smart logistics - september 2012
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‘SMART LOGISTICS’ is a techno-commercial magazine aimed at providing smart solutions for the logistics companies to spearhead the growth momentum. An eclectic mix of business insights, technological developments and growth opportunities, this monthly magazine is a ready-reckoner for news, views, growth opportunities in logistics industry.TRANSCRIPT
AUGUST 2012 • SMART LOGISTICS • 5
VIEWPOINT VIEWPOINT
TURNING POTENTIAL INTO PROFIT
Archana [email protected]
IT’S easy to name ‘mobility’ and ‘wireless’ as trends, but it’s less clear exactly what direction these developments are heading in and how they can be used to improve business. What’s missing in all this attention is context, particularly regarding how adoption of these technologies is creating improvements in enterprise and supply chain operations.
For example, identifying mobile computing, printing and GPS as growth technologies doesn’t explain how a certain field service provider combined them to save at least 40 minutes per crew per day, and up to $2.1 million in overtime. In short, this edition of Smart Logistics dedicated to the new age smart technologies is not just information of these new vectors of visibility, but what it can do to our businesses…the leap from potential to profit!
It becomes all the more important to delve into details about this ‘forever hot topic’ because yesterday’s supply chains have evolved into today’s complex supply networks. Unique lineups of businesses and individuals are drawn together, creating a series of opportunities for each other. This reality makes managing the supply chain more complex than ever. With a vast number of products offered through physical stores, catalogs, websites and the quickly developing m-commerce channel, retailers are utilising advances in technology to improve supply chain efficiency.
Many firms have found that they can make major reductions in cost by leveraging their warehouse and transportation management systems, and using barcodes, advanced picking & even RFID technologies. Other firms have dramatically reduced inventory and improved customer service by using advanced planning & scheduling systems. Still others have saved millions by performing an in-depth facility network optimisation analysis. Many companies have balanced the pain versus the gain of new technology and achieved huge benefits. If properly applied, technology can be a major part of turning your supply chain into a generator of economic profit, enabling companies to cut cost and inventory as well as enhance customer service.
So, what is the next big thing that will shape supply chain technology? We believe it will be technology that clearly drives economic profit, both short term and long term, and it will be heavily influenced by the external environment. For example, if transportation costs in the long run increase much faster than overall inflation, companies will need to apply increasingly powerful technology which can answer some tough questions.
If customers of the future require more choice and customisation, it is safe to say that firms will need to handle and react to increasingly large volumes of data and customise supply chain service & product solutions for individual markets.
So, as we soak in technology, it is important to acknowledge that creating a profitable supply chain requires a commitment from management to execute proper technology & processes, and a variety of obstacles lie in the way of achieving this goal. But companies that successfully offer product-enhancing services to their customers significantly increase revenue, drive long-term customer retention and increase customer loyalty.
That’s the recipe for turning potential into profit.
VOL. 03, NO. 06 SEPTEMBER 2012CONTENTS
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VIEWPOINT 5NEWS, VIEWS & ANALYSISLatest Happenings In The World Of Logistics 10TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATIONSCutting-edge Solutions 15PRICE TRENDS 18TENDERS 55EVENT CALENDAR 59PRODUCT UPDATE 62PRODUCT & ADVERTISERS’ INDEX 64PRODUCT & ADVERTISERS’ INQUIRY FORM 65
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
TIPS & TRICKSTechnology Selection7 Ways To Identify The Best-fi t Technology 54EVENT REPORTS
Engineering Expo Ahmedabad 2012Brimming With Bright Prospects 56Supply Chain Transformations 2012Deriving At Logistics’ Possibilities & Opportunities 58
IN CONVERSATION WITH‘Technology Can Signifi cantly Alter The Dynamics Of Supply Chain’ R Rajesh Balaji, VP – Manufacturing and Logistics Practice, Cognizant
20
SPECIAL FOCUS: TECH TRENDS IN SUPPLY CHAIN
Supply Chain Tech InnovationsTrending Technologies 2012 And Beyond... 24
22GenX Technologies Aligning Supply Chain Performance
New-age Rail TechnologiesTime To Bring Rail Freight On Track 26New-age Shipping TechnologiesEnhancing The Logistics Experience 29Execution-driven Planning SolutionsBridging The Gap Between Planning And Execution 31Multi-enterprise SystemsEnabling Visibility Of A Responsive Supply Chain 33Remote Monitoring TechnologiesSmart Tracking Solutions For SCM 35Green TechnologiesWading Its Way Through The Supply Chain 37RFID Benefi tsOffering Unmatched Flexibility, Delivering Fast RoI 39
SECTOR WATCHRail LogisticsTime To Encash On The Rail Advantage 44
RETAILMulti-store & Multi-location ManagementTech Edge For Retailing Brilliance 42
WAREHOUSING & DC
50PhysicalityEnsuring Quick Returns On Investment
AUTOMATION TRENDS
52OneSCM Demand CollaboratorMitigating The Bullwhip Effect
STRATEGY
48Multimodal TransportationHarnessing The Power Of Last Mile Connectivity
SHIPPINGOcean Freight Unlocking Value In Hidden Cost Drivers 46
Cover Illustration: Chaitanya Surpur
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10 • SMART LOGISTICS SMART LOGISTICS • SEPTEMBER 2012SEPTEMBER 2012
L A T E S T H A P P E N I N G S I N T H E W O R L D O F L O G I S T I C SNEWS, VIEWS & ANALYSISNEWS, VIEWS & ANALYSIS
A partnership to promote imports
and re-exports of apparel and fashion
between Asia, the Colon Free
Zone (CFZ) and Latin American
destinations was signed by Panamanian
company Exclusive Brands Logistics
Corp (EBL) and Damco Panama.
The logistics deal is the first of its
nature for the fashion industry in
Panama. The hub will handle around
35,000 cubic metres (CBMs) of goods
per year.
EBL is a leading provider of value-
added services, including packing and
labelling, to the fashion and apparel
industry in the CFZ—the commercial
distribution centre located at the
Atlantic gateway of the Panama Canal.
Under the agreement, EBL will
provide specialised services for luxury
fashion brands, while Damco—the
logistics arm of AP Moller–Maersk
Group—will provide supply
chain, transportation and freight
forwarding services from source to
final destination.
“In this partnership, there are three
key points: the origin of the purchase,
the CFZ and the final destination
of the goods. EBL does the value-
added logistics service in our Panama
facilities and Damco does the
transportation and international supply
chain, allowing customers to focus
on their purchasing and sales,” said
Alfredo Maduro, MD, EBL.
In Panama, Damco has warehousing
facilities on both the Atlantic and
Pacific side, with operations in Panama
Pacifico Special Area, in the Corozal
processing zone and the industrial area
of Parque Sur.
THE government plans to provide
road connectivity to around 50
minor ports in the next five years.
“The government envisages to
undertake a special package for the
development of road connectivity
for about 50 minor ports in the
12th Five Year Plan (2012–17),”
Jitin Prasada, Minister of State for
Road Transport and Highways,
recently informed the Lok Sabha in a
written reply.
The National Highways Authority
of India (NHAI) received proposals
for the development of road
connectivity to six non-major ports in
Odisha (i.e., Astranga, Baliharachandi,
Gopalpur, Dhamara, Chudamani
and Subarnarekha), from the State
Government of Odisha.
He added, “It is premature
for indicating any timeframe for
completion of these projects.”
Apart from 50 such ports, there
are 12 major or big-size ports—
Mumbai, Jawaharlal Nehru Port
Trust, Kolkata (with Haldia),
Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Cochin,
Paradip, New Mangalore, Marmagao,
Ennore, Tuticorin and Kandla.
DAMCO AND EBL CREATE THE WORLD’S FIRST LOGISTICS HUB IN PANAMA
MIV Logistics Pvt Ltd, a company promoted by Infrastructures Kerala Ltd
(INKEL) in association with Mfar Enterprises Pvt Ltd and VKL Estates Pvt
Ltd is developing a container freight station at Vallarpadam.
It will come up on 18.5 acre of land taken on lease from Cochin Port Trust
for 30 years at an estimated cost of `70 crore. The facility is expected to be partly
operational by December and fully operational by October 2013. When fully
commissioned, it will have a capacity to handle 1 lakh TEUs per annum, both
for export and import. The facility will have a warehouse of 60,000 sqft capacity.
It will have an open yard of over 5 lakh sqft for storage of containers.
CONTAINER FREIGHT STATION TO COME UP IN VALLARPADAM
ROAD CONNECTIVITY TO 50 MINOR PORTS IN THE NEXT 5 YEARS
CEVA Logistics recently opened its
new multi-user warehouse complex
in Auckland, as part of the company’s
commitment to strengthen its
international airfreight, oceanfreight
and contract logistics operations
in New Zealand. The 16,500 sqm
complex is strategically located
within the Auckland Airport
Business District—the largest
transport hub in New Zealand—
ensuring proximity to business
activity and air service connectivity
throughout the country as well as
overseas. The district also provides
easy access to Auckland and is
within 35 km of both the Auckland
CBD and Port of Auckland.
The complex boasts over 4,000
pallet positions, Technology Asset
Protection Association (TAPA)-
level security and a state-of-the-art
warehouse management system.
With a layout configured for
maximum efficiency, this multi-user
facility is designed to deliver a range
of tangible benefits to customers’
supply chains through economies of
scale and best practice processes.
Grant Lowe, Country Manager,
CEVA, New Zealand, said, “The
new facility will enhance our service
to existing and prospective customers,
while extending the reach of our
integrated freight management &
contract logistics service capabilities
across both the North and South
Islands of New Zealand and into
Australia and the Asia-Pacific region,
which is becoming increasingly
important to our customers. We
have experienced strong growth over
the past 12 months and the new
facility marks both an important step
forward in addressing new market
opportunities and reinforcing New
Zealand’s strategic importance to
CEVA in the region.”
CEVA EXTENDS ITS FOOTPRINT IN NEW ZEALAND
12 • SMART LOGISTICS SMART LOGISTICS • SEPTEMBER 2012SEPTEMBER 2012
NEWS, VIEWS & ANALYSISL A T E S T H A P P E N I N G S I N T H E W O R L D O F L O G I S T I C SNEWS, VIEWS & ANALYSIS
GATI Ship Pvt Ltd, a 100% subsidiary
of Gati Ltd, recently announced
a dedicated shipping route service
between Chennai-Yangon-Chennai
to help businesses maximise the trade
potential between the two countries.
Gati Ship is the only licenced
operator making several voyages a
month between India and Myanmar via
Port Blair. It is the only direct service
operator on the East Coast of India–
Myanmar route. Gati also operates
two container yards at Chennai and
Port Blair, which increases capability
and provides for efficient handling of
the cargo.
“With the opening up of trade
relations between India and Myanmar
and an aggressive bilateral trade
projection, we see a lot of business
potential on this route. Our expertise
and excellent relations in the Myanmar
Shipping industry will be an added
advantage,” said Dhruv Agarwal, VP,
Gati Ship.
The trade potential between India
and Myanmar is expected to double
to $2 billion by 2015. The proposed
Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport
Project envisages a direct trade corridor
between a port in Myanmar and Indian
ports on the eastern coast, which will
then pass through riverine transport
and lastly by road to Mizoram. It
would further boost trade between the
two countries.
AUTO major Toyota is setting up
a KES 1.28 billion logistics hub
in Nairobi that will be used by 13
countries to source vehicles directly
from Japan. With the help of its
trading and investment arm, Toyota
Tsusho Corporation, the firm signed
an MoU with the Vision 2030
Delivery Board that will facilitate
the establishment of the centre and
support collaborations with the Kenyan
Government in the automobile, power
& energy, petroleum and mineral
resource, environmental infrastructure,
agricultural industrialisation areas.
Kuniaki Yamagiwa, MD, Toyota
Tsusho Corporation (TTC), said,
“Kenya has caught attention in recent
years as a major African hub, as the
nation has grown rapidly along with the
economic development of the Common
Market for Eastern and Southern
Africa, Comesa. It is a priority in the
company’s global 2020 vision.”
“The hub will also house a technical
training centre that will offer both
managerial and mechanical courses
for prospective employees in the
automotive industry. The project is
underway and will be operational soon.
Apart from technical training, the
institute will also bring up people with
managerial skills,” said Dennis Awori,
Chairman, Toyota Kenya.
ABG Shipyard Ltd, the country’s
largest private ship building
company, announced 22% increase
in total income to `640.64 crore for
the quarter-ended June 30, 2012, on
the back of strong order execution by
the company as against `525.13 crore
in the same period of last fiscal. Net
Profit in Q1FY13 increased 3.12% to
`41.31 crore as against `40.06 crore
in the corresponding period of the
previous year. EBIDTA increased by
35.56% and stood at `166.26 crore
for the quarter. The total order book
stands at approximately `16,500
crore as on June 30, 2012.
GATI SHIP ANNOUNCES A DEDICATED SHIPPING ROUTE ON THE CHENNAI-YANGON-CHENNAI STRETCH
TOYOTA TO SET UP LOGISTICS CENTRE IN NAIROBIABG SHIPYARD Q1FY 2013 TOTAL
INCOME RISES 22% TO `640.64 CR
Gati Plans Expansion In Cold Chain Arena Gati Kausar—a division of the company that handles distribution of temperature-controlled products—has increased its reefer fleet size from 140 to 162 this year. “By 2015, we plan to have a fleet size of 350, with focus primarily on organised retail, including food chain, pharmaceuticals and dairy and agro products,” said a company statement.The company also plans to develop customised cold storage units to cater to different temperature-sensitive products, including pharmaceuticals.“Going forward, there will be increased focus on trade lanes between India and China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Germany. We will primarily cater to the automotive, telecom and electronics sectors,” it said.
THE International Air Transport
Association (IATA) recently
announced the global traffic results
for July showing slower growth in
both air travel and freight, but with
considerable variation by region and
market. The freight demand in July
was 3.2% lower than it was in the
same month last year. This is down
on the 0.1% year-on-year growth
rate of June. A large part of the
decline was due to a comparison with
a relatively strong July last year, but
the overall trend in air freight is weak.
“The uncertain economic outlook
is having a negative impact on the
demand for air transport,” said Tony
Tyler, Director General & CEO,
IATA. “The cargo business is 3.2%
smaller than it was a year ago. And
passenger markets—except Africa,
China-domestic and the Middle
East—saw demand fall from June
to July. Overall, passenger demand
is still up 3.4% on the previous
July. But the growth trend is clearly
slowing. This, along with rising fuel
prices is likely to make it a tough
second half of the year.”
‘INTERNATIONAL AIR TRAFFIC UP IN JULY, FREIGHT FALLS’
NEWS, VIEWS & ANALYSIS
SEPTEMBERSEPTEMBER 20122012 • SMART LOGISTICS SMART LOGISTICS • 13
NEWS, VIEWS & ANALYSIS NEWS, VIEWS & ANALYSISL A T E S T H A P P E N I N G S I N T H E W O R L D O F L O G I S T I C S
VRL Logistics Ltd, the country’s
premier transport and logistics
company, has added two more feathers
to its cap by bagging national awards in
the recently held CEAT ‘India Road
Transportation Awards 2012’ (IRTA).
CEAT India Road Transportation
Awards seeks to reward excellence and
innovative thinking in various aspects
of road transportation. It attempts to
ensure fair play in the selection of award
winners and does not have parameters
of size and scale. Of the nearly 800
entries received for the third edition
of the award, 13 national awards were
announced. The Hubli headquartered
VRL Logistics Ltd has been selected
for ‘The Best Customer experience in
HTV category’ in the Southern region.
More significantly, Vijay Sankeshwar,
Chairman & MD, VRL Logistics Ltd,
has been honoured with ‘Transport
Personality of the Year 2012’ award.
On this occasion, Anant Goenka,
MD, CEAT Ltd, said, “The third year
of the award saw an overwhelming
response by the fraternity and it
encouraged us to continue with our
efforts to honour the true achievers
of Indian road industry.” From this
humble beginning, VRL has grown
into a nationally renowned logistics and
transport company, which is currently
the largest fleet owner in India. As of
January 31, 2012, VRL owned a fleet
of 3,481 vehicles and finds a mention
in the Limca Book of Records as single
largest fleet owner of commercial
vehicles in India in the private sector.
DHL Global Forwarding, the air and
ocean freight specialist in Deutsche
Post DHL, continues to expand its
global network of its direct Less than
Container Load (LCL) service with
the recent launch of two new services
connecting India with Sweden for
exports and with the UK for imports.
These are strategic countries catering
to a large segment of trade with
India. The new direct LCL services
reduce transit time and total carbon
emissions, efficiently bringing wider
business opportunities to India-based
customers & Indian SMEs.
India and Sweden share a long
tradition of trade cooperation, which
has significantly grown in recent
years and shows potential for further
development. By offering reduced
transit time of 25 days from Nhava
Sheva to Gothenburg, DHL becomes
one of the few consolidators from India
to reach the Scandinavian destination
directly. “The launch of DHL’s new
LCL services from India are strategically
planned to meet the growth of foreign
trade amid the rising global demand
for such services. DHL dedicates
substantial resources to continue
developing and maintaining highly
effective services that include traditional
LCL services & multi-vendor buyers’
consolidations for shipment sourced
from single and multiple countries,”
said Thomas Tieber, CEO, South
Asia, DHL Global Forwarding CEO
(South Asia).
“With the introduction of this new
service, we have further strengthened
our network and ocean freight service
offerings to support our customers’
needs. To offer customers cost-
effective and innovative solutions, we
are constantly looking for opportunities
to extend our LCL service offerings
while contributing to the developing
Indian economy,” continued Tieber.
All LCL services are accompanied
by DHL’s first-class IT solutions such
as DHL Track & Trace and other
tools to allow full visibility throughout
the supply chain. DHL also facilitates
insurance services to customers as a
value-added service.
VIJAY SANKESHWAR BAGS ‘TRANSPORT PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR’ AWARD
DHL LAUNCHES DIRECT LCL SERVICES FROM INDIA TO SWEDEN, UK TO INDIA
• New services from/to India’s key gateway reduce transit time and CO2 emissions
• Reliable and cost-effective solution to benefi t Indian customers amid global economic uncertainty
USPs
THE recently inaugurated IBM
Supply Chain Analytics Center
of Competency (CoC) will create
analytics-based solutions. These
solutions can improve supply chain
efficiencies of organisations by
enhancing visibility as well as tackling
volatility throughout the chain.
According to Fran O’Sullivan,
GM – Integrated Supply Chain,
IBM Global, the supply chain was
a natural area to apply analytics as
it is filled with plenty of raw data.
The company’s supply chain CoC
in Singapore is its third worldwide.
The other two are in India and the
US. The facility, located within the
IBM Singapore Technology Park,
is in collaboration with Singapore’s
Economic Development Board.
The company has high
expectations for the centre to create
innovative analytics tools for any
industry sector and organisation that
has supply chain needs.
The launch of the analytics center
comes a month after IBM signed
a three-year collaboration with
Singapore’s National Environment
Agency to develop analytics
to address urban sustainability
challenges.
IBM SETS UP SUPPLY CHAIN ANALYTICS CENTRE IN SINGAPORE
Vijay Sankeshwar, Chairman & MD, VRL Logistics Ltd, receives the Award for Transport Personality of the Year 2012
14 • SMART LOGISTICS SMART LOGISTICS • SEPTEMBER 2012SEPTEMBER 2012
NEWS, VIEWS & ANALYSISL A T E S T H A P P E N I N G S I N T H E W O R L D O F L O G I S T I C S
REINER A Allgeier has been appointed
as the new MD of DB Schenker
India, the Indian subsidiary of DB
Schenker AG. He has been with DB
Schenker for the past 37 years and has
handled different assignments for the
organisation across the globe. Before
taking over the reins, Allgeier was the
MD for DB Schenker in Philippines.
He will work closely with the senior
management team in India to ensure
the continued commitment of the India
operation to its customers.
Schenker India Pvt Ltd offers a
complete range of international air &
ocean freight and contract logistics
& global supply chain solutions
from a single source. With 36
offices, approximately 1,400 logistics
professionals and 53 warehouses
covering more than 1.3 million of
space, the company is one of the
leading providers of integrated logistics
services in India.
ACCORDING to the latest report from Container Trade Statistics (CTS),
global shipping volumes have witnessed a decline in the second quarter of
the year. According to the report, the sector is hit by Europe’s economic crisis
that continued to act as a burden on demand. As per the data, exports from
Europe (in terms of TEU) grew 3% in the Q2 of 2012, a decline from the
revised first quarter figure of 9.7%, while imports to Europe fell 5.3% in the
second quarter.
Asia saw weaker economic performance in Q2 as imports to the region fell
4.2% in Q2, compared to a growth of 5.8% Q1. And export volumes increased
by only 2.8%. Container exports from North America decreased 6.5% in Q2,
while exports in the Q1 of the year were at -0.6%. However, the import figure
indicates a positive picture, up 9.9% in the Q2, compared to a growth of 3.7%
in Q1. Negative export growth was reported in South America, the Middle
East and Africa.
ACCORDING to official sources, the
shipping ministry will soon place the
proposal before the Union Cabinet for
its approval to finalise the modalities
for two new major ports in Andhra
Pradesh and West Bengal. Sources
said the ministry is in the process of
finalising the locations in consultation
with the respective states. The two
ports will help in generating a target
capacity of 244 million tonne (mt) at
an estimated cost of `14,500 crore.
As per the Maritime Agenda
2010–20, the Shipping Ministry plans
to enhance total port capacity to 3,300
mt from 1,200 mt at present, entailing
an estimated investment of `2.9 lakh
crore. In addition to its plans to award
25 projects at the Major Ports under
PPP in 2012–13, the government
also proposes to invest more than
`73 crore for developing various
projects in the port sector during the
12th Five Year Plan.
REINER A ALLGEIER APPOINTED AS NEW MD OF SCHENKER INDIA PVT LTD
GLOBAL SHIPPING Q2 VOLUMES HIT BY EUROPE’S ECONOMIC CRISIS
GOVERNMENT TO SET UP TWO NEW MAJOR PORTS IN ANDHRA PRADESH, WEST BENGAL
Christian Stoll To Head DB Schenker Logistics’ Intermodal Activities Christian Stoll has taken over the intermodal activities of DB Schenker Logistics. In his role as Head of Intermodal at Schenker AG headquarters in Essen, Stoll is responsible for linking the different modes of transport efficiently, i n p a r t i cu l a r , DB SCHENKERhangartner.
