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IFOY Test Report: Sentics ORTLS

Posted on by Keith McKinley

With just a few days to go before the IFOY Award winners are announced in a glittering ceremony in Dortmund on June 22nd, we look at the optical real time locating system (ORTLS) from Sentics GmbH.

The start-up Sentics has developed and launched the first optical, AI-based real-time location system for industrial applications. The complementary software products significantly increase safety and efficiency in intralogistics.

IFOY category: Start-up of the Year

IFOY Test Report

Sentics optical real-time localisation system is based on infrastructure sensors installed in the industrial environment. The sensor system detects and localises relevant objects such as forklifts, people or machines and makes this information available for numerous applications. Real-time analysis of the locations and movement profiles of people and industrial trucks enables critical situations to be detected at an early stage and accidents to be prevented by means of warnings and automated reduction of travel speed. With the help of a targeted configuration of the driving strategy, users can also preventively reduce the driving speed in hazardous areas. Conversely, industrial trucks can continue to operate with high productivity if there are no people or other obstacles in the travel area.

The localisation system can also be used for autonomous transport systems, which can currently only be operated with limited productivity due to the challenges of mixed traffic with manual vehicles and people. For this purpose, information about all driving areas is provided in real time and made available to the fleet managers of the autonomous transport vehicles. An analysis of historical movement profiles also enables safety and productivity to be increased.

Alternative real-time localisation systems are based on additional technical devices (transponders) that must be worn by people or installed on industrial trucks. Besides the administration and maintenance effort (issuing to employees and visitors, recharging batteries, replacing defective devices, etc.), these systems have a disadvantage for security applications. If a person is not wearing the transponder or if it is defective, then that person cannot be protected. Sentics’ system does not require any additional technical devices. Thus, there can be no failures in the condition of the system. At the same time, the system is scalable in any way, because compared to transponder solutions, devices are not limited.

IFOY test verdict: In German companies, there were about 32,000 reportable accidents with industrial trucks in 2020, 10 of which ended fatally. This is according to statistics from the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV). Sentics’ optical, AI-based real-time localisation system provides a solution that can help improve these figures. In addition, collaborative concepts can be implemented by integrating people, manually operated and autonomous machines – an aspect that should not be underestimated against the background that forecasts assume further growth in the AGV/AMR sector.

IFOY Innovation Check

Market relevance: The field of in-process identification technologies and their applications will be of great importance in the future in even more digitalised and automated industrial and commercial environments. Sentics not only offers a camera-based, i.e., optically working solution, but also shows safety-relevant applications of the technology, which make an amortisation possible over multiple benefits. This area of occupational safety is emphasised by Sentics itself. Certainly, the feasibility of occupational safety measures with other applications (identification, tracking & tracing) is of particular importance.

Customer benefit: The product and the applications shown offer multiple customer benefits by implementing parallel functionalities. On the one hand, the localisation of automated devices (AGVs, AMRs, etc., which themselves use localisation technology) and non-automated objects (humans, forklifts, etc.) is combined. The objects do not necessarily have to be equipped with their own devices. If control interventions such as speed reduction are to be implemented, the objects are equipped with their own hardware.

Novelty / Innovation: Optical recognition using computer vision methods is well known but is not yet widely used for comparable applications. The combination of localisation, recognition of people and active intervention in the controls is a good innovation leap.

Functionality / Type of implementation: The integration of automated technology and manual process participants in a closed system shows very good potential for implementation and is an important step into the future world of networked Industry 4.0. Especially the implementation with relatively simple cameras and the avoidance of wearables or other devices for the people participating in the process offers many advantages. The combination of several sensors in a defined environment and the joint use of their data (sensor fusion) is an intelligent solution for the multiple use of the technology employed in several applications.

Verdict: Nice application for camera-based detection and localisation of moving objects. Can neatly increase safety, but can also be used for rule-based actions for control. With this, the forklift learns to “see around the corner”! Certainly in the future, much more innovative goals are achievable with the system (detection of specific containers and load).

