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Tag: digitalization

LFS WMS Optimizes Logistics Operations

Posted on by David Priestman

Schlüter-Systems KG, a the global supplier of system solutions for tile and natural stone installation, needed seamless, fast, scalable logistics across its 35,000 m² facility. From its headquarters in Iserlohn, Germany, the company supplies wholesalers, construction sites, and tile warehouses around the world. As the former craftsman business has grown into a globally operating enterprise, the demands on its logistics and warehouse management have increased significantly.

In response, Schlüter-Systems has accelerated the digitalization of its warehouse operations across the group and built a new central warehouse at its headquarters. At the heart of this transformation is the LFS warehouse management system from EPG (Ehrhardt Partner Group), which ensures the coordination of all logistics processes. The result: noticeably improved efficiency, maximum flexibility, and a significantly lower error rate.

Schlüter-Systems offers a wide range of products, including various types of Schlüter profiles, electric and hydronic radiant heating systems, drainage solutions, and much more. With a portfolio of over 12,000 items, the company has successfully expanded into new markets and continuously enhanced its logistics capabilities. At its new warehouse in Iserlohn, Schlüter-Systems stocks approximately 12,000 products across 35,000 square meters and two levels.

From Driverless Transport Systems to Overhead Monorails

Fast shipping requires fast logistics — and a high-performance warehouse management system. As the previous WMS and ERP systems could no longer meet the demands of the new warehouse, Schlüter-Systems decided it was time for a change. After a thorough and lengthy selection process, the company chose the LFS warehouse management system.

“In our new central warehouse, we’ve implemented a very high level of automation — with three automated high-bay storage systems, a driverless transport system, an automated small-parts warehouse, and a self-driving overhead monorail,” says Florian Schmidt, Head of Logistics at Schlüter-Systems. “The main challenge was getting the WMS to seamlessly connect all these systems and coordinate the material flow without disruption.”

By implementing LFS, Schlüter-Systems aimed to enhance picking and packing strategies, optimize material flow, and make processes more efficient and transparent. Thanks to close collaboration with the Schlüter-Systems project team, the supply chain specialists at EPG successfully implemented LFS at the site and coordinated all automation solutions within just a few months. “For the suspended monorail system, which can transport various items with a total weight of up to 1.3 tons, there was previously no existing interface,” explains EPG Project Manager Markus Pauly. “We developed a custom connection from the ground up to ensure seamless integration into the system.”

Efficient, Ergonomic, Error-Free

The modular LFS system helps Schlüter-Systems design automation elements at different communication levels and interfaces with shipping service providers in a sustainable and efficient way. “One of the challenges was coordinating the wide variety and complexity of components in day-to-day operations,” says Schmidt.

In addition to the driverless transport system (FTS), the company also uses the cloud-based International Shipping System (ISS), which offers user-friendly features like Track & Trace, interfaces with over 250 shipping carriers, and fully automated shipping label printing.

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Curated Conference Programme for TL Munich

Posted on by David Priestman

transport logistic 2025 (TL Munich) will take place from June 2 to 5th at the Messe München exhibition centre and will once again be the meeting place for the international logistics industry, with a curated conference. Immediately after the official opening on the first day of the trade fair at 11:00, the conference program will start with around 150 specialist events on current topics from logistics, mobility, IT and supply chain management: the Conference, Campus Plaza, Exhibitor Stage and exhibitor events will provide information on companies, people and the environment. Key topics include cooperation, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and much more, with constructive ideas about issues such as infrastructure and people bottlenecks. On the whole, the topics show that markets and technologies are changing rapidly, mainly driven by geopolitics, digitalization and sustainability.

Top-class panels

The conference program fills 60 slots in four forums with presentations and discussions across all modes of transport and sectors. A total of 154 large and small logistics brands will present themselves on the stages in Halls A1, A2, A3 and B1. The focus will be on market developments with risks and opportunities, as well as processes and solutions. Many conference presentations will focus on achieving maximum efficiency with minimum emissions.

The perspectives range from deep dives into sectors such as chemicals, automotive and consumer goods to high-level discussions such as talks at the 13th mariLOG conference on changes in maritime logistics chains with Angela Titzrath (CEO of Hamburger Hafen Logistik) and Rolf Habben Jansen (CEO of Hapag Lloyd), among others.

