2021 MHI Next-Gen Supply Chain Update – Episode One: Innovation Driven Resilience
In this year’s report, we break down the challenges of managing disruption into three major phases: Respond, Recover, and Thrive. Each explores how digital supply chain innovations support the evolution to increased resilience. To view the video, click here.
EP 178: 6 River Systems and the Omnichannel
On this episode, I was joined by the VP of Product and Analytics at 6 River Systems, Gillan Hawkes. I am thankful to have 6 River Systems as a long-time supporter of the show and it was great to connect with Gillan on this episode. We discuss omnichannel fulfillment, balancing productivity with safety, peak-season prep, and future uses of robotics in the omnichannel space. Key Takeaways With the pandemic making traditional retail shopping more complicated, companies have had to get creative which has expanded on the number of companies getting into the omnichannel space. Omnichannel allows customers to tap into the inventory of products throughout the supply chain and gives them the ability to shop in more formats as well. This has allowed companies to survive throughout the pandemic but has also made it a little more difficult to get to the point of full access. Gillan discusses how companies are doing this and what types of technologies, like 6 River Systems, can be utilized to assist in helping your company take advantage of omnichannel fulfillment. One great example that we discuss of how omnichannel fulfillment is being taken advantage of is at Target. You may have noticed that Target employees are actually picking in the store like it is a warehouse which Gillan refers to as another warehouse. They have really gotten a great system going and they are a good example of how all of these different inventory points can be utilized to fulfill orders. As we discuss the retail environment, we start to dive into how can automation come into play in the brick-and-mortar environment. Two of the biggest challenges that 6 River is tackling is the inventory accuracy that can be extremely complicated when customers are moving products around with no real thought and the safety of robots in the same place as customers. Gillan addresses these and discusses some of the creative ways they are able to deal with these issues. When it comes to peak season this year there is still uncertainty. We know from last year that there were several spikes prior to the typical peak season throughout the year which really strained the supply chain at times. As we look into this year it is clear that what the new normal will be is still uncertain. However, it is safe to say that many consumers have permanently made the shift to ordering things online so volume will continue to be higher. To help prepare for this, automation and robotic solutions like 6 River Systems can help you address staffing issues and increase your capacity rapidly. Listen to the episode below and let us know how you are tackling omnichannel in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 178: 6 River Systems and the Omnichannel
REMIRA acquires Dutch SCM provider Outperform
REMIRA sticks to its strategic expansion course: One week after the purchase of Nicando Software GmbH, the company also acquires the Dutch supply chain specialist Outperform. With the acquisition and integration of the cloud-based solution for sales & operations planning, REMIRA is strengthening its position on the international market. At the same time, the provider of supply chain solutions for production, trade, and logistics is thus expanding its presence in North America. Shortly after its founding in 2005, Outperform launched the first version of its planning software. In recent years, the system has been continuously adapted to current requirements. Today, the cloud-based complete solution for Sales & Operations Planning is used worldwide by well-known users such as Coca-Cola, King & Price Seafood, innocent drinks, and Westland Kaas. “Outperform’s industry-specific solution expertise and, in particular, its extensive know-how in the food industry are ideal additions to our existing product portfolio,” explains Reiner Angermeier, Chief Product Officer at REMIRA. Gradual international growth With the Software-as-a-Service tool and the team behind it, REMIRA is expanding its offering for Sales & Operations Planning. The company is thus strengthening its position on the international market in particular. After the integration of the Dutch Genova Consultancy last year with numerous users, the broad customer base from the retail sector will now be significantly expanded with customers from the industry. The acquisition of Outperform also strengthens REMIRA’s market significance in North America and South Africa. “This further significant international acquisition for REMIRA was a challenge for all involved due to its size and internationality,” explains Stefan Braatz, Chief Finance Officer (CFO) at REMIRA. ” The project was implemented together with excellent consultants in an absolutely goal-oriented manner in terms of time and content. We are now looking even more forward to the post-merger integration of and with Outperform.” REMIRA is thus continuing its gradual international growth. Stephan Unser, CEO of REMIRA, says: “The goal of our expansion strategy is to open up new markets with our AI-supported cloud solutions for the entire supply chain. Accordingly, we want to promote technological progress and contribute to greater sustainability while increasing the economic success of our customers.” Outperform’s top management also identifies with this philosophy of REMIRA. “We are pleased to embark on this journey with REMIRA. Together we will create numerous synergies so that our customers will benefit from best-of-breed software solutions for the entire supply chain in the future,” says Uneco de Meester, CCO (EMEA) at Outperform.
Chattanooga-based Warehouse Exec elected 2021 IWLA Vice Chairman
Members of the International Warehouse Logistics Association (IWLA) recently elected Scott Mayfield, president & CAO Kenco Logistic Services, Chattanooga, Tenn., as the organization’s 2021-2022 vice-chairman. His term began immediately and will end during the May 2022 IWLA Convention & Expo in Amelia Island, Fla. Mayfield joined Kenco in 1999 and has an extensive background in human resources and management. He has been actively involved in IWLA councils and committees, including service as the 2021 IWLA Convention Committee chairman. “Scott is a leader in his company, in the association, and in the industry,” says IWLA Chairman Jared Stadlin, president of Linden Warehouse in Linden, N.J. “He shares his expertise and warehouse logistics experience in multiple capacities for the association. This position is his next stop en route to the IWLA chairmanship.” Kenco is the largest woman-owned third-party logistics (3PL) company in the United States. The company provides integrated logistics solutions that include distribution and e-commerce fulfillment, comprehensive transportation management services, material handling equipment services, engineering and innovation consulting, and information technology. IWLA is the resource for warehouse logistics education, advocacy, networking, and more. For more information about IWLA, its offerings, and its leadership, please visit www.IWLA.com. Due to COVID restrictions, the 2021 IWLA Convention & Expo originally slated for March has been moved to Nov. 1-3, at the La Cantera Resort in San Antonio, Texas.
