Contactless, digitized, automated and optimized freight yards as an integral part of the supply chain have received another boost from the global pandemic.
But what exactly does the future of container yard management look like? André Kaeber, CEO of Logistics, has the answer.
Contactless yard management is essentially a fully paperless and device/application-controlled yard handling for truck drivers and logistics personnel at relevant locations. "Non-contact yard management", i.e. contactless or low-touch yard handling, originally developed from safety-related aspects (e.g. avoiding accidents by keeping drivers out of the cab as little as possible, etc.) -19 got another big boost.
A core driver of future yard management is, of course, digitalization. This is also a huge leap forward in many areas of work, not the least of which is the Corona pandemic. For example, the "bring your own device" (BYOD) approach is now being used more and more. No wonder, smartphones, and tablets are now standard everywhere.
BYOD also brings many advantages when it comes to process management on the factory floor: after all, all the associated communication and yard processes can be designed to run smoothly on the driver's device. By the way, the work of installing countless different individual apps is dispensed with. Instead, the Progressive Web Application (PWA) moved to the communication center on the factory floor -- a big benefit for everyone's convenience and safety.
Collaboration facilitates joint planning
An important part of future yard management is the precise pre-planning of logistics activities on the factory floor. This includes coordinating loading and unloading dates with shipping companies or shipping service providers. The integration of partners is carried out through the corresponding portal, where all participants can call up relevant order information, book time slots and exchange documents. Therefore, all process steps are transparently recorded.
A core function is to compare load and unload quotas through the slot management function. It must be considered here, however, that the appointment is purely a declaration of intent by both parties. In this regard, time slot management for capacity planning must see the arrival days of the respective means of transport - in reality, arrival times may end up being delayed several times due to traffic jams etc. and must be dynamically incorporated into the planning.
A further collaborative process is, for example, the integration of notifications (eg, which quantities are delivered at what time) and the calculation of throughput times for the yard or warehouse based on the notified quantity information. Overall, collaboration between the various business partners via digital platforms ensures increased transparency and process reliability.
Contactless check-in 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 doorman. Kiosk terminals are somewhat more advanced. On the other hand, with contactless registration, drivers can check in via PWA using their own device in the cab, which is very convenient.
If a time slot is not pre-scheduled, it must be incorporated into the loading and unloading planning immediately after registration. Of course, driver instructions, briefings and other safety-related information can also be recorded contactlessly via an app or terminal, which shortens the check-in process - and is safer in times of pandemic.
Digital communication within factories removes language barriers
Especially in Europe, but in many other countries, there is often a language barrier between logistics personnel and truck drivers. The yard app can be a valuable help here: via smartphone or tablet, information, instructions or calls to the loading gate are easily understood and timed. Logistics staff communicate with drivers in their native language through the device and vice versa. important! Using web apps increases the willingness to use them multiple times compared to apps permanently installed on a smartphone or tablet for communication in the yard. QR codes and free WiFi for drivers can also greatly reduce barriers to entry.
Process orchestration using real-time information optimizes yard utilization
The utilization rate and production time of a factory site are affected by a variety of factors. It seems to be mainly to meet the goals of an internal factory or warehouse. These include, for example, smooth utilization of all yard resources during the day, low idle time or permanent utilization of loading points, and short waiting times for freight forwarders. On the other hand, goals such as delivery dates that meet customer requirements play a role in throughput optimization. These critical deadlines must also be prioritized when considering the load order. In principle, interactions between different systems (WMS, TMS, time slot management, etc.), processes (inbound, outbound, etc.), mountpoint properties and real-time information are important for using mountpoints. Real-time information from truck telematics systems as well as integrated systems is the basis for permanent load point control and therefore for throughput and utilization optimization within the plant. As factories grew in size, processes in the yard became increasingly decoupled. An example: The driver arrives at the central parking lot and registers. It is called later and then drives to the mount point. Here may be buffering again before loading starts. Only then will he receive the necessary documents documenting the load fixation and final inspection he performed previously. All of these activities can affect the turnaround time of the yard. Therefore, it is important to monitor the orchestration of the entire process and ideally be able to automatically reschedule in the event of deviations.
Optimal loading and unloading with full system map build
The loading and unloading process usually runs in a suitable WMS or MES system (Manufacturing Execution System). If it is a bulk cargo, eg B. is about liquids, even mainly in MES. As an important part of an optimal yard process, WMS and MES should be closely related to yard management in order to optimally synchronize the various processes with each other. Here are some examples of key points between systems: a comparison of loading point resources and transshipment points (such as warehouse doors): WMS and YM access the same resources.
Loading and unloading capacity planning including personnel, i.e. multi-level planning
Throughput time is dynamically calculated based on product, number of carriers, shipping company, etc.
Intra-yard movements: do they belong in the yard or in the 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 enable a holistic view of the system cycle?
Loading scan: This can usually be done in both system worlds. Load protection and corresponding documentation: This can also be done in both system worlds.
The following applies to all mount and unmount procedures: System mapping is required. Therefore, all subscriptions must be synchronized and up-to-date across all systems. In this way, subsequent processes can be triggered according to the corresponding system events. Contactless steps in the process, e.g. between B. truck drivers and in-plant logistics personnel.
Digital document exchange reduces sources of error
Even if the necessary legal frameworks are not yet in place in all countries, all documents will be exchanged electronically in the future – automatically paving the way for contactless digital exchange at the latest. After all, important documents such as loading lists, delivery notes and shipping documents are increasingly identified digitally. Therefore, the yard management system must be able to support, enable and enhance document exchange. In addition, files must also be created or stored directly from Yard Management, if required. Of course, the topic of data security plays an important role here, as the relevant documents should be provided to the respective partners in accordance with the process.
When documents are manually exchanged, the latter often have to be printed out at the kiosk as a kind of self-service, which delays the entire process. This is still often the case with export files etc.
Finally, checkout using the Yard app or at the terminal. At the latest, digital or classic paper documents can be issued and forwarded to the driver and the relevant freight forwarder. The identification is again based on the central QR code, which keeps all container yard activity together as one stand.
Checklist: This is required for the contactless trucking process:
Web-based company portal for communication with freight forwarders, suppliers, customer interfaces for integrating WMS/TMS or ERP processes
time slot management
mount point control
Mobile Application (Registration - Retrieval - Navigation/Process Control within the Plant)
Container Yard Cockpit / Container Yard Checklist
Container Yard Designer
Container Yard Display Stand
Digital Document Exchange (eBOL/eCMR)
KPIs/Reports
Flexible Workflow
Outlook: These future themes can be achieved through intelligent yard management
In the context of the coronavirus pandemic, the introduction of digitalization and contactless yard management has not only brought greater safety to logistics personnel and truck drivers. In the process, transparency, process reliability and generally more efficient factory processes have also increased. But with the implementation of such a smart container yard management, the end of the road is far from being reached. Once factory logistics is fully digitized, the future potential is even greater, eg. B. For automation. Many processes, including load point control, can be further optimized with information such as real-time ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival). Automated Mafi control is also easy to implement if container yard management is fully digitized and all necessary information is entered into the system. Inspection applications such as B. For load holding or hazmat inspection. The next step for inspection at the factory gate could be OCR recognition via cameras, which already recognize trucks based on their license plates. Using IoT sensors, containers can be monitored intelligently, e.g. reports that may imply certain commodity qualities
The amount of falling temperature fluctuations. Finally, permanent mount point optimization that determines utilization optimization options based on data is no longer an issue.