Campus Plaza enters its second round

After its successful premiere, the transport logistic Campus Plaza is now entering its second round. Experts and interested parties will meet in Hall A3.323/424 on the networking platform with short presentations. The topics of cybersecurity, sustainability, artificial intelligence and employers will be examined from different perspectives for one day each. Among the 19 presentations already registered are brands such as Dekra, DP World, Arvato, Dako and Unisys, with more yet to come.

TL Munich conference

With 33 presentations on the Exhibitor Stage (Hall B5.133/234) and 29 events at trade fair stands so far, exhibitors are rounding off the program of transport logistic & air cargo Europe 2025. The participating companies include renowned players such as Kühne & Nagel, Rhenus Logistics, Mercedes-Benz Trucks, AEB, SVG and Gruber Logistics. As part of their activities, initiatives are organizing pitch rounds for startups. The named topics include “Logistics for the future” by Your German Logistics and “Logistics Changers: Startups rock logistics” by Logistik-Cluster Schwaben. The ÖBB Rail Cargo Group will host a locomotive naming ceremony on the open-air site.

air cargo Europe: a high-level meeting

As the world’s largest meeting place for air cargo, air cargo Europe (acE) occupies Halls A1 and A2. With the motto “At the cutting edge”, the industry’s key players will give talks in four panel discussions on topics including the future of AI and sustainability. Another highlight of the acE conference will be a discussion on the “Fight against Greenhushing”, which refers to the concealing of data for fear of false reports. This discussion was initiated by Women in Aviation and Logistics. On June 3 at 18:00, the industry will celebrate the ACW World Air Cargo Awards.

Markets are changing rapidly

At an international level, the world of logistics is preoccupied with “Global supply chains in transition” (BVL), developments such as “My Nation First—Antiglobalization, trade wars, hot wars” (Club of Logistics) and “Future of Air Freight and Freighters”. The continuing wave of insolvencies is causing concern for SMEs. The Federal Association of Freight Transport and Logistics (BGL) will provide a status report on this while the Verkehrsrundschau will pose the question: “Medium-sized transport companies: phased-out model or model for the future?”. The Expert Council on Digital Transformation in Transport and Logistics will discuss “How freight forwarders are mastering change” in a panel. Key players from business and research will comment on market developments, including major brands such as IKEA, Alfred Kärcher, Andreas Schmid Logistik and VDO/Continental.

Key topic: digitalization

Across all modes of transport and logistics markets, companies, researchers and associations are working to digitalize processes and solutions. The primary goal is to achieve maximum efficiency with minimum emissions. Artificial intelligence is seen as an important lever here. Its application scenarios along the supply chain focus on the last mile (German Parcel and Express Logistics Association (BPEX)) or examine their influence on the competitiveness of rail freight transport (Rail Business). Another focus is on forms of cooperation in supply chains. Among other things, the Open Logistics Foundation is moderating two discussion rounds on open-source solutions for electronic delivery bills and zero-emission solutions. The BVL will shed light on the downside of the unhindered flow of data with the topic “Cybersecurity in logistics: How supply chains remain secure in the digital age” based on a recently published study. The Federal Office for IT Security (BSI) will provide deep knowledge in a forum on the particularly vulnerable area of air freight. Innovations on the Exhibitor Stage will offer in-depth insights into practical applications, including multimodal processes and specialist areas such as customs.

Sustainability has a stage

The environment, people and companies are considered to be the pillars of sustainability. They run through many contributions in the conference program: research projects (Logistik Initiative Hamburg), electric mobility (Verkehrsrundschau) or ESG (BVL/DSLV) with emission calculation (IVE). Technologies and applications, especially for transportation management, will be presented on the Exhibitor Stage and at the exhibitor talks. Rail has a place in the conference program and unfolds its potential in combined transport. As an environmentally friendly alternative, it will conquer the stage with several performances. The Forum in Hall A3 is a focal point. Obstacles and opportunities, trends and developments, technologies and sensible investments will be highlighted by the Association of German Transport Companies (VDV), among others, with the question “How can non-craneable trailers be transported by rail?”, while an alliance of industry and sector representatives will clarify why “every meter counts” when it comes to service areas and tracks (LKZ Prien). The German Transport Forum (DVF) is developing ideas for the future: “Reshaping Combined Transport: How do we take combined transport to a new level?”