Emerson Uninterrupted Power Supply maximizes machine availability and minimizes unplanned disruptions in harsh environments
SolaHD SDU AC-B offers optional network communications for advanced control and diagnostics As more power-sensitive devices are deployed in automated industrial processes, the need for reliable battery backup power is growing exponentially, yet serious challenges remain in the design of traditional Uninterrupted Power Supplies (UPS). Most UPS are simply too large or heat-sensitive to be installed in control cabinets or to be integrated into machines, and virtually all lack network communications required for remote diagnostics. To address these challenges, Emerson today launched its SolaHD™ SDU AC-B UPS that combines a compact footprint with a wide operating temperature range, plus offers optional network communications supporting all major industrial protocols. Built rugged for harsh and hazardous locations, the SolaHD SDU AC-B supports organizations by bridging power failures during outages to allow for safe shutdowns of machinery, and by mitigating power quality issues that adversely affect critical loads, therefore minimizing work interruptions, long restart cycles, and the loss of data at the point of use. As a current Emerson customer expressed “We have a hard time selling when we can’t keep our datacenter up all the time. One outage is a multi-million-dollar loss along with damage to our Brand. The SDU B-Series avoids these significant losses while reducing our total cost of ownership through advanced battery health checks and user-replaceable batteries ” COMPACT DESIGN Industrial engineers are facing increasing pressure to find additional space for components on DIN rails within control panels and enclosures and in OEM machinery such as fabrication tools, robotics, and CNC machines. The SolaHD™ SDU AC-B features an exceptionally compact footprint, providing design flexibility without compromising protection to critical loads exposed to power aberrations. Measuring only 4.87 x 11.1 x 4.81 inches (HxWxD), it saves space while protecting against all types of power problems in critical applications that cannot afford downtime, including those requiring ODVA compliance. WIDE TEMPERATURE RANGE Heat is the enemy of UPS batteries, especially in non-climate controlled environments where elevated temperatures will dramatically shorten the battery service life, such as steel mills, petrochemical plants, or auto manufacturing. The SolaHD SDU AC-B features a high heat, field-replaceable battery rated from 32° to 122°F (0° to 50° C) that is thermally isolated from internal heat generating elements of the UPS. Combined with high-temperature grade components and an advanced battery management system, the SolaHD SDU AC-B adds value and long-term reliability in challenging environments. NETWORK COMMUNICATIONS As an option, the SolaHD SDU AC-B has an integrated communication port that supports both active and passive modules. Installing an active module is suitable for both general purposes and for high-end applications with large I/O data transfer, fast network cycles, and synchronization demands communicating on either EtherNet/IP, Modbus, Profinet, or EtherCAT network protocols. Installing a passive module enables the control of two relays. In addition, web monitoring is standard on the SolaHD SDU AC-B that remotely displays UPS status, alerts, SMS notification, and a historical log. RUGGEDIZED ENGINEERING Engineers looking to deploy an industrial UPS in harsh and hazardous locations typically require a customized solution to match their infrastructure needs, which means more time spent on development and higher costs. Being able to withstand extreme environmental conditions, the SolaHD SDU AC-B eliminates the need for customized solutions, while ensuring service continuity and energy quality. It features a rugged metal housing along with a conformal coated PCB for corrosion resistance, plus has extensive ordinary, hazardous, and offshore global certifications to operate safely in the presence of flammable gases and vapors.
EP 176: CognitOps
EP 176: CognitOps On this episode, I was joined by the Co-Founder & CEO at CognitOps, Alex Ramirez. CognitOps is not a WMS, not a WCS, not a WES but a WOS! Alex and I discuss how their system is utilizing machine learning and AI to help create a warehouse operating system that allows operations professionals to make better and faster decisions. Key Takeaways Another acronym that starts with W and ends with S! Yes, Alex knows that operations professionals might not be excited to try and remember another one but his company, CognitOps, is bringing the Warehouse Operation System (WOS) to life with their recent launch. I have focused on talking to individuals who are providing warehouse management systems, warehouse control systems, and warehouse execution systems on the show and even talking about the differences between them on a few episodes but CognitOps goal is to provide a brain for the warehouse that helps operations managers make better decisions. It does this by harnessing all of the data that is being generated by the various systems, equipment, and people within the facility and gives notifications to the decision-makers right on their phone or tablet so they can take quick action and spend more time focused on the floor. As an operations manager myself, I think this is a huge productivity gain from a management perspective which is not always as under the microscope as the productivity of floor level associates. When we are going throughout our day there is certainly a lot of time spent generating data to make decisions on where resources need to be allocated or what the current status of the day is so with the ability to get rid of a lot of that number-crunching and most likely time in front of the computer we can really see management’s time being used more effectively on the floor. CognitOps allows you to make those decisions without having to do all the data extraction and pivot tables to get the numbers you need to make a decision. It also comes in a different form as an alert through your phone or tablet instead of a series of charts that then also need to be deciphered. I also like that it can help you from being a bottleneck in your operation. I have certainly been in the scenario where something unexpected happens like a safety incident and you are not able to pull the data you need which can put you behind because a decision might be dependent on that data. When it comes down to it the biggest benefit of CognitOps is actually very simple. While there is a lot of fancy technology going into making CognitOps as robust as it is, it is the output of creating a more engaged manager that is really the true benefit to the operation. Alex and I discuss how important the engagement with employees on the floor is to really make an operation flow and improve in the best possible way. With CognitOps reducing the number of time managers need to be in front of the computer or at their desk it increases the time on the floor which really results in the improvement of employee interaction and efficiency. Listen to the episode below and let us know your thoughts on AI adoption in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 176: CognitOps