Market relevance +
Customer benefit +
Novelty / Innovation +
Functionality / Type of implementation ++
[KEY: ++ very good / + good / Ø balanced / – less / — not available]

IFOY Test Report: Computed MyoGraphy by Predimo

Posted on by Keith McKinley

The latest submission in the IFOY Award finalists to come under the microscope ahead of the announcement ceremony later this week is Computed MyoGraphy by Predimo.

Computed MyoGraphy is a tool for evaluating workplaces in terms of ergonomics and process efficiency. The unique technology is based on a digital human twin that allows you to look inside the human body and recognise what each individual muscle is doing. For the first time, it is thus possible to indicate overload as a key figure. The resulting advice reduces sick days and thus helps to counteract the shortage of skilled workers.

IFOY category: Start-up of the Year

IFOY Test Report

Computed MyoGraphy is composed of a hardware part and a software part. The hardware part consists of 17 IoT sensors that are worn over the work clothes with Velcro straps. These sensors are needed to record the movement of the worker. Based on the data thus obtained, a cloud application calculates the activity of each muscle and the load on the joints. In the visualisation software, these loads can be analysed to derive ergonomic recommendations. In combination with fully automated process and material flow tools or simple productivity verifications, precise key figures for ergonomics and productivity can thus be defined.

Due to the amount of data, ergonomics can also be correlated with productivity for the first time and it is shown that ergonomic workplaces automatically lead to personnel working faster. In intralogistics, the application is particularly useful in picking or packing areas.

Previous ergonomics analyses are based on a view of the human body and cannot look inside the body. This means that they cannot describe the overload as a key figure, but only approximately. With the help of certain joint angles, an attempt is made to describe this key figure: for example, working above shoulder height is bad, an inclination of the upper body of more than 30° is unergonomic. However, according to the current state of science, it is known that these currently common findings do not correspond to the real load. It often happened that previous ergonomic workplace optimisations did not lead to a reduction in lost workdays, but rather increased process efficiency or reduced picking errors, for example.

With Computed MyoGraphy, it is possible to define overload as a key figure that has a direct influence on lost work days, thus enabling a “real” ergonomic analysis. In the area of process analysis, state-of-the-art tools are used that can be used without integration into the IT structure. This gives Predimo a unique selling point in the field of health/ergonomics that is unparalleled anywhere else in the world.

IFOY test verdict: Computed MyoGraphy is a tool for evaluating workplaces in terms of ergonomics and process efficiency. The technology is based on a digital human twin that allows you to look inside the human body and see what each individual muscle is doing. This makes it possible for the first time to indicate overload as a key figure. With Computed MyoGraphy, fixed values and full transparency are available from which measures can be derived that really help and with which an ROI can be determined. Mainly in combination with process analysis, this results in insights that increase health, well-being, and productivity. The resulting recommendations reduce sick days and thus counteract the shortage of skilled workers. Health insurance companies are required to provide financial support for the analysis. The amount of support depends on the number of insured employees of the respective health insurance company and other factors in the company.

IFOY Innovation Check

Market relevance: In the foreground of the market relevance estimated by Predimo itself is the constantly increasing shortage of skilled workers. This is to be counteracted, especially in the field of logistics, with the help of the product Computed MyoGraphy. This is realised by a recording of the motion sequence of the employees, which is used as input data in a complete digital twin of the human motion (muscle) and skeletal (bone) apparatus for an evaluation of the body loads. By optimising processes regarding to less body-straining procedures, the health of the workforce is sustainably promoted. Sickness and absenteeism can thus be reduced.

Customer benefit: Both for the companies and their employees, the process flow can be optimised, occupational health and safety is effectively supported and, at the same time, an increase in performance is usually achieved. An analysis of the individual body loads is here the basis for an evaluation of the current processes. This analysis is carried out by Predimo as a service provider and offers the very great advantage that detailed results are obtained for the areas of health, occupational safety, process design and performance evaluation, which can reveal valuable optimisation potential for both the employee and the company.

Novelty / Innovation: The innovative leap consists, on the one hand, in the construction of an extensively complete digital twin of the human bone and muscle apparatus, which, in conjunction with adapted simple measurement sensors, permits a comprehensive and detailed load analysis of the human body. The data required for this is obtained via the sensors directly during the process and then analysed. The unique selling point here is that the analysis is virtually placed inside the body and the effects on the musculoskeletal system are examined directly.

