Hupac leverages Nexiot systems

THE DATA TRAIL

INTERMODAL • HUPAC HAS MANY STRANDS TO ITS DIGITISATION BOW AND IS LEVERAGING NEXIOT’S KNOW-HOW TO GENERATE INTELLIGENCE FROM SENSORS ON ITS WAGON FLEET

HUPAC, THE SWITZERLAND-based intermodal network operator, is planning to automate its route planning and traffic management processes by using sensor data and analytics provided by its compatriot Nexiot.

Hupac is already using Nexiot’s selfsustaining sensors to provide real-time updates from wagons, which are fitted with the devices. These sensors send messages on information such as location, impact events, border crossings and mileage every five minutes. Hupac will now fully integrate Nexiot’s software solution into its in-house cargo management systems to predict delays, route out journeys and manage traffic.

“We began working with Nexiot two years ago when we applied the smart sensors to 1,000 of our intermodal wagons,” says Aldo Puglisi, responsible for digitalisation and business processes reengineering at Hupac Intermodal. “When we began to analyse the data generated by the sensors in collaboration with Nexiot, we realised that it could be used to identify and predict weak spots in the supply chain, helping us make more informed planning decisions in an optimal way.”

LINKING THE CHAIN Following a trial late last year, Puglisi says Hupac is now aiming for a complete integration with Nexiot’s digitisation solution, which would allow many of the planning processes to be automated, saving valuable time and money.

“This is exciting because fewer manual entries imply fewer errors and the information can also be shared with our partners to make the entire supply chain process more transparent and efficient,” says Puglisi.

Digitisation of wagon data is just one element of Hupac’s overall strategy, which already includes a dedicated XML electronic data interchange facility, Ediges, and an internal capacity management system based on algorithms. It is also rolling out optical character recognition software at its terminals to support automation of the check-in/out processes, and an updated web-based platfor for customer bookings and cargo tracking.

“Nexiot is providing its customers with the highest level of transparency across the supply chain, which enables them to differentiate their offering, increase efficiencies and unlock additional revenue potential,” says Marcel Scheurer, COO at Nexiot. “Our distinctly collaborative integration approach and operational industry experience help our customers to extract the maximum value out of the technical solution.”

EXCELLENCE RECOGNISED Nexiot was founded in 2015 as a spin-off company from ETH Zurich, one of the world’s most prestigious technical universities, and is built on more than ten years of research in complex systems, data analytics and ultra-low-power sensor technology. In March 2019, that work was recognised by Frost & Sullivan, which presented Nexiot with its Enabling Technology Leadership Award. Nexiot ranked highest in terms of both Technology Leverage and Customer Impact.

“To achieve technology leadership is never an easy task, but it is one made even more difficult considering today’s competitive intensity, customer volatility, and economic uncertainty, and we congratulate Nexiot on their achievements,” said David Frigstad, chairman of Frost & Sullivan, when presenting the award.

“The technology behind our self-powered sensors is only one part of our strength, but it is the data we collect and analyse that adds value to our customers’ business,” says Scheurer. “We collaborate with customers on collecting and analysing the data, helping them to gain new perspectives on their business and develop new service offerings that improve efficiencies and unlock additional revenue potential.” HCB www.nexiot.ch

ANNUAL DIALOGUES

PREVIEW • DIGITISATION IS COMING TO CHEMICAL DISTRIBUTION. DR NEVILLE PRIOR, FECC PRESIDENT, EXPLAINS WHAT THIS MEANS AND HOW THE UPCOMING FECC CONGRESS WILL RESPOND

DIGITISATION IN THE chemical supply chain is affecting all players in the logistics business, including chemical distributors. It is no surprise then, that this year’s Annual Congress of the European Association of Chemical Distributors (Fecc), which will take place in Sitges, Spain from 12 to 14 June, will focus on Industry 4.0 and the demands that will place on attracting young talent to the business.

Under the theme ‘Voices of the Future’, the Fecc Congress will attract the best minds in the chemical distribution sector to the Hotel ME Terramar where they will exchange information and experience, network with their peers and customers, and have the opportunity to enjoy Mediterranean sunshine and Spanish hospitality. Dr Neville Prior, Fecc president and chairman of Cornelius, says: “The whole topic around digitisation is really important right now. I think it could be said that the distribution industry has had its head in the sand for a while. At Fecc, I feel [digitisation] is one of the things we should be utilising to bring best practice and ideas into the industry. It’s clear that technology is going to have an effect in the future, particularly if one considers future generations. The modes of communication are vastly different – it’s not even through email these days. Apps and that area of technology is going to make a big difference. “Upstream, the big manufacturers are doing quite a lot in terms of digitisation,” Prior adds. “Many of them have strategies, they’re coming up with platforms and other various things. I think our industry needs to look at these platforms, but it also needs to think about the benefits that can be brought about through artificial intelligence, blockchain and other new technologies.

“The bigger players are already taking actions around this, but it’s the small- to medium-sized companies – even those up to $5m turnover – that need to be prepared to embrace digitisation. They need to be putting more effort into this. I feel this will be a topic that will constantly be discussed at the Fecc Congress this year.”

TOP PICKS Delivering effective digitisation strategies will bring a need for new skills, so encouraging new talent to join the industry is a topic that has been generating more momentum in recent years. Businesses are implementing new programmes to cater to the aspirations of the latest generation of workers as previous incentives no longer fit. Fecc is dedicating a whole discussion topic around how best to inspire the latest generation into becoming »

THE ANNUAL FECC CONGRESS IS THE BIG DRAW