No logistics without people

The last day of the trade fair will be dedicated to HR topics. Interactive sessions lasting four hours each will focus on employer branding with the Wirtschaftsmacher (Forum Hall A2) and developments in the world of work with a focus on women with LogWorkPINK (Forum Hall A1). In discussions with transport companies, Verkehrsrundschau will examine the best strategies to combat the shortage of trainees and skilled workers. The Chamber of Industry and Commerce for Munich and Upper Bavaria is tackling the shortage of professional drivers with “Immigration — just do it!” and the Augsburg University of Applied Sciences is curbing fluctuation with research results and packages of measures on the subject of “motivating drivers”.

The programme reflects the industry

“The conference program is growing as the industry becomes more significant. We are proud of the great commitment of the exhibitors, media and partners. transport logistic is an important platform for discourse in the logistics community,” says Dr. Robert Schönberger, Global Industry Lead transport logistic & air cargo Europe exhibitions at Messe München. The panel discussions and lectures will be held in German or English and will be translated simultaneously. Attendance at the conference program is included in the ticket price.

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Pioneering Logistics through EDI Digitalization

Posted on by David Priestman

Digitalization has emerged as a cornerstone of modern, responsible operations across all industries, and logistics is no exception. According to a McKinsey & Company report , fewer than 40% of companies worldwide have comprehensively digitized their processes, revealing a considerable opportunity for those willing to embrace new technologies. Companies like Girteka, treat digitalization not only as a means to optimize and accelerate services but also as a foundation for a commitment to responsible logistics. By integrating solutions such as Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) in practice, Girteka is bringing additional value to typical services of road transport.

What is EDI and why it matters

EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) is the structured transmission of data between organizations electronically, replacing paper documents such as invoices, orders, and shipment notifications. It ensures a standardized format – minimizing manual entry, reducing the risk of errors, and streamlining processes.

Key benefits of integrating EDI into operations are:

• Efficiency gains: Automating data transfer prevents time-consuming manual tasks and lowers the chance of human error.
• Scalability: EDI is well-suited to large-scale, repeated data transfers, as it is within the logistics.
• Transparency: EDI offers improved visibility, a critical factor in logistics where minute-by-minute tracking can significantly impact decisions.

Despite recent advancement in AI and API (Application Programming Interfaces) solutions, EDI still is the fundamental solutions for companies to cooperate effectively and efficiently.

“We can see that more and more customers are looking for automation solutions and simplifying their operational processes while working with carriers. Summarizing recent period, we grew 10 times on the usage of EDI from 2020,” explains Lina Lipske (pictured), EDI Solutions Team Lead, at Girteka.

According to Metastat , the global digital market, including solutions like EDI, is expected to expand substantially over the coming years, with CARG at level of 9.2%, largely driven by the manufacturing and retail sectors.

EDI in the logistics sector

Within Europe, EDI has long been an integral element of logistics, particularly among high-volume shippers and retailers who value dependable, cost-effective communication. From a sustainability perspective, EDI also aligns with the growing emphasis on responsible logistics – replacing paper-based processes, minimizing administrative overhead, and allowing for more accurate load planning to reduce emissions.

Benefits of EDI for Customers and Partners

1. Efficiency and Accuracy
By automating data exchange, EDI solutions drastically reduce the potential for errors. A Deloitte study on digital transformation found that organizations integrating end-to-end digital workflows can reduce manual errors by up to 80%.
2. Faster Processing
Real-time data transmissions allow for immediate processing of orders, invoices, and updates. In logistics, timely information can be the difference between an on-schedule delivery and costly delays.
3. Cost Reduction
Eliminating paper, postage, and manual labor decreases operational expenses. This also aligns with Girteka’s broader drive for environmental responsibility.
4. Strengthened Relationships
Faster responses and transparent communication bolster client trust and loyalty. Gartner research points out that businesses with robust digital collaboration see higher client retention rates.
5. Sustainability
Reducing reliance on paper and cutting down on errors supports Girteka’s mission of minimizing waste and emissions. This fosters a more responsible and environment-friendly logistics ecosystem.