His predecessor, Patrick Zilles, has left the company at his own request. His position at DB Schenker was created in light of the growing importance of intermodal solutions in the beginning of the year.
Stoll was previously responsible for the European development of a medium-sized freight forwarding group.
FOUR Soft, a global leader offering
software solutions for the logistics,
transportation and supply chain
industry, will provide its web-centric
warehouse management application,
4S eLog to Panasonic India Pvt
Ltd, to automate its warehousing
facility across 28 locations. The
contract was executed by Four Soft
Ltd, India.
Yutaka Suzuki, VP, Panasonic
India Pvt Ltd, said, “We chose
Four Soft’s web-centric warehouse
management solution as they
have the proven expertise and the
necessary tools in successfully
implementing such large and
complex projects apart from having
a clear understanding & approach of
what our business requires. With our
decision to implement this solution,
we hope that it will offer us better
functionality, cut down our initial
cost of ownership, simplify business
complexities, provide more flexibility
and enhance value to our customers.”
“We are happy to announce our
association with Panasonic India.
They are a global market leader
in electronic products and their
decision to select our WMS solution
speaks of our commitment and
continuous effort to provide world-
class solutions. We are confident
that our solution will address their
problems and help business grow in
a more simplified and efficient way,”
said BalaKrishna Reddy, Head –
Asia, Four Soft Ltd.
FOUR SOFT SIGNS CONTRACT WITH PANASONIC INDIA
SEPTEMBER 2012 • SMART LOGISTICS • 15
CUTTING-EDGE SOLUTIONS CUTTING-EDGE SOLUTIONS TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATIONS TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATIONS
THE arch-shaped multi-benefit
roofing solution, self-supported steel
roofing from Proflex Systems aims to
revolutionise the purpose and panorama
of large application roofing. The roofing
technology caters majorly to sectors like
warehousing, engineering, cement, rice
mills, sugar industry, textile industry,
railways, food, beverages, automobiles,
processing & pharma, among others, for
their self-supported roofing solutions.
The core of this technology lies
in its formation that makes it self-
supporting and sustains external load
factors without any supporting steel
structure and intermediate columns.
It is a self-supported structure without
trusses, purlins or ancillary support,
with unobstructed clear spans 9–35
metre. Besides, Proflex installs roofing
with an incredible speed, which leads
to an excellent application,
especially in time-bound
construction projects. It also
provides for full proofing
against water seepage and
extreme weather conditions,
while providing enhanced
protection to goods stored.
When compared to the traditional
roofing, it takes less time for installation
and needs no supporting steel frame
structure at regular intervals. The
roofing system is based on the arch-
principle. To carry out a calculative
analysis of Proflex Systems, a special
design & engineering process and
software is used. With the use of this
software, a considerable amount of
time and expense is saved in designing
& selecting the most economical arch
structure configuration.
Self-Supporting Roofing Solution To Revolutionise Warehousing
• It provides larger enclosed volumes, free movement & effective handling of goods and higher fl exibility in space utilisation.
• The roofi ng panels are mechanically seamed (inter-locked) and are free from holes, nuts, bolts, overlaps or sealants. It ensures zero maintenance and is also resistant to extreme weather conditions.
• This unique mechanical seaming of panels ensures 100% leak-proof roofs.
USPs
Invites You ToIndia’s Largest
SME Gathering
CUT H
ERE
16 • SMART LOGISTICS • SEPTEMBER 2012
Cutting-edge solutions, continued
COGNEX Corporation, the world’s
leading supplier of machine vision
systems, has introduced the In-Sight®
7010, an entry level vision system
developed specifically for inspection
tasks where vision sensors are too
limited and a standard vision system
may not be cost effective.
Every aspect of the In-Sight 7010
has been designed to make deploying
a vision system easier than ever before.
It is a completely self-contained
vision system that includes autofocus
optics and integrated lighting in a
compact IP67 rated industrial housing.
Applications can be configured quickly
using the intuitive EasyBuilder®
user interface. The vision library on
the In-Sight 7010 has been simplified
to focus on the tools most frequently
used in straightforward vision
applications.
“We are very excited about the
In-Sight 7010. We believe it will
open up a new range of applications
where vision systems can be applied.
The In-Sight 7010 can be taken right
out of the box and put straight on
the production line with minimum
time, cost and effort,” said Bhaskar
Banerjee, Business Unit Manager,
Vision Systems.
Entry Level Vision System with Autofocus and Integrated Lighting Introduced
• Integrated Autofocus: The built-in autofocus capability of the In-Sight 7010 makes it ideal for production situations requiring regular part changes, or applications that require the vision system to be placed in hard-to-reach spaces where manual focus adjustment would be diffi cult.
• Integrated Illumination: The compact In-Sight 7010 features integrated white lighting that is suitable for most vision applications. If a specifi c colour light is required to highlight particular parts or features, four optional coloured lights are available.
USPs
Auto & Auto Components | Chemicals & Allied Products | Testing & Measuring Instruments Electrical & Electronics | Hydraulics & Pneumatics | IT Products & Services | Automation | Instrumentation | Material Handling Equipment | Packaging Machinery | Wires & Cables Machine Tools & Accessories | Pipes & Fitting | Plastics & Polymers | Safety & Security | Process Machinery & Equipment | Light & Medium Engineering
225+ participants | 15,000+ business visitors expected 15,000+ products on display | Business transactions worth ` 80 crore
expected Spread over 4312 sq mtr | Showcasing more than 30 diverse industry categories.
5 - 8 October 2012Gujarat University Exhibition Hall
10 am - 7 pm
Exhibitor ProfileCU
T HER
E
18 • SMART LOGISTICS • SEPTEMBER 2012
PRICE TRENDSThe RFI stood at 176 points in the month of August 2012 which is 2 points higher in comparison to the corresponding
period last year.
ZONAL FREIGHT TRENDS The overall freight rates have increased by 1.75% as compared to last month. The freight rates from Delhi registered the
highest increase of 5.63% in comparison to the last month due to the shortage of vehicles and insufficient availability
of return load, whereas the freight rates from Chennai registered the highest decrease of 1.37% in comparison to last
month due to less dispatch of material.
INDEX TREND FOR 5 YEARS:
COMMERCIAL VEHICLES DOMESTIC SALES: The overall Commercial Vehicles (CVs) segment registered a growth of 4.74% in April–July 2012 as compared to
the corresponding period last year, while Medium & Heavy Commercial Vehicles (M&HCVs) registered a negative
growth at -12.75%. Light Commercial Vehicles grew at 18.02%.
FORECAST FOR SEPTEMBER 2012: The RFI in September 2011 over September 2010 had registered an increase of 1 point. The freight rates in September
2012 will remain stable due to the ongoing monsoon in many parts of the country.
Knowledge Partner: Transport Corporation of India (TCI); website: www.tcil.com; e-mail: irf [email protected]
Indian Road Freight Index (IRFI), a service introduced by Transport Corporation of India (TCI), is an index of weighted average lorry freight rates across various routes, calculated based on the route density and the dynamic freight rates of routes across the country.
IRFI Trend for August 2012
TRENDS FOR AUGUST (Y-o-Y)
179
177
175
173
171
169
167
1652008-09
172
171
174174
176
2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013
SMART LOGISTICS APRIL 2010
20 • SMART LOGISTICS • SEPTEMBER 2012
ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY IN SUPPLY CHAIN The efficiency of a supply chain is
measured by ‘the flow of products’
and ‘the flow of information’. Any
improvement in one of them can
significantly improve the performance
of the supply chain. Information
Technology (IT) has always been a vital
element towards ensuring the success
of complex supply chains. Apart from
the usual improvements in inventory
management and informed decision-
making, technology can significantly
alter the dynamics of the supply chain
in the following three ways:
Improved Collaboration: Collaboration
has altered marketplace dynamics by
broadening the scope of competition
and bringing non-competing businesses
on the competitive forum. Leading
retail companies are competing on
the collaboration front, in which agile
support from supply chain partners has
become the secret sauce of the business
model innovation.
Visibility: With the advent of
integration and cross-functional
support, supply chain processes
have improved the visibility of key
performance indicators. The support
extends in three phases—improved
Technology can can significantly alter significantly alter thethe dynamicsdynamics of supply chain“IT has delivered end-to-end solutions to improve supply chain performance. However, emerging trends have opened new avenues for capability enhancement and predictive analysis,” explains R Rajesh Balaji, VP – Manufacturing and Logistics Practice, Cognizant, during an exclusive interaction with Nishi Rath. Excerpts…
IN CONVERSATION WITH IN CONVERSATION WITH R RAJESH BALAJI R RAJESH BALAJI
SEPTEMBER 2012 • SMART LOGISTICS • 21
ability to monitor performance, make
decisions and leverage predictive
analytics.
Transparency: With the advent of
social media, the word about a quality,
service or policy glitch on the part
of a manufacturer can spread around
quickly and cause irreparable damage to
the firm’s reputation. Institutionalising
best practices and effective brand
management across the supply chain
have therefore become imperative.
LATEST TECHNOLOGIES ADOPTED TO STRENGTHEN SUPPLY CHAINIT has delivered end-to-end solutions
to improve supply chain performance.
However, emerging trends have
opened new avenues for capability
enhancement and predictive analysis.
The future of supply chain belongs to
firms mastering the Social, Mobility,
Analytics and Cloud (SMAC) stack of
technologies. To determine the trends
that are shaping the supply chain
execution software space, one should
look into the areas of technology that
organisations are investing in. Some of
these latest trends include:
Cloud Computing: Cloud technology,
with its unique features such as
accessibility, low investment strategy
and user friendliness, has affected the
supply chain in myriad ways. Some of
the key impact areas include the ability
to offer Software as a Service (SaaS)
solutions, create a partner ecosystem
at low cost, harness collaboration for
sourcing & procurement and improve
compliance.
Mobility: Enterprises are moving
towards adapting the ‘anywhere-
anytime’ business model. Mobility
and mass adoption of smartphones
offer advantages to firms focussing
on mobile applications. Some of these
areas include:
• Logistics order processing improves
accuracy and efficiency: Mobility offers
integrated hardware and software
systems, which allow real-time data
collection with accuracy and agility
that help in faster order processing.
• Manufacturing improves process
efficiency: Machine uptimes are
critical for process efficiency.
Mobility offers unique capabilities,
such as real-time tracking of asset
health and KPI monitoring that aid
real-time problem-solving.
• Individualised Promotions (RoI
on Trade Promotions): Given the
proliferation of handheld devices,
companies offer unique advantages
to loyal customers by targeting
focussed promotions.
Next Generation Analytics – The first
steps to ‘Big Data’: With the use of IT
tools such as ERP, RFID, Internet,
and so on, companies have generated
a set of first-level data that essentially
reflects the past performance or
compares performance against the
set benchmarks. Now, with increased
computing available, it has the ability
to analyse a variety of data to help:
• Make strategic and tactical
decisions based on data that show
key performance indicators
• Manage demand-supply gap by
monitoring real-time sales data and
comparing it with historical data
trends
• Perform customisation by
automatically extending offers and
promotions depending on stock
availability & customer profile.
Social Vibes: The real-time nature
and ingenuity of social media data is
insurmountable in comparison to data
collected by any other means. These
include:
• Product design and 360-degree
feedback: This forum allows users
to interact with the manufacturer
in product reviews, shopping
experience, etc.
• Demand forecasting: To a certain
extent, social data inputs can also
form the basis for success or failure
of products and hint at demand
forecasting.
• Targeted promotion: It has become
a must for companies to have
‘Facebook’ page or ‘Twitter’ handles
and interact with the end user.
By adopting technologies that
are in-line with the aforesaid trends,
manufacturers can improve visibility
across the supply chain and execute
more efficiently with higher customer
service levels.
FUTURE OF TECHNOLOGY IN SUPPLY CHAINWe believe that the future of work
depends on four forces—globalisation,
virtualisation, next-generation
technologies (such as cloud computing)
and the millennial generation of
consumers. In an attempt to be future-
ready, every entity is focussed on
digitisation and is establishing a digital
agenda to achieve that. The digital
agenda provides a way to manage huge
data assets, obtain insights through the
use of analytics and convert them into
data that can be insured by the digital
consumer. It is a daunting task and has
typical complexities of adopting newer
business models, changing management,
redefining budgets and having a fresh
look at the technology roadmap.
Towards this, we believe that the new
master IT platform will be based on
four key technologies—SMAC.
R Rajesh Balaji is currently the Vice President of Cognizant’s Manufacturing and Logistics practice. He is responsible for the service delivery, growth and practice development across all industries, including automotive, manufacturing, industrial, oil & gas, process, utility & logistics, globally. Prior to this, he was the Delivery Director for Industrial Manufacturing where he was responsible for incubating and building Cognizant’s Industrial Manufacturing Practice from a single customer to a global practice with multiple customers. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering from the College of Engineering, Guindy, Anna University, Chennai (India).
CREDENTIALS
22 • SMART LOGISTICS • SEPTEMBER 2012
SPECIAL FOCUSSPECIAL FOCUS GENX TECHNOLOGIES GENX TECHNOLOGIES
PRATEEK SUR
TODAY, companies are often
considered parts of multi-network and
multi-echelon supply chains and not
as autonomous entities. Supply chain
management (SCM) proposes that
integrated control of these networks
can provide significant benefits. The
utilisation of Information Technology
(IT), considered vital for running these
networks, has been linked with major
supply chain efficiency improvements.
Elaborating on the same, Asim Behera,
GM India, Swisslog, expresses, “I have
always believed technology to be an
enabler. IT is a very powerful tool and
when applied efficiently, it can simplify
many processes. Right from inventory
management to tracing, tracking and
demand forecasting, IT can be an
excellent tool.”
Although the significance of IT for
proficient SCM is widely accredited,
experimental research assessing how IT
is in practice for the purposes of SCM
is narrow. More particularly, majority
of the prior research has focussed either
on modelling the benefits of inter-
organisational information technologies
and information allocation, or on
assessing the impact of specific
technologies on supply chain efficiency.
Consequently, the definite uses of IT
in SCM as well as the reasons for
using IT in an explicit way still remain
uncertain. The major question to be
asked is: “How and for what purposes
do companies use IT in SCM?”
EXISTING IT TOOLS IN SCMElectronic Data Interchange (EDI)EDI technology has been extensively
used by firms in supply chains to ease
dealings and information exchanges.
EDI is a computer-to-computer
exchange of structured data for
automatic processing. It is used by
supply chain partners to exchange vital
information required for the effective
management of their businesses. These
structural links are habitually set up
between organisations that have a
long-term trading relationship.
Here employees need not collate
the information manually. EDI has
many benefits, for example, it provides
highly accurate and efficient timely
information about its customers’
sales. Moreover, it is utilised for
sending invoices, bills of lading,
confirmation of dispatch, shipping
The exercise of Information Technology (IT) is believed to be a prerequisite for the effective organisation of today’s complex supply chains. In spite of the acknowledged signifi cance of the application of IT in supply chain management (SCM), the number of empirical studies assessing the use of IT in the supply chain context is limited. The use of IT for SCM purposes can be divided into transaction processing, supply chain planning & collaboration and order tracking & delivery coordination. It is further believed that the drivers between these three uses of IT in SCM differ from one another—a factor that makes the role of IT in context to SCM an important issue for present day logistics. Before we move onto upcoming tech trends in supply chain, here’s listing some of the widely used tech tools to streamline logistics & supply chain…
Other widely used tech tools• Warehouse Management Systems• Transportation Management
Systems• Inventory Management Systems
AligningSupply Chain Performance
SEPTEMBER 2012 • SMART LOGISTICS • 23
details and any information that
the linked organisations choose to
exchange. The main benefit of using
EDI is that a company has to enter
informative needs on the computer
system only once. After doing so, it
is able to speed up the transaction
and also reduce cost and error rates.
The other benefits of EDI include
quick processing of information, better
customer service, reduced paperwork,
increased productivity, improved
tracing & expediting, cost efficiency
and improved billing. Through the
use of EDI supply chain, partners
can overcome the distortions and
exaggerations in supply and demand
information. This is done by improving
the technology to facilitate real-
time sharing of actual demand and
supply information.Although
companies gain a lot of benefits from
EDI, it is often the mismatch between
EDIs expectations and the company’s
activities undertaken to achieve the
desired performance. While larger
organisations are major adopters of
EDI, SMEs often do not use EDI.
Barcoding and ScannerBarcodes are the representation of
a number or code in a form suitable
for reading by machines. Barcodes are
broadly used throughout the supply
chain to recognise and track goods at
all stages in the process. For example,
goods received in a warehouse may
be acknowledged by the warehouse
management system and supplemented
to the stock held in the warehouse.
When put away, the barcode is used
to correlate the storage location with
the barcoded stock, and on dispatch
the stock record is amended. The use
of barcodes can considerably speed up
operations. On the other hand, the
problems can arise if the barcodes are
defaced or the labels fall off during
transit. The maintenance management
must be applied for extending the life
of the equipment. Barcode scanners are
most visible in the check-out counter of
supermarkets and hypermarkets. This
code specifies the name of the product
and its maker company. The other
applications include tracking moving
items such as components in PC
assembly operations and automobiles in
assembly plants.
In 1983, with barcodes printed on
most goods, Wal-Mart introduced
checkout scanners in all its stores.
They updated inventory numbers for
individual items at the point of sale
and enabled headquarters to easily
aggregate sales and inventory data at
its centralised IT department. Later,
in 1987, a satellite communications
network set up linked all the stores
with the headquarters with real-time
inventory data.
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) SystemsERP Systems are enterprise-
wide information systems used for
automating all activities and functions
of a business. These are transaction-
based information systems that are
incorporated across the entire business.
Fundamentally, they permit data
capture for the whole business into a
sole computer package. This gives a
single source for all the key business
information actions, such as customer
guidelines, inventory and financials.
ERP systems vendors like Baan,
SAP and Peoplesoft are used by
many companies as the core of their
IT infrastructure. ERP systems have
become enterprise-wide transaction
processing tools which confine the
data and lessen the manual activities
and chores linked with processing
financial, inventory and customer order
information. An ERP system attains a
high level of amalgamation by utilising a
solo data model, developing a common
understanding of what the collective
data represents, thereby establishing a
set of rules for accessing data.
Commenting on the same, Behera
explains, “When your business
transactions are in the 100–300 crore
turnovers, one can think of managing
it via manual or ad hoc tools, but
once it goes beyond that range, ERP
becomes critical to link and simplify
your operations. ERP acts as the
cement that bonds the various facets
of your business such as procurement,
forecasting, material management,
HR, etc. The bond is crucial as all
aspects of your business are interlinked.
You cannot afford to run one unit
efficiently while the other is bleeding.”
The huge costs that are involved
in procuring an ERP application,
installation of such systems entail
widespread change within the
organisation. It will have implications
in terms of Business Process
Reengineering (BPR), which, in
turn, will change the organisational
structure, people and ultimately, the
management. Many companies have
profited from using this system while
some have experienced severe troubles
with their application. Usually, they
also need a lot of customisation and
guidance for every user.
LONG-TERM BENEFITSThere is definitely an exchange in the
benefits of both the integration approach
and the advantages each presents. The
most apt elucidation will depend on
the tactical goals of the supply chain
organisation. If the end aim is to offer
a clean and seamless functionality,
then a tight amalgamation approach
will be more apt. In other cases, such
as organisations with multiple ERP
systems or companies with a need for
offline processing, a loose assimilation
approach will be more effective. In
the long run, it costs less to uphold a
loosely incorporated solution, and thus,
the system will provide itself more
effortlessly to acclimatising to upgrades
and new standards.
Types of IT uses in SCM• Transaction processing• Supply chain planning and
collaboration• Order tracking and delivery
coordination
24 • SMART LOGISTICS • SEPTEMBER 2012
SPECIAL FOCUSSPECIAL FOCUS SUPPLY CHAIN TECH INNOVATIONS SUPPLY CHAIN TECH INNOVATIONS
SUPRITA ANUPAM
WITH speech recognition, Radio
Frequency Identification (RFID),
voice- & Global Positioning System
(GPS)-enabled real-time control and
cheapest real-time monitoring via
cellular technology, the Indian logistics
industry can be said to be in its prime.
Registering an annual growth rate of
around 10%, the industry has attracted
global players to India—an important
and essential location in Asia-Pacific.
Unfortunately, India is unorganised
and uneven. The country has, no
doubt, implemented technology, but
it has been implemented only partially.
Additionally, even infrastructure in
the country is poor and major parts
of India—be it the north, east or
north-east, Andaman and Nicobar
or Daman—are not conveniently
connected to the globe. Globally,
the supply chain, as defined in
Supply Chain Technology (SCT),
comprises of 75% technology and 25%
management. But looking at the state
of affairs in India, arriving at a similar
scenario in India will definitely take
some time.
IS SUPPLY CHAIN A TECHNOLOGY?After the Second World War,
a British Admiral General had
remarked, “We won because we were
better in logistics.” His statement was
not exaggerated, but a true acceptance
of the importance of logistics. Wars
are the darker side of competition;
otherwise competition mainly has a
lot to do with logistics. In the Post
World War era, logistics came up with
new parameters such as planning, flow
design and traffic tracker software as a
matter of concern.
Cost, time and technology have
always been its essential parameters
with the management acting like a
quiver holding together all the arrows,
i.e., the various parameters. In recent
times, the management’s place in
logistics of being the quiver is getting
replaced by technology, as it ensures
that all the parameters are updated and
upgraded. Ultimately, it is technology
which now lets logistics ride high
and sends goods to space for
spacecrafts (for their maintenance and
other purposes).
The recent trends in logistics, viz., demand planning, globalisation, increased competition & price pressure, outsourcing, shortening supply chain cycle with increased complexity, closer integration and collaboration with suppliers, have clearly raised the role of technology in supply chain. The interface between technology and supply chain management thus has risen from windows to gates. But then, after entering the gates, it remains to be seen what’s in store.
Trending Technologies Trending Technologies 2012 and Beyond...2012 and Beyond...
Imag
e C
ourte
sy: P
acka
ging
Eur
ope
SEPTEMBER 2012 • SMART LOGISTICS • 25
Elaborating on the same, Chris
farr, Professor, Florida Institute of
Technology, says, “Gone are the
days when the management held
the upper thumb over technology.
