Episode 131 – Noviland
On this episode, I was joined by the Director of Business Development at Noviland, Francois Jaffres. Noviland is a cloud-based sourcing platform that helps companies connect with a large manufacturing network. We discuss how Noviland works, how the idea came about, and what trends are being seen during the pandemic. The New Warehouse has also been given a special promo code for you to use, just use TNW20 on Noviland’s site for a $20 credit. Key Takeaways Noviland provides a cloud-based interface for your company to be able to source products to distribute. Francois explains the many different ways that their platform can be utilized. With eCommerce on the rise, we have seen how products have been diversified and come into demand from varying websites. As already established businesses and even new upstart eCommerce sites grow they look to source new products to be able to supply consumer demand. Sourcing these items can be a lot of leg work from establishing relationships with factories, finding factories, or even just knowing who to contact first but Noviland they have an already established relationship with factories and can navigate the whole process for you. Prior to my conversation with Francois, I got the chance to see a live demo. It is very easy to use the platform and really helps to streamline the sourcing process. From my perspective, it is a great tool for those who have a small business looking to source new products or for a company just starting to source their initial product offering. In addition to the easy to use the platform, you have the resources of Noviland working for you which help to coordinate every aspect of the source component of the supply chain. Additionally, it helps to keep your funds secured through Noviland and keeps your money based in America which gives added protection as well. Due to the pandemic, we have certainly seen shifts in consumer behavior which we have talked about multiple times on the podcast but Francois gives us some perspective into what certain products have been sourced more than pre-COVID. He discusses how PPE demand skyrocketed but another interesting increase in sourcing demand was home office items and puzzles. Additionally, he discusses how these demands drove new factories or temporary factories to be opened which resulted in new regulations to ensure that proper safety measures were being taken for certain products. A real example of how flexible and adaptive a supply chain needs to be. Listen to the episode below and use promo code TNW20 for a $20 credit at Noviland! The New Warehouse Podcast EP 131: Noviland
Vanderlande delivers innovative AIRTRAX Pocket to de Bijenkorf
Vanderlande has installed its advanced AIRTRAX Pocket for de Bijenkorf at its Tilburg warehouse, the first large-scale system of its kind in The Netherlands. The omnichannel solution is now fully operational. The Pocket sorter supports three areas on site: B2C orders; B2B store orders storing ‘fast movers’ and eCommerce returns in the storage area. It will be operated on de Bijenkorf’s behalf by Ingram Micro Commerce & Lifecycle Services, a leading provider of supply chain solutions. De Bijenkorf – meaning “the beehive” – is the most renowned chain of high-end premium department stores in the Netherlands. Through its retail and e-commerce stores, the company sells luxury clothing, fashion accessories, cosmetics, and perfume, as well as furniture and home accessories. One of the drivers behind de Bijenkorf’s decision to move to a central warehouse in Tilburg was that its older facilities were no longer fit for purpose. The new 32,159m2 warehouse will supply seven national stores, as well as e-commerce orders from Germany, Luxemburg, Belgium, The Netherlands, France, and Austria. To support its activities, de Bijenkorf required a cutting-edge automated solution that offered a sortation capacity of up to 8,000 items per hour and could handle both e-commerce multi-item and retail orders. Vanderlande’s AIRTRAX Pocket is an innovative and reliable solution for transporting, sequencing, and storing goods. There are approximately 48,000 pockets within the Tilburg system and the solution offers de Bijenkorf a loading capacity of 8,000 pockets per hour. The Pocket sorter will allow de Bijenkorf to handle around 95% of its 210,000 SKUs. “In seeing the operation live, I am highly impressed by the Vanderlande AIRTRAX Pocket,” says Maxim Hurkmans, Business Unit Director, Ingram Micro. “We knew that the solution would become an integral part of our omnichannel warehouse because of its ability to reduce lead and transportation times and improve our stock handling.” “De Bijenkorf has strong growth ambitions and is looking to move into different territories. To do so and to remain competitive, highly automated solutions such as the AIRTRAX Pocket are essential. Not only is the system performing effectively, but Vanderlande worked closely with us at all times during the installation process and has been a truly professional partner,” adds Joeri de Vaan, Senior Manager Operations, Ingram Micro. “Innovations such as the AIRTRAX Pocket showcase our ambition to stay at the forefront of technology in the warehousing sector,” says Vanderlande’s Executive Vice President Warehousing and Parcel, Terry Verkuijlen. “We are proud to have partnered with Ingram Micro on this latest development, and now that the Pocket sorter is live, the warehouse can continue to deliver a first-class shopping experience to its customers.”