Growth in EDI integration

Girteka has consistently focused on innovative and responsible digital solutions to optimize efficiency and reduce emissions. “Over the past year, we saved more than 32,000 hours of manual order updates, translating directly into both lower administrative costs and a smaller environmental footprint. Today, over 3,500 customers leverage our digital capabilities for real-time visibility, and an impressive 40% of all orders are processed through digital channels – up from just 4% in 2020. This is an outstanding results taking into account average in the sector,” -summarizes Lipske.

The Future of Data Exchange

Despite the rapid adoption of real-time data exchange methods, EDI remains a mainstay in logistics due to its reliability and compatibility with legacy systems. At the same time, APIs continue to gain traction among businesses that require instant data updates and advanced tracking capabilities. According to the World Economic Forum, fully digitizing supply chains could unlock billions of dollars in global value each year, suggesting that both traditional and emerging solutions play a valuable role.

Girteka, recognized for its progress in digitalizing logistics, is implementing the following initiatives to further support and expand customers’ operational requirements:

• AI/ML-Driven Document Reading: By converting Excel files, PDFs, and email text into structured data, this planned innovation aims to reduce manual tasks for customers and integrate information seamlessly into their own systems or platforms. This not only saves time but also minimizes the risk of errors, ultimately improving overall supply chain efficiency.
• Flexible Integration Options: Supporting multiple data exchange formats and methods allows partner businesses to avoid extensive system overhauls. This flexibility is intended to simplify onboarding for customers, enabling them to choose the most suitable integration method for their processes and technological setup.
• Customer Portal Self-Service: Girteka’s portal initiative seeks to offer greater visibility and autonomy for customers. By reducing reliance on manual communications, portals can lower the chance of errors and provide on-demand access to shipment statuses, documentation, and other critical information, enhancing transparency.

By combining established technologies like EDI with real-time APIs and advanced analytics, digital solutions can be designed to bring simplicity, error reduction, speed, and accuracy. As a result, all stakeholders can collaborate more effectively, co-creating optimized supply chain solutions that benefit the entire logistics ecosystem.

Charting the Path for Responsible Digital Logistics

“By harnessing EDI and APIs – alongside emerging technologies such as AI, machine learning, and customer self-service portals – a logistics ecosystem characterized by efficiency, transparency, and reduced environmental impact becomes increasingly attainable,” says Stasys Mikelionis, Chief Enterprise Architect at Girteka.

Digital tools in logistics, such as Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and APIs, have already transformed operations by improving efficiency, accuracy, and transparency. Data shows that automation through these solutions significantly reduces manual errors and processing times, offering clear benefits for both large shippers and smaller partners.

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Driving Digital Transformation for Cargo

Posted on by David Priestman

At cargo-partner, a group company of NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC., digitalization is key to shaping the future of logistics and enhancing the customer experience. The company has made significant strides in recent years by integrating advanced digital platforms and data management systems across its organization. Central to this digital transformation is the expertise of cargo-partner’s IT leadership, with women leaders playing an instrumental role in driving these innovations.

Streamlining Logistics Processes

cargo-partner’s commitment to customer-centric digital solutions is evident in its recent developments in IT systems and platforms. “We’ve always aimed to streamline processes and improve efficiency to deliver the best possible experience for our customers,” said Nadezhda Hauer, Head of Business Intelligence & Advanced Analytics at cargo-partner. “One of our key milestones has been the implementation of CargoWise across all global locations. This, alongside our proprietary supply chain management platform, SPOT, has enabled us to integrate data across systems and external data sources, giving our customers faster, more transparent services and better control over their shipments.”

Maximizing Customer Value with Salesforce Integration

But CargoWise is just one aspect of cargo-partner’s recent digital transformation efforts. Liandre Vasco, Team Leader IT Sales Applications, has been instrumental in maximizing customer engagement through Salesforce integration. “Salesforce has allowed us to create a 360-degree view of our customer relationships,” Liandre Vasco explained. “This enables us to proactively address customer needs, enhance communication, and ensure that we deliver personalized, responsive service – critical elements in today’s competitive market.”

