TANKS & LOGISTICS 09
THE THIRD WAVE DIGITISATION • NEXXIOT HAS LAUNCHED THE THIRD GENERATION OF ITS GLOBEHOPPER GATEWAY DEVICE. LONG-TIME CUSTOMER VTG IS THE FIRST TO TAKE ADVANTAGE NEXXIOT HAS INTRODUCED a third generation of its industry-leading Globehopper gateway device, adding an updated Bluetooth lowenergy protocol, which helps when connecting sensors in a modular way. The revamped device also offers the option to connect via 4G and is 5G-ready, which will delivery greater accuracy in localising the unit, and has an upgraded ATEX certification. VTG, one of Europe’s largest rail car leasing and rail logistics firms, has been equipping its entire fleet with Nexxiot equipment and will be the first to benefit from the upgrade. But it is not just VTG that will benefit: so will its customers and, it hopes, the world at large, if the increased visibility provided by a fully digitised fleet can help deliver the modal shift from road to rail. Sven Wellbrook, COO of Europe and Chief Safety Officer at VTG, is a great believer in combined transport and in making rail properly aligned with his customers’ needs. For example, rail can take bulky goods on the longest legs of their journey and road transport can take care of the last mile to the customer. This approach means that the best mode is used for the appropriate part of the journey and the net effect is more sustainable and predictable cargo operations. This is only possible when each rail wagon is equipped with technology to provide data on critical parameters. To make rail more attractive to shippers, it must become more cost-effective as well as more predictable and dependable for
and can represent a viable alternative to other modes of transport. Furthermore, as the disruption related to the Covid-19 crisis has shown only too clearly, there is an absolute need for flexibility in the supply chain and for all resources to be used to their best abilities. TOOLS FOR CHANGE Head of innovation at VTG, Hanno Schell, is leading the adoption of new technologies within the company. He understands the importance in delivering reliability, transparency and the tools that cargo owners desire. He also knows how fast to move to keep ahead of competitors inside the industry but also to ward off disruption from new players who try to take share of the market. Schell explains: “Transparency on accurate mileage, impact events, quality of
goods and reliable arrival times (ETA) are all now essential to keep our customers happy. This year’s pandemic has reminded us of just how critical rail freight’s role in the transportation system is as a whole. We seek every technological advantage to strengthen the position of rail, the eco-friendly mode of transportation, and develop a collaborative schedule for a sustainable mobility transition”. Rail is unrivalled in its ability to satisfy ecological, economic and social demands, providing it is enabled through technology to address the needs of the market in these times of rapid social change. The Nexxiot technology consists of sensors, communication gateways, connectivity and an intelligent IoT cloud platform to create meaningful actions from the data. “The new Globehopper 3 device delivers many benefits to the customer that until recently were unthinkable,” says Nexxiot CEO Stefan Kalmund. The devices are all zero maintenance with energy harvesting and low power consumption as standard. Nexxiot is dedicated to increasing transport efficiency by eliminating waste and, thereby, to reducing CO² emissions. www.nexxiot.com www.vtg.com
customers. If these elements are in focus the whole service will be even more sustainable
THE UPGRADE TO GLOBEHOPPER UNITS WILL ENHANCE CONNECTIVITY AND IMPROVE INFORMATION FLOW
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