Episode 130 – Peak Ryzex’s COVID Coverage
In this episode, I was joined by Jen Ward of Peak-Ryzex where she is the offering manager. We discuss how Peak-Ryzex has been helping companies during COVID-19 with their mobility solutions. I previously spoke with Peak-Ryzex prior to COVID way back on Episode 19 so it is very interesting to see how their offerings have adapted to the current environment. Key Takeaways Peak-Ryzex is a provider of end-to-end digital supply chain solutions. They help with a multitude of projects within your distribution setup and overall supply chain. They are partnered with many high-level vendors that we have also had on the show like Zebra and Honeywell. Peak-Ryzex works to help make your supply chain more efficient and productive. With COVID changing the way that we would normally do many things, Jen explains how they have seen a shift in businesses for companies and how some have pivoted to adapt to the current environment. In doing so, these companies have to remain vigilant from a safety standpoint which has created some new trends within the industry. One of them is going from a “one to many” model to a “one to one” model which means that they are now purchasing more equipment so that each individual has one and it reduces the chance of contamination by sharing devices. This is most commonly seen with wearable devices. Additionally, with handhelds and wearables, the technology has evolved to allow location tracking to understand when people are breaking the recommended six-foot distancing so that it can be addressed. 2020 has certainly increased our awareness of cleanliness and where germs can be present. There are many solutions coming into the industry to help with sanitizing and to make it an easier regular routine. One technology that I have been following and that is very interesting to me is UV light technology. Jen discusses how UV light is now being used to help to sanitize in a less evasive way than some solutions that are being sprayed or applied to areas in other ways. The UV light is UV-C which is a light that can be harnessed in many different ways like a wand, a light bar, or even incorporated into charging stations. The biggest benefit, in my opinion, is that there is no solution that is creating moisture or dampness on your technology devices which helps to prolong the life of your equipment while also keeping your employees safe. Listen to the episode below and let us know how you are keeping things clean in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 130: Peak-Ryzex COVID Coverage
Seeq Number 76 Fastest-Growing Company in N.A. on Deloitte’s 2020 Technology Fast 500
Recognition for Seeq revenue growth and innovation reflects the success of their customers for improving business and operations outcomes through advanced analytics Seeq Corporation, a provider in manufacturing and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) advanced analytics software, announced that it ranked 76 on Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500™, a ranking of the 500 fastest-growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, and energy tech companies in North America now in its 26th year. Seeq also announced it was chosen as a 2020 Red Herring Top 100 North America Winner which recognizes the continent’s most exciting and innovative private technology companies. 2020 Red Herring Top 100 winners were chosen from thousands of entrants, whittled down to hundreds, and then judged on a wide variety of criteria including financial performance, innovation, business strategy, and market penetration. Earlier this year, Seeq landed at No. 261 on the Inc. 5000 list, a prestigious ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies published by Inc. magazine. Seeq enables engineers and scientists in process manufacturing organizations to rapidly analyze, predict, collaborate, and share insights to improve production outcomes. Seeq customers include companies in the oil and gas, pharmaceutical, chemical, energy, mining, food and beverage, and other process industries. Now in its 26th year, Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500 provides a ranking of the fastest-growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, and energy tech companies — both public and private — in North America. Technology Fast 500 award winners are selected based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth from 2016 to 2019. In order to be eligible for Technology Fast 500 recognition, companies must own proprietary intellectual property or technology that is sold to customers in products that contribute to a majority of the company’s operating revenues. Companies must have base-year operating revenues of at least $US50,000 and current-year operating revenues of at least $US5 million. Additionally, companies must be in business for a minimum of four years and be headquartered within North America. “Analytics software for manufacturing customers is an area overdue for innovation,” says Steve Sliwa, CEO and Co-Founder of Seeq. “Spreadsheets replaced pen and paper 30 years ago for analytics and haven’t changed much since. By leveraging big data, machine learning, and computer science innovations, Seeq is enabling a new generation of software-led insights.” Seeq’s innovation and market traction enabled it to close a Series B expansion in September with an investment from Cisco Investments and existing investors. Renewed participation came from Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures, Altira Group, Chevron Technology Ventures, Second Avenue Partners, Next47, the venture group for Siemens, and other existing investors. The Series B expansion increased capitalization by approximately $30 million, which is in addition to previous Series B funding led by Altira Group and Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures, bringing the total investment in Seeq since its inception to approximately $65 million. Seeq’s rapid growth is being fueled in part by its partnerships and commitment to cloud-based computing. Seeq is available in the AWS marketplace, is an AWS Industrial Competency Partner, and supports many AWS services including Redshift, Timestream, SageMaker, and others. On Azure, Seeq has been available in the Azure Marketplace since 2018 and was recently recognized as a 2020 Microsoft Energy Partner of the Year Finalist. Support for Azure services includes Azure Synapse, Azure Data Lake, Azure Data Explorer, Azure Time Series Insights, Azure Notebooks for machine learning integration, and Power Automate. In addition to cloud data services, Seeq connects to an extensive set of data storage platforms from vendors including OSIsoft, Siemens, GE, Honeywell, Inductive Automation, AVEVA, AspenTech, Yokogawa, InfluxDB, Snowflake, and others. Seeq is available worldwide through a global partner network of system integrators, which provides training and resale support for Seeq in over 40 countries, in addition to its direct sales organization in North America and Europe.