Nowadays, with mechanisation,
design and planning software as its
new wing, technology has automated
management works…but technology
itself cannot be automated.” He adds,
“In the coming years, SCT may gain
more prominence than Supply Chain
Management (SCM). Take space
logistics as an example, it is totally
about technology leaving little room
for management.”
Turning the discussion to India’s
prospect, N Viswanadham, INAE
Distinguished Professor, IISc and
Executive Director, Center Of
Excellence For Global Logistics &
Manufacturing Strategies, ISB, feels
that the same might not happen in
India. He states, “In India, logistics
is service driven. Here, various
independent companies have to sit
together to decide and shape their
own supply chain. This cannot be
automated. Further, segments like rail,
air and warehousing are unorganised.
They need proper management in
contrast to the foreign players in
the US and the UK where a single
player usually has complete control
via technology.”
INSIDEOne major difference in the flow
designs of management and technology
is that management makes it simpler
and easy to simulate. In fact, the
management is meant to work in a
way that is contrary to technology,
which makes the flow steps simpler by
making the overall design complex. In
other words, technology has brought
about supply chain excellence. Chris
avers, “Unlike SCM, here, you do not
need to think about what you have to
do and how you have to do it; you only
need to ensure that the right inputs are
fed to SCT.”
Tech-enabled ERPs and the
recent advancements have provided
the ultimate best-of-breed SCM
solution. These have made feasible the
concept of work modularisation in the
connected world where work packets
can be delivered out of anywhere,
anytime. The role of technology has
grown up to:
• Network and Inventory
Optimisation
• Logistics Optimisation
• Product Lifecycle Management
• Sales and Operations Planning
• Procurement
• Manufacturing Optimisation
• Business Intelligence
OUTSIDEAlthough technology appears to be
at the helm of supply chain for quite
some time now, the outside effects
are yet to be tapped. Financial supply
chains are still full of untapped
opportunities that can be realised by
proven SCT. The effects have risen
beyond the real-time information
environment to transaction—dynamic
early payment discounts, automation
and cost-cutting outsourcing. Besides,
self-evaluation via the right feedback
mechanism has given great relief to
the petrochem companies over model
volatility and prices forecasting.
Industries that came into existence
because of SCT are e-logistics/e-
commerce, e-billing, 4PL and 5PLs.
The other techno-initiatives are
centralising common functionality
through reusable services related
to compliance, screening billing
and pricing, using a common
messaging format (xml), integrating
data fragmented across multiple
databases and other related business
continuity planning.
INSIDE-OUTSIDETechnology with the right blend of
hybridisation in between centralised
control and auto control with regard
to time has created the much necessary
permeable membrane between the
inside and the outside. It has shaped
the flow of information between inside
and outside—be it from the centre
to the terminal or vice-versa, from
provider to consumer or vice-versa.
The interface is no more controlled
manually, and leaves little scope
for liquid management, i.e., cash
forecasting and global multi-companies
information reporting. The digital
market and internet have opened a
different market logistics to further
inside, which is more process centric.
The end-to-end delivery through
various collaborative exchanges can now
be achieved without any manual delay.
Warehousing management software
has its penetration/compatibility to
the transport management software to
ensure the goods transfer without a
second delay.
CAN SCT FULLY AUTOMATE THE PROCESS IN FUTURE?The universe is expanding and so
are human requirements. This is
the same world, where Moore’s law
and Brownian motion still find their
applications and hence, this is where
the machine learning mechanisms need
to be changed accordingly keeping
the route of decision making safe for
management.
Comprehensive connectivity: 802.11 wireless LAN technologies, cellular networks, bluetooth
Voice and GPS communication integrated into rugged computers
Speech recognition Digital imaging Portable printing 2D & other barcoding advances RFID RTLS Remote management Wireless and device security
10 SUPPLY CHAIN DEFINING TECHNOLOGIES
26 • SMART LOGISTICS • SEPTEMBER 2012
SPECIAL FOCUSSPECIAL FOCUS NEW-AGE RAIL TECHNOLOGIESNEW-AGE RAIL TECHNOLOGIES
SUPRITA ANUPAM
BATTLING for ‘interoperability’—
or technical compatibility—of
infrastructure, the Indian rail network,
over the years, has developed and
adopted different technical specifications
and advancements that were essential
for its Genext image. Research Design
and Standards Organisation (RDSO)
plays an important role in this regard.
But the slow progress does make the
technology upgradation outdated
as soon as it sees some ground. In
addition, the CAGR of rail freight too
is not very encouraging when compared
to that of road freight.
In contrast to the Indian Railways
Vision 2020, the projects are
progressing at a slow pace due to lack
of funds. According to Union Railway
Minister Mukul Roy, “We are not
achieving the desired level of progress
due to limited availability of resources.”
Despite the odds, Indian Railways, as
an organisation, has achieved many
milestones and has many improved and
updated technology solutions which
very few countries in the world have.
SIGNALINGSignaling in Railways facilitates the
safe movement of trains by preventing
derailments and collisions (primary
purpose). It also increases the capacity of
the railway network by safely allowing a
higher density of trains on the network.
In a seminar on Indian Railways Vision
2025, it was assessed that by 2025, the
freight traffic is expected to reach 1,107
million tonne and passenger traffic will
increase by 300%.
Indian Railways began using
colour light signaling in 1920s and
presently, over 70% of the stations
are equipped with MACL signaling.
The remaining stations have Kolkata
Semaphore MAUQ, MLQ & LQ
signaling. There are 5,649 interlocked
stations of which 13 are equipped
with electronic interlocking, 2,100
with relay interlocking, while 3,549
stations have mechanical lever
frames. Unfortunately, there is no
Centralised Traffic Control System
on Indian Railways. Train movements
are telephonically monitored and
controlled from 79 control centres
located 100–300 km apart. The
movement directions are given by
the controller to the station masters
over control telephone circuits, while
the train movement chart is mostly
manually plotted.
After the grand success of the
European Train Control System
(ETCS) in Europe and PTC in the
US, Indian Railways has also began
the implementation of the new
signaling technology—the first of
which was experimented successfully
in the Mathura pilot project.
The transmission backbone of
ETCS is GSM-R radio and OFC
Indian Railways’ heart has been its passengers’ trains irrespective of the profi ts and losses it made, but the engine Indian Railways’ heart has been its passengers’ trains irrespective of the profi ts and losses it made, but the engine has been rail freight for a long-long time. With more than 18,400 trains, covering 6,856 stations daily, sooner or later, has been rail freight for a long-long time. With more than 18,400 trains, covering 6,856 stations daily, sooner or later, the government will have to realise that it cannot carry the ‘heart’ too far and neglect the upgradation of the ‘engine’. the government will have to realise that it cannot carry the ‘heart’ too far and neglect the upgradation of the ‘engine’.
Time to bringTime to bringRAIL FREIGHT RAIL FREIGHT on on TRACKTRACK
Imag
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ourte
sy: G
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SEPTEMBER 2012 • SMART LOGISTICS • 27
network. GSM-R is a future-oriented
digital radio communication system,
which not only provides mobile radio
communication between a driver and
control, but also has been designed for
additional application of shunting radio
communication, group communication,
addressing functions, diagnostics
& maintenance communication.
As per Chandrika Prasad, Former
Additional Member – Signalling,
Indian Railway Board and Former
Principal Consultant, DMRC, “The
introduction of radio-based ETCS/
PTC signaling will provide over 100%
increase in capacity, with enhanced
safety, better operation & maintenance,
efficiency, additional tele revenue and
real-time train-running information.
This new signaling thus provides a
single-window solution for improving
capacity, safety and efficiency on main
routes of Indian Railways.”
WAGON TECHNOLOGYOf the 7,200 dedicated container
wagons, majority were technologically
dated and unable to provide the kind
of transits and reliability that state-of-
the-art inter-modal services require.
To meet the need for state-of-the-art,
high-speed bogie low height container
flat-wagons, CONCOR has initiated
various procurement actions to replace
the outdated wagons. So far, more than
5,200 BLC wagons have been inducted
in service. Equipped with superior
characteristics such as automatic
twist locks, low beds through reduced
wheel diameter, slack-less draw bars,
the new BLC type wagons, with
increased length (new rakes have 45
BLCs per train) result in an increased
payload per train and are designed
to run at 100 km/h. To this, Ram
Chandra Acharya, Former Member,
Indian Railway, adds, “Special bottom
discharge wagons, special flat wagons,
automated car wagons and specially
designed double-decker car carriers
are now attracting business leaders like
Maruti and Tata.”
Further, design and developments
are being done towards green
wagons based on European freight
concepts. However, there is a need
for huge investments to apply these
advancements all over the country.
He elaborates, “Yes, most of the
US rail logistics—their loading
and unloading—have been fully
automatised. In India, ACC Cement’s
rail logistics, with their advanced
wagons, has automatised the whole
process. This has been initiated for
coal transportation as well.”
TRACK ENGINEERING AND MAINTENANCE EQUIPMENTTrack engineering and maintenance
equipment too have not been
mechanised (as is the case with the
EU rail system). This has posed major
threats to the security as manual
troubleshooting is difficult and cannot
offer cent per cent guarantee. Modern
sophisticated track machines have
been developed for track construction,
maintenance and monitoring. New
technology of alumino-thermic rail
welding, ultrasonic rail flaw detection,
ballastless track for metros, mainlines
and washable aprons have been
developed as a result track engineering
advancements, but these are yet to
be deployed on a commercial scale.
However, these tracks fulfill the ultra-
high speed train requirements.
The development, demonstration
and validation of an Automated Switch
Inspection Vehicle (ASIV)— consisting
of a hy-rail truck with specially
designed high-image-acquisition-rate
laser rail profile—measuring systems
together with new generation analysis
software that analyses key turnout rail
information for automated inspection
of rail portions of turnouts to include
switch points, stock rails, closure rails
and frogs. Nonetheless, Ultrasonic
Contact Rail Testing is to be
implemented to lift the testing barriers.
FREIGHT MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGYFreight management is part of the
Indian Railways which, in terms of
technology, is almost 10 years behind
the other rail networks across the globe.
Even though the Railway Ministry, as
per the 12th Five Year Plan, is expected
to invest US$132 bn in the next five
years—almost triple the amount
invested in the 11th Plan—a majority
of investments will mainly be used
for the import of electric and diesel
locomotives over the next three years,
constructing new corridors and electric
& diesel locomotive and coach factories.
According to Sam Pitroda, Chairman,
National Innovation Council, “There
is huge potential for technological
improvement in Indian Railways.”
To improve the freight
management, Freight Operations
Information System (FOIS) was
implemented in Indian Railways as
an initiative to leverage the use of
information technology in the freight
segment, as an aid to decision making
and to ultimately improve the freight
services. The system comprises of two
modules—Rake Management System
and Terminal Management System.
After the successful trial in Northern
Railway, the ambitious project has
been introduced in various zones to
enhance the accuracy and reliability
of operating data to provide a real-
time view of the transactions while
serving as a decision-making tool in
the allotment of rakes to customers
and improved asset turnaround. Since
then, many changes and advancements
have been done in FOIS, but as per the
Board’s own assessment, “The system
was not comprehensively designed to
incorporate all the relevant business
rules relating to freight and posed
operational constraints. Consequently,
the perceived objectives of FOIS were
not fully achieved even after more than
seven years of its implementation.”
MODERN SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMSAs per the US assessment of track
to train ratio, since the ratio is
much lesser than the fixed standard
in general, Indian Railways needs
modern surveillance systems to
28 • SMART LOGISTICS • SEPTEMBER 2012
increase the efficiency and safety
from the insufficient tracks it has.
With better surveillance systems via
ultrasonic radars, Indian Railways
should strengthen the physical and
logical access controls to monitor &
prevent unauthorised access, thereby
keeping the effective off-site storage
of back-up data to strengthen the
network security. Under the modern
surveillance systems, Indian Railways
has to focus on modernising its
IP-based CCTV system, access
control, goods screening, bomb
detection and disposal system that are
not available in 70% of the total track.
ONLY BIG PPP CAN ENSURE THAT DEVELOPMENT IS ON TRACK Given that the government has already
announced its investments in Indian
Railways, which is only 17% of the
total Indian Railways needs to make
a mark globally, only PPPs can ensure
further growth and may bring evenness
throughout the zones. Further, the gap
between its planning and execution is
huge and wasting 30% of the money is
also a major concern that needs to be
sorted out if it wants to stand apart for
some good reasons.
With inputs from Chandrika Prasad, Former
Additional Member – Signalling, Indian
Railway Board
The present R&D being carried out at RDSO
Directorate Projects/Areas
Motive Power 1. Residual life analysis of crankshaft of the locomotive engine
2. Development of fuel cell-powered locomotive
3. Development of direct drive traction motor
4. Development of hybrid battery powered shunting locomotive
Geo-Tech. Engg. 1. Assessment of strength and strengthening of railway formation
2. Construction of new railway formation for heavier axle load
3. Study on stability of cuttings in railway track
4. Application and design of geo-synthetics and reinforced earth structures in Railway formation
5. Design methodology for thickness of blanket based on type of soil, axel load, speed, GMT, track tolerances, maintenance level etc.
6. Prevention of rock fall in cuttings including its detection by suitable warning system and mitigation techniques for failure of cuttings
7. Effect of seismic forces on embankment and design of embankment from seismic considerations
Testing 1. Track simulator
2. Test preparedness for testing at 300 kmph
3. Contactless force/stress measurement
4. Measurement of rail-wheel contact force through other than measuring wheel
5. Capability to use Anthropromorphic Test Device (ATD) for secondary collision environment measurement
Traffic 1. Increasing throughput by reducing speed differential
2. Running of heavy-haul trains and required technology for upgradation/modification in the infrastructure
Engine Development
1. Reduction of emissions of 16, 12 and 6 cylinder ALCO engines as well as 4,000 HP GM EMD-710 G3B diesel engines of Indian Railways as per International standards
2. Upgradation of horse power and reduction in break-specific fuel consumption of 12 cylinder ALCO 251C engine
3. Upgradation of horse power and reduction in break-specific fuel consumption of 6 cylinder ALCO 251C engine
4. Reduction in lube to fuel oil ratio of 16 cylinder ALCO 251C engine to 0.5%
5. Development of electronic fuel injection system for GM EMD-710 G3B diesel engine
Psycho Technical 1. Computer Aided Psychological Testing
2. Human factors in railway accidents
Electrical 1. Control systems for propulsion control as well as train control— various standards and protocols used and their applications, distributed intelligence vs. centralised intelligence, etc.
2. Drive systems for high-speed drives (more than 3,000 rpm)—study of design and maintenance issues of traction motor, bearing, lubrication, etc.
3. Traction converters for high-power locomotive application study of various designs, circuit configurations & topologies, selection of power devices, power capacitors, inductors, etc., and their ratings
Power Supply & EMU
Development of pollution-free fuel cell for replacing 4.5 kW alternators, RRU and battery in slow moving train to improve illumination and passenger comfort.
Traction & Installation
1. Development of Unified Power Quality Controller (UPQC) for improving power factor and reducing harmonic distortion
2. Development of traction transformer condition monitoring system
3. Development of lightning arrestor condition monitoring system
4. Development of intelligent SCADA system for high-density traffic systems having RTUs with independent decision capabilities, integration of protection system, high-speed communication and enhanced human-machine interfaces.
5. Laser-based OHE recording-cum-test car. Development of OHE recording-cum-test car for measurement of OHE parameters and non-contact measurement of OHE geometry under dynamic condition
New-age rail technologies, continued
Courtesy: RDSO
SEPTEMBER 2012 • SMART LOGISTICS • 29
LOGISTICS is the management
of the flow of resources, between
the point of origin and destination
in order to meet the requirements
of customers or corporations.
It involves the integration of
information, transportation, inventory,
warehousing, material handling &
packaging, and often, security. Today,
the complexity of production logistics
can be modelled, analysed, visualised
and optimised by plant simulation
software. Logistics can involve a wide
variety of consumer goods such as
food, IT materials, aerospace resources
and defence equipment. Some of the
key technologies in shipping logistics
include:
FREIGHTGlobal trade has experienced high
growth this decade; during which,
forwarders have been under continued
cost pressure. It is essential that
today’s freight forwarder/Non Vessel
Operating Common Carrier System
(NVOCC) provide comprehensive
services to their customers, while
simultaneously maintaining an efficient
operating environment that is readily
supported by cost-effective Information
Technology (IT). E-Freight solution
has been designed and developed with
accessibility, integration, workflow,
performance and scalability in mind.
It embraces all the key elements found
in a state-of-the-art freight forwarding
system and can be deployed globally,
regionally or locally.
E-Freight comprises of a sea freight
system (ocean freight module) module
and a land freight system module to
provide integrated logistics solutions.
This is ideal for the integrated supply
chain management arena. It has an
integrated cargo consolidation system
which provides a cargo consolidation
solution for all modes of transport
and is considered a complete global
logistics platform. In fact, it provides
complete cargo solutions for the
freight forwarder/NVOCC with a
complete freight fulfillment software
package. It enables the provision of
freight forwarding services through
the freight forwarding software for
export freight forwarding system
(export shipping system) which covers
the global export process. Some of the
options which give a complete freight
forwarding solution in an easy-to-use
freight forwarding system include:
• Supply Chain Inventory
Management/ Supply Chain
Logistics Management
• Integration of freight forwarding
and shipping solutions
• Logistics Planning Software/
Logistics Forecasting Software
• TMS: Transportation Management
Software/ Transport Management
Solutions/ Transport Management
Systems/ Transport Management
Services
• WMS: Warehouse Management
Systems
• Web-based Freight Forwarding
Solutions/ Web-based International
Logistic Portal
• International Freight Consolidation
System/ International Freight
Forwarding/ International Freight
Forwarding Software/ International
Freight Forwarding System
• Logistics Management System/
Logistics Solutions/ Logistics
Systems
• Supply Chain Management/ Supply
Chain Management Solution/
Supply Chain Management
System/ Supply Chain Solutions
E-Freight provides the complete
freight management system through
its freight management software. This
is enabled by web technologies that
build a global logistics platform for
global freight forwarding. This system
provides both export and import
freight forwarding system. The import
shipping system has all the required
functionality for the importer.
E-SHIPPING Shipping lines and agents have been
experiencing increased economic
pressure and growing customer
demand. As a result, maintaining cost-
effective IT has become increasingly
critical. E-Ship provides comprehensive
Logistics is all about movement, i.e., about moving goods from one location to another. To ensure smooth movement of goods from the manufacturer/supplier to the end customer, there is need for logistics technologies, such as E-Freight, E-Shipping and E-Intermodal, among others which are easy to use and enhance the logistics experience.
Enhancing theEnhancing theLOGISTICS EXPERIENCELOGISTICS EXPERIENCE
NEW-AGE SHIPPING TECHNOLOGIESNEW-AGE SHIPPING TECHNOLOGIES SPECIAL FOCUS SPECIAL FOCUS
30 • SMART LOGISTICS • SEPTEMBER 2012
functionality to meet the unique needs
of various shipping lines including
container, Ro-Ro, break-bulk, project
moves and multiple purposes. E-Ship
supports’ varying service needs such
as port-to-port transportation and
inland transportation, among others.
E-Shipping is a complete enterprise
system that has incorporated end-
to-end functionality for the shipping
line principal and agents. The primary
aspect provides to the principal the
ability to establish/manage controls
of the operational processes as well
as to have a fully integrated and
global information base for effective
management of assets and operations.
E-Shipping is an international
shipping software (shipping solution/
shipping software) or international
shipping system which comprises
of modules for international liner
shipping carriers (shipping lines
software systems) and international
liner shipping agency system (shipping
agency software). This provides the
needed functionality for a complete
liner agency solution, liner shipping
software or liner shipping system.
It covers the ocean carriers software
(shipping line system) requirements
with a full ocean carriers system,
including profit optimisation software.
The system also provides a portal
for shipping and transportation
information. The common elements to
Ro-Ro, break-bulk and containerised
are revenue management software,
shipment process management
systems, yield management software,
voyage planning software and vessel
management software.
E-SHIPPER The E-Shipper solution is designed for
global shippers to allow for more cost-
effective, greener and smarter decision
making during the transportation
planning process. The solution has
been designed and developed with
accessibility, integration, workflow,
performance and scalability in mind. It
embraces all of the key elements found
in a state-of-the-art shipper system and
can be deployed globally, regionally or
locally. The E-Shipper solution covers
all types of cargo including Ro-Ro,
break-bulk, containerised, etc. The key
features of the E-shipper solution are:
• It can be implemented as a fully
integrated solution or as separate
modules
• It can manage all types of
international freight services and
transport modes including air, sea
and land transport
• It is an intuitive user interface that
is completely web based and can
be accessed world-wide via a web
browser on a standard PC
• It offers easy customisation to fit
customer-specific requirements on
a local or global basis
• It has workflow capability enabled to
configure to each customer’s business
rules and organisational roles
• Ii can be implemented on an
Oracle platform that provides high
performance, scalability and security.
E-INTERMODALThe E-Intermodal solution has
been designed and developed with
accessibility, integration, workflow,
performance and scalability in mind.
It embraces all of the key elements
found in a state-of-the-art intermodal
system and can be deployed globally,
regionally or locally. The key features
of the E-Intermodal solution are:
• It has a feature-rich solution for
intermodal transport for all FCL
container moves
• It can manage all types of intermodal
transportation modes of truck, rail,
barge and inland feeder
• It is an intuitive user interface that
is completely web based
• It can easily customised to fit each
customer’s specific requirements on
a local or global basis
• It has workflow capability enabled
to configure to each customer’s
business rules and organisational
roles
• It can be mplemented on an
Oracle platform that provides
high performance, scalability and
security.
STOREThis was developed with usability,
functionality, performance and
scalability as primary concerns. It
encompasses all of the key functionality
required by third-party logistics
providers, which includes the following
functions available via a secure website.
It handles and processes all the
requirements of third-party logistics
provider. It provides logistics providers
and retail stores with a highly effective
tool to conduct their business. All
options in the system are driven by a
master menu and the system is fully
configurable with user access closely
monitored via security encoded access.
The world’s No. 1 database from
Oracle is at the heart of the solution.
The integration within the application
and user-friendly interfaces will help
speed up the transition time for a
company to implement and train
their global, regional and area office
operations. The e-store solution can
be populated from EDI, web entries or
directly by the companies’ clerks.
