Cool IoT Use Cases : Intelligent logistics solutions that address critical fleet management issues
Fleet management solutions are increasingly leveraging the functionality of real-time IIoT platforms, one example being the consolidation of logistics data generated by different telematics systems.
Transportation companies need to focus on their core competence, namely the management of end-to-end transportation processes. However, bringing vehicles into today’s IoT economy involves a more complex scenario than that provided by earlier black box solutions.
Today fleet operators need to address issues such as reliable connectivity, interoperability with third-party systems, plus the ongoing complexity and cost of adding new functionality. This adds up a complex task: therefore in line with solutions for other industrial sectors there is a compelling need to deliver the requisite functionality as a service.
GateHouse Logistics markets a real-time tracking platform. Cargoways employs the platform’s telematics portal to monitor the operation of third-party fleets. Schmitz Cargobull Telematics and GateHouse Logistics provide a “Just in Sequence” (JIS) tracking solution for Magna International. JIS is the next step up from just in time.
Enabling solutions that allow intelligent logistics to be employed as a service is based on GateHouse Logistics’ platform, which provides transparent data for the transport and logistics sector. It unifies data coming from different telematics systems, thereby creating a single data stream that enables the fast, cost-effective development of different use cases.
Cargoways has framework agreements with transport companies and uses their trucks to handle between 16,000 and 17,000 transports a year. The company is responsible for usage of all the relevant trucks. Cargoways hires the trucks, pitches for transportation business and assigns the work. They pay for idle trucks, so it is important to know where the vehicles are located and their availability.
A second use case has been deployed by Magna, which is a vehicle assembly partner for the BMW Group. Schmitz Cargobull Telematics and GateHouse Logistics developed a Long Distance Just in Sequence (LD-JIS) tracking solution. As cars become more customised, LD-JIS-based production enables carmakers to have the right parts delivered at a precise time in the production chain in order to minimise inventories. The data unifying technology of GateHouse Logistics gives Magna a single view of all the automotive parts that are in transit.
The business benefits are significant. Fleet Management minimises the risks associated with vehicle investment; it improves efficiency, productivity while reducing overall transportation and staff costs. It addresses key transportation issues: late arrivals and empty trucks. More that more than 40% of inbound transports arrive late; in addition there is an obvious need to reduce the number of empty trucks on the roads.
GateHouse Logistics’ platform captures data from around 400 telematics systems and to display them as one secure data stream on one screen; it allows shippers and enterprises to see data about goods in transit on one screen; and there is a bill of rights for data providers and owners designed to overcome concerns about sharing logistics data.
Key performance indicators included: a huge increase in loads while retaining the same number of employees; direct access to real time data; no need for check calls and a better overview of the whole transportation process.
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