Episode 128 – ProGlove
In this episode, I got a chance to speak with Tracy Hansen of ProGlove. Tracy is the president, North America & Global CMO at ProGlove. We discuss ProGlove’s solution, disruptive innovation, and industry 4.0. Key Takeaways ProGlove is a German-based engineering company that is taking a human-centric approach to innovation and shaping the future of smart wearables for industry 4.0. Their newest glove system is a lightweight hand wrap that carries not only the scanner for scanning items for picks and other tasks but also has a display built-in. This is different in comparison to other wearables where you see the display on your wrist and the scanner is typically a ring scanner on your finger. This puts everything in one place for better comfort and visibility as well. One of the major benefits of ProGlove’s scanning devices is the freedom that it gives to the worker. Tracy has a great example where she asks the question can you do a cartwheel with your current solution. In most cases, you probably cannot but the freedom that ProGlove gives your hands allows you to do so much more. Due to this freedom, your productivity will increase because you will pick up valuable seconds on every pick that is typically spent picking up, checking, or manipulating a handheld device in some way. From a safety perspective, ProGlove also gives users better peace of mind by allowing them to have their hands free to lift properly and also hold on to things as necessary. Additionally, Tracy explains a new feature that they have rolled out that helps to keep social distancing in place in the workplace. The unit can sense where other units are so that it will give the user a notification when they get too close to someone else. The device emits a buzz that allows the user and those around to know that they are violating social distancing protocols. The weight of the device also helps to reduce the stress on the worker from doing repetitive motions which helps to reduce potential strain injuries. Tracy and I discuss how the transformation of the industry has been so rapid over the last few years with automation and digitizing many processes, however, humans are still very much a necessity. We discuss how even though so many things are advancing in robotics and industry 4.0 there is still a need for the human workforce. Tracy makes some really great points about how automation and robotics need to be human-centric to allow humans to be more capable and more effective at their jobs. Listen to the episode below and let us know your thoughts in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 128: ProGlove
Stoecklin announces latest version of WMS to improve performance of the entire Picking and Put-away process
New capabilities make product throughout more efficient and provide advanced analytics Stoecklin Logistics, a supplier of innovative supply chain solutions, is upgrading its Logistics Operations Suite warehouse management system (Stoecklin logOS) to help current and future users better control all product movement activities in their distribution and manufacturing centers. The new Stoecklin logOS includes an updated material flow module available now and a comprehensive solution upgrade available in the spring of 2021. Features of the revamped WMS module include an expanded toolbox with many functionalities to choose from based on each customer’s requirements. Prominent among these is a costing tool that calculates extraneous process fees, a hazardous materials module, and new controls for value-added services. There are also added analytics to help drive throughput performance. “We worked with our customers to develop the new warehouse management system, and they first and foremost wanted the solution to manage their entire facility operation including manual picking. Other benefits they asked for and we delivered include improved usability, enhanced data analytics, and more possibilities for the customer. The bottom line is that users now have one system and one platform to make all of their product handling more efficient,” said Marcel Schaub, Head of System Engineering at Stoecklin. The first clients trialing the new solution are a major food and beverage manufacturer in Mexico and a third-party logistics company in Switzerland, both of which are seeing dramatic improvements in product throughput and system controls.
IDEC KW2D Series Smart RFID Reader safely and simply secures Industrial Equipment
Built for easy integration into industrial environments and systems, this new RFID device lets OEMs and end-users implement secure equipment identification, access control, and traceability IDEC Corporation announces the new KW2D series of smart radio frequency identification (RFID) readers. These intelligent RFID readers are designed for easy installation into the typical 22mm panel-mount holes used with machinery, are readily integrated with automation systems, and enable OEMs and end-users to easily apply advanced authentication and authorization measures. Industrial-Grade Identification and Authentication Authenticating users and authorizing them to perform actions and equipment control is fundamental to maintaining safety and security for any operation. Access management also provides traceability for regulatory and analytical purposes. RFID cards and tags are simple and inexpensive to manage, secure, contactless, and robust for industrial environments—while providing flexible ways to configure, manage, and modify privileges. These benefits overcome the problems with other traditional or complex methods such as key switches, magnetic strip cards, passwords, and biometrics. Built for the Field The IDEC KW2D series RFID readers are compact UL listed all-in-one devices installed into typical 22mm panel-mount holes right along with other switches, buttons, and lights. They maintain IP65/67 water-, dust-, and oil-proof ratings and feature push-in power supply terminals. A built-in Ethernet port facilitates easy connectivity to host devices like PLCs and HMIs using Modbus TCP. Three-color white/green/red LED lighting is clearly visible from the front and sides—even at a distance—to indicate standby, successful verification, or error respectively, while a built-in auxiliary buzzer provides audible feedback of successful and error conditions. Users can mix-and-match various RFID tag formats: commercial-style cards, wristbands, stickers, and IDEC-supplied color-coded key fob or card-style tags. The key fob tags are available in five colors, are durable for field conditions, and include enhanced encryption compared with other tag types. RFID Benefits RFID tags are low cost and passive, responding to a short-range radio signal generated by the RFID reader when the two are in close proximity. The KW2D operates at standard 13.56 MHz high-frequency (HF) providing a reading distance of up to 15mm depending on the tag style. Several ISO/IEC communication speeds (type V, A, or F) are supported. IDEC provides the Windows-based RFID configuration software tool free of charge, so users can set up the reader IP address, Modbus TCP server details, tag information, and passwords. Users can take advantage of default authorization levels, or they can customize up to 500 tags with up to 255 authority levels. Configurations can be quickly modified, and lost tags can simply be blocked. Safe and Secure Applications RFID systems are useful for machine tools, material handling, and manufacturing machinery for industries like automotive production, food and beverage, life sciences, plastics, and others. Designers can use the IDEC KW2D RFID reader and tags to supersede traditional locking methods, providing advanced user-level access and safety-related authorization. Traceability is established with RFID-sourced timestamped logs detailing operator activities and operations. RFID tags help end users improve productivity in a convenient and cost-effective manner, maximizing the safe and secure operation of equipment. As with all its products, IDEC offers free tech support for the RFID readers, with no service or support contract required.