CHANGING TIMES INDEED! In the logistics industry, change is the
only constant. The rapidly changing
global & industry dynamics and the
evolution of the logistics industry have
considerably transformed the way the
supply chain functions. Fortunately,
there have also been advancements
in the logistics technologies, which
has helped companies match pace
with the oncoming changes and the
emerging challenges that come along
with it. This has not only helped
shippers to meet the varying customer
requirements, but has also played a
major role in enhancing the logistics
experience for shippers.
Dr Purnendu Mishra, Principal Officer-
cum-Joint DG – Tech, Mercantile Marine
Department, Chennai
New-age shipping technologies, continued
SEPTEMBER 2012 • SMART LOGISTICS • 31
EXECUTION-DRIVEN PLANNING SOLUTIONS EXECUTION-DRIVEN PLANNING SOLUTIONS SPECIAL FOCUS SPECIAL FOCUS
SUPRITA ANUPAM
THERE were reasons when Dwight
D Eisenhower, the 34th President of
the US, had said, “Plans are useless;
planning is everything.” Plans are more
static in nature. Their accountability is
low when compared to the planning,
particularly if we are talking in the
context of logistics. Moreover, the
recent uncertainty has raised the
risk levels, making it impossible for
companies to move on a predicted path
along with the data collected in the
past. According to N Viswanadham,
INAE Distinguished Professor, IISc
and Former Deputy Executive Director
of The Logistics Institute-Asia
Pacific, “Irrespective of whether it is
inbound/outbound/reverse logistics or
warehousing, a connection has to be
made manually. For instance, if goods
are planned to be picked at 9 am, it is
ultimately up to the truck driver who
will execute it.” “However, there could
be delays in execution caused due to
factors like accidents, personal reasons
or the truck’s condition,” Viswanadham
adds. Most technologies facilitate the
process of execution. But here, we
will analyse the technologies that are
responsible for reducing the gap further
between planning and execution.
DATA-MINING TECHNIQUESData mining is defined as the process
of discovering patterns in data,
which must be automatic or semi-
automatic. The patterns discovered
must be meaningful and must lead to
some advantage, usually an economic
advantage. The real-time data sets in
supply chain often contain examples,
where measurements were not taken
The dynamics of the actual business environment is not the same as the planning. With various sensing technologies and telecom techniques, we now have unprecedented real-time control over the entire supply chain system. Unfortunately, the data collected through the monitoring is kept aside and rarely utilised to connect the gap between execution and planning.
Bridging the gap betweenPLANNING and EXECUTION
32 • SMART LOGISTICS • SEPTEMBER 2012
correctly or there were misclassifications
owing to the errors or noise in data.
Here, there is a need for technology to
be sharper in order to provide a clearer
pattern to the provider. Explaining the
importance of data-mining techniques,
Viswanadham avers, “Once you collect
all the data, they can show you the
way—even in terms of which truck
driver is better to choose, or in terms
of further planning and so on.”
MACHINE LEARNING For machines, learning is all about
performance (unlike the human
learning which is more concerned with
knowledge). But then, learning is a
rather ‘slippery’ concept in logistics.
Here, we define learning, in operational
and performance-oriented terms. But
to decide whether one has actually
learned, there is a need to understand
whether one intended to or whether
there was any purpose involved. This
makes the concept moot when applied
to machines because it is still unclear
if artifacts can behave purposefully.
Thus, learning for machines and their
performance is quite different from
that of humans, as their performance
mainly lies in ‘must dos’, ‘nice-to-have
(can be used later)’ and ‘not dos’.
REMOTE SENSING TECHNIQUESIt is evident that machine learning
is very closely related to data mining
techniques, which are related to remote
sensing techniques in logistics. This
is the root of the whole data analysis,
which, if correct, can lay the right
foundation for database, pattern and
algorithm. The better the sensing
techniques, the lesser will be the gap
between planning and execution. Fibre
network almost throughout the globe
has diminished the significant amount
of time taken to transfer information
from the terminal to the centre, thus
giving decisive time to the centre in
advance. Some of the remote sensing
techniques that have played a major role
in strategic planning include RFID,
3D/2D barcode scanning, optical fibre
transmission and digital imaging speech
recognition, among others.
STRATEGIC PLANNINGStrategic planning starts with the
classic approach of presumption,
because this is the part where a goal is
predefined based on the presumptions
and a predictable path. But, at the same
time, the dynamism of remote sensing
technologies, data mining techniques
and machine learning merge the gap
between planning & its execution.
More variables within the algos lead
to the real-time data to provide more
accurate information for further
strategies. This is where technology
brings in a sense of transparency laying
bare the gap and how it can be merged
otherwise—a concept LSPs are not able
to comprehend. The strategic planning
based on these, keep changing, until
the final delivery. FedEx and a few
other companies have automated their
supply chain based on this mechanism.
Strategy planning management
software can be developed based on
the input, output and process. Strategic
planning sorts out problems such as:
• Unclear underlying strategy
• Too optimistic plans
• Accountability
• Inertia in decision making.
A dynamic strategy planning
establishes appropriate levels of
control and minimises risk, while
optimising company-owned inventory.
Considering that all five fingers are not
the same, i.e., manual skills vary from
person to person, the hierarchy builds
a solid service model followed by clear
rationalised vision. Their actionable
strategies define an execution plan in
the same layer followed by the process
of accountability. Further, each layer is
connected via a feedback control based
on the real-time remote information,
which ensures that the gap is minimised.
KEEP DISTANCE BETWEEN STRATEGIC AND FUNCTIONAL PLANNINGGenerally, LSPs define their functional
planning like improving sales by 25%,
profit margin by 4% and so on, within
their strategy planning. But here
is where they make major mistakes.
Why is it so? A dynamic strategy
planning is more about technology and
about improvement in supply chain
efficiency, while financial plan is a
plan to manage limited resources with
priority and ensure survival. Though
financial planning and monitoring is
important for the survival of strategy
planning, the 10% differences between
them need to be understood, i.e., never
enlist financial goals within strategic
plans. The basic difference is rooted in
placing the emphasis on growth versus
the survival or maintenance—both are
critical and need to be managed.
LIMITATIONSThere are limitations which leave
certain gaps between planning
and execution like engagement in
collaborative strategies does not fall as
per the planning, cost varies directly in
accordance with the market, sudden
changes in consumer taste.
LEADERSHIP OF STRATEGIC PLANNING IS A PROCESSDynamic strategy planning can be
defined as a process that has a number
of projects accompanied with failures
as well. To overcome the manual
mistakes and irregularities, which must
have a place in strategic planning,
Viswanadham suggests, “There are
companies like Penske Logistics in
the US, which, with their rich state-
of-the-art facility, have hundreds of
trucks and other logistics solutions to
bridge the gap, thereby ensuring that
the goods reach on time. In India, they
have Genpact resources for the same.
Although 4PLs have emerged as big
players, in India there is a need to build
on infrastructure and improve logistics
efficiency with soft skills in order to
bridge the gap. After all, infrastructure
alone contributes 25% to logistics
efficiency.”
Execution-driven planning solutions, continued
SEPTEMBER 2012 • SMART LOGISTICS • 33
MULTI-ENTERPRISE SYSTEMS MULTI-ENTERPRISE SYSTEMS SPECIAL FOCUS SPECIAL FOCUS
PRATEEK SUR
SYSTEMS that provide a
comprehensive and timely view of
processes, solutions, and metrics across
the entire value chain are adequately
termed as multi-enterprise visibility
systems. According to Biju Nair, IT
Director, DHL Supply Chain India,
“The supply chain service industry is
not directly involved in the production
from a manufacturing perspective.
In the service industry, it requires
more of monitoring productivity
with a view to improving the
turnaround of customer inventory.
Thus, new technologies like multi-
visibility systems are vital.” Enterprise
visibility adds a new, progressive and
proactive discipline to any company’s
strategic asset management, sales and
marketing decisions. It comes from
a cohesive understanding
of critical business
intelligence across four
domains—geographic
visibility (facilities,
infrastructure), asset
visibility (things that
move), organisation
visibility (people) and
operation visibility
( in te rac t ion o f
people, things, and
infrastructure).
VENDOR MANAGED INVENTORY Business nowadays is all about
visibility and mutual risk. These two
concerns are at the heart of Vendor
Managed Inventory (VMI) networks,
and related supply chain efficiency
initiatives such as lean & outsourcing.
These multi-enterprise supply chain
strategies have been widely adopted in
industries such as automotive.
There are restrictions on how much
inventory accountability a logistics
player can force onto their partners. At
some point, they become unprofitable
and fall short. When companies adopt
an inefficient VMI strategy, all they do
is press on liability and risk down the
supply chain to suppliers. Talking about
the importance of such IT-related VMI
technologies, Nair says, “Information
delivered or made available ‘on time
every time’ is the key to success for any
business. Various verticals/components
of the entire supply chain, starting from
the origin of demand for a product till
it is delivered to the end customer, have
various stages of supply chain which, in
effect, connect the manufacturer to the
end customer. The freight movement,
warehousing, transportation, invoicing,
etc., are some of the major components.”
“At each stage, various technologies
along with software and hardware are
used to support the supply chain. For
example, systems which track and
enable freight movement & visibility,
infrastructure set ups, transportation
management, demand forecasting,
procurement, finance and business
development systems are some
of the areas where a high level
IT can help. The goal would be
to optimise resources by, strategically
providing cutting-edge solutions to
the finance management, sales,
etc., which would enhance the
efficiency of the entire supply
chain vertical,” Nair adds.
Many companies
view multi-enterprise
strategies such as VMI
as a way to move to a
demand-driven supply
chain, but they do
not always implement
the infrastructure
or processes
The necessity for, and the intricacy with, accomplishing global visibility manifested itself when data started being circulated across the supply chain with the onset of outsourcing. Outsourcing manufacturing operations augments the complexity of the venture and moves the management of critical operations outside boundaries, replacing the conventional single supply chain with a complex supply network encompassing a multitude of cohorts. Achieving all-inclusive visibility is no painless feat when the company is faced with various geographically dispersed sites and partners, each using disparate data systems. In order to streamline all these, an effi cient multi-enterprise visibility system is imperative.
Enabling Visibility of aResponsive supply Chain
SEPTEMBERSEPTEMBER 2012 2012 • • SMART LOGISTICS SMART LOGISTICS • • 3333
34 • SMART LOGISTICS • SEPTEMBER 2012
necessary to manage inventory in a
multi-tiered, multi-company system.
On the contrary, they continue to use
an old inventory management system
that only offers visibility to internal
inventory echelons. The result of
these one-sided VMI efforts is that
companies get a one-time inventory
write-off, but after that, inventory
savings and efficiencies raise ground.
Wise suppliers would begin to rewire
their business not around their clientele
forecasts, but around their real demand.
Such forecasts continue to be wrong.
Stating on the utility of such
IT-related management systems in
logistics, an industry expert says, “Many
companies are nowadays venturing
into equipment pooling and have a
unique business model that involves
pallets, crates and containers moving
from the company to their customers,
from customers to other customers and
from customers back to the company.”
“As this equipment moves through
the supply chain of the various entities
involved, they remain the sole property
of the company and hence, tracking
all these movements to safeguard the
company’s assets is a core business
function and a big success factor of
this business,” the expert continues.
“IT plays a pivotal role in
tracking these movements through a
combination of ERP solutions, net-
based portals and CRM applications
that are closely integrated to deliver
end-to-end supply chain solutions.
VMI empowers customers to keep
track of the equipment that they use
and pay for, helping them optimise
usage while enabling total control
over cost and equipment adding to
‘customer delight’,” the expert adds.
MULTI-ENTERPRISE SYSTEMSMulti-enterprise global supply chain
execution systems have recently
entered the market and this sharing
system solution takes VMI to a new
level by providing a 3600 view of supply
chain events. These systems give data
not about promises and forecasts, but
about what is genuinely going on in the
supply chain. Companies nowadays are
quick to separate supply chain execution
systems from planning systems such
as ERP, which are not well-suited to
manage global, multi-enterprise supply
chain implementation because their
algorithms are preparation-based.
In the light of this, Nair opines,
“Multi-enterprise applications set
up are an absolute must for smooth
information flow across internal and
external systems. The systems of
customers, suppliers, carriers and 3PLs
need to be integrated with the ERP
system or any relevant or respective
SCM module to bring in strategic
information sharing, on time and
secure business data transfer, etc. The
corporate companies that believe in
consistently making their customers
more profitable should have a long-
term business partnerships secured
through strategic data sharing and
through integration as well.”
In the world of logistics, every
event happens with zero lead time. For
example, when a consumer walks into
a store and the product s/he wants is
not there, s/he goes elsewhere to buy
it. In the world of ‘on-the-spot-trade’,
companies have to get past the notion
of lead time as it is an outdated metric.
People are no longer willing to wait for
what they want. Retailers need to have
the product in the store when shoppers
come to buy it. Companies must be
able to squeeze lead times. They have
to be trained to stage material in
expectancy of authentic demand. Once
a product is in demand, customers are
ready to buy it, companies do not need
to forecast any further. Businesses
cannot plan their way out of a crisis,
they have to execute themselves out of
it and to do so, they need technology
tools that convey real-time, many-to-
many visibility and control, and, at the
same time, are easy to configure.
Elaborating on the same, an industry
expert expounds, “Companies have
their unique business model wherein
equipment that moves through multi-
organisation supply chains, require
close integration and visibility with the
customer systems. Many companies
have employed a two-pronged strategy
to achieve this goal. Companies, like
CHEP, have firstly implemented a
customer facing WEB portal called
‘Portfolio+’ that tightly integrates
their customer operation with the
company’s core ERP. The second step
is in building direct enterprise-level
integration between the customer and
the core systems through the usage of
technology such as EDI.”
“It is the company’s technological
capabilities that logistics players offer as
‘a value-added service’ to customers in
doing business and being their ‘Partner
of Choice’. While companies nowadays
are highly integrated at the customer
level, many are working towards
achieving supplier level integration as
part of their global IT strategy,” he adds.
WRAPPING UPVisibility-empowered supply chain
management can be more flexible
in performing the necessary ‘agility
actions’ such as shipment re-routing
due to demand changes or infrastructure
disruptions, expedited shipping of
late shipment, cross-docking and
distribution centre bypass strategies
and VMI programmes, among others.
Thus, such kinds of systems are required
to ensure the better functioning and
smooth working of supply chains.
Multi-enterprise systems, continued
According to an expert, having a single instance of SAP
ERP worldwide allows the implementation of global best
practices in the local Indian supply chain. All the functions
in India are on SAP since inception and this plays a major
role in operations everyday as companies drive asset control,
cost visibility and good corporate governance.
SEPTEMBER 2012 • SMART LOGISTICS • 35
REMOTE MONITORING TECHNOLOGIES REMOTE MONITORING TECHNOLOGIES SPECIAL FOCUS SPECIAL FOCUS
PRATEEK SUR
THE internet, world wide web, online
commerce, etc., form the basic elements
of emerging and new-age Remote
Monitoring Technologies (RMT)
that are bound to change the way a
company does business. According
to Devdip Purkayastha, President,
CHEP India, “Many companies have
done pioneering work in the field
of ‘Material Intelligence’ through
the use of tracking technologies like
RFID, barcodes and tags. Automated
warehouses, robotic operations and
enhanced usage of hand-held device
will be the norm for futuristic supply
chains as they gain critical mass. While
there will always be a debate on the cost
versus benefits of such technologies,
with the rise in cost of human capital,
many big players in the supply chain
space will adopt automation through
technology.” Therefore, it is clearly
evident that if companies want to stay
ahead and remain profitable, they must
harness the power of technology to
collaborate with their business partners.
Some of the technologies that could
help companies achieve this include:
RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION (RFID)RFID is a type of automatic
identification system, whose purpose
is to enable transmission of data by a
portable device, called a tag, which is
read by an RFID reader and processed
according to the needs of a particular
application. The data transmitted by
the tag may provide identification or
location information, or specifics about
the product tagged (price, colour, date
of purchase, etc.).
According to an industry expert,
“The impact of RFID from a supply
chain perspective includes supply
chain inversion, pressure on inventory,
increased regulation and legislation,
cost control, connectivity and visibility.”
The pressure on inventory is related to
the use of RFID to reduce lead times
of information through faster and
more reliable registration & increased
visibility in the supply chain. RFID has
been used for traceability and visibility
of products. “Retailers are interested
in turning supply chain management
(SCM) into an RFID-dependent
business as long as it is cost efficient,”
the expert adds. In terms of cost cutting,
RFID is used to reduce labour costs.
Other practical applications of RFID
include authentication and shrink
prevention. In terms of authentication,
the use of electronic sealing through
RF tags can warrant the authenticity
and origin of a product.
SOFWARE AGENTSArtificial Intelligence appeared into the
paradigm of software agents with the
purpose area of multi-agent systems.
A software agent is a software system,
which has attributes of intelligence,
autonomy, perception or acting on
behalf of a user. In the light of software-
tracking agents, another industry
expert asserts, “Knowledge is power.
Traceability and trackability of goods in
real-time is vital when products of high
value are out there being transported.
The goods are exposed to all the
elements, be it nature, risk of theft
etc. Real-time tracking immediately
informs you when the situation has
gone wrong so that you can take action
Industry trends like globalisation, outsourcing, customisation, time to market and pricing pressure have compelled enterprises to adopt effi cient and effective supply chain management technologies, practices and policies. Customers’ expectations are also increasing and companies are prone to more and more uncertain environments in the face of increasing competition. To survive, companies have realised that their conventional supply chain integration needs to be expanded beyond their boundaries so as to integrate all stakeholders. The adoption of new-age remote monitoring technology tools is vital for such efforts. In the light of the upcoming changes in the supply chain domain, here’s taking a look at some of the smart tracking solutions.
Smart Tracking Smart Tracking Solutions for SCMSolutions for SCM
REMOTE MONITORING TECHNOLOGIES REMOTE MONITORING TECHNOLOGIES SPECIAL FOCUS SPECIAL FOCUS
36 • SMART LOGISTICS • SEPTEMBER 2012
right away. In case of a product recall,
the company needs to be able to swiftly
trace the product and investigate where
the contamination/pilferage has taken
place. This is where if you have a
remote sensoring system in place, you
can quickly pinpoint the source and
work on resolution of the issue.”
DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS (DSS) DSS, a precise class of computerised
information systems, ropes in business
and organisational decision-making
actions. An accurately designed DSS
is an interactive software-based system
anticipated to help decision makers
amass useful information—from raw
data, documents, personal knowledge,
and business models to identify &
solve problems and make decisions.
According to an industry expert, “DSS
tracks, manages, optimises inventory
and operations. DSS, along with
WMS, is web-based so that multiple
users can access it from different
locations. A few seconds can be the
difference between an order intake and
order lost. It is here that DSS can play
a crucial role.” In SCM, there is always
a likelihood of having disagreements
among parties for a certain decision-
making process. This phenomenon gets
worse when the business environment
becomes more competitive and
turbulent. Accordingly, DSS have been
integrated in various areas like logistics,
inventory management, facility design,
sales analysis, etc.
WEB SERVICESWeb services are application interfaces
accessible via internet standards that
use XML and either employ Simple
Object Access Protocol (SOAP),
Web Services Description Language
(WSDL) or Universal Description
Discovery & Integration (UDDI).
These standards, and the next
generation standards that are being
built on them, are defining the way
forward-thinking enterprises manage
lightweight integration tasks. In the
light of the web services invented,
Purkayastha avers, “CHEP India
has built a low-cost web application,
aptly named ‘eMitra’, meaning friend,
to capture operation data at our
manufacturing locations and service
centres. We have added ‘quality’ as a
second dimension to the quantitative
data that enables high-level decisions
in managing raw material, resources,
finished goods and capital. Also,
Lumber, a critical factor in our pallet
manufacturing operation, has long
procurement cycle times as it is an
imported commodity and is also a
high-cost component in the final
finished pallet. eMitra has helped
reduce our lumber holding, thereby
saving on valuable capital investment
and ensuring better space utilisation.”
“Similarly, our automotive business,
based on crate pooling and technology,
has enabled control availability of the
equipment, helping us to maintain high
customer order fill rates and equipment
turnaround adding substantially to the
bottom line,” Purkayastha adds.
The UDDI protocol is one of the
major building blocks required for
successful web services. UDDI creates
a standard interoperable platform that
enables companies and applications
to quickly, easily & dynamically find
and use web services over the internet.
UDDI also allows operational registries
to be maintained for different purposes
in different contexts. UDDI is a cross-
industry effort driven by major platform
and software providers, as well as
marketplace operators and e-business
leaders.
ELECTRONIC COMMERCEElectronic commerce refers to the wide
range of tools and techniques utilised
to conduct business in a paperless
environment. It includes electronic
data interchange, e-mail, electronic
fund transfers, electronic publishing,
image processing, electronic bulletin
boards, shared databases and
magnetic/optical data capture. It
helps companies automate the process
of moving documents electronically
between suppliers and customers. This
system provides access to customers
all over the world. Some e-commerce
applications include E-tailing,
E-Procurement and E-Auctions.
ELECTRONIC SUPPLY CHAINSElectronic Supply Chains (ESC)
refer to those supply chains that are
electronically facilitated between
or among participating firms. Also
called virtual supply chains, these are
realised in two forms—EDI-based or
internet-based. The ESC links trading
partners to allow them to buy, sell
and move products, services & cash.
Due to the low implementation costs,
the introduction of the internet has
brought about opportunities that allow
firms to transact with other enterprises
electronically. Supply chain initiatives
like Collaborative Planning, Forecasting
and Replenishment (CPFR), Vendor
Managed Inventory (VMI), Efficient
Customer Response (ECR) and Quick
Response (QR) have been increasingly
facilitated in the new e-supply chain
paradigm. Information sharing among
suppliers, manufacturers, distributors
and retailers are greatly improved.
RMT: THE WAY FORWARD?Companies are attempting to find
ways to improve their flexibility
and responsiveness and, in turn,
competitiveness, by changing
their operations strategy, methods
and technologies that include the
implementation of RMT in their SCM
paradigm. Hence, RMT can enhance
the agility of SCM. While the RMT
aspects are not equally spread presently,
the use of RMT in the realm of SCM
may soon become full fledged.