EP 174: Zebra and RTLS
In this episode, I was joined by John Wirthlin of Zebra Technologies to discuss RTLS. John is the Industry Principal of Manufacturing, Transportation, and Logistics at Zebra. We discuss real-time location services (RTLS), their impact on the warehousing space, and how the technology can be utilized. Key Takeaways RTLS or real-time location services is a location-based technology that allows you to understand where all your assets are in your operation. It takes into account your inventory, material handling equipment, and even people. This technology can be used in many powerful ways which John goes in-depth with. From dock door optimization to location-based inventory counting there are many ways that this type of technology can help you operate more efficiently. One of the things that John discusses is how RTLS can help your operation to optimize the pick walk. Instead of relying on a typical way of weaving through your aisles in a serpentine fashion, RTLS can give the best pick options based on location and also based on what is happening around the picker like robotics or other machinery. A great example of how this can work is if a truck is delayed then the system can push those orders out further in the picking queue and move others up in priority. Additionally, John explains how this technology is utilized in the NFL to track some of the very detailed stats we see on TV and that coaches use for training. When it comes to the future of RTLS, John discusses how the accuracy will increase to being able to identify the location of items through different devices. Currently, with passive tags, you can get within two to three feet of accuracy on where something is and with active tags, you can get even closer. However, the pricing of active tags is much higher so currently, it makes sense to utilize for higher dollar assets only. As time goes on and the adoption rate increases then prices of these tags will most likely come down. Additionally, Zebra is coupling this technology with their fulfillment edge that is really simplifying the screens that pickers are seeing on devices. I know from a personal demo that this edging product is truly simplifying what you see and really the only information you need as a picker. Listen to the episode below and let us know your thoughts on RTLS in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 174: Zebra and RTLS
EP 171: Softeon
In this episode, I was joined by Dan Gilmore who is the Chief Marketing Officer at Softeon. A supply chain solution-focused company, Softeon provides solutions like WMS, WES, Order Management, and put walls. Dan and I discuss Warehouse Execution Systems (WES), the differences between WES and WMS, and some case studies of how a WES can be effective. Key Takeaways Warehouse execution systems or WES have been around for about a decade now but have risen to more prominence in recent years and as Dan points demand for them has increased. The increase in automation and technology has certainly been a factor in driving the increased demand for WES. When you think of a warehouse execution system it is most often compared to an orchestration of the flow of work. Dan explains how it was initially developed because WMS was not getting the job done to recognize the proper utilization of material handling equipment. Softeon has been able to develop a top competing WES throughout the years. The difference between a WES and WMS is that the WMS is not considering the real-time flow of the operation. The WES will make decisions based on where flow is being held up or where it is moving faster. Taking these factors into consideration, the WES will be able to decide which orders to release and at what time so that you can get the optimal flow through your operation. This helps to reduce the amount of manual analysis done on a day-to-day basis to properly allocate resources. Dan gives a great example of how the WES works when it comes to a put wall solution. He describes how the WES can look at the orders going to the put wall and determine if there are more than what the put wall can handle, which ones can avoid the put wall. In his example, he describes how it could pull out all orders that are a single line and send them for a batch pick then send them directly to the pack station instead of having them go through the put wall. Having the WES make decisions like this can really help improve your overall throughput. Listen to the episode below and let us know if you are using a WES in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 171: Softeon
EP 169: StayLinked
In this episode, I was joined by the CTO of StayLinked, Justin Griffith. StayLinked is a terminal emulation solution that allows you to connect to multiple different technologies without overhauling your core systems. I was able to connect with Justin last week during ProMatDX where we discussed StayLinked’s solution, what a legacy system is and how their technology can help your legacy system interface with new technology. Key Takeaways Justin gives a great breakdown of how a lot of our mobile devices are operating in the warehousing space. Surprisingly they are running on a technology called Telnet which is a 52-year-old technology. StayLinked allows newer technology to interface with this Telnet technology and helps it adapt to things like wireless. From personal experience, one great thing that StayLinked does is to keep you online without hiccups. I discuss an example of where I was working in an operation that was building out a new warehouse and we were having some issues with access points and trying to get them configured properly to reduce drops. The beauty of StayLinked is that when these drops were occurring, the system would pick right back up where it left off instead of causing further problems down the line. The term legacy system is thrown around a lot so I asked Justin what exactly is a legacy system and why are we hearing it so much. Justin breaks it down and basically, the simple description is a system that is not the newest. However, he points out that at least 65% of the systems out there are legacy systems. Throughout the supply chain, he says that any box you receive has touched at least one legacy system throughout its life cycle. We also discuss how, in some cases, the term legacy system is thrown around as a potential sales or marketing tactic and he points out that it should not always be taken in a negative light. StayLinked has been a great technology adopted by some of the other companies we have featured on the show like Rufus Labs and ProGlove. They are allowing these newer companies to be able to simplify their implementations because they handle the interface between the new company’s technology and the legacy system that their customers might be using. It is very interesting to see how the technologies that allow us to interface with older technologies can enable more innovative products and ideas to come to market. Listen to the episode below and let us know your thoughts in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 169: StayLinked
EP 168: Wear KINETIC