Enhancing Financial Operations for Seamless Business

On the financial side, Anna Nowak, Team Leader of Finance Applications, has led efforts to optimize financial processes through digital tools. “We’ve leveraged advanced digital invoicing solutions to streamline billing and payment processes, which have directly benefited our customers by improving accuracy, transparency, and speed,” Anna Nowak said. “These innovations not only support our internal efficiency but also enable us to provide faster and more accurate billing for our customers, in many cases integrated forward with the customers’ ERP.”

Fostering Passion and Confidence

At cargo-partner, fostering gender balance and empowering women to excel in IT are priorities embedded in the company’s organizational culture. Yet, challenges persist, not only within the industry but also within the mindset of potential candidates.

“Our biggest hurdle is that very few women apply for IT positions, and when they do, they often aim lower than their experience warrants,” Nadezhda Hauer explained. “Women need to stop waiting, stop doubting, and start stepping up. Passion is the key. If you love the work, you belong here. Women often try to check every box in job descriptions before applying. But that’s not the point – growth comes from challenging yourself. I’ve seen women diminish their knowledge in interviews or undervalue themselves during salary negotiations. This needs to change. As leaders at cargo-partner, we recognize and address these gaps.”

The IT field offers boundless opportunities, flexibility, and pathways for growth. At cargo-partner, teams across regions already achieve gender parity or even majority-female representation in areas like data processing. “Historically, these roles were undervalued. Today, they’re pivotal, and women must realize they belong in every corner of the IT landscape,” Hauer emphasized. By fostering a diverse workforce, cargo-partner is not only enriching its work culture but also ensuring that the company remains innovative and adaptable to the ever-changing needs of its customers.

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Digital Partnership to Simplify Cargo Insurance Purchases

Posted on by David Priestman

Conqueror Freight Network, an exclusive freight network, announces a collaboration with Redkik, a cutting-edge platform specializing in streamlining the cargo insurance acquisition process. This partnership marks a significant milestone in Conqueror’s journey toward becoming a truly digital forwarder.

The collaboration introduces an exclusive feature within the Conqueror Member Area, allowing members to seamlessly purchase insurance for their shipments directly through the Intranet. In an industry where securing the right insurance coverage can be a complex and time-consuming task, this integration offers a simple and user-friendly solution for Conqueror’s members.

Redkik’s distinctive advantage lies in its technological solution providing instant insurance quotations based on geographical locations. This state-of-the-art feature ensures members can add proper coverage to their shipment no matter the origin and destination. Through this customized approach, Conqueror members can choose insurance coverage that precisely matches their individual needs and preferences.

“We are thrilled to embark on this transformative journey with Redkik,” said Antonio Torres, the President and Founder of Conqueror Freight Network. “Our collaboration signifies a commitment to enhancing the overall experience for our members, making insurance procurement more accessible, efficient, and tailored to their requirements,” he added.

Cargo Insurance Purchases

As the digital landscape in logistics continues to evolve, Conqueror remains at the forefront, leveraging strategic partnerships to provide its members with innovative tools and services. For now, the insurance feature will be offered through Conqueror’s Intranet, but this tool will be integrated into FreightViewer – Conqueror’s member-exclusive online quoting platform – to achieve seamless integration in quoting shipments.

Redkik CEO, Chris Kalinski, shares his view of the partnership: “Redkik is honoured to be able to support Conqueror in its commendable digitalization goals through enhanced technology capabilities. Partnership like this is instrumental in moving the entire shipping industry toward a hassle-free insurance process that is accessible to all.”

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Commit to Supply Chain Efficiency

Posted on by Keith McKinley

TradeBeyond has announced that OBI, Germany’s top DIY brand and a major player in home and garden retail across Europe, has selected TradeBeyond’s multi-enterprise platform for an extensive supply chain digitalization project. TradeBeyond’s CBX Suite will help OBI to optimize its supply chain end-to-end, from supplier management to its sourcing, quality, order management, and production processes for their own sourcing organization OBI Group Sourcing (OGS) in Asia.

TradeBeyond will replace OGS’s manual systems with efficient, interoperable cloud-based solutions based on real-time data, allowing the company to bring products to market faster and more cost effectively. The decision to partner with TradeBeyond comes at a crucial time, as OBI seeks to modernize its operations and maintain its competitive edge in a rapidly evolving market while moving beyond analogue systems that create inefficiencies and data re-entry challenges.