Intelligent software agents • Buyer agents or shopping bots • Monitoring & surveillance agents• Data mining agents
Remote monitoring technologies, continued
SEPTEMBER 2012 • SMART LOGISTICS • 37
GREEN TECHNOLOGIES GREEN TECHNOLOGIES SPECIAL FOCUS SPECIAL FOCUS
NISHI RATH
THE green nature of a
supply chain is characterised
by its ability to be eco-
friendly in its consumption
of resources, utilise energy-
efficient processes and
produce output that can
be reclaimed, recycled
& reused. The role of
technology in the supply
chain can be viewed from two
different perspectives:
• Hardware: A supply chain can
be made greener by right-sizing IT
infrastructure, re-architecting data
processing & storage operations,
leveraging shared infrastructure and
adopting a life cycle approach and
retiring IT waste. The immediate
impact could be the adoption of
‘cloud’ to encourage multi-tenancy
and RFID systems to reduce
computer hardware.
• Software: By streamlining business
processes and providing transparency,
software can be a strong enabler of a
green supply chain.
Another area of focus is waste
management. Civic bodies are
challenged by the dearth of financial,
technological and human resources
for managing waste generated at the
customer end of the supply chain. Here,
information technology (IT) can be
used to track waste data from product
conception to shipment through waste
disposal. Commenting on the use of
technology in supply chain, Yogesh
Dhingra, Finance Director & COO,
Blue Dart, explains, “In supply chain,
the use of technology will continue to
be a critical success factor. Moreover,
the service provider will have a greater
chance at staying relevant, doing
good business and being profitable in
the current scenario of consolidation
& cutthroat competition. Blue Dart
was the early adopter of such a
breakthrough technology and the
company’s technology solutions have
played a key role in its premium
positioning across the globe as well
as in bringing global standards to
Indian customers.” IT has enabled the
incorporation of efficient processes,
which not only helps in increasing the
bottom line of any organisation; but
also in providing an environmentally
conscious direction, giving logistics
service providers an option to lower
carbon dioxide CO2 emissions and
thereby reduce the carbon footprint.
WIDELY ADOPTED TECHNOLOGIES Technology is deployed in each &
every aspect of a supply chain. And,
like any other business in
today’s world, the supply
chain is highly dependent
on IT. Also, information-
focussed capabilities
have increasingly been
viewed as key performance
factors. Citing the example
of Blue Dart processes,
Dhingra informs, “Speed and
reliability are the key value
drivers at Blue Dart. To ensure
these, the company uses state-of-
the-art technology at all stages of the
distribution chain from collection to
delivery. Time-consuming paperwork
is minimised and consignments can be
tracked with the delivery status.”
Speaking about the most sought-
after software, he adds that the
company has developed solutions that
ensure real-time information on the
consignments. Some of them are:
• SMARTTM: An indigenously
developed technology system that
allows computerised management
of booking and tracking of
consignments.
• COSMAT – IITM: It helps track
shipment from pick up to delivery.
It is the most sophisticated tracking
system in the express industry and
can monitor the precise location of
the shipment at every step.
• ShipDartTM: A software that
interfaces with Blue Dart’s system
and enables users to literally
‘orchestrate’ their shipping moves.
• ImageDartTM: ImageDart is a
software that enables users of Blue
The right application of technology can work wonders in achieving a green supply chain. This, in addition, can positively affect a company’s bottom line. Technology enables more effective planning, execution, coordination and optimum usage of available resources. Here’s taking a look at some of the green tech trends that are doing the rounds in the supply chain.
Wading its way through the supply chain
38 • SMART LOGISTICS • SEPTEMBER 2012
Dart’s Apex (Air Package Express)
and Surfaceline services download
Proof of Delivery (POD) and
Delivery Challans (DC) online,
from the Blue Dart website.
RFID Radio Frequency Identification
(RFID) supports a green supply chain
by helping increase efficiencies, limit
wastes and reduce carbon footprint.
The technology can also track reusable
containers & other expensive assets,
help accurately track vehicle miles and
has the potential to improve stock
levels & reduce the need for expedited
freight. With this real-time visibility,
companies can access exact information
regarding where a particular returnable
transit items (RTI) has traveled,
who used it last and when it should
be returned. This not only reduces
the cost of purchasing disposable
packaging or replacing lost assets,
it can also improve the company’s
environmental standing by reducing
operational wastes in the supply chain.
RFID technology helps companies
reduce the number of logistics assets
needed to operate the supply chain;
reusing those assets as frequently as
possible and recycling programmes.
By using RFID to track returnable
transit items, companies can increase
asset utilisation and reduce theft, loss
& reliance on redundant supplies.
Additionally, it puts less strain on the
environment by reducing the need
for manufacturing, maintaining and
storing additional assets.
GREEN GPSThis new software reduces energy
consumption in transportation systems.
Green GPS, developed by computer
scientists at the University of Illinois
at Urbana-Champaign, works like
general GPS navigation, except that in
addition to calculating the shortest and
fastest routes, it also projects the most
fuel-efficient route. The technology
runs on cell phones, which links to a
car’s computer using an inexpensive,
off-the-shelf wireless adapter that
works in all cars manufactured since
1996. The car’s onboard diagnostics
system uploads information about
engine performance and fuel efficiency
to the phone, which uses the data to
compute the greenest route.
SPEECH RECOGNITIONThe voice technology for supply chain
operations—especially for hands-free
data entry—is being widely adopted
these days. It helps enhance productivity
by reducing the need for users to look
at the computer display. Following the
larger IT trends of open systems and
interoperability, speech recognition
capability can now be easily embedded
into numerous software packages,
including warehouse management,
picking, inventory, inspection, quality
control & other applications.
ROUTE OPTIMISATION SOFTWARE Optimising route management can
save costs along the entire internal
supply chain of companies that deliver
goods and services to their customers’
locations. Route optimisation
technologies have matured with a
host of software, servers and handheld
field computers or phones available
to coordinate operations. There are
a plethora of devices available to
accommodate route optimisation—
from handheld devices to tablet
PCs—all with touchscreens to capture
signatures. Voice/speech recognition
can also be helpful in some applications.
By cutting on the route, not only does
a company cut down on the cost, but
also on carbon footprints.
RIGHT-SIZING IT INFRASTRUCTURETechnological innovations in energy-
efficient computing and data storage
systems as well as devices by hardware
manufacturers can help to create a
green supply chain. Right-sizing the
IT infrastructure can enable greater
effectiveness with less consumption
of resources. For example, multiple
application and database servers can
be squeezed into a fewer number
of systems, creating a virtual
multi-server scenario while consuming
less resources.
SUPPLY CHAIN: HIGH ON TECHNOLOGY A lean & green supply chain
management combines the efficiency
that lean technologies deliver with
the environmental and cost benefits
of sustainability. The lean sustainable
supply chain illuminates the business
benefits of combining lean & green,
and offers start-to-finish guidance for
redesigning company infrastructure
& technologies to achieve these
benefits. Green initiatives, if properly
managed, can enable organisations to
be responsible corporate citizens and
also deliver higher profitability and
competitive advantage. Elaborating
further, Chheda adds, “Day by
day, there is continual awareness
& consciousness regarding green
initiatives and the use of eco-friendly
methods of doing business. In fact,
carbon credits will be one big thing
to watch out for in the coming years.
If companies are committed to eco-
friendly initiatives, their vendors might
as well have eco-friendly measures.”
By aligning green initiatives with the
strategic objectives of the company and
with the help of the right technology
solutions, companies can reduce waste
and take an innovative approach to
make their supply chain greener.
(With inputs from Cognizant)
Factors Driving Green Supply Chain Management • Rising energy costs• Global concerns about
greenhouse gases• Climate change• Regulations like RoHS, EPA
and others• Technology innovations• Increased public awareness
of environmental issues
Green technologies, continued
SEPTEMBER 2012 • SMART LOGISTICS • 39
RFID BENEFITS RFID BENEFITS SPECIAL FOCUS SPECIAL FOCUS
OUTSIDE the supply chain, RFID
systems are created to improve an
organisation’s own processes—not
those of a business partner or
an upstream or downstream
distributer. Businesses can
match RFID technology
and its application to meet
specific requirements.
Depending upon the
project goals, common
objectives include saving
time, preventing errors,
ensuring process integrity,
or performing other
specific functions beneficial
to the organisation. Instead
of asking, “What do we need
to do?” to comply with RFID
requirements, users can ask,
“What can RFID do for us?”
RFID provides many benefits for
manufacturers and non-manufacturers
alike. Businesses can use RFID to
automate most processes for identifying
objects, controlling employee access and
recording their location or movements.
The technology often creates value by
automatically recording these activities,
reducing labour costs, and providing
more complete & accurate information
than manual record keeping.
Unattended readers can ensure the
recording of all asset movements, and
can issue alerts if unauthorised material
movement occurs. Here’s taking a look
at the functions and key benefits of
common RFID applications…
ASSET TRACKING HELPS STREAMLINE THE ENTERPRISEEvery organisation needs to manage its
assets, which
can take many forms including
inventory, raw materials, files, product
samples, and even people. Different
RFID technologies are well suited
for tracking and identifying many
types of assets in many environments,
so virtually any organisation can
benefit from RFID asset tracking.
Automated—often unattended—
RFID reading reduces the cycle time
and error rate of the recording process.
Utilising RFID to ensure accurate
record keeping also helps keep assets
available and eliminates the hidden
costs associated with searching for lost
or misplaced items. For example, if
employees spend an average of only
10 minutes a day looking for tools,
equipment, or materials, they spend
the equivalent of one full week each
year on non-value added searching,
as the following calculation
illustrates:
(10 minutes/day x 5 days/
week x 50 weeks/year) =
2,500 minutes/year ÷ 60
minutes/hour = 41.67
hours
To find the labour
cost impact to a business,
multiply this time by the
number of employees
involved in searches,
and then by their average
per hour salary. The
total impact is actually
higher, because employees
cannot utilise missing assets,
which often require premature
replacement. There are other costs
associated with asset management
when manual labour is required to
inventory and record assets, track asset
movements, and enter the information
into information systems. RFID can
eliminate manual labour, plus the time
delays between when workers move
or use assets and when the activity is
recorded.
SOURCE AND ITEM-LEVEL TAGGING ENHANCES VISIBILITYUntil recently, most RFID applications
focussed on pallet and case-level
tracking. With source and product-
level tagging in retail operations, for
example, tracking originates farther
back in the cycle (with the manufacturer
applying product tags) and extends
all the way to the consumer. In this
scenario, RFID tags are affixed directly
Businesses in a wide range of industries are realising signifi cant benefi ts from radio frequency identifi cation (RFID) technologies. The RoI for RFID comes from reducing the time & labour required to track assets and materials, decreased losses & theft, improved maintenance operations, and streamlined effi ciency through better asset availability & utilisation. Here’s demonstrating how companies are unlocking the value of RFID by ‘unchaining’ the technology from strictly supply chain-based projects, to improve overall tracking and control throughout the enterprise.
Offering Unmatched Flexibility,Delivering Fast RoI
40 • SMART LOGISTICS • SEPTEMBER 2012
RFID Benefits, continued
to a product’s packaging or the actual
product itself.
Consider the following retail
application. As the retailer receives
products, an RFID reader automatically
scans each product into the retailer’s
computer system, which then verifies
the product type and quantity. Scanners
in the store record the product’s
purchase, or if the product leaves the
store without the shopper paying for
it. The enhanced visibility allows a
store chain to reduce stock-outs, boost
the shopper’s buying experience, and
increase sales. Now, the retailer knows
what it is selling, where and when.
In addition, RFID-based Electronic
Article Surveillance (EAS) product-
level tagging can provide the retailer
loss-prevention intelligence regarding
what product left the store and when
the theft took place.
For manufacturers and food service
enterprises, source- and product-
level tagging enables compliance with
initiatives to protect the food & drug
supply and reduce counterfeit drugs.
This also creates an opportunity for
suppliers and retailers alike to reduce
costs by standardising inventory based
on a single technology and simplifying
tagging tasks. Businesses gain cost
containment, operational efficiency,
improved inventory accuracy and
a method to achieve compliance
mandates.
HOW RETURNABLE TRANSPORT HELPS REDUCE OPERATING EXPENSES?Using automatic identification systems
to track pallets, racks, trays, totes and
other returnable transport items (RTI)
within a facility can provide a strong
return on investment by lowering
operating expenses. Many companies
do not have accurate information
about the quantity and location of
their shipping containers because the
assets often remain at other facilities
for extended periods of time. As
a result, businesses purchase more
returnable containers to ensure they
have an adequate supply, creating
excess capacity and locking capital into
fixed assets.
Identifying and tracking returnable
containers provides the information
businesses need to improve returns
and recoveries. To do so, businesses
must permanently identify each asset
with an RFID tag encoded with a
company-specific ID number and/or a
standardised Global Returnable Asset
Identifier (GRAI) code. Departments
can automatically identify and record
every instance of a container exiting
or entering a facility using unattended
RFID portals, forklift-mounted
readers, or handhelds. Workers can use
mobile readers in the field to record
container drop offs and pickups. By
leveraging business database systems,
departments can associate containers
with customer records, providing
detailed visibility and billing data.
OPTIMISE INTERNAL SHIPPING AND RECEIVING PROCESSESEven though shipping and receiving
fall into the supply chain definition,
these tasks can also operate within
the enterprise to track intra-company
transfers and shipment. EPCglobal,
the organisation that developed the
international RFID standards used in
most compliance projects, estimated
the minimum savings of using RFID
in receiving applications to be between
$0.01 and $0.03 per case. The primary
benefits include a reduction in the
time and labour needed to process
goods movements, and the elimination
of data entry errors. Companies can
achieve these benefits by using RFID-
enabled processes to manage receiving
at their own distribution centres that
do not require participation from
customers, suppliers, or other supply
chain participants.
Internal shipment tracking promises
significant value to industries that
require distribution regulations, or in
food & pharmaceutical markets with
strong security and documentation
mandates. The EPC RFID tag
system encodes each individual item
with a product identifier and a unique
serial number, making it possible
to associate specific products with
a lot number and other production
information held in central databases
quickly and easily. As a result,
businesses can automate the receipt
of product and Electronic Proof Of
Delivery (EPOD) processes.
WORK-IN-PROCESS TRACKING IMPROVES PROCESS THROUGHPUTWork-In-Process (WIP) tracking
is a highly adaptable and beneficial
RFID application. Businesses can
use and reuse RFID tags in harsh
industrial conditions, even when
exposed to chemicals, pressure and
extreme temperatures. Scanners
can still read the encoded data even
when tags are covered, stacked or
buried. The versatility RFID provides
enables businesses to identify and track
materials in processes where barcode
and other methods fail. Because
RFID tags are re-writable, encoders
can update the tags at each step
of the production process with a
time-stamped job code for the
performed operation, operator ID,
configuration, quality control grades
and other records.
SIMPLIFY SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE OPERATIONSMaintenance operations typically
use RFID tags on equipment to
serve as remote databases that house
Benefits of RFID technologies • Process Automation: Businesses
from manufacturers to retailers gain unmatched flexibility to adapt RFID to support specific, unique processes.
• Deep Visibility: Management can control project time tables and goals at a finer level of detail.
• Tailored Solutions: The wide variety of tracking tasks means more RFID technology, frequency, standards and product options.
SEPTEMBER 2012 • SMART LOGISTICS • 41
configuration data and service history
information. Re-writable memory
on RFID tags lets technicians access
and update essential information in
remote and challenging environments
where other database or wireless access
is unavailable. Tagging helps ensure
workers accurately identify equipment
and components and confirm that the
correct items are serviced.
Consider the aerospace giant,
Boeing. After testing Zebra®
RFID smart label printer/encoders,
Boeing committed to use RFID
to identify critical parts on its advanced
Dreamliner 787 aircraft in order to
help airlines improve maintenance
operations, save time during
pre-flight inspections, improve
traceability & safety and streamline
record keeping. Smart labels logged
more than 1,500 flight hours and
provided 100% read rates and 100%
data accuracy, providing Boeing with
the confidence to move forward with
RFID tagging.
ACCURATE AND FAST CHECK-IN/CHECK-OUTMany large libraries around the
world rely on RFID to speed
material check-in, check-out, shelf
inventory, and security applications.
Clerks insert low-cost, flexible
smart labels in books. Some RFID
options include transparent tags,
often invisible to patrons. Counter
personnel check dozens of tagged
books in or out in mere seconds
without manually handling and
orienting each item. Libraries can
use tags for theft detection, much
like anti-shoplifting technology used
by retailers. Librarians using portable
computers with RFID readers can
take inventory and find misfiled
materials simply by walking down an
aisle of bookshelves.
The reader can automatically detect
missing materials and alert the operator.
Video rental stores use RFID for
similar applications. Facilities position
readers at the checkout, unattended
return bins, and doorways to record
transactions and detect shoplifted
items automatically. Businesses can
adapt check-in/check-out applications
for tool crib management, evidence
tracking, records management, and
many other operations.
IMPLEMENT PRECISE FILE TRACKINGImagine having to find a misfiled
document in a filing cabinet where
hundreds of forms are packed tightly
into a compact space. A manual
search is like looking for a needle in a
haystack—without any guarantee that
the needle is actually in the haystack.
Designers can build RFID readers
into inboxes and filing cabinets to
automatically record each folder &
document someone files and removes.
For records and archive operations,
readers can automatically check entire
boxes of records in & out in seconds,
saving countless time for manual data
entry. Departments can also use RFID
to automatically associate the files with
the person who signed them out by
reading RFID employee ID badges as
part of the process.
CAPITALISE ON THE VALUE RFID DELIVERSMany RFID applications gain rapid
RoI because users have the flexibility
to choose technology and tailor process
improvement solutions to solve their
specific business problems. Processes
in which manual data recording
creates a bottleneck, is error prone, or
incomplete, are prime candidates for
improvement with RFID. Enterprises
in both the private and public sector
can benefit from RFID technology
throughout a wide variety of
use-cases and environments, while
realising opportunities for improving
efficiency and reducing operational
costs.
Courtesy: Zebra Technologies Corporation
Overview of leading RFID technologies used in enterprise operations• High-frequency (HF) RFID systems operate at 13.56 MHz with a typical maximum
read range of up to 3 feet (1 metre). Common HF RFID applications include item identification and asset management that require a short read range and high data precision. Other applications include file tracking, shelf management, tool crib check-in/checkout and sample identification. 13.56 MHz reader modules are popular for integration into machines used for sorting, dispensing, testing, and industrial process control.
• Ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) RFID systems operate at multiple frequencies, typically between 860 and 960 MHz. EPCglobal Gen 2 is a leading standardised UHF protocol. UHF tags often produce read ranges of 20 feet (6 metre) or more, which is why they are popular for supply chain processes, such as shipping and receiving, container management, and warehouse inventory control. The UHF Class-1 Generation-2 air interface protocol V1.2.0 extends the item-level tagging capabilities of UHF Gen 28. In the new protocol, an indicator shows when there is formatted data in user memory. Furthermore, the addition of permalocking on a block level in user memory now protects previously written data from modifications.
• RTLS technology, developed and standardised at different frequencies, includes 433 MHz and 2.45 GHz systems compatible with 802.11-standard wireless networks, and 5.8 GHz Ultra Wide Band (UWB) technology that offers exceptional location accuracy. RTLS is a long-range technology used to track the location of assets in distribution centres and large factory complexes, cargo containers in yards, medical equipment through the various floors & wards in hospitals, and even employees. RTLS is one of the fastest-growing segments of the RFID industry, in part because there are many well-documented business improvement results for RTLS asset management systems.
42 • SMART LOGISTICS • SEPTEMBER 2012
RETAILRETAIL MULTI-STORE & MULTI-LOCATION MANAGEMENTMULTI-STORE & MULTI-LOCATION MANAGEMENT
TECH solutions for a multi-stores
retailer can be easily borrowed if the
algos have been clearly defined. There
are certain factors such as population
of the particular location, logistics
availability, goods consumption and
so on, which contribute as shaping
factors while drawing the algo. There
have been various indices to get the
complete market potential of the
selected locations. The best known
indices include Buying Power Index
(BPI), Premium-priced Product Index
(PPP), Index of Retail Saturation
(IRS)—which is roughly the ratio of
total retail expenditure to total square
footage of retail establishments in an
area. These indices collectively present
the descriptive measures and right
demographic model that help retailers
identify their corresponding market.
The trade analysis identifies the
most fluctuating parameters, thereby
indicating the strength and weakness
of these locations.
TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS Multi-stores firms are handled by
making one of the stores function as
the headquarters from where all the
decisive functions like purchase orders
for any of the stores, recruitments, etc.,
are managed.
HEADQUARTER-BASED SUPPLY CHAIN SOFTWAREThere are web-based software
solutions that offer a consolidated and
centralised way of managing a chain of
stores. The solution provides real-time
business status at the headquarters
from every Point Of Sale (POS).
Sitting in the office one can monitor
sales & inventory positions of all the
stores. One such example would be
RayMedi supply chain management,
which helps in consolidating the data
from various branches into one system,
providing an integrated analysis of
sales, inventory and purchase.
SUPRITA ANUPAM
The burgeoning retail segment is among the few sectors, where a fi rm can bounce back with feedback solutions The burgeoning retail segment is among the few sectors, where a fi rm can bounce back with feedback solutions at any time to bring the business back on the track. Multi-stores at multi-locations are booming these days. This is at any time to bring the business back on the track. Multi-stores at multi-locations are booming these days. This is
because multi-store retailing comes along with certain benefi ts such as multi-location and central control. Further, because multi-store retailing comes along with certain benefi ts such as multi-location and central control. Further, the technology brings software solutions to these fi rms, which makes them function as one unit.the technology brings software solutions to these fi rms, which makes them function as one unit.
Tech Edge for Tech Edge for RETAILING BRILLIANCERETAILING BRILLIANCE
Merging with e-commerce technology solutions, the multi-store retail supply management
is rapidly growing and is keen to change the face further
with cloud storage and FDI in the multi-brand retail sector.
With IT companies already in the business, a planned
development can be hoped at least in this sector.
SEPTEMBER 2012 • SMART LOGISTICS • 43
LumenSoft Candela retail
management system provides
One Step Data Transfer
from shops and warehouses.
