proprietary and highly configurable workflow rules engine. With flexibility at its core, SnapFulfil is quick and easy to implement and can swiftly adapt to meet evolving fulfillment demands that ultimately improves warehouse efficiency. Synergy’s latest breakthrough technology, the award-winning SnapControl, is a multi-agent orchestration platform (MAO) that provides a device agnostic, unified approach to automation. SnapControl provides seamless and efficient orchestration of all warehouse devices and robots, with a low total cost of ownership and rapid time to value.

Subscribe

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