OBI’s adoption of TradeBeyond comes as tightening ESG regulations across Europe, including the new German Supply Chain Act (LkSG) and the European Union’s impending Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, are necessitating higher standards and more rigorous data collection from retailers than ever before. These legal requirements align with OBI’s commitment to social responsibility, which is why the company has made ESG an integral part of its future strategy.

“We recognized early that manual supply chain processes were inefficient and no longer up to the task of ensuring the sustainable products that our customers expect,” said Thorsten Bauer, Managing Director and Vice President Asia from OGS. “We were impressed by TradeBeyond’s deep understanding of the complexities of global sourcing, and by the company’s strong presence in Asia. Our partnership with TradeBeyond demonstrates our commitment to a more efficient, responsible supply chain, and to our customers. We’re proud that as we continue to scale, we’ll be able to ensure we do so sustainably.”

“Retailers across the globe, and especially across Europe, are realizing that outdated, legacy supply chain processes fall short in monitoring compliance and managing the mounting complexities created by new global supply chain due diligence laws,” said Tim Chiu, Senior Vice President at TradeBeyond. “By choosing to partner with TradeBeyond, OBI has reinforced its commitment to sourcing to the highest standards of responsibility, while staying at the forefront of supply chain innovation. It’s a privilege working with such a respected, forward-looking retail institution.”

OBI’s implementation of TradeBeyond will unfold in phases over the next year, with the first release set to go live by early 2024. TradeBeyond’s tailored implementations allow brands and retailers to address their greatest needs first so they can realize rapid efficiencies and cost-savings from the platform sooner.

How to Unlock Value of Data-driven Logistics

Posted on by David Priestman

The ability to tap into data is critical to business success – from predicting sales trends to improving operations and customer service, writes Stephan Sieber (pictured), CEO at Transporeon. This gives companies the insights they need to outperform the competition, and today’s business leaders clearly recognise the value of data.

However, these game-changing insights are elusive for many companies, with 58% of organisations basing at least half of their regular business decisions on gut feel rather than on data and information. ‘Laggard’ companies base 70% of their decisions on gut feel, while ‘best-in-class’ companies base 60% of their decisions on relevant information.

In the logistics industry specifically, the ripple effects of the last few years – and the ongoing recovery – across supply chain processes have clearly revealed the urgent need for organisations to embrace a data-driven culture. It’s not enough to just have access to data. Data must become a central component of logistics operations, built into the fabric of the business.

The journey to being data driven

Aside from the cultural shift required, one of the biggest industry challenges associated with data-based decision making has been aggregating data from many disparate systems. Logistics practitioners highlight this as the biggest factor inhibiting their ability to convert data into actionable insights, followed by a lack of trained analysts and poor data quality.

The good news is that supply chain businesses recognise the need to leverage real-time data across their operations. And as a result, having accurate ETAs on transports is essential to managing supply chains and operations more efficiently. However, there’s a significant difference between just seeing what’s happening and being able to instantaneously use that information in an impactful way.

This is where a modern transportation management platform comes into play. Integrating different elements of the supply chain into an intelligent platform will serve as the backbone for data-driven decision making in large transportation networks. This approach can also connect shippers, carriers, logistics service providers and other stakeholders, enabling them to communicate, share data, and make smarter decisions based on a larger pool of data.

The more stakeholders that participate in the network, the more data that can be generated and analysed to deliver business value – from optimising loading and unloading through smart slot management, to scaling operations and cutting emissions. So, in 2023 and beyond, how do businesses get the most out of their transportation management data and transform their operations like never before?

Unlocking data value

The power of bringing key services and tools together in one comprehensive platform is that it delivers insights along the 360-degree lifecycle of a freight transaction. Having access to this data can provide several benefits, such as the ability to analyse market performance. With multiple stakeholders connected to a single platform, processing millions of real-time transactions annually, a network-based transportation management platform can help businesses benchmark their performance against the market.

Businesses must contextualise the data being collected by aligning it with clearly defined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) linked to desired outcomes and business objectives. In the transportation realm, common KPIs include on-time delivery, on-time arrival, transportation spend by mode, lead times, and tender acceptance rate. These KPIs can then be compared to external network-wide benchmarks to help organisations see how they are performing relative to the market.