It offers easy set up and
flexible system configuration,
flexible products & product
code definition, complete
barcode-enabled software and
invoice generation and Point
of Sale (POS). Additionally,
daily accounts closing and
cash reconciliation, product
search facility at shop POS
product pricing and discount
management, inventory
and purchase management,
automated stock refilling at retail outlets
and other facilities are also some of its
features. NextlevelObjects’ solution
relies on Lynux, Apache, Mysql, PHP
(LAMP) architecture, which has been
integrated with jQuery and with Yahoo
user interface library allowing retailers
to add new interesting widgets to their
shopping carts.
SECURITY AND MOBILITY FOR CLOUD STORAGECloud computing and storage has
added new wings to the multi-store
supply management. Though much of
its real capabilities are yet to be seen,
it will have to keep multi-tenancy
guaranteeing strict isolation among
separate departments and customers.
To boost the idea of a secure multi-
tenancy, NetApp introduced NetApp®
MultiStore® solution that allows one
to create isolated logical partitions
on a single storage system with cull
authenticity and security.
According to Roger Weeks,
Technical Marketing Engineer and
Paul Feresten, Sr Product Marketing
Manager, NetApp, “MultiStore is
the leading solution for secure multi-
tenancy in storage environments.
Its robustness has been proven in
both laboratory tests and customer
environments over years of deployment.
MultiStore works on all NetApp
storage platforms, offers higher security
and is the only solution that integrates
non-disruptive data migration.”
REVERSE LOGISTICS SOLUTIONS IN MULTI-STORE MANAGEMENTReverse logistics is usually carried out
by the headquarters and is about the
defective product claims that need to
be replaced immediately to keep the
business relationship longer.
Various IT giants like Infosys
and Accenture provide reverse
logistics solutions in multi-
stores. The solution must have
the ability to handle customer
complaints, their approval and
tracking as basic features. The
reverse logistics management
must be integrated with
e-Commerce/online channel,
enterprise systems and
workflow management.
GROWING AT A FAST PACEMerging with e-commerce
technology solutions, the
multi-store retail supply
management is rapidly growing and
is keen to change the face further
with cloud storage and FDI in the
multi-brand retail sector. With IT
companies already in the business, a
planned development can be hoped at
least in this sector.
Figure 2: NetApp MultiStore divides a single storage system into multiple secure partitions called vFiler™ units. Individual vFiler units can be assigned to separate ‘tenants’, which can be individual applications, departments within a company, or outside users.Courtesy: NetApp
Figure 1: RayMedi Supply Chain Management (SCM) Solution Architecture.Courtesy: Gofrugal
44 • SMART LOGISTICS • SEPTEMBER 2012
SECTOR WATCHSECTOR WATCH RAIL LOGISTICSRAIL LOGISTICS
ENERGY-WISE, transportation by
water is the most efficient, followed
by rail, road and lastly, air. The rolling
resistance of a steel wheel over a steel
rail gives Railways a comparatively
greater advantage over road. For
instance, a 4,000 hp diesel locomotive
will haul a 45-covered wagon train
with a 3,000-tonne payload that would
otherwise need 200 trucks of 15 tonne
capacity powered by a 150 hp diesel
engine each, totalling 30,000 hp—a
ratio of 1:7.5! It also provides seamless
transport across state boundaries,
thereby avoiding the problems of
innumerable octroi posts and other
man-made hurdles.
A road vehicle, however, is
inescapable for the last mile
connectivity it provides. It is also more
suitable for the transportation of small
goods, enables plant-to-godown or
home-to-home delivery and seldom
has to return empty. Rail wagons, on
the other hand, have to mostly return
empty, especially when carrying coal to
a thermal plant, unless a load is readily
available at/near the unloading point.
RAILWAYS: A 24x7 ACTIVITYUnlike the defence services, Railways
is a 24x7 activity with no holidays. It
is constantly at war, moving millions
of tonnes of freight and passengers.
It has no less than 270,000 wagons of
various shapes and sizes—the largest
type being Open BOXN mainly for
carrying coal. These comprise nearly
50% of the rail freight, viz., iron
ore, limestone, and sometimes, even
bagged commodities such as cement,
food grains and fertilisers, among
others (whenever covered wagons are
not readily available).
Special Bottom Discharge WagonsOver the years, special bottom
discharge wagons have been developed
for carrying coal, iron ore, cement
and alumina, among others. And the
mechanisation of bulk loading through
silos have, so far, been limited to coal,
cement, alumina, etc. With the loading
party having to set up these facilities,
the role of Railways has always been
limited to being a mere transporter.
Special flat wagonsSpecial flat wagons are available
to carry steel coils, flats and rolled
sections, among others. CONCOR,
a subsidiary of Indian Railways, has
provided the much-needed capability
for carrying small goods, particularly
high-value white goods and export-
import cargo in a safe and fast manner
in ISO containers. Specially designed
double-decker car carriers transport
Maruti cars from Gurgaon to various
destinations all over India.
A LOT MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE… Despite all these efforts, the Indian
logistics industry has barely scratched
the surface of the vast potential of
productivity gains lying untapped. In
the highly competitive world of the
US logistics market, special types
of wagons—mostly owned by either
a shipper or a leasing company that
would then hire it out to various
users—occupy a dominant place. Each
type of wagon is developed to carry
a particular commodity that may use
various labour-saving devices, viz.
• For packages or crates: There are
covered wagons with large sliding
Rail transport is no rocket science, yet the system needs to be highly reliable, safe and provide carriage of goods at the lowest possible unit cost. It must not only yield economies of scale, but must also substantially reduce manpower costs, which have become a source of concern over the last decade or so for the logistics players in India!
Time to encash on the Rail advantage
Steel coil wagons
Unlike the defence services, Railways is a 24x7 activity with no holidays. It is constantly at
war, moving millions of tonnes of freight and passengers.
SEPTEMBER 2012 • SMART LOGISTICS • 45
doors or swinging roof for loading/
unloading with cranes and forklifts.
• For solids such as coal, limestone,
iron ore: There are open wagons
and covered for granular material
such fertilisers, food grains, cement,
alumina, etc., with track side silos
for loading and bottom discharge
facility, air-assisted or simple
gravity-aided, and a set of pipelines
or conveyor belts for bulk unloading
& storage at the destination.
• For fluids such as oils and acids: There
are tankers with special rubber
lining, high-pressure vessels for
ammonia, LPG, etc., and connected
pumps and storage tanks.
• For cars and trucks: There are special
double-decker wagons with high-
level platforms at both ends to
ensure fast, yet safe, loading and
unloading.
• For heavy steel plates, rolled bars,
sections, etc.: There are flat wagons
for ease in loading/unloading with
cranes.
THE WAY FORWARD The possibilities are unlimited
and involve large-scale financial
investments, which, so far, Railways
has made. However, logistics players
have been slow to venture into the
given uncertainties of the business
environment and Railways’ frequently
changing policies & freight tariffs.
Moreover, adequate volumes would be
needed for even a small fleet of special
types of wagons to make any economic
sense.
Nonetheless, given the Railway’s
scarce financial resources and the
Planning Commission increasingly
opting for the Public Private
Partnership (PPP) route, the time is
ripe for logistics players to take the
initiative for owning their own wagon
fleet for special types of consignments,
which could yield large-scale
productivity gains. In the process, they
could claim substantial discounts that
Railways offers for such Own Your
Wagon (OYW) schemes.
RC Acharya, Former Member, Railway Board
E-mail: [email protected]
Wagons specially designed for cars
October 2010
Vol. 01 | Issue 06 | OCTOBER 2010 Rs 100/-
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46 • SMART LOGISTICS • SEPTEMBER 2012
SHIPPING SHIPPING OCEAN FREIGHT OCEAN FREIGHT
DURING the last decade, world
merchandise freight exports nearly
tripled in value from US$5.4 trillion
to US$16 trillion, and ocean freight
remained the most common mode of
transportation used for shipping these
exports. Despite the current downturn
in the global economy, international
trade (and consequently, ocean
transport) is expected to continue to
expand. Meanwhile, the growing trend
of global sourcing has increased the
role of ocean transport in the supply
chains of most companies. In such a
scenario, it is of prudent importance
to critically scrutinise cost elements
of ocean freight that will not only
reduce the ambiguities associated with
operating in the global market, but will
also streamline the entire supply chain.
OCEAN FREIGHT LANESThe key cost drivers of ocean
freight are steamship costs, broker
commissions, duties and tariffs, vessel
& port maintenance costs and labour
costs, among others. Steamship lines
manage their costs by realigning routes
and service frequencies to better match
supply with demand; investing in
enhanced technologies and acquiring
more efficient ships. Based on these
dynamics, freight forwarders negotiate
rates with steamship lines and provide
these rates to shippers along with
the additional fees for the above-
mentioned components. Shippers,
however, do not necessarily negotiate
for fixed rates. These negotiations
depend on the nature of the lane;
whether there could be a commitment
to volume or not.
Most shippers have two broad types of
lanes, viz:
Regular lanes: These are high volume,
predictable routes for which shippers
can negotiate a fixed all-inclusive rate
with a volume commitment. This
rate covers the shipment rate with an
index-based fuel surcharge (FSC) as
well as handling and management fees.
Irregular lanes: These are spot quoted
and shippers get prompt quotes when
the need arises. For irregular or low
volume lanes, shippers expect market
conditions to drive the true spot price.
According to a recent survey conducted
across leading freight forwarders in
North America, about 60% of all
shipment (exports and imports) occur
on a spot quote basis with no pre-
negotiated shipment and handling
fees. In these instances, the shipper
relies completely on the quote received
on the instance and has no control
on the pricing components. But this
need not be the case, as the following
sections illustrate.
ENSURING COMPETITIVE RATES ON SPOT QUOTESSpot quote lanes refer to irregular or
low-volume lanes managed on a per
instance basis and bring numerous
challenges from a purchasing point of
view. The per instance basis makes it
difficult to track spend; hence, lack
of this data brings limited visibility
to cost breakdown, spend evaluation,
eventually to reporting. Without
such information and no volume
commitment, shippers have no room
for negotiations for fixed rates, making
them vulnerable for any changes in the
industry.Furthermore, invoices include
several handling and management fees,
which make it complicated to control
the actual rate paid for a shipment.
Those fees, on an average, make up
about 30% of the entire ocean freight
The movement of ocean freight between nations is driven by a complex supply chain and involves many participants, including shippers, commercial for-hire carriers, third-party logistics providers and consignees. The complexity of this value chain combined with onerous regulatory requirements has led many shippers to increasingly utilise freight forwarders as a one-stop shop for end-to-end services. While this approach reduces operational complexity for shippers, the benefi ts come at a premium and include a complex pricing structure. A detailed understanding of these cost elements can help shippers identify signifi cant cost savings.
Unlocking Valuein Hidden Cost Drivers
SEPTEMBER 2012 • SMART LOGISTICS • 47
cost and are either service fees or third-
party costs, which are then passed on
to the shippers directly or marked up
in order to make profit. Given that
handling and management fees are not
the only components of ocean freight
spend, gaining control over the full
‘spot quote’ spend depends on how
well the shipment fees (base shipment
fee and fuel surcharge) are managed.
Creating a competitive environment
among a reasonable number of
freight forwarders, by carrying out
the next steps will definitely give the
shipper control over non-contracted
spot quote rates.
KEY STEPS TO UNLOCK THE HIDDEN VALUEBy following the step-by-step
procedure mentioned below, one can
unlock the hidden value associated
with ocean freight:
• The initial step is forming a
complete spend profile.
- In case you do not have full
visibility to data, getting quotes
from multiple freight forwarders
on specific lanes is an effective
way.
- Get as much detailed breakdown
as possible. This will help
you identify all handling and
management fees in the industry.
• Compile all handling and
management fees and clarify with
the freight forwarders whether
these are service or third-party fees.
Freight forwarder companies have
been charging customers so many
different handling and management
fees that even they lose track of how
the fees are generated. Getting the
list from multiple freight forwarders
will help clear the discrepancies.
• Generate your market benchmark
with due diligence.
- Cherry picking the lowest rates
from each freight forwarder’s list
sounds ideal from a purchaser’s
point of view. However, due to
the different cost structures they
will encounter, freight forwarders
will allocate the associated cost
invariably among different fees.
- Make sure you are fair with
your market basket and do not
hurt the freight forwarder by
slashing their total handling and
management fees. They may
compensate for the difference
by charging a high ocean freight
base rate, which is the 70% of
entire spot quote business.
• Shortlist an optimal number of
freight forwarders as your preferred
freight forwarder list. It is crucial to
let the shortlisted freight forwarder
know that they are not the only
player in this business; that you
will be getting spot rates (ocean
freight base rate) from other freight
forwarders as well. This will help
ensure your competitive spot quote,
where upfront negotiations are not
possible.
• Have direct negotiations with
shortlisted freight forwarders.
- Let the freight forwarder know
you have done your homework
and you know the market well.
Provide target rates based on
your market benchmark and ask
for fixed rates for the service
fees, and at cost fees for the
third-party fees.
- Agree on proof of documentation
on third-party fees in order to
avoid any mark ups.
• Sign service agreements with
preferred freight forwarders with
specific rate cards and have KPIs
set on the agreements, such as:
- Adherence to negotiated rates
for selected fixed fees
- Supporting invoices for the
third-party fees
- Response time of maximum 24
hours on quotes
- Reporting capabilities.
TAKE AN INFORMED DECISIONIt is undeniable that ocean
transportation will continue to be a
significant part and freight forwarders
to be a strong player of the world and
the US supply chain models. Moreover,
fluctuating market conditions suggest
that both freight forwarders and
shippers will be getting more reluctant
to sign year-long flat rate agreements
for ocean freight services, indicating
a rise in spot quote business with
unsteady rates.
However, there is a good
opportunity for shippers to save even
on spot quote business. By fixing
management and handling fees on
the spot quotes, hard savings will be
realised immediately and by creating
a competitive environment between
preferred freight forwarders, low rates
will be guaranteed for shipment.
Courtesy: GEP (Global eProcure)
Figure 1: Ocean Freight Lanes
48 • SMART LOGISTICS • SEPTEMBER 2012
STRATEGY STRATEGY MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATIONMULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION
THE Indian logistics industry is
treading on the growth path and is
slated to experience a consistent yearly
growth of around 10% over the next
10 years. There are several factors
preventing the expansion of the industry,
the most critical of all is the lack of
a multimodal transportation system.
Multimodal transportation refers to the
movement of cargo from
the point of origin to the
desired location by using
two or more modes of
transportation.
MODES OF TRANSPORTATION Currently, road is a
major driver of trade and
economic development.
Road transport accounts
for 60% of freight
movement in India.
The state and national
highways are highly
congested and create delays at toll
plazas and slows the speed of vehicles.
The country’s national highways
constitute only 1.67% of the total road
network, but carry 40% of the road
traffic. National and state highways
constitute less than 6% of the total road
network, but they account for almost
80% of the road traffic. Further, in
case of the automotive sector, railways
contribute 5% to auto movement as
compared to 30–60% in developed
countries. With such a scenario in the
background, introducing a multimodal
transport system will come as a huge
boon towards the faster movement of
goods in the country.
Commenting on the importance of
multimodal transportation
in the country, Srinath
Manda , Program
Manager – Transportation
and Logistics, Frost &
Sullivan, South Asia,
Middle East and North
Africa, says that in the
current scenario, with
the increasing volume of
goods and cargos, there is
a need to find alternative
modes of transport to
ensure fast, safe, smooth
and timely transfer of
cargo from the point of
With the increasing volumes of cargos, the current dependence on a single mode of transport is not sustainable. Establishing multimodal transport system in the country by effi ciently utilising all the modes of transport is the need of the hour. This will not only balance the traffi c evenly through all the modes of transportation, but will also ensure safe and timely movement of the ever-increasing cargo volumes. This will help India channelise all its modes of transport and decongest the most used transportation routes.
Harnessing thePower Of Last Mile
Connectivity
ARINDAM GHOSH
Source: Frost and Sullivan
SEPTEMBER 2012 • SMART LOGISTICS • 49
origin to the final destination. “Mixing
all the modes of transport optimally
for ensuring safe and timely movement
of goods is critical today,” he adds.
Voicing his opinions, Prem
Kumar Verma, CEO, Tata Motors
Distribution Co, says, “Multimodal
transportation is vital for the growth
of collaborative logistics.” If all the
transportation processes are effectively
connected and coordinated along
with a flexible link to a warehouse
through rail, road and sea network,
it will be critical for achieving high
levels of efficiency and productivity in
supply chain processes. Traditionally,
transport policies in India have focussed
on individual modes of transport such
as rail, ships, highways, goods carrier,
etc. “Besides being safe, efficient and
flexible, it will be environment friendly
and cost effective. It will also be able
to meet the needs of a large spectrum
of industries,” Verma adds.
OPPORTUNITY AREAS IN INDIAThere are many opportunity areas
where the concept of multimodal
transportation can optimally utilised.
Some of these include:
The manufacturing hubs in India located
deep in the hinterland far from seaports:
Some of the manufacturing hubs are
located far from the seaports. In order
to ensure timely door-to-door delivery,
multimodal transport is critical.
India’s international trade growing
annually at 10–12% with the rapid rise in
containerisation of goods: Today, India is
one of the fastest-growing economies
in the globe and is registering a high
economic growth rate every year.
Thanks to the rising trade, the growth
pattern will remain the same for the
next few years. This, in turn, will play
a critical role in the establishment of a
multimodal transport system.
The Dedicated Freight Corridors, to
be operational by 2015, are expected to
catapult rail transportation to greater
heights: The government has taken
proactive steps towards improving the
infrastructure in the country. With
DFCs to become functional by 2015,
it opens many opportunities for the
growth of a multimodal transport
mechanism in India.
15 million TEUs of annual multimodal
logistics forecasted by 2015: This is an
important factor, which will drive the
growth of multimodal transportation
in India in the years to come. With the
rising levels of cargos to be handled
during transportation in the future,
developing a multimodal transport
system will come as a boon towards
managing additional cargos effectively.
Rising end user preference for a single
service provider to manage end-to-end
supply chain solutions: The increasing
preference to opt for a single service
provider by the user companies will
fuel the drive for multimodal transport
system in India.
Industries: Currently, in India, the core
sectors of the economy such as cement,
steel, iron ore, food grains, coal,
etc., are using multimodal transport
system. Going forward, industries like
automobile, electronics, IT hardware,
etc., can harness the potential of
multimodal transportation if the
concept is promoted strongly.
INITIATIVES TAKEN Multimodal transportation of goods
has become a standard practice in
international trade. With an aim to
promote multimodal transport in the
country, the government has taken a
few measures, such as:
Multimodal Transportation of Goods
Act, 1993: The main objective of the
Act is to reduce interruption in the
movement of goods from the point
of origin to the final destination and
to liberalise control and simplify the
procedures and facilitate the flow of
cargos. However, the industry is of the
view that the Act needs to be updated
or revised on an urgent basis because
of its limitation—it only deals with
shipping and freight forwarding.
Association of Multimodal Transport
Operators of India (AMTOI): The
Association of Multimodal Transport
Operators of India (AMTOI) was
formed with an aim to organise
multimodal transport operators
at the national level and improve
the quality of their services. The
members of the body are multimodal
transport operators registered with
the Directorate General of Shipping,
Mumbai, under the Multimodal
Transportation of Goods Act, 1993.
According to Sanjay Sahay, Head
– SCM, EWAC Alloys, Larsen
& Toubro, a multimodal transport
system could initially be applied in a
few industries and then be expanded to
other industries in the country.
NEED OF THE HOUR Soon better logistics services will
be the key differentiating factor for
companies to be sustainable and create
a niche for themselves in the market.
It is here that a well-developed
multimodal transportation system
is going to play a key role. To this,
V Anand, GM – Sales Logistics,
Hyundai Motor India, adds, “Creating
proper and modern infrastructure will
boost the establishment of multimodal
transport system in the country.”
Multimodal transportation between
road and rail can be witnessed in the
next few years because Railways have
shown interest in being a part of the
multimodal transport system for the
automotive sector. Given the progress
the Indian economy is registering,
multimodal transportation will soon
play a key role in sustaining the
country’s performance.
Major challenges in utilising multimodal transport include: Insuffi cient network coverage Improper connectivity Poor rail access to ports Lack of in-transit storage facilities Frequency of services is lower Budgets for multi-modal services
are low
ROADBLOCKS AHEAD
50 • SMART LOGISTICS • SEPTEMBER 2012
WAREHOUSING & DC WAREHOUSING & DC PHYSICALITY PHYSICALITY
PHYSICALITY is the magnitude
and arrangement of any company’s
warehouse. Apart from physicality,
the products’ dimensions, packaging
requirements, material handling
equipment used in the production line
and other such factors also help create a
sturdy and healthy physical warehouse.
What makes this physicality more
interesting is the fact that every
company will have a different attribute
altogether which would make the
warehouse stand apart from other
warehouses. At times, even within the
same organisation, it has been noticed
that one facility’s layout is completely
different from that of the other.
MAXIMISING RoI: AN UPHILL TASK? While the physicality helps a warehouse
optimise its potential to the fullest,
if any company longs to get better
returns on their WMS investment,
the company should make sure that
it has the capacity and capabilities,
which will help it optimise its physical
warehouse. Commenting on the same,
Chris Goldsmith, Director – Product
Strategy, HighJump Software, says,
“If you want to get a good return on
your WMS investment, make sure it
has the functions that will help you
optimise your physical warehouse.”
If the company does not follow suit,
then they may not get the RoI they need
in order to stay profitable. According
to Asim Behera, GM (India), Swisslog,
“Technology is a Capital Expenditure
(CapEX) investment, where you get
the most when you use it the most.
From a client’s perspective, WMS
implementation is often a new business
process for a company and its staff. A
WMS has many features and options.
Therefore. it is very important that
when you invest in it, you discuss your
business model and requirements and
get the service provider to tailor WMS
to your specific needs. One should also
ensure that the staff and users are well
trained and are comfortable using it.”
“Many people face a steep uphill
challenge to embrace a new procedure
or business process and this is where
leadership needs to step up to make
the transition a smooth process to
ensure success,” he adds.