Quantum Automation releases QCS IIoT remote monitoring and control software solution
Quantum Automation has created a cloud-based IIoT solution which can be easily deployed to access valuable edge-sourced data and make it accessible for remote viewing, analysis, and control Quantum Automation announces the availability of its QCloudServer industrial internet of things (QCS IIoT) system for remote monitoring and control applications. Traditionally, users have had to experiment with many hardware, software, and networking technologies for IIoT projects. The QCS IIoT solution does the heavy lifting of assembling these technologies, so end-users and systems integrators (SIs) can easily connect to edge-source data, transmit it on-site or to the cloud, aggregate and log the data, perform calculations and analysis as needed, and deliver mobile/web visualization. Easily Access Trapped Data End users and SIs everywhere know there is a lot of valuable data trapped at the industrial edge. It can come from individual sensors, smart devices, machines, automated equipment, or a combination of these. Wired network connectivity may not be available, and cellular data transmission is often the only option. The industry has responded with an assortment of hardware, software, and networking technologies—but researching and applying the right products can be difficult. Quantum Automation has supported industrial clients for decades and has seen the challenges as well as the possibilities. To meet their needs, Quantum has developed the QCS IIoT as a configurable software as a service (SaaS). End-users can define their needs by simply filling out a spreadsheet, and can create a complete and economical IIoT installation—either directly or by engaging an SI—with a system that can be up and running in hours. Practical IIoT IIoT projects typically need some or all the following: Source data: From traditional or smart instruments and devices Edge computing: To gather and pre-process the data Communications: To transmit the data Cloud computing: For aggregating, logging, and supporting data visualization Configurable and custom software modules: To perform advanced calculations, analytics, and insight generation Mobile/web accessibility: So users can view and interact with the information The QCS IIoT can connect with any user-supplied edge systems supporting MQTT. For new and retrofit projects, users may choose to use the Quantum Automation QRTU as a complete field hardware platform, with many PLC and edge communication device options. QCS IIoT can be deployed on the user’s onsite servers, but the best flexibility and management is provided by cloud-hosting on Amazon Web Services (AWS) servers with support for the MQTT protocol. The cloud environment is configurable for standard computing needs, and custom code can be added if needed. Visualization dashboards can be viewed on any internet-connected web browser device—such as a laptop, smartphone, or tablet—for ease of use. Configuring a QCS IIoT Solution Quantum Automation is ready to work with any end-user or SI to define a system configuration and to provide any required hardware. Low-cost training also includes a QCS IIoT development software key, and the software comes with standard built-in dashboards. Subscription fees begin at a low $19.95 per month depending on point count and include initial development and setup, ongoing maintenance of servers and software revisions, and technical support. Custom software development, hardware design and fabrication, and more services and options are also available (for an additional fee) to create any conceivable solution. For OEMs wanting to brand the QCS IIoT solution under their own label, an annual white label agreement is available.
Zethcon’s Synapse WMS selected to support 3PL Midwest Warehouse’s 17 U.S. facilities
Zethcon Corporation, a provider of modern warehouse software, has successfully implemented its flagship product, Synapse WMS, to manage 6 million square feet of warehousing space across 17 facilities for Midwest Warehouse, a third-party logistics (3PL) company. Specifically designed for the unique needs of 3PL providers, the software provides Midwest Warehouse with real-time operational views, customized automated billing and other robust capabilities to better serve customers and improve operational performance. “We needed a more robust WMS that could provide accurate, real-time information to our customers, support a high-volume business-to-consumer ordering platform and improve our operation’s overall efficiency,” says Ed Borkowski, CEO and President, Midwest Warehouse. “We’re very glad that we partnered with the professionals at Zethcon for a project of this magnitude and look forward to working on additional projects with them in the future.” With 225 customers and a combined throughput of 510,000 truckloads per year, Midwest Warehouse looked to Zethcon to keep critical operations on track through the implementation and maximize value from the new WMS. The company experienced immediate benefits upon implementation, including increased inventory accuracy, improved labor forecasting, and increased throughput from 125 pieces per hour up to 325 pieces per hour. Synapse WMS also allowed Midwest Warehouse to optimize its billing processes through automation, with easy configuration according to the needs of each individual customer. “This project demonstrates just how powerful our highly configurable and comprehensive package is for the unique, varied needs of 3PL providers,” says Chris Oechsel, CEO, Zethcon. “We look forward to continuing our partnership with Midwest Warehouse and supporting their needs in an evolving market.” Building on the success of the WMS implementation, Midwest Warehouse has plans to partner with Zethcon on additional packaging, automation, and robotics projects. For the full story of the Midwest Warehouse WMS implementation, watch this video.
Episode 117 – NetSuite
In this episode, I was joined by Ranga Bodla of NetSuite. Ranga is the VP of Field Engagement and Marketing for NetSuite which is an Oracle business unit. We discuss NetSuite, supply chain impacts from COVID-19, and the idea of reshoring. Key Takeaways NetSuite is a robust software platform that can manage many aspects of the business from financials to CRM and of course supply chain. Ranga gives a brief overview of how NetSuite is able to track products through the entire supply chain in real-time and how the size of the businesses that are using NetSuite is very broad. He mentions how the capabilities are suitable for even just a company starting out with a few people who need flexibility and the ability to grow. One of the big shocks to the supply chain from the pandemic this year was how supply quickly dried up for certain items due to closures in certain regions of the world. Ranga discusses how companies might have become dependent on single sources because it had been so easy to get materials in the past. Due to this and trying to run leaner many companies say that this strategy does not work for mitigating risks and might not be the way to operate going forward. Additionally, he points out how it is not easy to just quickly setup manufacturing somewhere else. From this realization, organizations are looking at how to make themselves more nimble. One way to do this is through the concept of reshoring which means bringing certain aspects of the supply chain to a more local location. Ranga discusses how this does not mean uprooting your entire supply chain and moving it but can refer to just starting to move only certain aspects. Most commonly a company would look at manufacturing to be closer but Ranga also points out that sourcing and other aspects of the supply chain can be brought closer to start off with a slower transition. He also mentions the idea of being closer provides an option to not be dependent on ocean freight which can help to improve lead times on certain materials and reduce potential issues during transport. Overall, the pandemic has certainly made us all look at business in a different way. With most of the podcasts that I have done through this time, there is an underlying theme of pivoting and adjusting. The idea of reshoring is just another way to look at pivoting and adjusting your business to adapt to the current times. While it has been a dark time, it has also been a time for a lot of opportunities to emerge and some very different thinking of how to make things still happen. Listen to the episode below and let us know if you are adjusting your supply chain in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 117: NetSuite