Functionality / Type of implementation: For the measurement, only a few sensors need to be installed on the test person and these are little disruptive during the workflow. Then the digital twin with the test data is activated via a software tool. The analysis of the results requires solid expertise and is carried out here by Predimo as a service provider.

Verdict: Predimo’s Computed MyoGraphy is primarily a newly constructed digital twin of the human bone and muscle apparatus. This, in turn, is linked to movement data recorded by acceleration sensors from the person to be analysed in the course of his or her operational activities. The result – manually evaluated by experts – is a load profile of the employee’s musculoskeletal system. Furthermore, the risk potential is analysed, a structured process analysis of the activity is carried out, and a performance evaluation is performed.

Market relevance Ø
Customer benefit ++
Novelty / Innovation ++
Functionality / Type of implementation +
[KEY: ++ very good / + good / Ø balanced / – less / — not present]

IFOY Test Report: FFZ-KPI by Mobile Easykey

Posted on by David Priestman

In the run-up to the IFOY Award ceremony in Dortmund on June 22nd, Logistics Business features all the 2023 finalists and shares the verdict from the IFOY test conducted during the evaluation by an expert jury in March. Our latest entry is the FFZ-KPI software solution from Mobile Easykey.

With the Industrial Truck Key Performance Indicator developed by Mobile Easykey, users can see the performance of their intralogistics industrial truck fleet at a glance. This makes the time-consuming analysis of Excel tables and individual parameters a thing of the past. The Industrial Truck Key Performance Indicator is based on the OEE as an industry indicator for production plants. With the hardware and software developed, Mobile Easykey has expanded this industry indicator for moving machines and created a novelty in intralogistics analysis with the KPI.

IFOY category: Intralogistics Software

IFOY Test Report

The Industrial Truck, in German Flurförderzeug (FFZ), Key Performance Indicator, or FFZ-KPI for short, from the company Mobile Easykey enables the fleet efficiency of the intralogistics fleet to be determined at a glance. The prerequisites for this are a clear key figure and the easy-to-read visual traffic light system.

The FFZ-KPI is made up of four measurement parameters that are calculated together in an algorithm. The following are taken into account: the industrial truck is powered up, the industrial truck is logged on, the industrial truck is in use and the industrial truck is being driven with a load.

Fifty percent of logistics costs are based on the processes in a warehouse, and thus the industrial truck fleet also contributes a large share of the costs incurred there. The FFZ-KPI provides a manufacturer-neutral view of the performance of the fleet. It is manufacturer-independent, comparable and can be calculated on variable requirement parameters. When collecting the analysis data, the industry and the cycles of the processes on site are taken into account – because the process flows of a warehouse created on the drawing board vary greatly from warehouses that have grown organically. Reliable data can be collected per shift, per month, per fleet and also per vehicle or vehicle type.

From the collected data, clear conclusions can be drawn for fleet optimisation and future fleet deployment. Fleet managers and those responsible for the fleet can thus see the overall performance of the fleet at a glance. This is an important building block for making optimum use of the existing intralogistics fleet.

The FFZ KPI is based on the cross-industry OEE figure. This reflects the overall equipment effectiveness as a key business figure. The OEE figure is based on immobile plant and machinery. The FFZ-KPI adds further calculation parameters to the OEE key figure, which makes the key figure calculable for mobile plants.

IFOY test verdict: Intralogistics account for half of logistics costs and almost no warehouse can do without industrial trucks. However, the costs within intralogistics outside of the supply chain are often neglected because meaningful and clearly assignable data are missing. Consequently, there is great potential for savings in modern and efficient fleet management. The main advantages of the Industrial Truck Key Performance Indicator are the manufacturer-independent data and the possibility of cross-manufacturer data analysis. In addition, the KPI is easy to read due to the visual traffic light system. This makes the time-consuming analysis of Excel tables and individual parameters a thing of the past. The FFZ KPI is based on the OEE as an industry indicator for production plants. With the hardware and software developed, Mobile Easykey has expanded this industry indicator for mobile machines and created a novelty in intralogistics analysis with the KPI. Another important component is the cross-industry use of the KPI.