Some important guidelines for
effectively addressing the physical
warehouse in order to maximise the
company’s investment include:
Do More Than Buy A Vertical-specific SolutionSome companies opine that a number
of WMS vendors sell vertical-
specific applications that deal with a
physical warehouse. Having a business
application with vertical templates
is a great place to start physical
warehousing and many logistics
players have made great advances in
this area using the same. However,
even within a vertical industry, there
are potential physical differences
between warehouses. For instance, “At
Swisslog,” Behera informs, “We always
strive to be a partner to the client
rather than a mere vendor. We have a
While keeping in mind the vast R&D money that many vendors have spent into building more sophisticated and robust Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), companies nowadays have every right to expect more value from the solutions they sell. Although today’s WMS offer a variety of enhanced features and functions; there is still one prime variable that, if excluded, will leave the company searching for the RoI expected. That measuring variable is physicality. Physicality would help a company understand and identify the intricacies of their warehousing facility and thereby help them to reorganise or manage the warehouse effectively and effi ciently.
Ensuring Quick Returns on Investment
PRATEEK SUR
SEPTEMBER 2012 • SMART LOGISTICS • 51
unique WMS offering for clients who
are new to this technology adoption
called the iWMS.”
Every company’s WMS should
be able to help it address different
needs. Take, for instance, the physical
requirements of a soft-drink distributor
and a beer manufacturer. Do they have
the same needs? In some instances,
they do. However, a beer manufacturer
might have heavy kegs to transport,
while a soft-drink distributor could have
boxes of syrup that need to be shipped.
The finest storage of these products
(chilled versus ambient) and haulage
of them is, most likely, different.
Moreover, even if it is the same range of
products, the different warehouse sizes
could dictate different types of racking
and equipment. In such a scenario, it
is important that the company’s WMS
caters to such requirements.
Look For End User Configuration ToolsCompanies should make sure that their
facility is capable of updating itself
with the latest business applications as
and when warehouse changes occur. If,
with every new product launch or new
warehouse opening, the logistics player
has to go back to the vendor or system
integrator for system changes, it will
become expensive and very hard to
predict ongoing costs, thereby affecting
the RoI on WMS. With advancements
coming up in technology and other
aspects, warehouses should make sure
that they are up-to-date with such
advancements. In an ideal world, a
company’s WMS vendor will provide
tools and itineraries that allow one
to make the changes as the physical
warehouse evolves. After that point,
the company can choose if it wants to
make the changes itself, or if it wants
to seek the vendor’s assistance. This
approach will give the company a lot
more control over its own destiny and
the ability to make smart choices that
maximise RoI.
Service Oriented Architecture ApplicationsOne of the most necessary elements
to look for in software applications
is the Service Oriented Architecture
(SOA). SOA is used often with
respect to IT managers. While many
presently deployed applications are not
designed in this fashion, it is definitely
something to look for when deploying
new applications. SOA allows the
company’s WMS to exchange data with
other business software programmes
while participating in business
processes. If the application has SOA,
it will also allow for quick alteration or
patternisation in case the requirements
change in the warehouse. For example,
if a company, which ideally sells to
retailers, wants to change its strategy
to now ship directly to consumers,
it will require to shift the company’s
transportation requirements. By using
an SOA application, rather than
loading the new rate structures for
UPS, the software application can
make a web service call to UPS and
receive the correct rate. Rather than
going through a process to update
those rates as UPS does every year,
the web service brings back the current
rate, minimising ongoing support and
maintenance of the system.
3PLs: ADAPTING TO THE CHANGING NEEDS It is important that 3PLs take
into consideration the above
recommendations as this would
immensely help them in their day-
to-day logistics activities. Moreover,
outsourcing of supply chain tasks is on
the rise and most 3PLs are looking for
extra services to provide to customers.
In fact, many 3PL players have started
providing dedicated facilities to clients,
which they later transform into public
facilities for several clients under one
roof.
Each 3PL client will have different
physical requirements, for example,
labelling for retail clients, expiration
date/recall tracking for food &
beverage companies and serial number
tracking for high-tech distributors.
If a 3PL cannot easily handle these
differences, the ongoing system
support will become exigent. When
a packaged application cannot handle
the warehouse’s physical requirements,
expensive system modification
becomes obligatory. This leads to
pricey safeguarding and upgrades over
time to the point where the system
is no longer extensible and your RoI
is discontented. Companies should
purchase supply chain solutions that
permit logistics players to effortlessly
change business processes to deal with
the physical realities of their warehouse.
As Behera sums it up, “The more end
users feel comfortable with the WMS
and the more they use it, the better
and quicker will be the RoI.”
Warehouse management systems (WMS) combine desktop & mobile computers, various software modules and peripheral interfaces to completely manage a warehouse or yard. WMS are able to locate inventory, allow for confi gurable management parameters and coordinate the shipping & receiving of inventory. For large warehouse operations with multiple buildings, stockyards or even product-specifi c issues such as shelf-life considerations, a comprehensive WMS solution providing complex modules is vital. The benefi ts of implementing a WMS include increased accuracy, enhanced productivity and substantial cost savings for a rapid return on investment. In addition, a WMS typically reduces inventory quantities overall, and the costs associated with labour, especially when used in concert with associated data collection systems and picking systems. WMS also gives you the ability to add automation tools that can signifi cantly improve the productivity of your warehouse workers.
NEED FOR A WMS
52 • SMART LOGISTICS • SEPTEMBER 2012
AUTOMATION TRENDSAUTOMATION TRENDS OOneneSCM DEMAND COLLABORATORSCM DEMAND COLLABORATOR
BASING any of the planning, ordering,
shipping, or payment processes on
methods that produce longer lead
times and are prone to human error—
such as spreadsheets, email, phone, or
fax—without real-time data, results in
inefficiencies in time, cost and quality.
The resulting back-and-forth, volatile
inventory process along the supply
chain from consumer to manufacturer
is known as ‘the Bullwhip Effect’.
Enter OneSCM® Demand
Collaborator, an automated, ERP-
agnostic solution that gives all
companies in the supply chain the
ability to view planned orders and enter
commitments based on real-time data.
The Demand Collaborator monitors
the ability of suppliers to meet buyer
demand, and alerts buyers when
there is a problem pertaining to order
fulfillment. This provides enormous
savings in labour, time and operations,
especially in environments that involve
long lead times or large quantities of
parts with sporadic demand. Demand
Collaborator is not a replacement for
your planning engine. It is an extension
to planning systems that integrates
with existing ERP data, as well as other
OneSCM tools, to maximise efficiency
in the supply chain by making the
best use of the data available in your
planning systems.
THE BULLWHIP EFFECTThe term ‘Bullwhip Effect’ is used
to describe the observable pattern in
supply chain networks of increasing
inventory swings in response to
unanticipated changes in demand. The
Bullwhip Effect is prevalent especially
in environments using processes that
decrease responsiveness to demand, and
involve forecasting based on previous
(or expected) demand rather than real-
time data. Here’s how it happens…
Each organisation in the supply chain
network experiences greater variation
in demand. Therefore, it is logical that
processes based on human reasoning
assume the need for increased orders
of stock, i.e., when customer demands
increase due to factors such as seasonal
popularity, product cost reduction
due to sales, or increased advertising,
participants along the supply chain
increase orders. When this trend stops
or reverses, orders fall or stop, but
inventory levels do not immediately
adjust to this change. This creates the
aforementioned effect of increasing
variations along the supply chain. The
simulation of this effect in Figure 1
illustrates the ‘bullwhip’ appearance of
this phenomenon.
Inefficient processes often lead to
a variety of fulfillment issues, such as:
• Missed schedules due to late
shipment or long lead times
• High inventory/scrap/rework due
to excess purchases, fulfillment
mistakes and early shipment
• Schedules that are wrong, delayed,
or not published
• High procurement costs
• High invoicing and accounts
payable (AP) costs
• Invoice matching discrepancies
• Material shortages.
All of these present opportunities
for companies to reduce costs in
labour & inventory and increase profit
margins by streamlining the process—
including lead time—for delivering
products to customers. The cost &
time to manufacture each part can be
significantly reduced, and problems
such as shortages, excess inventory,
The process of planning and ordering parts to meet production schedules based on customer demand can be time consuming, complex and error prone for many companies. However, with the right tools in place to automate this process and deliver real-time data, response time to demand can be dramatically improved so that orders match the current demand, and inventory shortages and overages are sharply reduced. With OneSCM, manufacturers can view current demand from the MRP and adjust order fulfi llment accordingly, tightening inventory margins and delivery schedules as well as decreasing time, labour and supply costs.
Mitigating the Mitigating the BULLWHIP EFFECTBULLWHIP EFFECT
Figure 1: The Bullwhip Effect
SEPTEMBER 2012 • SMART LOGISTICS • 53
invoice discrepancies & delays can be
significantly mitigated.
OneSCM® DEMAND COLLABORATOROneSCM Demand Collaborator
mitigates the ‘Bullwhip Effect’ by
automating processes to:
• Accelerate problem identification &
solutions via automated notifications,
significantly reducing delays
and human errors in schedules,
commitments and inventory.
OneSCM Demand Collaborator
manages by exception, automatically
notifying appropriate users only
when an issue needs to be addressed
• Align and communicate workflow
and approval processes to ensure
that all organisations in the supply
chain are in collaboration
• Communicate lead time changes,
thereby eliminating delays and
errors in schedules & commitments
• Extend resource planning capability
for collaboration with suppliers,
especially with forecasting demand,
viewing supplier commitments, and
sending notes and attachments
• Create purchase order releases that
are visible to companies and their
suppliers and are based on real-time
inventory and demand data.
Figure 2 illustrates the OneSCM
Demand Collaboration process,
which is compatible with any MRP
system platform and multiple data
collection systems. In essence,
Demand Collaborator is the ‘missing
link’ needed to maximise the potential
of your robust MRP system. It adds
the automation needed to seamlessly
communicate forecast data with
suppliers so they can use that data
to fulfill demand, as well as alert you
immediately when there is a problem.
Figure 3 provides an illustration
of the dramatic improvement in
results that can occur when a demand
collaboration solution is implemented
to work with your planning system.
The Bullwhip Effect dampening is
approaching zero, since lead times
are based on real-time demand data,
and communication with suppliers is
optimised at all points throughout the
supply chain.
As demand increases, ordering and
stock responds in a proactive manner
based on accurate feedback from
your planning and data systems and
suppliers. This results in stock levels
that closely match order quantity, which
is synchronised with actual demand.
GEARING UP FOR TOMORROW TODAYYou have invested significant time and
money into your robust planning engine,
so why not maximise its potential?
If you are not able to view real-time
demand and forecast data from your
suppliers and seamlessly update your
system based on this data, no planning
system can solve the problems created
by reactive planning with yesterday’s
information. OneSCM Demand
Collaborator provides a proactive
solution to the pitfalls of the Bullwhip
Effect, by integrating with your
suppliers’ data to automatically generate
purchase order releases based on real-
time customer demand and supplier
inventory. Demand Collaborator utilises
the following features to accomplish
this functionality:
• Configurable, automated and easy
communication channels
• Web-based architecture and
easy-to-use interface, facilitating
collaboration and greater adoption
from system users.
With automation and timely,
effective communication, planners
& suppliers can respond easily and
quickly to changes in demand forecast
in real time. This, in turn, dramatically
reduces the occurrence of oversupply
and shortages to mitigate the Bullwhip
Effect.
Young Chul Kim, Director – US Product
Management, TAKE Supply Chain, a
division of TAKE Solutions.
Email: [email protected]
Figure 2: OneSCM Demand Collaboration Process
Figure 3: Mitigating the Bullwhip Effect with Demand Collaboration
54 • SMART LOGISTICS • SEPTEMBER 2012
Supply chain is said to be more about management where there is little room for technology. But then choosing the best from the available technologies is management. In the case of services, technology is demand-driven and hence, diverse. The three technologies pace layers that most companies look for in a supply chain are—systems of record, i.e., ERP, systems of differentiation, i.e., multi-echelon inventory optimisation and systems of innovation, i.e., cost-to-serve analysis. For logistics service providers, the goals are diversifi ed. The diversifi cation in service can only be achieved by selecting the right fi t technology. Here are some tips that can ensure right technology selection and its implementation for supply chain excellence...
SUPRITA ANUPAM
ESTABLISH A DEMAND DRIVEN VALUE NETWORKTo connect with all kinds of customers, it is wise to use the fragmented approach towards the service as this will ensure presence on the different levels of the Demand Driven Value Network (DDVN). For eg, companies providing only lower-cost services will be on the lower level of DDVN and to be on the lower level, the provider has to rely on better ERP solutions, planning and execution. To capture the next level, integrated planning architecture with best-of-breed software as systems of differentiation has to be adopted. Choosing such technology solutions will give the provider a competitive edge.
DO NOT WORK FOR TECHNOLOGY; LET TECHNOLOGY WORK FOR YOUDo not invest time and manpower to work for the new technology. Instead, try to improve the tech environment already applied—this can prove to be ‘live’ R&D for supply chain providers. This, in turn, will create tech improvement space within the organisation as well as among its customers. The available technology will then serve better and, in the case of newer adaption, the environment will be ready to automatically adapt to it.
FOCUS ON COMPANY-OWNED INVENTORIES-ENABLED TECHNOLOGIESRecession has made all supply chain customers look for cheaper services and solutions. In such a scenario, it is always better to look for technologies that can be easily availed by company-owned inventories. This, in turn, will help save a lot of money for both sides keeping the customers intact—even though they may not be best in class in quality; they might stand best among alternatives.
MINIMISE RISKS BY ENHANCING TECHNOLOGY CONTROL ON VARIOUS LEVELSLack of appropriate technology is assumed to be the cause of failure, but it would not be right to discount the fact that lack of appropriate control and monitoring could also result in it. In such a scenario, it would be wise to develop various levels of controls to minimise the risk of failures rather than relying solely on technology application.
DEVELOP ‘GREEN’ SENSE WITH RESPONSIBILITYLogistics is the ‘hot seat’ of pollution. While adopting the right technology can help minimise pollution levels, it is not a cost-effective solution. Hence, while selecting the right technology, besides the pace layers, system of record, system of differentiation and system of innovation—fourth angle ‘system of green’ perspectives—must be considered; thereby accepting the social responsibility by showing ‘green sense’ as the reason behind the decisions.
CONNECT THE PACE LAYERS WITH THE BEST AVAILABLE WORKFLOWThe pace layers, viz., systems of innovation and systems of differentiation, can be connected either by service-oriented architecture or by Master Data Management (MDM). Service-oriented architecture workflows can help connect elements together within the process. MDM, on the other hand, can help separate the data from the process logic in order to manage different application areas. The selection between the two workflows should be made depending on the priority, which is to be decided based on the customers’ requirement.
EXAMINE TECHNOLOGY FROM A DYNAMIC FRAMEWORKWhile selecting the right technology for each pace layer, a dynamic framework must be considered. For a system of records, the technology may survive beyond 10 years, while in the case of a system of differentiation, it is around five years. But in the case of systems of innovation, the technology survives from 6 months–2/3 years. Further, the support technologies also vary. Hence, the technology must be counted as per these considerations.
ways to identify the best-fitways to identify the best-fitTIPS & TRICKS TIPS & TRICKS TECHNOLOGY SELECTION TECHNOLOGY SELECTION
SEPTEMBER 2012 • SMART LOGISTICS • 55
TENDERS TENDERS
Latest Popular Tenders brought to you by www.tendersinfo.com
Org: Organisation’s Name, TRN: Tendersinfo Ref No, Desc: Description, DSLD: Doc Sale Last Date, BOD: Bid Opening Date, Loc: Location, BT: Bidding Type.
INFORMATION COURTESY: TENDERSINFO.COM
1, Arch Gold, Next to MTNL Exchange, Poisar, SV Road, Kandivali (W), Mumbai - 400067, Maharashtra, India
Tel: +91-22-28666134 • Fax: +91-22-28013817 • Email: [email protected]
PALLET TRUCK
Org : Ordnance Factory Board
TRN : 11188987
Desc : Supply of forklift truck
BOD : September 10, 2012
Loc : India
BT : Domestic competitive bidding
CRANE
Org : Border Roads Organisation
TRN : 12145599
Desc : Supply of crane (10 Nos)
BOD : September 11, 2012
Loc : India
BT : Domestic competitive bidding
CHAIN
Org : Integral Coach Factory
TRN : 12168594
Desc : Supply of chain sling assembly
BOD : September 11, 2012
Loc : India
BT : Domestic competitive bidding
CRANE
Org : National Aluminium Company Limited
TRN : 12152592
Desc : Supply of EOT Crane
BOD : September 12, 2012
Loc : India
BT : Domestic competitive bidding
CARGO SERVICE
Org : Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited
TRN : 12162785
Desc : Transportation of diesel, including loading and unloading in Sitapur
BOD : September 21, 2012
Loc : India
BT : Domestic competitive bidding
SCISSOR LIFT
Org : Western Railway
TRN : 12113179
Desc : Provision of lift
BOD : September 21, 2012
Loc : India
BT : Domestic competitive bidding
GANTRY CRANE
Org : South Eastern Railway
TRN : 12168775
Desc : Supply of gantry crane (jib crane)
BOD : September 07, 2012
Loc : India
BT : Domestic competitive bidding
PROJECT 1
SETTING UP OF FACTORY WORKS
Org : TIL Limited
Project Type : ConstructionProject News : Setting up a crane and reach stacker factory project
Loc : India
Project Cost : `600 crore
Implementation Stage : Ongoing
Contact : 517, Barrackpore, Trunk Road, Kolkata, West Bengal 700058
Tel : 033 – 25531352.
PROJECT 2
TORNAGALLU TRUCK TERMINAL PROJECT
Org : Bellary Urban Development Authority
Project Type : Construction
Project News : Tornagallu Truck Terminal Project
Loc : India
Project Cost : `29 crore
Implementation Stage : Ongoing
Contact : Bellary Urban Development Authority (BUDA) Bellary, Karnataka.
56 • SMART LOGISTICS • SEPTEMBER 2012
EVENT PREVIEWEVENT PREVIEW ENGINEERING EXPO AHMEDABAD 2012ENGINEERING EXPO AHMEDABAD 2012
PRASENJIT CHAKRABORTY AND AVANI JAIN
GUJARAT has witnessed winds of
change in the recent past. Today, the
state offers the developing nations a
model for economic progress. Despite
slump in the world economy, its
significant contribution to the Indian
economy has made the country visible
in a competitive market.
The industry in Gujarat has
evolved new models of development.
Commenting on the merits of doing
business in Gujarat, Bijal Shah,
Director, Sharad Industrial Products
Pvt Ltd (authorised distributor of
SKF Group), states, “The industry
has really changed in Gujarat and
the focus has changed from the
typical ‘product sell’ to ‘saleable
products’ manufacturing. Even global
competition has not deterred the
growth of the manufacturing sector;
rather it has only risen.”
Sharing similar sentiments,
Snehal Mehta, Director – Marketing,
Energy Mission Machineries (India)
Pvt Ltd, observes, “In the last few
years, the manufacturing industry in
Gujarat has developed immensely.
Today, the brands from Gujarat are
regarded as trusted names across India
and abroad. The overall atmosphere of
Gujarat has inspired entrepreneurs to
start new ventures.”
FLOURISHING MARKETGujarat’s core competence can be
attributed to factors like political
stability, industrial peace in labour
relations, policy-driven reforms,
uninterrupted power supply, adequate
infrastructure, transparency in
governance and clear land acquisition
rules. Besides, the industry-friendly
government policies, availability of
skilled manpower and large network
of sea ports provide added advantages
to the state. All these have enabled it
to emerge as an investment-friendly
state and also helped in changing the
landscape of manufacturing.
In the words of Nilesh Shukla,
Sr VP, Vadodara Chambers of
Commerce & Industry (VCCI), “The
manufacturing sector has witnessed
unprecedented growth in the last
decade. The industry has been able
to make the best use of initiatives of
the various chambers of commerce &
industry that have contributed towards
spreading awareness regarding the
incentives that the government offers.”
Ahmedabad has emerged as
a preferred destination for many
companies. The reasons are many.
Mehta says, “The supportive
government policies, availability of
adequate infrastructure and overall
development of support industries are
some of the reasons for the continuing
prosperity of Ahmedabad. Besides,
Ahmedabad is conveniently located
on the industrial corridor, which has
attracted many big players to invest in
and around the city.”
According to SJ Gijare, GM
– Handling Equipment Division,
CTR Manufacturing Industries Ltd,
“Gujarat has always been a base for
the SME sector, with most people
preferring to have their own businesses.
However, in the past 6–7 years,
Gujarat has been making rapid strides on the industrial front. It achieved sound economic growth in last few years and the quantum of investment has increased manifold. Today, the state has gained recognition for its manufacturing prowess. This backdrop provides ample opportunities to leverage trade benefi ts and develop a rewarding business platform. Providing precisely this is Engineering Expo Ahmedabad, organised by Network 18 Publishing. Slated to be held during October 5–8, 2012, it will present the manufacturing community a plethora of products and act as a nodal point to generate fruitful business leads.
Brimming with BRIGHT PROSPECTS
AHMEDABADOctober 5-8, 2012Gujarat University Exhibition Hall
180+ exhibitors
11,789+ visitors
15,000+ products displayed
`74 crore business generated
4,312 sq m exhibition area
87,000 kg machinery moved
20 cities participated.
Glimpses of 2011 Edition
225+ participants
15,000+ business visitors expected
Business transactions worth `80 crore expected
15,000+ products on displaySpread over an area of more
than 4,312 sq mShowcasing more than 30 diverse industry categories
Supported by major industry associations like National
Small Industries Corporation, Rajkot, Engineering Association,
Vadodara, Chambers of Commerce & Industry, etc.
Highlights of 2012 Edition
SEPTEMBER 2012 • SMART LOGISTICS • 57
several large Indian companies and
overseas corporations have set up their
manufacturing facilities in different
regions of Gujarat. Ahmedabad, as
a major industrial region, obviously
becomes a preferred destination for
any player, and more so, to showcase
one’s strengths in products & services
in a popular exhibition.”
With the growth of the
manufacturing sector in Gujarat,
there is huge potential to gain trade
benefits and develop a rewarding
business platform. Providing precisely
this is Engineering Expo Ahmedabad,
which is to be held from October
5–8, 2012. It will provide a fillip to
the manufacturing community by
displaying products that will help
enhance production efficiency and
will also act as an ideal platform to
generate fruitful business leads.
ENTERPRISING ENGINEERING EXPO For over a decade, Engineering
Expo Ahmedabad has been serving
as a platform to foster business and
trade. “We have been participating
in the exhibition since its beginning.