On this episode, I was joined by the VP and Head of Product at KINETIC, Chris Kuruc. KINETIC is a wearable device that helps you with contact tracing when it comes to COVID and also helps improve the ergonomics of workers. We discuss the KINETIC device and technology as well as the origins of the idea. Key Takeaways KINETIC’s wearable device is specifically designed to be a personal ergonomics coach for anyone that is wearing it. It is similar to a pager that you would clip on to your belt or pants. The technology will recognize when your body moves in a way that is unsafe and potentially damaging to your back. Once the high-risk motion is detected vibration is given to the user after the motion is done. Through this, the user is trained to realize what types of movements are high risk and learn how to properly move without injuring themselves. The origin story of KINETIC is pretty remarkable as well. The founder’s mother worked as an elderly care nurse and through that work suffered multiple workplace injuries. Since he saw this first hand he wanted to pursue a solution that could help others reduce workplace injuries. It is certainly working as Chris shares some very impressive numbers that customers are seeing in terms of reduced recordable injury rates. I really find it fascinating how the idea came out and how it is now making such an impact on individuals. When the pandemic hit, KINETIC realized that they had some technology already built into their wearable device that could help with new safety standards. The device can provide social distancing reminders when it detects it is within close proximity to another device. This can give a great warning to employees when they may not be aware they are within the six-foot guidelines. Additionally, it has the ability to do contact tracing for when a user tests positive. This allows the company to be able to easily identify what devices were close to each other during a certain period of time. Listen to the episode below and let us know your thoughts in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 168: Wear KINETIC
Softeon features Warehouse Management and Warehouse Execution Systems at ProMatDX 2021
Softeon, a global supply chain software provider with the industry’s best track record of customer success, will feature a number of enhancements to its market-leading Warehouse Management System (WMS) and Warehouse Execution System (WES), enabling companies to build the smart distribution center of the future today. Softeon WMS powers distribution and fulfillment with a robust and highly configurable set of capabilities that manage processes, associates, inventory, and equipment to minimize costs and maximize customer service. Softeon WMS is the platform of choice for both large and medium-sized companies, always with an out-of-the-box or near out-of-the-box solution fit. The WES provides visibility, orchestration, and optimization of order picking and related processes, leveraging new capabilities beyond what is available today even in the most advanced WMS. As a result, Softeon’s WES enables companies to minimize total fulfillment costs while meeting customer demands and service commitments. Softeon’s WMS and WES solutions are available stand-alone, or for the first time in the industry, deployed together as a powerful Warehouse Management + Execution System. In stand-alone mode, the WES can work with almost any existing WMS, from ERP to legacy to best-of-breed providers, with flexible integration and process models. Uniquely, the Softeon WES delivers significant value not only for automated DCs but also in operations with medium levels of automation or even completely manual processes. This approach can bring new life to aging WMS environments by adding WES without the need for a full WMS replacement. As a result of Softeon’s advanced services-based architecture, the WMS and WES utilize a shared component library, meaning capabilities from each system are available to each other in standalone deployments to tailor a precise solution for each company. Softeon will be available in the ProMatDX virtual hall to discuss these powerful solutions and attendees’ logistics challenges and opportunities. Softeon will also be hosting several educational sessions to provide more insight into these exciting technologies: Seminar: Warehouse Management Systems – That was then, this is NOW Tuesday, April 13th @ 1:30pm CST Demo: Softeon Warehouse Management System (WMS) Monday, April 12th @ 1:15pm CST Demo: Softeon Supply Chain Execution Platform Thursday, April 15th @ 2:30pm CST Once registered, attendees will have full access to these and other helpful resources. For more information on this premier supply chain event, visit Promatshow.com. Registration is available here at no cost.
New Sinamics G115D distributed drive system specifically designed for conveyor applications
Comprised of the drive, motor, and gearbox, this new distributed drive system is available as a complete solution for motor-mounted and wall-mounted horizontal motion control conveyor applications With its new Sinamics G115D, Siemens is introducing a new, compact, and powerful drive system specifically designed for horizontal conveyor applications. The drive system comprises the motor, drive, and gearbox in one unit and is offered in two versions — wall-mounted and motor-mounted. The Sinamics G115D drive system is characterized by a robust design with a high IP protection class (up to IP66 / UL Type 4X) and is suitable for use in harsh environments. Thanks to its compact dimensions, the Sinamics G115D can be easily installed in confined areas. The drive system can also be operated reliably over a wide temperature range of -30 to 55 degrees Celsius (-22 to 131 degrees Fahrenheit), enabling operation in deep freezing applications. Sinamics G115D is suitable for applications in intra-logistics and airports, as well as in the automotive and food and beverage industries. Its power ranges from 0.37 to 7.5 kilowatts (1/2 to 10 hp) for wall-mount applications and 0.37 to 4 kilowatts (1/2 to 5 hp) for motor-mounted applications. The drive system can be put into operation quickly and easily with comprehensive integration into the Totally Integrated Automation (TIA) portal including Startdrive commissioning software or the Sinamics Smart Access Module (SAM) web-server for Wi-Fi setup and diagnostics. To be prepared for digital transformation and to enable cloud-based analysis, Sinamics G115D is integrated into the entire MindConnect portfolio and is compatible with MindSphere applications such as Analyze MyDrives. Thanks to Profisafe, the Sinamics G115D has Safety Integrated in the form of STO (Safe Torque Off) SIL2, which standardizes and facilitates the certification process. For flexibility in terms of installation, service, and maintenance, the solution is equipped with a plug-in connector and flexible connection possibilities. The device is particularly suitable for interaction with Simatic controllers such as the Simatic S7-1200 or Simatic ET200 for motion control. Siemens offers warranty extensions for Sinamics G115D through its Service Protect package. As part of this service package, an additional one or two-year warranty extension may be purchased for failure coverage. The package offers simplified processing under normal warranty conditions for an extended period.