IFOY Innovation Check

Market relevance: The FFZ-KPI software is well suited for systematically evaluating the use of industrial trucks in larger fleets and visualising it in key figures. This provides the user with a data basis for drawing conclusions as to whether the availability and use of his trucks can be responsible for an influence on his operational effectiveness. In production companies, this is often referred to as overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). Since companies with significantly large fleets of FFZs and a focus on OEE are certainly relevant, but do not affect the overall FFZ market, the market relevance can be rated as good.

Customer benefit: The condensation and visualisation of the usage and availability figures is well solved for a regular application. The customisation options for individual usage profiles of individual FFZs and the design of the dashboard testify to a high level of competence in the development of user-friendly user interfaces. Overall, however, a high level of effort is required for data collection and aggregation, which is the basis for the determination of key figures. Overall, customer benefit can be rated as good.

Novelty / Innovation: Mobile Easykey has been offering the core functionality of the Easykey software for more than 20 years, which means that it is not new or innovative in the strict sense of the word. The software is the result of a consistently pursued evolution, which has led to a well-developed and contemporary software.

Functionality / Type of Implementation: The Easykey software offers the essential functions, properly prepared and user-friendly, to monitor large FFZ fleets and to condense key figures on their use and availability. It is technologically up-to-date, intuitive, and easy to adapt to the needs of different user characteristics and needs well.

Verdict: Mobile Easykey has been offering the core functionality of the Easykey software for more than 20 years, so it is not new or innovative in the strictest sense. However, the software is up to date and can be well adapted to the needs of different user characteristics and needs.

Market relevance +
Customer benefit +
Novelty / Innovation –
Functionality / Type of implementation +
[KEY: ++ very good / + good / Ø balanced / – less / — not available]

 

IFOY Test Report: IdentPro Warehouse Execution System

Posted on by Keith McKinley

As the clock ticks towards the moment when the IFOY Awards are handed out in Dortmund on June 22nd, we continue our look at all of the 2023 finalists and share the verdict from the IFOY test conducted during the evaluation by an expert jury in March. Our next entry is the Warehouse Execution System from IdentPro.

Category: Intralogistics Software

IFOY Test Report

Not only the increasing shortage of employees, but also the global challenges of the supply chain are increasing the pressure on automation in intralogistics. While significant levels of automation have already been achieved in the production processes, there is still great potential in the connected warehouses. The IdentPro digitisation solution creates the necessary prerequisite for this. A digital twin is created in real time (RTLS), in which every single transport of a good is consistently and automatically tracked to the centimetre using Lidar technology. For this purpose, all existing vehicles (manned, automated, manufacturer-independent) are equipped with IoT sensor technology, which thus permanently record up-to-date 3D information about the movement of the stored goods as well as the surrounding spatial geometry.

Via Wi-Fi or LTE, the system is in constant exchange with all the industrial trucks in use. This allows empty runs, search times and inefficient storage scenarios to be analysed. This data forms the input for intelligent algorithms. Intelligent allocation of driving jobs in real time with efficiency increases of between 20% and 30% are the result.

The IoT solution has several USPs that stand out in interaction with each other: real-time digital twin of the warehouse (RTLS), centimetre-precise localisation (+/-10cm) of goods and vehicles, collaborative use of autonomous and manned industrial trucks, and smart distribution of driving orders (SLS). All this is combined in the software solution, which ensures transparency and overall system effectiveness in intralogistics through interfaces and standards (such as omlox and VDA 5050). Connections to ERP systems or WMS are additionally possible at any time.

The Warehouse Execution System, in combination with reliable laser technology, generates complete transparency in real time. In contrast to other solutions via RFID, UWB or camera, the IdentPro solution is characterised by the centimetre and millisecond accurate creation of the digital twin. The use in open areas can be realised without further ado. Furthermore, the solution does not require any change in the infrastructure of the warehouse. Only the existing industrial trucks need to be equipped with IoT sensor technology. The software can be used directly in the inventory.

IFOY test verdict: With the digital twin in real time, IdentPro sustainably increases the overall system effectiveness of intralogistics. The warehouse execution system creates full transparency, ensures inventory security and error-free deliveries, increases efficiency, navigates loaded and unloaded vehicles in collaborative use, and can be used indoors and outdoors. Based on the complete data situation, not only does productivity increase, but the basis for smart automation is also created. Only with the twin technology can both unmanned and manned vehicles be orchestrated and controlled from one system. The supplier’s Warehouse Execution System fits seamlessly into the user’s circumstances and leads to efficiency increases of up to 30%.

