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German sea and inland ports are of outstanding importance for Germany as a base for manufacturing and logistics. In the last decades, the port sector underwent several structural changes. Currently, the expected autonomation and digitalization of the entire supply chain create entirely new challenges for the port industry. In this context, the present article describes a planning approach for the development of an automated straddle carrier in northern German seaports. To evaluate both the reliability and the profitability of such an automated system, a planning approach, consisting of two fundamental steps, was chosen: (1) At first, in order to perform prototypical experiments, a pilot installation will be established in the area of the container terminal in Wilhelmshaven (CTW). (2) Based on this, the system’s suitability for the operative conditions in a mega container terminal is evaluated using a simulation and emulationbased planning approach.

The positive benefits of decentralized decisionmaking structures in production systems were already discussed in the 1990s. But it is only in recent years that the technologies required for implementation have reached sufficient market maturity to be able to implement corresponding concepts efficiently. In this way, the units involved can be enabled to participate “intelligently” in processes by means of autonomous technologies. The question of the actors actively involved in decentralised decisionmaking and implementation as well as the concrete design of decentralised production structures is of great importance. This article illustrates the importance of autonomy for decentralised production control and shows which performance actors involved in the process have the necessary capabilities to act autonomously.

The increase in transport volumes, the consolidation of the unloading ports and the influence of ship size developments pose particular challenges for the logistics processes and technologies to the landside connection of sea ports. In addition, skills shortages are a driving force in the search for automated containerized transportation systems (ACTS) that relief ports and their surrounding infrastructure and extend storage capacity. The technology-specific assessment of the impact of an ACTS on the infrastructures to be crossed is the subject of this article.

The complexity of logistic networks and systems is growing in today’s globalized world. Consequently, there is a rising demand on digitalization in this sector in order to gain a competitive advantage on the market. This paper introduces policy instruments suitable to boost the demand for uptake of information and communication technologies (ICT) in the logistics sector. Experts and stakeholders have been consulted on this topic and an EUwide survey has been launched. The consultations indicated barriers for the implementation of relevant technologies and showcased the appropriate demand-side policy measures able to overcome these barriers, thus motiva-ting companies to digitalize. As a result, several instruments to boost ICT-implementation in transport and logistics were recommended to the policy makers.

Rising challenges of horizontal transports on container terminals and of the transports between various handling companies in the port demand a continuous improvement of processes and strategies to meet the requirements by clients and society. A low-risk method to test possible improvements is discrete event simulation. In this publication, horizontal transport on container terminals is compared to drayage transport between different handling companies in the port area. Similarities and contrasts are analyzed to simplify the transfer of knowledge between the two research fields.

As Industry 4.0 Technologies are swiftly spreading in global economy and enterprises are cooperating in supply chain networks, the question arises how fit these networks are for the imminent challenges. The contribution presents a method which allows to evaluate the industry 4.0-readiness for the example of an automotive network. As a first part, a qualitative analysis is carried out by means of an Industry 4.0-compass. Subsequently, a performance indicator based quantitative analysis is used to assess the industry 4.0-readiness of the automotive network.

Digitalization in logistics is progressing. Cyber-Physical logistics systems are emerging and opening up new opportunities in the management of logistics processes. The associated potentials for error-free and efficient logistics is enormous - but the potentials do not open up automatically, despite initial quick wins in KPIs. More than ever, executives play a key role on the path to excellence in logistics performance. They must learn to „proactively manage“ in an increasingly networked workplace. Which new possibilities the increasing digitization offers for this difficult development process and how these potentials can be exploited, is the subject of the following article.

Due to the increasing demand for individuality, producer of capital goods offer a great range of different products. This product portfolio needs to be adjusted due to many reasons. Modifications may just include the ramp-up. However, modifications can also affect the termination of a production which can just contain single parts up to an entire series. This article provides a deeper insight into the phase-out process of multi-variant products of capital goods producers.

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.

Augmented Reality has the potential to radically change both our private environment and the world of work over the coming years and decades. In a study, Prof. Michael E. Porter (Harvard Business School) and James E. Heppelmann, President and CEO of PTC, examine what Augmented Reality is, which technologies and applications will make them so important in the future, and how AR will be implemented in business practice. For example, augmented reality will change the way we learn, how we make decisions, or interact with the physical environment. But AR is not just another communication channel, but a completely new way to get in touch with people. Augmented reality is intended to bridge the gap between man’s limited mental capacity and receptivity and the ever-growing amount of data and insight that the virtual, digital product world provides.