Raymond to showcase solutions that optimize, connect and automate operations
The company will highlight intralogistics solutions with innovative digital demonstrations at the first virtual ProMat DX trade show The Raymond Corporation will showcase its end-to-end intralogistics solutions that help organizations optimize, connect, and automate their operations at the ProMatDX virtual event to be held April 12-16, 2021. Through a series of innovative digital demonstrations, Raymond will highlight solutions that maximize operations’ efficiency by creating connected and integrated facilities of the future. “At Raymond, we are committed to providing innovative intralogistics solutions that help organizations meet today’s supply chain challenges and seize tomorrow’s opportunities by optimizing, connecting, and automating their operations,” said Michael Field, president and CEO, The Raymond Corporation. “Our mission to help customers run better and manage smarter will be brought to life at ProMatDX through six product demonstrations and two educational sessions designed to help operations find the right mix of intralogistics solutions for their unique operation.” Raymond offers a breadth of solutions and technologies. The following solutions will be showcased online at ProMatDX through a series of virtual product demonstrations, educational sessions, and live Q&A sessions: Material Handling Equipment: Raymond® counterbalanced lift trucks are more adaptable, connected, and scalable than ever, helping operations keep up with today’s productivity demands. Raymond’s counterbalanced lift trucks are fast, highly maneuverable, and flexible enough to take on a variety of tasks and are engineered to easily fit into an existing facility. Raymond 5000 Series orderpickers, capable of integrating with advanced operator assist technology options, are designed to meet the rapid growth and expansion of e-commerce. These options create integrated systems that can further increase operator proficiency, accuracy, and productivity. Raymond 7000 Series Reach-Fork® trucks not only enable warehouses to optimize taller buildings and store heavy pallets at higher heights but also keep operators running with a longer battery shift life. Raymond’s line of intelligent Reach-Fork trucks offer integrated telematics capabilities to increase efficiency, and universal stance and open view mast for enhanced visibility and ergonomics — even in extreme cold storage environments. Operations can become even more productive by integrating these trucks into Raymond’s wider set of intralogistics solutions — solutions that include telematics, labor management systems, automation, and virtual reality simulators. Connected Technologies: iWAREHOUSE® telematics and labor management systems offer comprehensive fleet management solutions and provide a full suite of tools to enhance the productivity of both operators and vehicles and provide actionable fleet utilization data to help drive down costs. Data from these reports can offer detailed information as to what workers are doing, their productivity, the age of equipment and batteries, and projected business growth while creating more space for product and improving workforce productivity and overall efficiency. The iWAREHOUSE Real-time Location System (RTLS) is a tracking, locating, and monitoring system that helps manage your operation more easily and effectively by monitoring and identifying the movements of lift trucks within user-defined zones, accurately (+/-3 feet) tracking personnel and assets in your warehouse, increasing productivity, and reinforcing training. The system uses a series of stationary mounted anchors and tags mounted to a movable object — such as Raymond forklifts, pedestrians, or other assets — to determine the location of an object within a facility. The Raymond Pick2Pallet™ LED light system is an industry-exclusive operator assist technology. This patented pick-to-light system uses LED technology to visually reinforce product placement in batch picking applications, reducing picking errors, improving fulfillment times, and enhancing operator training. It also maximizes operator productivity by directing operators to the desired pallet — enabling them to quickly move to the next pick with confidence. Automated Solutions: The Raymond Courier™ automated guided vehicles (AGVs) line offers a range of easy-to-implement vision-guided automated vehicles. Towing up to 15,000 pounds, the new Raymond Courier 3220 combines vision-guided technology with a heavy-duty towing capacity, further expanding Raymond’s end-to-end intralogistics solutions. Raymond Courier AGVs require no changes to infrastructure, which means no business interruptions and seamless implementation into an existing fleet. The following Raymond lift trucks and intralogistics solutions will have interactive product demonstrations available during ProMatDX at the designated times listed below and will include experts available to answer questions. The product demos will also be listed on the Raymond Showcase. Raymond Courier automated guided vehicles Monday, April 12, 11:15 a.m. ET/10:15 a.m. CT Friday, April 16, 2 p.m. ET/1 p.m. CT iWAREHOUSE fleet management system Tuesday, April 13, 11:45 a.m. ET/10:45 a.m. CT iWAREHOUSE Real-time Location System Wednesday, April 14, 11:30 a.m. ET/10:30 a.m. CT Raymond 5000 Series orderpickers Wednesday, April 14, 2:15 p.m. ET/1:15 p.m. CT Raymond 7000 Series Reach-Fork trucks Thursday, April 15, 11 a.m. ET/10 a.m. CT Raymond counterbalanced lift trucks Thursday, April 15, 3:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. CT In addition, Raymond will showcase its expertise around intralogistics solutions during the following educational sessions that are open to all ProMatDX attendees: Optimize, Connect, Automate 3.0 Monday, April 12, 2 p.m. ET/1 p.m. CT Solving Operational Challenges Using Data Tuesday, April 13, 2 p.m. ET/1 p.m. CT
EP 166: Pick with 6 River Systems and Chuck