Crosby|Straightpoint launches multi-function INSIGHT Software
Crosby|Straightpoint has launched its multifaceted INSIGHT software that allows users to monitor up to 126 load cells from up to 700m (2,300 ft.) away, before and during a lift Using the multi-channel display and data logging mode, users can view and log load data from connected individual and multiple load cells, live on-screen, and directly into a .csv file for later analysis at speeds of up to 200Hz. The visualization mode is designed for more complicated lifts and allows the import of a photo of the lift, in addition, to drag and drop load cell displays. In other words, it makes the screen look like the lift. Proof load testing capability allows real-time graphing of load tests and auto-generates test certificates. Finally, INSIGHT can be used to weigh and calculate the center of gravity of large items and structures. David Mullard, business development manager at Crosby|Straightpoint, said: “Each of INSIGHT’s main features represents cutting-edge load monitoring technology in their own right, but what really distinguishes the system is its ability to perform all of those tasks—from multi-channel data logging to center of gravity—with one single software purchase and wireless dongle. Compared to alternative solutions on the market, INSIGHT offers superior functionality and user-friendliness. What we’re delivering is therefore unprecedented.” Mullard explained that INSIGHT is used to scan for wireless load cells within a 700m (2,300 ft.) area, which allows an entire site to be monitored, or a select number of load monitoring products on a planned critical lift. Users can select load cells within the system based on their serial numbers. “You can remotely wake-up load cells that are already rigged in the application, get the signal, and start monitoring to keep equipment, loads, and people safe.” INSIGHT utilizes Crosby|Straightpoint’s Proof Test plus software to record data gathered by a Radiolink plus load cell, load shackle, or compression load cell, for example. It can create a pass or fail certificate that includes test data and graphs charting data from the load versus time throughout a test. Another INSIGHT feature is a visual and audible alarm that indicates overload, underload, low battery, and communications errors. “The user might want to know when a 1t capacity hoist is at or approaching capacity, and / or a 5t capacity crane is nearing its working load limit. All data can be captured and presented in a report or verified on a certificate, giving users and their customer’s complete insight and traceability,” added Mullard. INSIGHT is separate from Crosby|Straightpoint’s Handheld plus device and Bluetooth app. Mullard said that the transition to INSIGHT will typically happen when more than four load cells are being employed and monitored.
EP 113: Salute to Women in Material Handling
This episode is the latest installment in our partnership with Material Handling Wholesaler where we bring you some additional insights for their monthly cover story. For October 2020, we are doing a salute to women in material handling with guests Emily Soloby and Rebecca Butao. You may remember Emily from Episode 54 as the founder of Juno Jones and also co-owner of AAA School of Trucking and now the host of the Hazard Girls Podcast. Rebecca is the National Accounts Manager at Hannibal Industries dealing with all things racking. I have to admit that this is probably one of my personal favorite episodes that I have done and it was a lot of fun to record. Key Takeaways Both Emily and Rebecca started out their careers in different industries than the material handling industry but eventually saw opportunities that lead them to where they are now. As Emily and Rebecca describe the journey that has gotten them to where they are now you can see the benefits of pursuing potential opportunities. They both were willing to take a risk and also stayed mentally strong to persevere through whatever criticism might have been thrown their way. One of the big things that have helped to give more exposure to women in the material handling field and other non-traditional industries is the growing communities. Emily and Rebecca both discuss how they are involved in different communities where like-minded women are able to connect and discuss their experiences in these industries. Rebecca discusses MHEDA’s Women in Industry Initiative and Emily talks about her Hazard Girls Facebook group that she created as their community platforms. What they have found is that there are many women going through similar things and the community helps to support them. With no surprise, Rebecca and Emily have faced a lot of adversity throughout their career. I have heard things myself towards women in our industry and it is just a terrible thing. There is no reason for it and to me it is ridiculous. It is sad to hear what they have been through but it is truly motivating to hear how they took those comments and turned them into motivation to drive them through their career. It is truly a great motivator that anyone can learn from and use to motivate themselves through adversity. Listen to the episode below and check out the October 2020 cover story of Material Handling Wholesaler here. EP 113: Salute to Women in Material Handling
JLT Mobile Computers launches 10-inch rugged Android VMT to future‑proof warehouse productivity
Engineered to fit into tight vehicle cabins, JLT’s new RISC-based VM3010A computer brings the operational efficiency advantages of Android to a rugged vehicle-mount form factor JLT Mobile Computers, a supplier of reliable computers for demanding environments, announces an addition to its rugged vehicle-mount portfolio to help customers in logistics, warehousing and other demanding industries boost productivity. The new JLT VM3010A computer is an Android 9.0-based rugged vehicle-mount terminal (VMT) that packs the high computing performance of a Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 660 Octa-core 2.2GHz RISC processor into a 10-inch form factor. This combination makes for a powerful yet compact rugged unit that fits seamlessly into the tightest vehicle cabins to increase and future-proof warehouse productivity. “With Windows Mobile going end of life this year, the demand for Android in the rugged industrial space is growing rapidly as customers are looking for a future-proof solution to sustain their operational efficiency,” notes Per Holmberg, CEO of JLT Mobile Computers Group. “The new JLT VM3010A addresses both these needs from a design as well as a service perspective. That’s because the new VMT not only ticks all the boxes on the specification sheet; it also comes with the complete peace of mind guarantee of JLT’s no-questions-asked service agreement and commitment to keep devices up and running long after deployment.” Thanks to its familiar capacitive multi-touch Android user interface, the new JLT VM3010A computer is easy and intuitive to use, which helps to minimize input errors and increase workforce productivity. The powerful Snapdragon chipset provides a further efficiency boost by speeding up operation. Add to that the tough magnesium alloy housing, IP65 sealing, wide range of power input and power isolation, rich set of I/O ports, versatile wireless connectivity options, and quick-release docking station, which allows the device to be removed with a single click, and it becomes clear that the JLT VM3010A vehicle-mount computer is an optimal choice for any application where industrial-grade computing performance, enterprise mobility, and ruggedness are key. Designed for the most demanding environments, the JLT VM3010A rugged computers are also supported by JLT’s comprehensive and no-questions-asked service commitment that guarantees maximum uptime for years after deployment. Called JLT: Care, this unique service agreement is devoid of the usual limitations and exclusions, giving customers complete peace of mind that JLT will keep their devices up and running. To learn more about the new 10-inch JLT VM3010A rugged Android VMT and the company’s other computer products, services, and solutions,
