As an integral part of the supply chain, the non-contact, digital, automated and optimized freight yard has received another impetus from the global epidemic. However, what is the future of container yard management? Andr é kaeber, CEO of leogistics, has the answer.
Contactless yard management is essentially a completely paperless and equipment / application controlled yard treatment for truck drivers and logistics personnel at relevant locations. The "non-contact yard management", that is, non-contact or low contact yard treatment, which was originally developed from safety related aspects (for example, avoiding accidents by allowing drivers to leave the cab as little as possible), has been another important promotion in covid-19.
A core driving force of freight yard management in the future is, of course, digitization. This has also made a great leap in many aspects of the work field, the most important reason is the corona pandemic. For example, the byod method is now being used more and more. No wonder smartphones and tablets have become standard everywhere.
Byod also brings many advantages in the process management of the factory site: after all, all relevant communication and yard processes can be designed to run smoothly on the driver's equipment. By the way, the work of installing countless different individual applications is eliminated. Instead, progressive Web Applications (PWA) have moved to the communication center at the factory site - which is a great benefit to everyone's convenience and security.
Collaboration promotes joint planning
An important part of freight yard management in the future is to accurately plan the logistics activities of the factory site in advance. This includes coordinating loading and unloading dates with transport companies or transport service providers. The integration of partners is carried out through the corresponding portal website, where all participants can call relevant order information, book time periods and exchange files. Therefore, all process steps are recorded transparently.
A core function is to compare the loading and unloading quotas through the slot management function. However, it must be considered here that the appointment is purely a statement of intention of both parties. In this regard, the time slot management of transport capacity planning must see the arrival date of their respective means of transport - in reality, due to traffic congestion and other reasons, the arrival time may eventually be delayed several times, so it must be dynamically incorporated into the planning.
A further collaborative process is, for example, the integration of notifications (e.g., which quantities are delivered at what time) and the throughput time calculation of the yard or warehouse based on the notified quantity information. In general, the collaboration between business partners through digital platforms ensures the improvement of transparency and the reliability of processes.
Contactless registration enables a more efficient and secure check-in process
When a truck arrives at the factory site, it still registers in the traditional way: manually at the guard. Kiosk terminals are more advanced to some extent. On the other hand, through non-contact registration, drivers can use their own equipment in the cab to register through PWA, which is very convenient.
If the time period is not scheduled in advance, it must be included in the loading and unloading plan immediately after registration. Of course, the driver's instructions, briefings and other safety related information can also be recorded in a contactless manner through applications or terminals, which shortens the check-in process - safer in a pandemic.
Digital communication in the factory eliminates language barriers
Especially in Europe, and in many other countries, there are often language barriers between logistics personnel and truck drivers. The yard application can provide valuable help here: information, instructions or calls to loading doors can be easily understood and timed through smartphones or tablets. Logistics personnel communicate with drivers in their native language through equipment and vice versa. important! Using web apps increases the willingness to use them multiple times compared to apps permanently installed on smartphones or tablets for communicating in the yard. QR codes and free WiFi for drivers can also greatly reduce barriers to entry.
The process arrangement using real-time information optimizes the utilization of the yard
The utilization rate and production time of the factory site are affected by various factors. It seems that the main purpose is to meet the objectives of internal factories or warehouses. These include, for example, the smooth utilization of all yard resources during the day, the permanent utilization of low idle time or loading points, and the short waiting time of freight forwarders. On the other hand, goals such as delivery dates to meet customer requirements play a role in throughput optimization. These critical periods must also be given priority when considering the loading sequence. In principle, the interaction between different systems (WMS, TMS, slot management, etc.), processes (inbound, outbound, etc.), mount point attributes and real-time information is important for the use of mount points. The real-time information from the truck telematics system and integrated system is the basis of permanent loading point control, so it is also the basis of throughput and utilization optimization in the factory. With the expansion of the factory scale, the process in the yard is becoming more and more decoupled. An example: the driver arrives at the central parking lot and registers. It is called later and then driven to the mount point. This may be buffering again before loading starts. Only in this way will he receive the necessary documents to record the load fixing he has previously performed and the final inspection. All these activities will affect the turnaround time of the yard. Therefore, it is important to monitor the layout of the whole process, and it is best to automatically reschedule in case of deviation.