IFOY Innovation Check

Market relevance: A high market relevance is seen for the presented solution of the Warehouse Execution System. The mapping of warehouse geometry, including the localisation of various manned and unmanned material handling vehicles, is useful in a wide range of sectors, as an increasing shortage of skilled workers is to be expected across the board. The approach of IdentPro GmbH can be an essential component to advance digitalisation in a company with an increase in efficiency or even to introduce it in the first place, which results in a large number of potential customers.

Customer benefit: By using the Warehouse Execution System, customers can achieve a significant increase in efficiency and at the same time enable and control the use of autonomous vehicles. Depending on the requirements, savings in personnel are then possible without detaching the warehouse employees or operators of manned industrial trucks from the warehouse processes. The digital image of the warehouse includes not only the vehicles but also the warehouse stock and thus provides full transparency, whereby the individual transport orders can be processed efficiently and comprehensibly in real time. The most flexible possible implementation of the system at the customer’s site, independent of the warehouse layout, makes it very easy to achieve the customer benefits, such as the avoidance of errors or empty runs and thus the increase potential in efficiency.

Novelty / Innovation: The generation and utilisation of a digital twin in this practice-oriented manner, with the implementation of a wide variety of material handling equipment and warehouse management, undoubtedly has a high degree of innovation. The uncomplicated possibility of applying the system to existing warehouses and optimising and monitoring the transport routes calculated in real time, as well as integrating stock and orders, appears to be a sensible new approach to meeting the increasing demands in terms of market leadership.

Functionality / Type of implementation: The system’s processes were impressively demonstrated. It became clear that the use of sensors was reduced to a sensible minimum, which makes the integration of existing vehicles relatively simple. Similarly, the determination of the transport routes was realised in a practice-oriented manner via optimisation algorithms, for example with the target value of minimum time.

Verdict: A worthy IFOY nominee with a clear market lead.

Market relevance +
Customer benefit ++
Novelty / Innovation +
Functionality / Type of implementation ++
[KEY: ++ very good / + good / Ø balanced / – less / — not available]

IFOY Test Report: ARCOS by DS Automotion

Posted on by David Priestman

The latest submission in the IFOY Award finalists to come under the microscope ahead of the announcement ceremony in Dortmund on June 22nd is the ARCOS AGV/AMR from DS Automotion.

Category: Intralogistics Software

IFOY Test Report

Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV) are known for the tireless execution of their transport orders. They travel rigidly predefined routes and deliver the respective transport loads to their destinations. Each lane, curve or intersection is carefully planned to realise the highest possible efficiency of the system. Mutual obstruction of the vehicles or even blocking is thereby ruled out.

Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR), on the other hand, are responsible for reaching their destinations themselves. They are often only provided with the target and a map of the operational environment. With the help of sensors, they then continuously record their environment and can react independently to changes. Planning their paths independently allows them to avoid obstacles, but carries the risk that decisions made may negatively affect the efficiency of the overall system. The individual vehicles can interfere with or even block each other.

It is understandable that for plant operators it is tempting to use the positive features of both worlds. Therefore, DS Automotion has combined the strengths of both worlds (AMR and AGV), setting a milestone in the industry. According to the operator’s requirements, vehicles can act autonomously and avoid obstacles without blocking, but also follow pre-planned lanes.

The innovations are not only characterised by the coining of the terms “plannable autonomy” and “cooperative navigation”, as new core functions of the vehicle software. Conformity with the VDA-5050 interface, which is used across fleets, is also worth highlighting.

“Schedulable autonomy” is a way to navigate vehicles both “virtually lane-guided” and autonomously. The basic building blocks for this are the autonomy zones in which vehicles move freely. “Cooperative navigation” describes the ability of autonomously navigating vehicles to work together to find solutions to problematic situations. For example, the vehicles independently clarify the right of way between vehicles at intersections or bottlenecks.