Episode 108 – 6 River Systems Then and Now
In this episode, I caught up with Fergal Glynn of 6 River Systems twice! For the beginning of the episode we caught up at MODEX 2020 just before the pandemic hit and at the end of the episode, you will hear our more recent discussion talking about what has happened since MODEX 2020 and what impact COVID-19 has had for 6 River Systems and its customers. FLOW 2020 Before we jump into some key takeaways for this episode, I wanted to let you know that FLOW 2020 is taking place this Wednesday and Thursday (9/16 and 9/17). This is 6 River’s annual event bringing together over 40 speakers for FREE to help keep you up to speed on what is happening in fulfillment, logistics, and automation. FLOW is sure to be an exciting virtual event with lots of information being shared to help you stay up to date during these pandemic times. One of our former guests, Rafael Granato, will also be a speaker so be sure to register and soak up some knowledge. You can register here. Key Takeaways 6 River Systems is focused on empowering the worker by increasing throughput and improving productivity with their automated solutions. They provide a robot named Chuck to help move goods within the flow of your operation. Chuck is incredibly flexible in how it can be configured in terms of size and deployment. With the same technology as autonomous vehicles, Chuck has no need for any changes to your facility and can be put in place with ease. Onboard software is constantly thinking of the next step ensuring that all picking processes are being handled as efficiently as possible. As I caught up with Fergal at MODEX 2020 we talked about the big news since we had first connected on Episode 14 which was that 6 River Systems was acquired by Shopify in the fall of 2019 for a nice sum of $450 million. Shopify recognized the opportunity that 6 River provides them to expand their fulfillment suite. With the acquisition, Shopify begins to be able to increase their physical product offering as well as digital to help fulfillment businesses expand and expand more efficiently. Fergal discusses how the acquisition and support from Shopify are helping them to continue to expand their offerings and improve their technology. MODEX Fergal also discussed how 6 River System’s goal has always been to solve the fulfillment problem in all aspects of the fulfillment center. They started by looking at the picking process which had the most opportunity to improve efficiency. As this has been established, 6 River has built out more robust software that can now handle other functionality in the fulfillment center. They are still utilizing the same AMR, Chuck, but he is now able to handle replenishment, sortation, and pack out in addition to picking. Their ultimate goal is to provide a wall to wall solution to help automate the entire fulfillment process. At the end of the episode, you can hear us discuss how things have changed over the pandemic since MODEX and how 6 River Systems has adapted to the new work environment. What is interesting to hear is how the pandemic has actually helped them to accelerate certain things they already had planned. One of those being deployment. Fergal discusses how they are able to do completely remote deployments now without sending any “Rivs” or 6 River employees on site. This is an incredible step forward for deployments and also a big step in increasing the ease of the 6 River Systems solution. Listen to the full episode below and watch the video of Fergal and me at MODEX 2020 below when we were still having in-person meetings. For more information on 6 River Systems head to their website here. To connect with Fergal find him on LinkedIn here.
JLT Mobile Computers shares tips and best practices on the right rugged computer for optimum business productivity
Second expert guide by a leading supplier of rugged mobile computing devices and solutions for logistics, warehousing, and other challenging environments highlights the importance of looking beyond product specifications and prices when procuring rugged devices 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. The second guide in the series covers the many aspects of choosing and buying the right rugged computers. It is available for free download here. Compared to the purchase of office or enterprise computers, the selection of rugged computing equipment for mobile workforces in harsh industrial environments includes numerous considerations other than just product specifications and initial purchase price. Each field operation is different and has different requirements. Different types of technologies may or may not work with each other. Getting it right will boost productivity and motivate the workforce. Getting it wrong has costly implications. “Getting the exact right computers and systems for the mobile workforce, on foot or in vehicles, is a complex ballgame,” said Per Holmberg, CEO of JLT Mobile Computers Group. “They may need something that’s small and handy or something mounted in a truck or on a forklift. It may rain, temperatures may be extreme, sunlight may be a factor, how long the battery lasts, or how well wireless works. You can’t just buy rugged gear on product spec; there’s much more to it than just the computer. The workforce must be comfortable with it, everything must work together, everything must be matched to the operation. At JLT we’ve been in this business for decades. We know how it works and we know what matters. And in this guide, we’re sharing what we’ve learned about getting the right tools for the job with our customers.” Entitled “How to choose and buy the right rugged computers for your business”, the second free guide in the JLT series discusses everything that matters in filling the computing needs of mobile workforces with the exact right systems and equipment. That includes balancing wish lists with technological and operational realities. Determining the right type of form factors and technologies. Facilitating testing and buy-in from the workforce. Protecting your investment and assessing the total cost of ownership. The guide walks you through the important points and issues one by one. How to decide on the right types of mobile computing equipment as well as the pros and cons of each type. How to match equipment to your work environment so you only pay for the ruggedness you actually need. Learn about crucial key elements such as display and touch technologies. Assess the proper size and weight, making sure the equipment feels “right” on the job. Analyze power needs; unlike desktops that simply plugin, powering mobile computers means balancing factors such as weight, cost, size, lifecycles, and technologies. Decide on the right mobile connectivity, as it is much more complex than in an office or enterprise. Determine actual processing performance needs; don’t get too little or too much. And, finally, learn the importance of accessories and peripherals as part of a successful mobile system. To get the free guide and start learning what to look for and what to avoid when buying your next rugged devices, go to https://jltmobile.com/guide-how-to-buy-rugged/?utm_campaign=rugged_device_guide_pr.