On this episode, I was joined by the number one contender for most guest spots, Fergal Glynn of 6 River Systems. You may remember Fergal from our previous discussion way back on Episode 14 and most recently in the fall as we discussed how things changed since we had spoken at MODEX 2020. For this episode, we checked in to discuss what 6 River Systems will be doing for ProMatDX next week, what is the state of the industry, and predictions for this year’s peak season. Key Takeaways Prior to talking to Fergal, he shared an exclusive link with me that is now available for you to access as well. 6 River Systems has set up a virtual picking experience with Chuck that you can try for yourself here. At the link, you will find options to choose your own path when utilizing Chuck. It is a great experience and the way the camera is shot really gives you the point of view experience as an operator. Additionally, as you choose your path you can see the ease of utilizing the 6 River Systems interface built into Chuck. Give it a try and leave a comment on your thoughts. Do you like induction, picking, takeoff, or supervisor mode the best? Early in our discussion, we get into a very interesting conversation about how the supply chain has come to the forefront in the world due to the pandemic. This has been a very interesting thing to see and as we discuss, prior to the pandemic there was a lot of talk about how to get younger individuals interested in the supply chain as there was not much at all. Fergal explains how they are now seeing a high amount of interest from top talent coming out of school that they probably would have not seen before. I really find this amazing as it has been one of the goals of the podcast to make our industry get more awareness amongst a younger generation to help generate interest. One topic that has been coming up on the podcast a lot is micro-fulfillment and how smaller warehouses are and will be popping up to get closer to consumers. Fergal introduces the concept of a “pop-up warehouse” which caught my attention because of the similarity to pop-up shops in the retail space. He predicts that there will be more temporary warehouses popping up to help address peak season and bring products closer to the consumer. 6 River Systems actually helped Crocs do this so that they could ramp up their capacity to meet demand while a new facility was being outfitted. In just two days, 6 River Systems and Chuck were able to help Crocs meet the needed capacity and get their pop-up warehouse running. Listen to the episode below and be sure to check out 6 River at ProMatDX next week. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 166: Pick with 6 River Systems and Chuck
JLT Mobile Computers offers free guide on how to boost productivity and throughput in ports and container terminals
After 25 years in business, JLT Mobile Computers, a supplier of reliable computers for demanding environments, is making available the benefits of its expertise in a series of ‘how to’ guides designed to help new and existing customers make the right strategic technology decisions to optimize their operations. Focusing on the IT problems faced by port and container terminal operators, the third expert guide in the JLT series identifies five key areas that challenge a port’s throughput, and gives IT and operations managers practical tips on how to turn these IT headaches into their port’s smartest assets. The new JLT guide for rugged IT environments in ports and container terminals is available for free download here. Container ports are under constant pressure to keep trade flowing as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible – pressures that have only grown stronger with the logistics challenges emerging in the wake of COVID-19. Productivity or throughput, measured in container volume and number of ships off- and on-loaded in the shortest possible time, is the number one priority for container ports all over the world, which is why operations managers need IT devices and solutions they can rely on. “Ports and container terminals play a pivotal role in the global supply chain, where success hinges on the speed and efficiency of delivery, or in the case of ports – throughput. This has never been clearer than since COVID-19,” says Per Holmberg, CEO, JLT Mobile Computers Group. “IT should help terminals achieve these throughput ambitions, albeit this is not always the case and many ports find their rugged computers cause more headaches than anything else. As an experienced port IT specialist with numerous happy port customers to our name – Exolgan in Argentina; Basra Gateway Terminal in Iraq; DCT Gdansk in Poland; and OPCSA in Las Palmas among them – we take great pleasure and pride in sharing what we have learned about the unique requirements of this challenging sector in the latest of our free guides to help ease these IT issues.” ‘Five ways to make IT your port’s hero, not its headache’ is the third in JLT’s series of free help guides and consolidates the company’s experience from working with ports and container terminals for a quarter of a century. In this guide, JLT identifies five recurring challenges that impact IT and operations managers’ efforts to increase port performance and productivity: How to continuously stay up to date and future proof their IT systems; how to optimize network connectivity across large and often outdoor areas; how to procure hardware that is fit for port purposes; how to choose a reliable supplier; and how to engage the workforce. Looking at each of these challenges one by one, the guide gives practical examples and guidelines for actions IT and operations managers can take to ensure their port’s ability to meet today’s as well as tomorrow’s throughput targets. Much of the advice in the guide is also relevant to other industries experiencing rising productivity demands and related aspects of IT. To find out what can be done to ensure IT solutions achieve the best possible terminal throughput, download ‘Five ways to make IT your port’s hero not its headache’ here for free.
