Cost efficiency, flexibility and reliability - these factors are all and the ultimate goals of today's logistics industry. In order to maintain a leading position in the competition, many internal logistics companies are turning to modern technology. However, there are some promising innovations in freight planning. For example, in the field of transportation, these innovations are quite rare, and indoor positioning systems can help here.
The indoor positioning system makes it possible to find the corresponding goods in the hall, with an accuracy of up to 50 cm. Combined with the video management system, more information can even be collected so that the company can take advantage of the optimization potential. However, what needs to be considered when implementing such a system?
Positioning technology has become an indispensable part of our daily life. Think of GPS, which can guide us to the places we need, and even suggest nearby restaurants. Positioning facilities also bring considerable advantages to freight forwarders. Shipments can be found more quickly and easily. This not only greatly increases customer satisfaction, thereby improving customer loyalty, but also helps to improve service quality. In addition, the company can reduce the burden on employees, improve their productivity, and have a better understanding of the whole hall.
In today's large number of consignments, high-performance positioning solutions are necessary. In order to maximize the benefits, the company should follow these steps for systematic selection and implementation.
Step 1: Understand the concept and benefits of indoor positioning system
The concept of video system with indoor positioning function is simple and complex. When the goods pass through the processing hall, the staff will scan the attached barcode in each separate processing step. The generated data then flows into the transportation or warehouse management system. At the same time, the video management software automatically connects it with the location of the consignment and the recorded video data. The result is a seamless movement path that allows the use of consignment or package numbers to accurately locate goods in the lobby. Instead of searching the room "on foot", the staff just need to determine the location of the missing goods on the PC and then lock them.
● Advantages of indoor positioning and video management
● More efficient automated processes Thank you
● Locate assets in seconds
● Paperless process
● Detection and elimination of bottlenecks
● Comply with service level agreements (SLAs)
● Route optimization
● Clear visual cargo distribution
● Improve profitability thanks
● Increase productivity through faster handling
● No cargo loss, reduce inventory and cargo damage
● Reliable determination of erroneous loading
● Significant optimization of overall market positioning
● Maintain competitiveness
● Improve customer satisfaction through quality control
● Sustainably improve quality
● Transfer of responsibility for accurate records
Step 2: Define your goals
The next step is to define the desired objectives. These include, for example:
Optimized process quality and improved operational efficiency: It saves a lot of time and simplifies the process when searching for lost goods. The process optimized in this way improves operational efficiency.
Improve productivity: The positioning system can also identify places where companies waste time unnecessarily due to unfavorable hall layout or unproductive workflow.
Security and anti-theft protection: The possibility of accurately locating goods can prevent theft and protect assets.
"CargoVIS" anchor point: The staff can easily determine the location of the lost goods on the PC. (Picture: Divis)
Step 3: Set the anchor point
The lobby can be equipped with positioning system completely or only in some parts. You can also combine full and partial localization as needed. Their advantages are:
Partial position
This option is particularly useful when only a limited budget is available. Localization occurs only in selected parts of the lobby, such as where most goods are scanned. In this way, the company benefits from lean solutions covering the region with the largest cargo flow.
Combination of full localization and partial localization
For example, if the entire loading hall is equipped with a positioning system, and the logistics warehouse is only equipped with some positioning systems in the loading area, the logistics process can be largely automated. This in turn saves costs, improves transparency and improves security.
Step 4: Determine the positioning accuracy you need
When determining the position of objects or people, there may be two kinds of positioning accuracy. Which degree you need depends on your application.
Approach accuracy class
This level of accuracy allows the approximate position of the object to be identified based on signal strength. For example, this type of accuracy is applicable to halls that are rarely visited by people with only a few cameras. At the same time, it improves operational efficiency and quality.
"Positioning" accuracy level
The position here is determined by precise positioning. For example, if a specific item cannot be found during the loading process, the video management system with location will speed up the search. The exact position of the goods can be seen on the screen in a few seconds, so that the goods can be targeted.
Step 5: Choose the correct positioning technology: hardware or software? That's the question!
There are basically two options for the technology used: using or not using repeaters for positioning (label based or label free positioning). Which method is most suitable for each use depends on the current and future requirements of the system.
Divis' Bluetooth low-power application makes the repeater installed on the hall scanner redundant.
Label based localization using low-power Bluetooth (LE) as an example
Positioning is based on communication between transmitter and receiver. Small hardware components - repeaters or tags - are typically installed on each scanner in the transfer hall. The signal receivers (=locators) distributed in the hall identify the repeaters and transmit the location information to the video management software. This in turn records the location of the label.
Application fields: mobile terminals, workers, forklifts
Advantages: low price, flexibility, energy saving, and accuracy of less than 1 meter.
Requirement: The properties that a forwarder must have depend on the application. If such labels are to be provided for staff, they should be small and easy to carry. The heavier and stronger variants with corresponding industrial protection levels are suitable for positioning forklifts. Labels used for dusty facilities or outdoor facilities must be classified as "dustproof" or "waterproof".
Take Bluetooth (LE) as an example for label free positioning
Application field: mobile terminal
Advantages: There are many advantages. The system is scalable and can add additional scanners flexibly, cheaply and quickly. In addition, repeaters installed on hall scanners are not required - their functions are taken over by the Bluetooth LE application installed on them. Therefore, the purchase, assembly, maintenance, repair and failure of labels are no longer required.
Requirements: Android scanner supporting Bluetooth
Conclusion: Ensure future competitiveness
The logistics industry also needs digital processes to adapt to the future. In particular, it is important to locate consignments without gaps - for example, through integrated positioning video management systems. This not only reduces the cost and improves the quality, but also may form clear evidence when responsibility is transferred. More importantly, such a system enables the company to minimize the loss of goods and lighten the burden on employees, because they no longer need to walk to find lost packages - just click the mouse. Most importantly, an integrated video and positioning system provides transportation companies with a comprehensive overview of the freight lobby process, helping them optimize it in a targeted way to ensure ideal future viability.