Episode 100 – Ware at MODEX 2020
In this episode, I was joined by the CEO of Ware, Ian Smith at MODEX 2020. You may remember Ian from Episode 36 where we first introduced you to Ware. Now we are at episode 100!!!! (Can’t believe it!) Ian and I discuss Ware’s partnership with Skydio, skepticism around drones, and how the machine learning platform works. Key Takeaways Ware provides a platform that allows you to utilize autonomous drones for your cycle counting activities. They have created the software that captures all of the data that is needed. As Ian discusses they are not a drone company but a data company. With their platform, the drone simply becomes the tool needed to help capture the data. At MODEX they had just announced their partnership with Skydio to provide drones for their platform. There will always be some skepticism around robotics and autonomy so Ian and I discuss how they address the skeptics around drones being used in the warehouse. Ian explains how they assessed the current options and took a different approach by focusing on their platform instead of the hardware portion. The Ware platform is smarter and utilizes AI to give you more data and get it to you quicker allowing you to see results fairly quickly. Additionally, Ian has an extensive background in drones and addresses skepticism around the drone’s ability to accurately fly around a facility by just demonstrating it. One of the most interesting things about their platform to me is how they utilize machine learning to make the program work better over time. Ian explains how the training data allows for the system to recognize your specific identifiers such as labels, LPNs, and barcodes. As these things are taught to the AI platform it is able to decrease the amount of time it takes to process each location it is viewing. Over time the system evolves which helps your inventory program to become even stronger over time. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 100: Ware at MODEX For more information on Ware head to their website here. To connect with Ian find him on LinkedIn here. For more on drones check out Ian’s podcast.
Equipment Depot announces dedicated EQ SOLUTIONS™ Group providing transformative warehouse and automation solutions
Equipment Depot has announced the formation of EQ SOLUTIONS™, their specialized division dedicated to engineering transformative warehouse and automation solutions for manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution facilities. EQ SOLUTIONS helps businesses evolve their warehouse operations by designing and implementing integrated solutions with the right equipment, racking, automated systems, and advanced technology to maximize productivity and throughput, decrease labor costs, and enable businesses to easily scale up or down to meet demand. With the support of its parent company Mitsubishi Logisnext, Equipment Depot plans to considerably invest in the EQ SOLUTIONS division over the next several years, hiring top talent, expanding its product portfolio, and continuing to build upon the company’s current warehouse solutions expertise. Through EQ SOLUTIONS, Equipment Depot customers can transfer the burden of managing warehouse transformation projects to a specialized team and a single source for warehouse design, engineering, software integration, racking and storage, conveyors, automated equipment, material handling, implementation, training, and ongoing maintenance. According to Equipment Depot President & CEO David Turner, “Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, we were already seeing a growing number of companies considering semi- and fully automated solutions to increase efficiency and supplement their warehouse personnel, and that interest has only accelerated in recent months.” He further explained, “We are excited to launch our EQ SOLUTIONS division during this time of economic fluctuation. Equipment Depot is fortunate to have the stability and backing of Mitsubishi Logisnext, who understand our desire to provide the superior service and innovative solutions our customers need to future-proof their businesses.”