IFOY test verdict: With the new software, DS Automotion vehicles can be quickly and easily integrated into production or logistics processes. In combination with the fleet manager NAVIOS, the planning and integration effort is reduced via the web-based interface. The zone-based planning and transport flow editor included in it enable the operator to adapt and expand the system. Transportation systems that use AMR with full autonomy typically have limited ability to intervene in the process. Here, the “schedulable autonomy” functions offer the possibility to define the behaviour of the vehicles more precisely. As in the case of virtual lane-guided AGVs, complex systems are thus realised with the highest possible efficiency. Due to the standardised interface, the operator can integrate the system into an already existing plant with VDA-5050 interface and also expand it at any time.

IFOY Innovation Check

Market relevance: ARCOS vehicle software combines the high flexibility of autonomous mobile robots (AMR) with the high efficiency of automated guided vehicles (AGV) in one transport system. As more warehouses, production facilities and hospitals are equipped with transport vehicles and the flexibility requirements in terms of throughput, environment complexity and task structure become more demanding, solutions like ARCOS are an important step in getting the best possible performance out of automated transport systems. Due to the breadth of application fields and the open interfaces of ARCOS, the market potential is estimated to be quite high. A first customer installation in a hospital environment is expected to go into operation shortly.

Customer benefit: With its so-called “Plannable Autonomy”, ARCOS promises maximum transport process efficiency by optimally merging the advantages of track-guided and autonomous transport vehicles in one vehicle software. However, the degree of autonomy can so far only be defined in spatially delimited zones, but not based on other, situational criteria. In addition, “Collaborative Navigation” in autonomous operation ensures that the optimal driving behaviour between the vehicles is coordinated independently at intersections or bottlenecks and that blockages are ruled out. ARCOS is compatible with all fleet managers, can also be used across manufacturers via VDA 5050, and can also be used in fleets with more than 100 vehicles.

Novelty / Innovation: Plannable Autonomy, i.e., the seamless integration of track guidance, partial autonomy, and free navigation in one vehicle software is new in this quality of integration in one solution. Although collaborative navigation is not an entirely new function, it is not coordinated centrally as in other solutions, but solved decentral only by the robots involved. Innovative dynamic lock zones are also used in this context.

Functionality / Type of implementation: The functionalities of plannable autonomy as well as collaborative navigation were shown to be of high quality and robust in several tests, some of which were very demanding. The collaborative navigation can also resolve difficult and dynamic situations and coordinate any number of vehicles with each other. One limitation of decentralised motion planning, however, is the operational range within a radius of approximately 10m. The applicability of ARCOS on all common chassis kinematics is exemplary.

Verdict: For the first time, ARCOS enables AGV and AMR fleets to drive variably, but zone-based between fixed lane guidance, lane guidance with flexible evasion, and free navigation (plannable autonomy) with a single flexible vehicle software. In combination with cooperative navigation, which enables the robots to avoid each other in a coordinated manner, a very efficient, powerful, and high-quality solution is offered that can also integrate vehicles from other manufacturers via VDA 5050.

Market relevance +
Customer benefit ++
Novelty / Innovation +
Functionality / Type of implementation ++
[KEY: ++ very good / + good / Ø balanced / – less / — not available]

Infor Benefits Food & Beverage Industry

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Infor, the industry cloud company, has formed a partnership with Ivy Mobility to strengthen the solution ecosystem for consumer packaged goods (CPG), food and beverage manufacturing and distributing businesses requiring mobile solutions for direct store delivery (DSD), and merchandising and in-store operations.

Ivy Mobility offers intelligent route-to-market solutions for consumer goods manufacturers and distributors. The company supports DSD, merchandising and in-store activities with mobile solutions. Ivy Mobility is a modern cloud-based solution that fits well with Infor’s industry cloud platform. Ivy Mobility has its head office in Singapore and has operations in North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. The company has operations in 57+ countries.

“Infor has more than 1,000 food and beverage manufacturing and distributing customers, many of which are in markets and product categories that are delivered directly to stores and other points of sale, such as bars, restaurants, schools, hospitals, and fuel stations,” says Marcel Koks, Infor’s industry and product strategist for the food & beverage industry. “This sales channel requires advanced and easy-to-use mobile solutions for the workforce on the road and in the stores that are available on- and offline.”