JLT Mobile Computers joins Ivanti Wavelink Device Validation Program to speed modernization within the supply chain
Alliance brings pre-validated hardware/software solutions for easy, error-free installations that increase efficiency, productivity and security in logistics and warehousing JLT Mobile Computers, a supplier of reliable computers for demanding environments, announces that it has joined the Ivanti Wavelink Device Validation Solutions Program. This program enables device manufacturers offering solutions for the supply chain and warehousing industries to rapidly validate their products for the Ivanti Wavelink software platform, which facilitates device and wireless infrastructure management, terminal emulation, voice, and mobile application development without the need to modify backend systems. Customers of Ivanti-validated JLT rugged mobile computers benefit from easy access to mobile-enablement solutions that boost supply chain efficiency, productivity, and security in the warehouse and across the supply chain. “Supply chain and warehousing organizations are relying more than ever on mobile productivity solutions to keep up with demand. As such, it is becoming increasingly important to provide a consistent user experience across entire fleets of devices, whether they leverage the Android, iOS, or Windows 10 operating systems,” says Kelly Ungs, Vice President of Alliances and Channels at Ivanti Wavelink. “The aim of our new Strategic Alliances Program is to create a formal ecosystem through which our partners can offer their customers pre-validated hardware and software solutions that eliminate the risks enterprises face when migrating applications to multiple modern hardware devices, software solutions, and host applications to enhance efficiency.” “JLT Mobile Computers prides itself in providing best-in-class rugged mobile computing devices for our customers in warehousing, transportation, manufacturing, mining, ports, and agriculture. Now we can offer our hardware pre-validated for use with the Ivanti Wavelink suite of software products such as their terminal emulator, industrial browser, and voice picking,” said Eric Miller, CEO at JLT Mobile Computers USA. “For our customers, knowing that everything will work together right out of the box is huge. Pre-validation totally eliminates trial and error and the uncertainty of mixing and matching hardware and software. We’re now selling complete and fully validated solutions.” JLT Mobile Computer devices that are currently Ivanti Wavelink validated include the 5-inch MH1005A rugged Android PDA, the 7-inch MT3007A and 10.1-inch MT2010A rugged Android tablets, and the 12-inch JLT6012 and JLT1214P rugged fixed mount and vehicle-mount Windows computers. These will be joined in the coming months by additional JLT devices. With customers moving from legacy systems to modern operating platforms on JLT computers, Ivanti Wavelink supply chain solutions make it easy to migrate existing telnet screens or web applications to Windows 10 or Android. Field-proven screens get a contemporary look and feel, work more efficiently, and users love the familiar, intuitive software interface. With JLT hardware now Ivanti Wavelink validated, migration and modernization projects are easier than ever.
Webinar on Automation & Innovation in Third Party Logistics (3PLs)
With the significant growth in e-commerce, the market potential for third-party logistics services is growing rapidly across the world. In order to provide comprehensive fulfillment and meet ever-increasing customer expectations, 3PLs are keen to adopt automation into their operations. According to Global Market Insights Inc., the global 3PL market is likely to cross $1100 billion by 2024. As companies look to 3PLs to provide a competitive advantage, logistics service providers must in turn deploy sophisticated technologies centered around warehouse automation. For 3PL leaders looking to innovate via automation, this FlytWare webinar seeks to shed light on techno-commercial aspects of warehouse automation technologies and the business considerations involved along the journey to full automation. The webinar is scheduled for March 31, 2021, at 11:00 AM CST (16:00 GMT). The Webinar will feature Gwynne Richards, Director at Apprise Consulting in the UK. Gwynne has over 35 years of experience in logistics and supply chain. He is the author of books like Warehouse Management, Logistics outsourcing, and Logistics and Supply Chain Tools. Book your seat by registering at https://flytware.com/webinars/automation-innovation-in-3pls/. Also, browse (for free) the recorded versions of past FlytWare webinars at https://flytware.com/webinars/ – these covered topics such as inventory counts in very narrow aisles (VNAs) and digital twins for warehouses.
Motion Controller delivers Multi-Axis Motion Control and Robotic Innovations to packaging systems at Network Gateway Costs
Developed by Servotronix with an EtherNet/IP interface from STXI Motion, the softMC compact microcontroller enables any major OEM programmable logic controller (PLC) to seamlessly control any motion control component, including robots, drives, and motors to add innovation and modularity to packaging systems. “The softMC motion controller provides packaging equipment suppliers the flexibility and controls they need to innovate and optimize customer solutions at the cost of an industry-standard network gateway,” said Alex Lee, General Manager of STXI Motion, North America. The new softMC lets packaging machine-builders interface with Rockwell Automation PLCs and EtherNet/IP networks to add multi-axis motion control to any existing system. The controller delivers Industry 4.0 machine-to-machine communication while simplifying and reducing the overall cost of motion control system design and configuration. At the same time, softMC increases the flexibility and efficiency of automated packaging lines and expands OEMS’ capabilities to innovate. Add multi-axis control to any Ethernet/IP equipped Rockwell PLC A centralized method for designing and integrating additional motion axes and/or robotics capabilities lets machine builders design and use standard robot models such as delta, SCARA, and cartesian/ gantry robots. The controller provides advanced motion control of the motors, robots, or robotic controllers while handling all communication between the material handling systems and the Allen-Bradley PLC. A decentralized method allows machine builders to customize a system using motors and drives from the STXI Motion product portfolio, which are optimized and ready for use with the softMC. For a fraction of the cost of a motor drive system, the softMC provides full robotics control and gateway to motion with the ability to communicate with all motor technologies and feedback devices, allowing packaging machine OEMs and end-users to add new automation capabilities to their existing setups, increasing productivity, modularity, and revenue.