Optimal loading and unloading through complete system map construction
The loading and unloading process usually runs in the appropriate WMS or MES system (Manufacturing Execution System). If it is bulk goods, such as B. It is about liquids, even mainly in MES. As an important part of the optimal yard process, WMS and MES should be closely related to yard management, so as to synchronize the processes with each other in the best way. Here are some examples of key points between systems:
Comparison of loading point resources and transfer points (such as warehouse doors): WMS and YM access the same resources.
Loading and unloading capacity planning including personnel, that is, multi-level planning
The throughput time is dynamically calculated according to products, number of carriers, transportation companies, etc.
Yard internal movement: do they belong to yard or WMS? Is it material (inventory management) or just moving load carriers or both?
Container logistics integration: are containers serialized? Can technologies such as RFID or ble achieve an overall view of the system cycle?
Load scan: this can usually be done in two system worlds. Load protection and corresponding documentation: this can also be done in two system worlds.
The following applies to all loading and unloading processes: system mapping is essential. Therefore, all subscriptions must be synchronized and up-to-date across all systems. In this way, subsequent processes can be triggered according to corresponding system events. Non contact steps in the process, such as B. between truck drivers and logistics personnel in the factory.
Digital document exchange reduces error sources
Even if the necessary legal framework has not been established in all countries / regions, all documents will be exchanged electronically in the future - which will automatically pave the way for contactless digital exchange at the latest. After all, important documents such as loading lists, delivery notes and transportation documents have been increasingly identified digitally. Therefore, the yard management system must be able to support, start and strengthen file exchange. In addition, if necessary, files must be created or stored directly from yard management. Of course, the topic of data security plays an important role here, because relevant documents should be provided to their respective partners according to the process. When exchanging files manually, the latter usually has to be printed out in the kiosk as a self-service, which delays the whole process. This situation is still common in export documents.
Finally, check out using the yard application or at the terminal. At the latest, digital or classic paper documents can be issued and forwarded to the driver and relevant freight forwarders. The identification is again based on the central QR code, which keeps all container yard activities together as a support.
List: This is necessary for non-contact truck transportation:
Web based company portal for communicating with freight forwarders, suppliers, customers and interfaces for integrating WMS / TMS or ERP processes
Slot management
Loading point control
Mobile application (Registration - retrieval - navigation / process control in the factory)
Container yard cockpit / container yard list
Container yard Designer
Container yard display stand
Digital document exchange (ebol / ECMR)
Key performance indicators / reports
Flexible workflow
Outlook: these future themes can be realized through intelligent yard management
In the context of coronavirus pandemic, the introduction of digital and non-contact yard management has not only brought greater security to logistics personnel and truck drivers. In the process, transparency, process reliability and generally more efficient plant processes have also been improved. However, with the implementation of such an intelligent container yard management, the end of the road is far from being reached. Once the factory logistics is fully digitized, the future potential will be greater, for example. B. For automation. Many processes, including loading point control, can be further optimized through information such as real-time eta (estimated time of arrival). If container yard management is completely digital and all necessary information is input into the system, automatic mafi control is also easy to realize. Inspection applications, such as B. for load fixing or dangerous goods inspection. The next step in the inspection at the factory gate may be OCR recognition through the camera, which can recognize the truck according to the license plate. Using IOT sensors, containers can be intelligently monitored, such as reporting temperature fluctuations that may mean a decline in the quality of some goods. Finally, permanent mount point optimization that determines utilization optimization options based on data is no longer a problem.