Ivy Mobility and Infor CloudSuite Food & Beverage are complementary software solutions. Infor CloudSuite Food & Beverage manages the customer and product master data, sales order entry, warehousing and accounts receivable. Ivy Mobility covers the execution of route deliveries, van sales, taking field orders and returns, accepting credit card payments, as well as executing merchandising and in-store activities. Ivy Mobility also supports route and visit planning, van load and end-of-day van stock reconciliation.

“Ivy Mobility is excited to partner with Infor and give our 100+ global CPG customers access to the combined portfolio of solutions. As our industry looks to adapt and excel in a post-COVID world, there is a growing need for partnerships between best-in-class solutions,” says Douglas Remick, senior sales director and global partnership lead at Ivy. “With this partnership, CPG companies around the world can access clear and organised information in real time, enabling the frontline to execute at a much higher level.”

TEG Launches ‘Industry-First’ Transport Data Service

Posted on by David Priestman

Transport Exchange Group (TEG), a leading UK online freight exchange platform, is helping its members to operate more dynamically and competitively in a highly volatile marketplace with the launch of what it describes as an ‘industry-first’ load pricing data service. Price Per Mile (PPM) will offer simple, timely and accurate insight into changing road transport rates for the first time, so hauliers, couriers and owner drivers can better shape their pricing strategies in real-time.

“The road transport sector has faced a period of unprecedented instability over the past few years because of multiple economic factors such as Brexit, COVID, driver shortages, and the war in Ukraine,” explains Lyall Cresswell, CEO of Transport Exchange Group. “The resulting impact on small-and mid-sized operators in terms of pricing strategy and capacity planning has been significant, so we have launched PPM to provide our members with the business intelligence needed to compete and grow.”

PPM can be tailored by both postcode and vehicle type to provide a weekly update of average, high and low pricing data into and out of a specified area. The aggregated and anonymised information is calculated using data from millions of transactions. The service was initially launched as a pilot involving owner drivers, but it has now been rolled out to all members of the Haulage Exchange and Courier Exchange, with self-service functionality soon to be introduced to simplify the order and delivery process.

PPM follows the introduction of the TEG Road Transport Price Index in November 2021, which provides a monthly, macro-level summary of pricing and market trends to industry operators and policymakers alike. This valuable and validated insight tracks changes in the marketplace using a unique data set, based on many thousands of different freight buyer and seller combinations that that take place on TEG’s online freight exchange platform.

“We are investing heavily in data science as we continue to enhance the functionality and guidance available on our platform. By constantly innovating we can add value to our members and give them the business and operational tools needed to operate profitably and focus on what they do best,” concludes Cresswell.

 

Touchpath Technology Live-Counts Inventory

Posted on by Keith McKinley

International supply chain solutions provider TouchPath has released ‘TouchCount’, a new breed of inventory cycle counting technology that live-counts production, warehouse and logistics inventory with no costly and time-consuming production stoppages or disruption to warehouse product flows. This represents a major advance on traditional ERP inventory cycle counting say TouchPath, and enables the system to pay for itself in six to nine months through time savings and continuity of supply according to system trial results from TouchPath users.

Historically, the need to call a halt to operations to count inventory has been caused by the limitations of ERP systems that do not allow operations to continue while stock is being counted. In contrast TouchCount collects live inventory information from data capture devices including scanners and mobile computers while enabling operations to continue uninterrupted.

The software typically runs on an existing browser so is quick to install, either standalone or integrated with an ERP system, and can be customised in line with user company rules and practices. Importantly TouchCount’s live-count, real-time view of inventory ensures that warehouse, production and logistics managers always have an accurate view of the stock for which they are responsible: product damage and loss is minimised and stock can be maintained at the exact level required for optimum fulfilment, says TouchPath.

“TouchCount software sets a new industry standard for inventory cycle counting,” says TouchPath CEO David Myers. “It saves time and money so has a very measurable ROI.”

TouchPath technology uses smart, flexible modules that can be bolted together in almost any combination to deliver a customised solution at an off-the-shelf price, deploying systems technology that captures more information for better business performance and faster ROI according to the company.