But the true value of being data-driven comes when businesses layer artificial intelligence, machine learning and visualisation tools on top of the data. This unlocks new insights about the businesses’ operations and generates recommendations on how to strive forward smarter. This could include: monitoring industry-wide freight spend and tender rates to optimise their freight procurement process; using AI-powered smart tendering to enable autonomous tendering; or analysing network-wide capacity information to reduce empty miles.

By choosing a modern, intelligent transportation management platform as the foundation of a connected network that prioritises real-time data, companies can unlock the insights that help them reduce costs and carbon emissions while improving service, mitigating risks, and much more. They can finally make smarter decisions based on actual data, not gut feeling.

Small Sorters, many Destinations

Posted on by David Priestman

Mobile sorters can make outstanding use of limited space – what’s more, they’re flexible in what you can use them for.

For over 200 years; from the first railway lines to the Eiffel Tower lifts and industry 4.0, Fives has been at the heart of industrial revolutions by designing the breakthrough solutions and technologies that make up industry and that the world needs. As the world’s leading partner in supply chain performance, Fives, through its Intralogistics Business Unit, provides and integrates world-class solutions for sorting, warehousing, material handling and advanced automation, serving a wide range of industries.

As a pioneer of digitalization, Fives is always one innovation ahead thanks to its ability to anticipate customer needs and the commitment of its passionate and expert employees, including Fabio Sacchi, New Application Director for the GENI-AntTM sorter. In 2016, he joined Fives with the mission to develop robotic solutions for intralogistics. Since then, he has led a team of expert engineers with the goal to build the next generation of the world’s most flexible robotic sorters. The result is the development of the AMR-based GENI-AntTM sorter, entirely designed and manufactured at Fives Intralogistics SpA in Italy.

What is the thinking behind the GENI-AntTM sorter? “ Due to the pandemic and the acceleration in the switch to ecommerce, retailers and 3PLs need to transform their supply chains, modernise their warehouses and improve their delivery network, especially in urban areas,” he says. “They must now manage unpredictable, more fragmented, and smaller orders in their distribution centres and warehouses, as well as an increasing number of returns.”

Mobile sorters

The GENI-AntTM sorter is the most scalable and flexible solution available on the market today. It can be easily reconfigured and relocated due to its compact design and small footprint. “The implementation of autonomous mobile sorters, capable of making decisions and speeding up processing, allows our customers to move to the next level of integrated automation to improve efficiency and productivity in their facilities. This is the perfect solution for any company facing increasing logistics complexity and labour shortage.”

He goes on to list the benefits that he says the GENI-AntTM sorter can offer to beat its competitors. “Compared to a traditional sorter, a GENI-Ant TM -based system requires 20% less space, over 25% less operation and maintenance costs, and 40% less labour costs, while offering high productivity, and can serve many more destinations. It can be adapted to building constraints and is therefore suitable for postal agency and express courier depots as a stand-alone solution for last sorting points, as well as for retail and distribution centres for shipping to the point of sale or to end customers. At the same time, it can be integrated with other material handling equipment, as an extension of an existing sorter for multiple processing within larger hubs and warehouses.”

The ability and capacity to handle multiple varieties of items is crucial. “It is equipped with two stand-alone cross-belts sorters to transport and sort multiple items. It is capable of handling a wide range of products, such as parcels, flyers, fragile and non-standard items, as well as unusually large parcels up to 1.2 metres long. This range of sortable products also includes extremely small and irregular items that are difficult to sort with other conventional systems, such as soft goods, oddly shaped and unstable packages.”

Fives is about a lot more than sorters, of course, with a product range including conveyors, diverters, sorters, singulators, ASRS and software systems. Mr Sacchi says it was this holistic know-how that led to the genesis of the GENI-AntTM sorter.

He visualises many opportunities for GENI-AntTM sorter customers, describing it as “a future-proof solution that can be easily and quickly adapted to ever-changing requirements. Thanks to its flexibility and modularity it can be adapted to new environments and intralogistics challenges.”

Intermodal Terminal Pushes Boundaries

Posted on by David Priestman

KTL Kombi-Terminal Ludwigshafen GmbH relies on optimization solutions from Inform as part of its digitalization strategy. Operating the intermodal full-service terminal within the world’s largest integrated chemical complex of BASF, requires precise planning and coordination. To best utilize a terminal of this size, the choice fell on a Terminal Operating System (TOS) with optimization capabilities based on AI algorithms.

