EIKONA Logistics

Description

The EIKONA Cargo Handling module makes hub handling more efficient thanks to early planning and demand-oriented personnel scheduling at ELVIS.

Challenge

What was the challenge in handling shipments for ELVIS? 

The ELVIS part-load network consolidates shipments from the connected regions at its central hub in Knüllwald in northern Hesse. The vehicles arrive at the transshipment hall at fixed arrival times. Trucks from nearby locations are scheduled to arrive first, while articulated lorries from more distant depots only arrive during the peak handling phase between 11 pm and 1 am. Two drivers are deployed on particularly long routes. On average, vehicles arriving at the hub are loaded with around six consignments, each of which takes up five to seven spaces in the truck. According to the network's guidelines, a single consignment can be up to 6.50 meters long. 

To handle the consignments, ELVIS uses two almost identical halls that are located directly next to each other. They are designed so that the trucks drive through in fixed lanes to their transshipment point. Previously, the hall manager had to allocate fixed hall spaces to the goods and was unable to adapt them to the fluctuating quantities. As a result, some areas remained empty, while other bays were insufficient for the volumes on that day. As a result, she was neither able to schedule the forklift drivers before the trucks arrived, nor could she allocate the relational spaces for incoming and outgoing lines in such a way that the shipments could be handled over short distances.

Solution

Solution: software module for data exchange and space allocation 

With the EIKONA Cargo Handling module from the EIKONA Logistics Cloud, ELVIS now has the option of processing advance shipment information. To do this, the partners in the cooperation report exact data for the shipments scheduled via the HUB to the software by 6 p.m. on the day of handling. With this information, the shift manager can decide at an early stage which handling area should be reserved for which vehicle. In addition, the software now also controls the deployment of the industrial trucks and ensures that the unloading of the semi-trailer begins as soon as a truck arrives. As soon as the unloading of a truck begins, the process is displayed in real time in the warehouse control system. This means that the following trucks can now also be scheduled and dispatched seamlessly. In order to be able to dynamically adapt the space and time schedule, the HUB control system also receives current GPS data from the vehicles in advance, including the expected time of arrival (ETA). This means that the hall areas can be pre-allocated in good time and unloading can start immediately after the incoming scan of the respective relation.

Results

"We wanted to digitalize the processes involved in our warehouse handling and structure them with IT support. This gives us the opportunity to transfer know-how at an early stage." 
Andrea Neumann Head of IT Projects and System Administration at ELVIS

Result: Digital process with simple coordination and time reserves 

Instead of planning on sight and with paper, the ELVIS hub now has a digitalized process that enables a flexible and comprehensive overview without employees having to look out of the window. Planning and structure are transparent for everyone involved at all times, and forklift drivers can be scheduled early and efficiently. The complex processes simply interlock and their chronological sequence has created a safety reserve that makes it easier to deal with consignments that show signs of damage to the packaging or the goods themselves. All in all, goods handling in the HUB is now so tightly organized that it requires less specialist knowledge from individual people.

The benefits for logistics: 

• Ahead-of-time shipment information as a basis for pre-planning 
• Transparent coordination of the players involved 
• Precisely structured processes with effective resource planning