It has given us a proper platform to
build our brand name by displaying
and demonstrating our products and
offering good exposure to buyers,”
says Mehta. Sharing a similar view,
Gijare adds, “Since 2007, we have
been participating in several editions
of Engineering Expo – Pune,
Ahmedabad, Aurangabad, Chennai,
Rudrapur and Indore. This is because
they are well organised and the people
associated with it are professional.”
FOSTERING BUSINESS TIES The Expo has emerged as a perfect
platform for companies to showcase
their products and services, interact
with potential buyers, generate
new business leads and forge new
partnerships.
Over the years, the exhibition has
gained strength in terms of adding
new companies and expanding product
varieties. “I have been regularly
attending this exhibition for the past
three years. Engineering Expo has
always helped me meet prospective
clients for my business. With time,
it has grown bigger. Every year, it
adds new companies to its portfolio
– an indicator of growth. This also
inspires visitors, like us, to be a part of
it every year,” says Abhinav Srivastava,
Technical & Marketing Consultant,
Asteam Consultants. The Expo will
help exhibitors to reach their target
audience. Kalpesh Shah, Manager –
Sales, AC Tech Control Systems Pvt
Ltd, says, “The main benefit of the
event is that we get an opportunity to
meet our customers face to face. We
manufacture automation equipment
and have a good market presence in
Gujarat. We have participated before
and generated good business. We
expect the same this year as well.”
Commenting on the Expo,
Sandeep Khosla, CEO, Network 18
Publishing, says, “After 10 successful
years of service to the industry,
Engineering Expo today has established
itself as India’s largest multi-location
trade show on manufacturing. The
Expo is a preferred destination for
SMEs as well as manufacturing &
engineering organisations to further
their growth and that of the industry
at large. For the 2012–13 season, we
have eight editions spread across an
equal number of locations of a rising
India. Keeping our esteemed exhibitors
and valued customers in mind, we have
made elaborate provisions to offer a
never-before experience. These, we
reckon, will add substantial traction to
the industrial growth of the nation.”
A PLATFORM FOR INNOVATIONNew product launches is another
highlight of this Expo. Gijare explains,
“We plan to introduce Articulated
Boom Lift Aerial Platform;
Electric Puller of 1.5 T capacity;
Counterbalance Electric Stacker and
Electric Reach Stacker.”
Sharad Industrial Products Pvt
Ltd plans to display products that
are in demand globally. “We plan to
showcase a certain range of products,
which are in focus globally, at SKF,”
says B Shah.
Pankaj Pandya, Manager - Purchase,
Metso Minerals (India) Pvt Ltd, who
visited the Expo last year, opines,
“Engineering Expo provides a common
networking platform for leaders in the
industry to showcase their products.
This has helped potential customers to
take better business decisions. I usually
visit exhibitions such as this with the
objective of finding new potential
suppliers.”
Engineering Expo Ahmedabad
is an excellent example of starting
humbly and achieving an enviable
feat over the years. The 2011 Edition
witnessed overwhelming response from
the industry with over 180+ exhibitors.
It generated business worth about `74
crore. No wonder, the 2012 Edition
is expected to spin magic with 225+
exhibitors and 15,000 visitors.
Panel Discussion: Aims at providing a roadmap to infuse growth in the region
Institutional Buyer Involvement Plan: To attract delegations from large corporate and major institutions
Improvised Visitor Profi ling: Profi le, scan, fi lter and bring in visitors as per exhibitors’ requirements
Providing Business Networking Support: To exhibitors by leveraging Network18 Publishing’s industry connect
Credit-rating Facilities: For the benefi t of exhibitors
Providing Complete Travel Solutions: For exhibitors
Offering Logistics Services: To ensure smooth cargo handling, custom clearing, etc.
NEW ATTRACTIONS IN THIS EDITION
EVENT REPORT EVENT REPORT SUPPLY CHAIN TRANSFORMATIONS 2012 SUPPLY CHAIN TRANSFORMATIONS 2012
58 • SMART LOGISTICS • SEPTEMBER 2012
Deriving at logistics’ possibilities & opportunitiesCollaboration, skilled labour and multimodal transportation were the central themes of the recently organised annual logistics strategy workshop, ‘Supply Chain Transformations 2012’. Organised by Frost & Sullivan with Smart Logistics as the media partner, the workshop focussed on developing certain guidelines after a critical evaluation from the industry that could play a constructive role in creating an expansion-friendly environment for the Indian logistics industry.
TODAY, logistics & supply chain is
one of the fastest growing industries
in India and is expected to witness
a consistent yearly growth of around
10% over the next 10 years. However,
there are some major challenges
that are preventing its expansion
and development. Highlighting
these issues was the annual logistics
strategy workshop, ‘Supply Chain
Transformations 2012’ held during
August 22–24, 2012, in Gurgaon.
At the workshop, leading experts
presented and discussed practical
approaches on how to successfully
tackle critical challenges in order to
transform logistics and supply chain
operations across target industries.
COLLABORATIVE LOGISTICSDefining collaborative logistics, VG
Ramakrishnan, VP (South Asia and
MENA) — Transportation and
Logistics Practice, Frost & Sullivan,
said, “Collaborative Logistics is the
partnership or cooperation between
two or more parties to achieve
optimisation of costs, processes and
resources.”
Pointing out a major concern
towards collaboration, Prem
Kumar Verma, CEO, Tata Motors
Distribution Co Ltd, said, “We do not
collaborate because of trust deficiency.
This is posing as a great hurdle in the
path to progress. Trust is critical for
collaboration or on any agreement
signed.” Further highlighting a success
story in collaborative logistics in India,
he said, “With an aim to optimise
and improve efficiency through
collaboration, in 2009–10, major
OEMs in India like Maruti, Toyota,
Ford, M&M and Tata Motors joined
hands; SIAM was the ‘glue or the
common factor’ that brought these
companies together. In terms of the
results, there was huge improvement
in productivity and efficiency. For
instance, the average daily running—
in transit—improved by 20–30% and
the turnaround time was improved
by 30–45%.” He added, “The gains
remained only for a short period. We
faced problems, but it also turned out
to be a huge learning exercise for us.”
SKILLED LABOUROne of the primary challenges
faced by companies is the scarcity
of skilled labour. Ramakrishnan
said that according to 76% of the
respondents, skill and expertise
level of labour handling logistics
needs immediate attention. To this,
Srinath Manda, Program Manager –
Transportation and Logistics, Frost
and Sullivan, South Asia, Middle
East and North Africa, added that
as per 77% of the respondents, the
automotive industry has the highest
challenge of acquiring skilled labour,
followed by retail & FMCG.
ENLIGHTENING PANEL DISCUSSION The workshop also conducted a panel
discussion based on the challenges
faced by industries on skill and human
resources in logistics. The panel
comprised of Gauri Gupta, Lead –
Strategy and Program Development,
National Skill Development
Corporation; Dr PK Goel, Secretary
General, Chartered Institute of
Logistics and Transport, India;
Ramesh Doraiswami, VP – Regional
Supply Chain, Johnson & Johnson;
Kalpesh Pathak, AVP – Corporate
SCM, Fiat India Automobiles; and
Vineet Kanaujia, VP – Marketing,
Safexpress. Anand Rangachary, MD &
Partner, Frost and Sullivan, South
Asia, Middle East and North Africa
moderated the panel.
MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATIONThe final day of the workshop was
dedicated to multimodal transportation.
The day began with presentations
by Esha Ghosh, Research Analyst –
Transportation and Logistics, Frost
and Sullivan, South Asia, Middle East
and North Africa and Jasjit Sethi,
CEO, TCI, on the importance of
multimodal transportation in India
and the global practices followed to
achieve multimodal transportation.
HARBOURING SUCCESS Frost and Sullivan’s ‘Supply Chain
Transformation 2012’ turned out to
be a huge success. The workshop
was successful in bringing together
some of the best thinkers, visionaries
and thought leaders across key
industry sectors such as logistics &
shipping, automotive, electronics
and communications equipment,
engineering, pharmaceuticals, retail, and
FMCG, apart from academicians &
representatives from the government.
ARINDAM GHOSH
The top concerns for non-collaborators in the logistics
industry include the inability to attain cost advantage;
non-suitability of services & systems and lack of confi dence
on LSPs’ abilities.
SEPTEMBER 2012 • SMART LOGISTICS • 59
TRADE SHOW TRACKER TRADE SHOW TRACKER EVENT LIST EVENT LIST
ABROAD
9-11 OCTOBER 2012 METRORAIL ASIA 2012Focus: Latest Developments in Global Rail and InfrastructureWhere: Hyatt Regency, Mumbai, IndiaTel: 65 6222 8550Fax: 65 6226 3264E-mail: [email protected]
15-17 OCTOBER 2012 CHINA (SHENZHEN) INTERNATIONAL LOGISTICS AND TRANSPORTATION FAIR 2012Focus: Logistics Service ProvidersWhere: Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center, Shenzhen, ChinaTel: +86 755 8358 1250Fax: +86 755 8358 1307E-mail: [email protected]
16-19 OCTOBER 2012 SCM LOGISTICS WORLD 2012Focus: Logistics & SCMWhere: SingaporeTel: +65 6322 2313Fax: +65 6223 3554E-mail: [email protected]
NATIONAL
ABROAD
21-24 NOVEMBER CeMAT INDIA 2012 Focus: Trends And Technologies In Material Handling, Storage And LogisticsWhere: India Expo Centre, Greater Noida, India Tel: +91 22 40050681/82Fax: +91 22 40050683E-mail: [email protected]
20-21 NOVEMBERLOGIPHARMA ASIAFocus: Pharma Supply ChainWhere: SingaporeTel: + 65 6408 9205Fax: + 65 6822 7370E-mail: [email protected]
20- 21 NOVEMBER 20128TH TRANS MIDDLE EAST 2012Focus: Transportation and LogisticsWhere: Gulf International Convention and Exhibition Centre, BahrainTel: +973 17 713000Fax: +973 17 712088
NATIONAL
ABROAD
7-9 DECEMBER 2012INDIA WAREHOUSING AND LOGISTICS SHOWFocus: Logistics & TransportationWhere: Auto Cluster Exhibition Centre, Pune, IndiaTel: +91 120 4273921/43341111/4273921Fax: +91 11 46520734
7-10 DECEMBER 2012INDIA LOGISTICS SHOWFocus: Railway, Shipping & AviationWhere: India Expo Centre, Greater Noida, IndiaTel: 022 27812093Fax : 022 27812578 E-mail: [email protected]
5-8 DECEMBER 2012INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION & LOGISTICS INDONESIAFocus: Automation & Logistics Where: Jakarta, IndonesiaTel: 60 3 8023 5352 Fax: 60 3 8023 3963
NATIONAL
AHMEDABAD October 5-8, 2012
PUNE November 2-5, 2012
CHENNAI November 22-25, 2012
LUDHIANA December 21-24, 2012
Tel: 022-30034651 • E-mail: [email protected] • Web: www.engg-expo.com
INDORE January 11-14, 2013
AURANGABAD February 1-4, 2013
RUDRAPUR February 23-26, 2013
HYDERABAD May 31-June 3, 2013
SEPTEMBER 2012 • SMART LOGISTICS • 61
PRODUCT UPDATE PRODUCT UPDATE
This section gives information about products, equipment and services available in the market. If you know what you want. . .refer to Product Index on Page 64 to find it quickly
� BARCODE PRINTER
E-Class Mark III “Professional Plus”
Barcode Printer off ers features found
in industrial printers but at a desktop
printer size and price. It is the best solution
for grade label and receipt printing. Th e Pro+
off ers a locking media cabinet and suffi cient
internal media capacity to hold a 7.2-inch roll of media or stack
of fan-folded media. It is also equipped with fast print speed,
real-time clock, audible alerts and large display.
Datamax-O’Neil
California, USA
Tel: 949-458-0500
Fax: 949-458-0708
Web: www.datamax-oneil.com
SUBSCRIPTION
OFFEROFFERBusiness Categories (Please tick one or more)� FMCG � Retail � Pharma � Automobile � Machinery � Logistics� Textile � Agro � Product � Bank � Technology � Electronics � Engineering� Chemical � Construction � Others (Please specify) __________________________________________
Business Department Functional (Please specify at least one)� Production � Logistics � Marketing � IT � Finance� Sales � Administration � Tools & Equipments � Purchase & Material Handling
Others (Please specify)______________________________________________________________________
Number of employees in your firm/company ______________________Number of offices across India ____________
If Student (Please specify at least one) � Graduate � PG
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For exclusive offers log on tohttp://eshop.infomedia18.in
Magazine Subscription Made Simple
Vol. 02 | Issue 06 | SEPTEMBER 2011 ` 100/-
� GOLIATH CRANES
The single girder and double girder Goliath cranes
conform to IS:807-1976, IS:3177-1977, IS:3938-1983
and IS:4137-1963 wherever applicable. Th ese cranes are
manufactured up to 50 ton capacity and for 40 m span.
Grabbing cranes are designed to suit indoor or outdoor location
and can also be supplied with
grab buckets, electromagnets.
Goliath cranes are designed to
run on forged steel wheels
running on L-type housing on
anti-friction roller bearings.
Th ese cranes are suitable for
control from fl oor, by means of
pendant controller or from the driver’s cabin by means of master
controller or through radio remote control.
Elmech Engineers
Mumbai, Maharashtra
Tel: 022-2352 1798/2710
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.elmechengineers.com
� EOT CRANES
The rational structure of the crane is of box construction
adequately designed and reinforced by stiff ening ribs. It
is connected with bridge trolley, which is moved by
motors, coupled up with speed reducers. Th e crab carriage is in
the steel section. It comprises of special crane duty motor,
62 • SMART LOGISTICS • SEPTEMBER 2012
Product update, continued
Enclosed Cheque/DD No. ______________ of `799/- for 1 year (12 Issues) `1999/- for 3 years (36 Issues) favoring Infomedia18 Ltd payabel of Mumbai.
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Disclimer: “The Company is proposing, subject to market conditions and other considerations, an offer of its equity shares on rights basis and has filed a Draft Letter of Offer with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”). The Draft Letter of Offer is available on the website of SEBI at www.sebi.gov.in and the website of the Lead Manager at www.icicisecurities.com.Investors should note that investment in equity shares involves a high degree of risk and are requested to refer to the section titled “Risk Factors” of the Draft Letter of Offer for details of the same.”
http://eshop.infomedia18.in
connected to speed
reducers and is
coupled to a
grooved steel drum.
Electromagnetic
brakes are used to
control the smooth
lifting of weight.
AC drive is also provided (on demand) for smooth operation of
long travel. Th e hook is equipped with a forged steel forked
revolving hook. Wire rope is of 6 x 37 construction.
Friends Engineering Works
Udaipur, Rajasthan
Tel: 91-294-2492200, 91-294-2494379
Mob: 09829042424
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.friendseng.com
� LIFT GOLIATH CRANE
This unique special type goliath crane has with 12 tonne
lifting capacity. It has a 180 m lift with 20 m span that
includes a hoisting speed of 25 m/min. Th e crane can be
used for lifting and shifting of blusted muck through bucket
with openable gate at the bottom. It can be used for
transportation of steel ribs for shaft up to 180 m deep. It can
also perform all activities from ground level to 180 m deep
shaft, including transferring of loader/ JCB/ BOBcat for
loading of muck in the bucket.
Century Crane Engineers (P) Ltd
Faridabad, Haryana
Tel: +91-0129-4048863
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.centurycranes.com
� ALUMINIUM CRANE SYSTEM
These XA aluminium light
crane system applies the
strength and low weight
of aluminium to every light
material which needs to be lifted.
Handling low loads is of up to 2
metric tonne across a wide variety
of rail types, it is a robust, cost-
effi cient solution. An anodised
aluminium surface ensures the
long-term durability of the
system purchase. Th e modular
design, requiring no welding or
SEPTEMBER 2012 • SMART LOGISTICS • 63
The information published in this section is as per the details furnished by the respective manufacturer/distributor. In any case, it does not represent the views of
Looking For A Specific Product?Searching and sourcing products were never so easy.
Just type SL (space) Product Name and send it to 51818eg. SL Forklift and send it to 51818
painting, greatly reduces downtime during installation,
expansion, or upgrade.
Konecranes India Pvt Ltd
Pune, Maharashtra
Tel: +91-020-40047470
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.konecranes.com
� PALLET TRUCK
The model AGHL-100
high-lift pallet truck is
specially designed for
raising pallets to medium heights
up to 800 mm. Th is pallet truck is
used for stacking 2 to 3 pallets.
Pallet used in the hydraulic hand
high lift trolleys is used in various
types of work in plant and
maintenance shops. Technical
specifi cations include capacity of
1,000 kg, minimum height of 90
mm, overall width of 560 mm,
fork width measuring 152 mm,
fork length of 1,220 mm, and raised height of 800 mm.
Agromec
Meerut, Uttar Pradesh
Tel: +91-0121-2440660, 91-121-3098766
Mob: 09313159058
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.agromecindia.net
� HYDRAULIC PALLET TRUCK
Tiger hydraulic pallet
truck is of high quality
engineering and heavy-
duty construction. It is an
economical solution for handling
heavy loads. Th e frame is made
of heavy duty formed steel, jig
welded and forks of double
fl anged pressed steel which gives
maximum strength. Ram and pump plunger of the hydraulic
cylinder is grounded to high precision and hard chrome plated
which reduces wear and resists from corrosion. Special safety
valves are provided for smooth lowering of load and a dual
overload safety valve is provided to protect the truck from
damage due to overloading.
Ferro Foundries Pvt Ltd
Mysore, Karnataka
Tel: +91-821-2402376,+91-0821-3048000
Mob: 09845120878
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.ferrotiger.com
PRODUCT & ADVERTISERS’ INDEX
64 • SMART LOGISTICS • SEPTEMBER 2012
COC = Cover-on-Cover, FIC = Front Inside Cover, BIC = Back Inside Cover, BC = Back Cover
Our consistent advertisers
To know more about the products & advertisements featured in this magazine, write to us at [email protected] or call us on 022-3003 4640, and we will send your inquiries to the companies directly to help you source better.
Products Pg No Products Pg No
Pg No Advertiser Tel. No. E-Mail Website
Looking For A Specific Product?Searching and sourcing products were never so easy.
Just type SL (space) Product Name
and send it to 51818eg. SL Forklift and send it to 51818
DENDE
Aluminium crane system ...........................................................62
Auto FLC ................................................................................... 4
Barcode Printer ..........................................................................61
Cold form C & Z purlins ........................................................... 8
EOT cranes ................................................................................61
Event: 6th express ....................................................................... 6
Factory automation ....................................................................17
Fleet management services..................................................... BIC
Foldable plastic crates ................................................................. 4
Folding large container (FLC) .................................................... 4
Gantry automation .....................................................................17
Goliath cranes ............................................................................61
Heavy industrial steel builings .................................................... 8
Hr sections & heavy structures ..................................................11
Hydraulic pallet truck ................................................................63
Lift goliath crane .......................................................................62
Logistics & supply chain conclave .............................................. 6
Logistics services ..................................................................7, BC
Multi level car parks ................................................................... 8
Pallet truck .................................................................................63
Pallets .....................................................................................4, 63
Poly carbonate sheets .................................................................. 8
Pre - engineered steel buildings .................................................11
Pre - stressed concraete electric poles ........................................11
Pre - stressed concrete railway sleepers ......................................11
Pre engineered steel builings ....................................................... 8
Pre fab shelters ............................................................................ 8
Residential steel houses ............................................................... 8
Robotic automation & floor automation ...................................17
Roof vent ..................................................................................... 8
Roofing & cladding sheets .......................................................... 8
Self supported steel roofing systesms .........................................11
Structural floor decking sheets .................................................... 8
USS univent ................................................................................ 8
Vehicle tracking services ........................................................ BIC
BIC Alpha Analytics Services Pvt Ltd +91-20-25897063 [email protected] www.alpha-analytics.com
4 Chep India Pvt Ltd +91- 022 67839400 [email protected] www.chep.com
19 Eng Expo +91-9819552270 [email protected] www.engg-expo.com
60 Eng Expo Hyderabad +91-9819552270 [email protected] www.engg-expo.com
FIC Future Suppy Chain Solutions Ltd [email protected] www.futuresupplychains.com
17 Gudel India Pvt Ltd +91-20-25459531/32 [email protected] www.gudelindia.com
6 Kamikaze B2B Media +91- 9969428590 [email protected] www.elscconclave.com
11 Proflex Systems +91-9099002244 [email protected] www.mbproflex.com
7,BC Safexpress Private Limited +91-1800-113-113 [email protected] www.safexpress.com
63 Sintex Industries Ltd +91-2764-353500 [email protected] www.sintex-plastics.com
8 United Steel & Structurals Pvt. Ltd +91-44-42321801 [email protected] www.unitedstructurals.com
3 VRL Logistics Ltd +91-836-2237511 [email protected] www.vrllogistics.com
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HOW TO USE THIS FORM: • Please tick against the box of advertiser(s) you are interested in: • Mention specific product/service you
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�PRODUCT INQUIRY FORM
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ADVERTISERS’ INQUIRY FORM
Alpha Analytics Services Pvt Ltd
Chep India Pvt Ltd
Eng Expo
Eng Expo Hyderabad
Future Suppy Chain Solutions Ltd
Gudel India Pvt Ltd
Kamikaze B2B Media
Proflex Systems
Safexpress Private Limited
Sintex Industries Ltd
United Steel & Structurals Pvt. Ltd
VRL Logistics Ltd
Aluminium crane system
Auto FLC
Barcode Printer
Cold form C & Z purlins
EOT cranes
Event: 6th express
Factory automation
Fleet management services
Foldable plastic crates
Folding large container (FLC)
Gantry automation
Goliath cranes
Heavy industrial steel builings
Hr sections & heavy structures
Hydraulic pallet truck
Lift goliath crane
Logistics & supply chain conclave
Logistics services
Multi level car parks
Pallet truck
Pallets
Poly carbonate sheets
Pre - engineered steel buildings
Pre - stressed concraete electric poles
Pre - stressed concrete railway sleepers
Pre engineered steel builings
Pre fab shelters
Residential steel houses
Robotic automation & floor automation
Roof vent
Roofing & cladding sheets
Self supported steel roofing systesms
Structural floor decking sheets
USS univent
Vehicle tracking services
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� I buy � I identify potential suppliers � I approve purchases� I negotiate contracts � I select suppliers.
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