KTL’s terminal is responsible for transshipment services of common European containers, swap bodies and semi-trailers, with particular expertise in the transport and transshipment of hazardous goods. INFORM’s TOS is a key element of KTL’s future strategy, serving as a central solution for managing and optimizing terminal operations. “In the past, we had to check up to four different systems to track a single container,” recalls Kai Rauprich, operations manager at KTL. “Now, it’s all in one system, providing 360° visibility into our business.”

With the help of INFORM’s optimization modules, complex and time-critical decisions can be made in real time. Work orders can be converted into shift orders either manually or now also by the integrated optimization systems and assigned to the most suitable resource (crane, terminal vehicle, reach truck). In practice, this means an optimized sequence of pick-up/drop-off points within the terminal for each individual truck. All containers and trailers are assigned the most efficient storing position and equipment operators receive the most precise instructions about their upcoming routes.

Pushing the Button

“Incredibly fast,” said Rauprich, as he described the speed of INFORM’s Train Load Optimizer (TLO), which now automates manual load planning. In the past, planning was significantly more time-consuming, required considerably more human resources and offered little space to react to disruptions or delays. “Today, we just push a button, and INFORM’s TLO generates an optimized train-load plan, plus an optimized sequence of move jobs for all terminal tractors and cranes,” says Rauprich.

Yard space is a valuable and scarce resource at the terminal and should be used as efficiently as possible to remain profitable in the long term. With INFORM’s Yard Optimizer, containers are optimally positioned right from the start and only moved when absolutely necessary. At the same time, with the help of INFORM’s Truck Sheduler and Vehicle Optimizer, KTL can reduce truck turnaround times to a minimum and maintain a high level of service quality at the same time.

Integrated Interfaces

The TOS combines all interfaces to other third-party systems along the intermodal supply chain in one central system. All information on incoming and outgoing train bookings from participating companies such as Hupac and Kombiverkehr is automatically uploaded. Updates in Visy’s rail crane positioning system and gate operating system (GOS) can also be retrieved. Even invoicing and reporting is automated using a Qlik-based BI tool from INFORM, permanently reducing manual effort and associated errors. INFORM’s solution offers sufficient flexibility to scale with KTL’s future growth.

Support Connected Manufacturing

Posted on by Keith McKinley
  • Microlise has joined manufacturers’ organisation MAKE UK, becoming a member alongside the UK’s leading manufacturers and innovators. With significant expertise in the area of connected technology and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), Microlise looks forward to collaborating with and supporting members, particularly as the supply chain landscape and trading environment beyond Brexit presents a unique set of challenges that digitisation can do much to overcome.
  • Britain is one of the world’s biggest manufacturing nations, with almost 3 million people working in the sector and delivering almost half of all exports. UK manufacturers drive over 60% of all research and development, driving change and transformation. According to David Midgley, OEM & Channel Director at Microlise, the company’s early involvement has already proved to be constructive:
    “We have taken part in a number of events and webinars and can see lots of potential synergy between ourselves and other like-minded manufacturers. As a proud UK-based designer, developer and manufacturer of the hardware, firmware and applications that underpin our connected platform, and our on-highway telematics and technology solutions, we look forward to participating more widely and to sharing our thirty-plus years of global experience with other members.”
  • Charlotte Horobin, Region Director, Make UK added: “I am delighted to welcome Microlise into the largest community of UK manufacturers. Microlise is an ambitious and dynamic company that brings real technological expertise to the table. I look forward to working with them through Make UK’s portfolio of services, events and network to support their business growth and drive forward technological innovation within the sector.”
  • Nottingham based Microlise is the proud holder of two consecutive Queen’s Awards for Enterprise – International Trade in 2018 and Innovation in 2019, in recognition of the industry-leading solutions we export around the world, most notably to Tata Motors in India. The company works with a number of manufacturers, such as JCB in the off-highway space, and MAN Truck & Bus on-highway, in the UK and across the Middle East & Africa, supporting these world-leading organisations to gain insight into their own products and enhance customer experience, through our connected offering.

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