Logistics

One-of-a-kind or small batch manufacturer can only derive process times from previous projects to a limited extent for the planning of customer order and component-specific projects and transfer these to new projects. This is due to the fact that the process times depend on influencing parameters that are directly related to the respective component. As part of a research project, these influencing parameters to the duration for logistic processes are examined. The identification of the influencing parameters using a Delphi Study is explained in this article.

The core task of logistics can be described by the so-called “seven R”. IT means that the right product must be available in the right condition at the right time and at the right place. In addition, further key factors of a well-functioning logistics system are the right quantity, the right costs and the right information. Providing right or incorrect information at the wrong time can have a significant repercussion on the entire process. In particular, the human being who is the recipient of the information has the demanding task of correctly select and interpret it. Therefore, the human-machine interface plays a decisive role in the communication success between human employees and the digital systems surrounding the human at work. On that account, new user interfaces that do not burden people and provide information in a way that it can be perceived intuitively are needed in the future. This is where data glasses come into play.

Logistic processes at seaports and inland terminals play an important role for finished vehicle logistics. High flexibility and reactivity are required to cope with frequent deviations from original operational planning. This paper describes a concept for developing tools and systems to optimize planning and control processes. This includes a simulation backed planning system and a control system for order allocation using mobile devices and their GPS as well as sensor data.

Due to the increasing complexity of cross-company transportation, it becomes more and more difficult to ensure a correct inventory of loading tackles throughout the entire supply chain. The use of a state-of-the-art SaaS (software as a service) solution simplifies, standardize and automate inventory management to reduce administrative effort as well as resources of time and money.

Smart glasses are recognized as a promising technology for supporting operational processes in the logistics sector. In particular, the application of Pick-by-Vision is capable of increasing the efficiency, quality and ergonomics of manual order picking. But first industrial pilots reveal problems concerning the implementation as well. To provide an overview a comprehensive requirement analysis is conducted and the results are presented.

In the course of digitization, the complexity and instability of business networks are considerably increasing. This has also serious effects on intralogistics. Under VUCA conditions, intralogistic systems develop into open, decentralized and self-organization networks of information-processing units. They adapt to the dynamic changes of their environment, by increasing their inner and outer varieties in a preventive manner. Digital technologies are not in a position to adequately control non-deterministic logistic systems; this task is essentially left to the working man. In order to overcome the challenges, appropriate models and methods of preventive work design are developed in the PREVILOG project. The paper presents cybernetic basics and preventive work design principles.

Companies often do not have a clear view of all steps along the value chain. Many different factors are involved from receipt of the goods through to the finished product and actual delivery. Accordingly, the companies themselves only have a limited influence on the supply chain, resulting for example from dependence on suppliers at various points. However, in this context there is a wide range of possibilities for improving different processes in the warehouse. It is only the material flow in production, which accounts for a large share of the daily processes in a factory, that a company ideally manages down to the last detail. To this end, companies often use software solutions to keep an overview and implement successful control of the large number of operations. Graphic interfaces give a precise depiction of the workflows within a warehouse, thus revealing possible starting points for the companies to take action.

Over the last years, the importance of logistics has changed significantly. While logistics used to be a core function of most companies, logistics services nowadays are often outsourced to service providers. This leads to new organizational structures and enables innovative business models. Caused by the digitalization of logistics, efforts for integration and coordination rise and can only made controllable by intelligent use of IT. This contribution examines the field of tension of logistics and IT. It shows which challenges to face and how to overcome these by using Big Data technologies.

Finished vehicle logistics is of particular importance for the automotive industry, because it is the link between manufacturer and customers. If problems occur during the distribution of a car, it becomes visible to the customer, unless the problems can be solved during the following processes. Process interfaces between companies are frequently causing issues. That is why a survey was executed in order to identify those issues at the interfaces between car manufacturers and logistics service providers.