BluJay’s latest software releases empower organizations to navigate disruption across global supply chains
Expanded capabilities provide advanced data sharing, capacity planning, shipment tracking and optimized payment, insurance, and compliance processes across global supply chains BluJay Solutions, a provider of supply chain software and services, has released version 20.2 of its transportation, distribution, and compliance software applications. BluJay’s latest version offers expanded capabilities to provide advanced data sharing, capacity planning, and shipment tracking to optimize payment, insurance, and compliance processes across global supply chains. “Over the last several months the supply chain industry has faced disruption in ways that it never has before. They say necessity is the mother of invention – or here at BluJay, of innovation,” said David Landau, Chief Product Officer at BluJay Solutions. “The investments we’ve made across our product portfolio accelerate our customers’ abilities to meet new and complex challenges. Across the board, our teams are partnering with our clients to bring them new features, new modules, and new ways to leverage our vast network of carriers and 3PLs, and to help them more easily navigate ongoing changes impacting their logistics operations.” Enhancements included in version 20.2 of BluJay’s software applications include: Network solutions – SpotFinder, BluJay’s streamlined capacity identification tool for the carrier network, has been enhanced to support additional equipment types, display primary and additional carrier contacts, as well as various workflow improvements to provide shippers with context around historical usage of carriers. Partner integrations – With the addition of TriumphPay’s platform to BluJay’s Websettle in the Transportation Management application, users have access to optimized freight payment services to process, settle, and manage carrier payments across all modes of transportation. This integration allows carriers to avoid waiting weeks or months to get paid, while reducing the shipper’s administrative burden and resources needed to process carrier invoices. Also, the TMS is now integrated with RMIS (Registry Monitoring Insurance Services Inc.) to provide up-to-date insurance information in the Carrier profile. BluJay’s Transportation Management supports a process for validating carrier insurance that will help prevent or warn load planners prior to tendering to carriers with insurance that is about to expire. Tailored data insights – BluIQ by BluJay users can create multiple dashboards and tailor them to their specific needs. Added flexibility and usability enhancements make the table widget easier to use and more effective. Parcel visibility – Upgrades to BluJay’s Parcel Track and Trace module allow users to track single or multiple package details of a shipment and also import shipments not processed through BluJay’s Parcel application. Users also have the ability to search for shipments using an Advanced Tracking function. With a wide range of search criteria that can be saved for future use, Track and Trace display a detailed view of each milestone status update and a summary grid with the number of shipments per milestone status sorted by location and carrier. Enhanced usability for LSP Platform – The LSP Platform has been upgraded to offer a web front-end for uploading master data (MDM) directly into the application, saving users time and reducing errors. PTV xServer2 map support has been added as well, allowing users to display map layers (truck attributes, traffic, toll, etc.) directly in the LSP Platform. Expanded compliance coverage for global trade efficiency – In Customs Management-US, country and procedures coverage has been updated to include program changes for the implementation of the United States-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) Trade Agreement, as well as the programs necessary for filing data for U.S. Fish & Wildlife-regulated goods. In Customs Management-Global, new country procedure coverage was added for France (NSTI, ECS and Exit confirmation), and the Netherlands (Venue and ECS notifications) In Germany, BluJay’s Customs Management-ZABIS® platform is now certified for New Computerized Transit System (NCTS) declarations for its new upgraded UI, and available within the same platform as Customs Management-Global. Improved fleet dispatch operations – In BluJay’s mobility solution, MobileSTAR, dispatchers can now manage and be alerted to exceptions based on maximum capacity, which means they can fully utilize the capacity of the fleet while helping ensure they do not overload the capacity of a vehicle, at the same time having the option to set caps on the job, consignment, and item levels. In addition, mobile users can now send an urgent message if a driver needs assistance due to an accident or for queries that require a quick response. A notification box will appear at the top of Dispatcher when in the planning or user dashboard area until it has been acknowledged.
MHS wins SDCE 100 recognition for UPS hub expansion
The award recognizes advanced automated solution for parcel superhub MHS, a single-source provider of material handling automation and software solutions, announces its recognition on Supply and Demand Chain Executive’s list of innovative supply chain projects. The company earned its place on the 2020 SDCE 100 for the design and implementation of high-performance automated systems in the expanded UPS ground operations hub at its Louisville Centennial campus. MHS completed the project six months ahead of schedule and more than doubled the now one-million-square-foot facility’s throughput to 85,000 packages per hour. The solution includes two separate systems to accommodate significant package variety, one for small parcels and another for large, irregularly shaped packages. Several miles of conveyor and multiple scan tunnels support the sorters and provide data for control software to direct package routing. “Winning recognition on the SDCE 100 is an incredible honor, as is having such an exceptional customer,” says Pat Cowgill, senior vice president, MHS. “Our relationship with them allowed us to deliver a system that met all business requirements and got them up and running ahead of schedule.” With the hub operating on a 24/7 schedule and the project including retrofits, new equipment installation and integration, MHS used a phased approach to minimize disruption. This allowed UPS to reap the benefits of an interim boost in capacity before the project was completely finished, expanding from 39,000 to 60,000 parcels per hour during the 2018 peak season. And when UPS expressed interest in expediting the project timeline, an experienced field service team worked overtime to get the project completely finished and online in April 2019 – six months ahead of the original schedule. Today, UPS considers the facility a super hub, one of its 10 largest ground-sorting facilities in the world.
Episode 87 – Ideal Warehouse Innovations at MODEX 2020
In this episode, I met with Dirk Seis who is the Director of Marketing at Ideal Warehouse Innovations. We met at MODEX 2020 in The New Warehouse booth to discuss their new trailer stand innovations and other safety offerings. Key Takeaways Ideal Warehouse Innovations’ slogan is “Protecting Your People” and they provide over 1,000 SKUs to ensure that your facility is safe all the way from your yard to the inside of your building around your racking. As their name suggests they have personally come up with many innovative and patented products to ensure safety in your facility. Dirk goes into detail in this episode on just what exactly is a trailer stand for those that are not familiar. This is a very important safety device that can help to prevent a serious accident. What can potentially happen when a trailer is docked and the truck has pulled away is the landing gear can fail to cause the trailer to tip. As you can imagine if someone is in the area outside it can be a high risk for injury and an even higher risk for injury if someone is inside the trailer whether on foot or on the forklift. The trailer stand keeps the trailer from tipping in case the landing gear fails. Ideal’s trailer stands have no lifting capacity and are easily placed under the nose of the trailer to ensure safety if something fails. Their new auto stand wide covers a wider area on the trailer than the industry standard. This helps to cover side to side movement of forklifts inside the trailer as weight is being shifted from left to right. The second innovation that Dirk discusses is the shuntable trailer stand. This is a touch-less solution for a trailer stand. It is designed so that a shunt truck can pick up the stand and place it underneath the trailer. With this design, there is no need for a human to be in the yard which reduces the risk of safety incidents greatly. Listen to our interview or watch it below. You can also see a demonstration of how easy the trail stand is to use. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 87: Ideal Warehouse Innovations at MODEX