Logistics

In the recent past one cannot find any logistics concept which has been so intensively discussed in the media scene: logistics of COVID-19 vaccine in Germany. Main features: the logistics concept was obviously developed undercover, in collaboration of politics, army and some few private logistics service providers. It was only partly presented to the public and established with a short ramp-up. Only the fact that broader parts of the population are affected with these features of vaccines and their logistics should be reason enough to check critically procedures as well as the concept by itself. The biggest attention hast to be focused on the question concerning proportionality.

A fast flow of information throughout the entire supply chain is unavoidable for risk minimization and is not subject of a discussion in volatile times or crisis situations. The flow of information within the supply chain is characterized by various forms of transmission: EDI, cloud applications or other system interfaces are manifold in the areas of value-added networks for digital risk monitoring and process efficiency increase. If corporate processes are examined more closely, one area remains digitally underrepresented at the moment: The digital twin of a production tool. The handling of these production tools must now be taken to a new level.

The Physical Internet is based on physical, digital, and operational interconnectivity, without which a globally fragmented and standardized freight transport system could not operate efficiently. Valid input data are necessary for the self-control of global flows of goods. In addition, a high level of trust in control decisions is essential for a far-reaching acceptance of all actors and customers in the logistics industry. These two goals can only be achieved by high data-quality. In addition to increasing data-quality through automation or the use of advanced sensor technology, methods of data-fusion and decision-fusion offer great potential. This article describes a methodical approach to analyze these potentials. Furthermore, this procedure is exemplarily carried out using a transit center.

The urban population is growing and with it the need to meet the emerging challenges with sustainable solutions. The concept of the Physical Internet (PI) represents such an approach, which includes a complete supply chain perspective, but also a direct effect on the urban environment. At the same time, its implementation comes with requirements for the integration into the city district, which makes it necessary to adapt various urban characteristics. This article creates a generic design framework for this.

Due to the possibility of operator intervention, semi-autonomous systems allow for a better handling of complexity than fully autonomous systems. The use of a digital twin provides a novel interface for interaction with such systems. This paper describes the implementation of the control and user interface in a system with a digital twin. It is shown how the developed control architecture can be combined with different methods of human-machine interaction and virtual training. With this extended use of the control system by a digital twin the concept can be extended beyond the operation phase and can be used in other phases of the product life cycle.

The use of autonomous systems is not efficient in all applications due to variable system environments or small quantities. Semi-autonomous systems are able to bridge this gap. This article presents a digital twin-based approach for human-machine interaction using adaptive automation. A case study shows how a modular digital twin can support the operator of a CPS in specific tasks. This method allows for a distinction between short-term signal changes and long-term behavior modification. Thus, semi-autonomous systems can support operators in scenarios in which autonomous systems are not viable.

Currently there are many optimistic expectations for the new and still little understood technology “blockchain”. This paper takes a critical stance and analyses the potential of blockchains in supply chain management (SCM). In the context of SCM, the application of blockchains promises transparency and traceability. It turns out that the expectations are not always met, because blockchains lose many of their positive characteristics when used in SCM. This is mainly due to the fact that both a digital level (information) and a physical level (goods) exist. In the original application area of blockchains - cryptocurrencies - only the digital level exists. In any case, blockchain technology (as well as every other technology) will not be able to solve the coordination problems within supply chain networks without the individual companies being willing to implement expensive IT interfaces and share their information.

The progressive digitization of the working environment requires an infrastructure in production and logistics companies. In addition to establishing communication networks, a digitized infrastructure can itself be used as the subject of intelligent behaviour. Using the example of intelligent lighting control in port logistics, this article provides an overview of the potentials and hurdles that exist. First, it be examines how infrastructures in ports are structured and which technical solutions exist to implement intelligent control methods. Thereafter, it shows the potential arising from such intelligent lighting control, example given up to 35 % saving of energy costs allocated to electricity, and what hurdles must be overcome beforehand.