AutoScheduler Executives named 2021 Pros to Know winners
The AutoScheduler.ai, an innovative Warehouse Management System (WMS) accelerator, announces that two executives, Thomas A. Moore, Founder and CEO, and Ginger Stegmier, Chief Marketing Officer, have been named 2021 Pros to Know. This prestigious award from Supply & Demand Chain Executive, the only publication covering the entire global supply chain, recognizes outstanding executives whose accomplishments leverage supply chains for competitive advantage. “AutoScheduler is extremely pleased to have two executives recognized for the Pros to Know award,” said Keith Moore, Chief Product Officer, AutoScheduler.ai. “Early last year, Ginger developed a go-to-market strategy to educate the market on the new ‘WMS accelerator’ space, which fills a gap in supply chain offerings to make legacy warehouse systems work better, faster, stronger, and infinitely nimbler. AutoScheduler saves millions of dollars for clients by orchestrating inventory moves to decrease touch and improve efficiencies.” “While many companies have struggled to regain their footing as a result of COVID-19, this year’s Pros to Know winners stepped up to the plate to deliver innovative solutions and programs in a time of crisis and need. These winners collaborated, optimized, developed, educated, and played a critical role in the survival and success of their company amid a global pandemic,” says Marina Mayer, Editor-in-Chief of Supply & Demand Chain Executive and Food Logistics. “I am honored to recognize these individuals and teams and extend my utmost gratitude to everyone in the supply chain industry for their time, efforts, and innovations to keep our nation’s supply chains afloat.” Thomas (Tom) A. Moore is a 35-year supply chain industry veteran with a background in operations research. He created a niche focused on bringing more advanced mathematics to the supply chain space. During his career, he has developed advanced load-building technology (Transportation | Warehouse Optimization—www.t-wo.com), advanced distribution and planning technology (ProvisionAI www.ProvisionAi.com), and most recently, warehouse and distribution center orchestration technologies (AutoScheduler.ai). He has contributed significantly to the operations of most major consumer goods companies around the world. In 2020, Tom had the innovative idea of taking a developed and battle-tested technology at Procter & Gamble and spinning it into a new organization, AutoScheduler.ai. In doing this, Tom built a team of some of the most successful supply chain and machine learning professionals across multiple industries. This talented team, guided by Tom’s leadership, is focused on creating the warehouse of the future with their customers in consumer goods – bringing predictive and prescriptive orchestration to all operational activities to streamline operations and save money. Since this spin-off and launch took place in August 2020, AutoScheduler.ai has been expanding its presence in P & G and other “top 10” CPG organizations. Ginger Stegmier, Chief Marketing Officer, brings three decades of sales and marketing experience in high tech, SaaS, and supply chain solutions to her strategic consulting initiatives. She is a strong leader, and her expertise in logistics and efficient supply chain practices gives her a unique and efficient perspective on sales and marketing processes. By developing go-to-market strategies around demand generation and digital marketing, combined with visibility and thought leadership initiatives, she has effectively built programs to drive awareness, scale businesses, and increase revenue. Her extensive experiences range from leading marketing for LeanLogistics 2006-2012 for transportation management systems to leadership positions at LLamasoft, Inc. from 2012-2017 for supply chain optimization solutions, as well as providing marketing and executive strategy for Cloud Logistics in 2018, Sixfold & Transporeon in 2019, and CMO services for AutoScheduler.ai in 2020. The 2021 Pros to Know award includes individuals and teams from software and service providers, consultancies and academia, trucking and transportation firms, professional development agencies, sourcing, and procurement divisions, and more, all who have helped supply chain clients and the supply chain community at large prepare to meet many of today’s—and tomorrow’s—challenges. Go to www.sdcexec.com to view the complete list of all 2021 Pros to Know winners. the talented team focused on creating the Warehouse of the Future for Global CPG Organizations
AutoStore unveils Innovation Hub to test and replicate Supply Chain Environments
The test center located in Karmøy, Norway, can replicate hot and cold weather conditions as well as simulate earthquakes AutoStore, a robotic technology company, unveils its Innovation Hub, a pioneering new center located in Karmøy, Norway dedicated to testing and replicating diverse in-store and warehouse environments. As the suppliers of robotic storage and fulfillment technology for Puma, Gucci, Best Buy, and many other global brands, AutoStore is experiencing continued growth in revenue and clients. The robotics company has therefore sought to create a testing facility that can allow for faster fitting of automated systems for its clients in order to keep up with order demand. Built-in just seven months, the facility is fitted with a combination of robotic technology and infrastructure for supply chain and retail facilities that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. The Hub will be able to test the solutions that are developed for global retailers and their store and warehouse facilities. The facility’s environment can also be adjusted to allow the robots to be tested in both hot and cold conditions, analyzing how the oxygen level changes when goods are stacked within storage systems. The Hub also simulates earthquakes to see how warehouse and store technology would respond to potentially harmful situations, as well as a number of other functions. “We identified the need to test solutions under a number of different situations, but we could not set up a test center for cold environments, one for heat, and at the same time one for a modern store solution, one for medical storage, and so on. Therefore, we set up a center where we could simulate different situations and needs. This agile approach offers our clients a competitive market advantage, and places them at the heart of new innovations within the sector that can propel them forwards,” said Karl Johan Lier, CEO of AutoStore. “Within the robotic technology industry, we do not have time to let the processes drag on. As a technology company, we must identify needs, and together with our partners and customers develop good solutions that can work immediately. We live in a time of exponential development in most areas, and then we must be able to develop solutions that are not outdated when they are used,” Lier continued. Micro-fulfillment is coming Micro-fulfillment represents one of the biggest challenges for the retail industry. If a company does not have the item immediately, the consumer will either buy it somewhere else or another product altogether. Handling consumables and groceries from regional distribution centers does not meet the order fulfillment needs and expectations of today, giving room to automation systems that can. Lier predicts that globally there will be major changes in the way stores, chains, shopping centers, and online shopping is set up and organized. Stores, transports, warehouses, and every aspect of logistics will be connected in completely new ways. “The needs will vary from store to store, and industry to industry. Our flexibility must enable the brands to streamline operations in line with their specific needs, and to achieve this we must constantly test and develop new solutions. The AutoStore Innovation hub will play an important role here,” says Lier. AutoStore has set up its automation technology systems in warehouses all over the world. To learn more, please visit https://autostoresystem.com/cases/.