TouchPath solutions are COTS (Custom-off-the-Shelf) applications. The user determines which functions are required and the business rules under which they are to operate and receives a bespoke solution configured from pre-existing modules. This gives user organisations the flexibility and control they need to optimise their warehouse and production processes in line with their individual needs and with no need to alter their processes or business rules.

TouchPath has operations in the USA (High Point, NC 27265) and the UK (Kent ME13 8NZ).

 

Manhattan Launches Yard Management Solution

Posted on by David Priestman

Manhattan Associates Inc. has announced its re-imagined Manhattan Active Yard Management solution to expand the company’s vision of a unified supply chain. By redesigning yard management to work seamlessly with its industry leading warehouse and transportation management solutions on a single cloud native platform, Manhattan is completing the digital unification of distribution and logistics where they come together in the physical world.

This unified approach creates optimisation opportunities that aren’t possible with traditional siloed systems. The cutting-edge solution offers a digital twin representation of the yard, providing users with real-time insights and dynamic updates to help teams identify risks and opportunities quickly. This gives users clear visibility to every dock door and yard position, the trailers at each location, trailer status, the contents of those trailers, real time progress of inbound and outbound warehouse operations, as well as information related to pending arrivals and movement within the yard.

“Manhattan Active Yard Management perfectly combines warehouse and transportation planning and execution to create a truly unified supply chain,” said Blake Coram, director of Product Management for Manhattan. “Infusing the yard decision process with intelligence from both warehouse and transportation drives optimal yard execution, more efficient warehouses, and faster and smarter transportation networks.”

 

ORBCOMM Improves Cold Chain Telematics

Posted on by Keith McKinley

ORBCOMM Inc., a leading global provider of supply chain IoT technology, is leveraging its market leadership and expertise in cold chain telematics to provide a higher level of visibility, compliance and cargo integrity for all types of refrigerated vehicles moving across the cold chain in Europe. ORBCOMM’s new RT 8000 solution, which is expected to be commercially available this summer, will automate customers’ operations with enhanced connectivity, faster access to more data and wireless sensors to digitise cold chain decision making.

ORBCOMM’s next-generation RT 8000 will significantly improve how European cold chain operators in the food distribution, retail logistics and pharmaceutical industries track and monitor their temperature-controlled cargo. As part of a comprehensive cold chain telematics solution that includes sensors, connectivity and the state-of-the-art ORBCOMM platform, the RT 8000 will enable comprehensive temperature monitoring, fuel management, preventative maintenance, remote control and more.

The unit is designed with the goal of reducing the frequency of field replacement. By leveraging access to real-time and historical data along with event-based alerts, shippers and carriers will be able to make informed decisions about their refrigerated business in real time. With the RT 8000, refrigerated fleets will improve operational efficiency and ensure that products moving along the cold chain meet regulatory compliance and maintain integrity, reducing claims over cargo loss and damage.

The enhanced RT 8000 solution will feature faster, superior connectivity, increased memory and three embedded SIMs, enabling fleets to collect more reefer data at a higher speed and cost-effective rates. The solution’s future-proofed technology will also increase reporting reliability and longevity. The improved EN 12830 compliance for the RT 8000 and its peripherals will enable customers to fully meet the European standard supporting cold chain traceability. In addition, the solution’s multiple new interfaces will make it easy for customers to support any visibility, usage, productivity, security or EBS/TMPS application for optimal versatility.

Comprehensive wireless sensor support for temperature and door and the integration of Tractor ID for automated tractor/trailer pairing will facilitate easy installation, enabling fleets to seamlessly upgrade their cold chain management with additional functionality. Lastly, the ruggedised RT 8000 with IP67-rating is designed to operate under extreme environmental conditions and contains an internal battery back-up to enable reporting without external power.

“We look forward to bringing ORBCOMM’s next-generation RT 8000 to the European cold chain industry later this year, enabling refrigerated fleets to gain greater visibility, compliance and control of their operations,” said Christian Allred, ORBCOMM’s Executive Vice President of International Sales. “With the enhanced connectivity, interoperability and bandwidth, the RT 8000 will allow fleets to access more data, make faster control decisions and reduce the potential for cargo spoilage, all of which will help improve their bottom line.”

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