Theinternethasbecomeagenieofsorts,with everyconsumableitembeingdeliveredtoour doorstep.Justoneclickandyourwishwillbe granted.Whilewemightbeinlovewiththisgenie showeringuswithchoicestproducts(thoughnotfor free),itstruemagicalpowerslieinthehandsofthe LogisticsIndustry Withoutthetech-enabled,fastgrowinglogisticsindustry,thosewisheswouldremain justwhattheyare,wishes!
TheLogisticsIndustryitselfhasundergone tremendouschangesandisnowbeingledbyefficient manpowerandsuperiortechnology.Overtheyears, thegrowingdemand,expandingtrade,andeconomy, thegrowthoftheinternethavetogethercatapultedthe industryandmadeitembracetechnology.Improved technologyhasensuredincreasedproductivityinthe supplychainsimultaneouslyminimizingcostsand errors.Technologyhasensuredthatalltheaspects–truckingandinternationaltransportation(oceanand air),supplychainmanagement,andshipmenttracking –arebenefitedfromit.
Primetechnologiesthathavecomeforthfor enhancingthemechanismsoftheindustryare automation,Shipmenttrackingsystems,IoT,RFID, AutonomousVehicles,andcloudcomputing.Radio FrequencyIdentification(RFID)inparticular,has becomeverypopularwhenitcomestotracking inventory Andgoingbythewaye-commerceis
booming,maintaininginventoryhasbecomeahuge challenge,andRFIDishelpingtacklethesame.
Forspeedyandaccuratedeliveryofgoods,itisessential thatitidmovedfromonelocationtoanothereffectivelyand efficientlyandRFIDsolutionsenablethesametoensure businesssuccess.RFIDtechnologycapturesdigitaldata, encodestheminsmartlabelsandRFIDtagswhichcansend informationthroughareaderviaradiowaves.Many companiestodayuseRFIDtagsintheirdistribution warehousestomonitorshipmentandcontainers.
Whileitmaysoundlikebarcodes,thebiggestadvantage RFIDtagsprovideoverthemisthatitdoesn’tneedtobe placedorpositionedrelativetothescanner TheRFIDtags containanintegratedcircuitandanantennathattransmit datatotheRFIDreadertobeconvertedintoradiowaves andfinallyreadabledatathatcanbestoredandanalyzed. RFIDtaggingimprovesMonitoring,delivery,andsafetyof apackageisbeingdelivered.Thetagsareusuallyplacedon bothvesselsandcontainerstoensureaccuratetrackingand locatingofacontainer’sjourney
Combinedwithothersuitabletechnologies,RFIDplaysa majorroleinenhancingthevisibilityofapackageright fromthepointofmanufacturing,totransitandfinally delivery.Tohelpthelogisticsindustrycapitalizeon technologysolutions,severalcompaniesareengagedin creatingtherightsolution.
InthisissueofInsightsSuccess,webringyou“The10
MostRecommendedLogisticTechSolutionProviders 2020”thatensurethedeliveryofhappinessatyourdoorstep.
OntheCoverwehaveanearlypioneerofweb-based transportationmanagementsolutions,MGNLogistics. Furtherpagesshowcasesolutionproviders Aheer Transportation LTD,anamesynonymoustoreliable,ontime service; Intelligent Audit (IA), alogisticscompanyfocused onreducingtransportationcoststhroughautomatedaudit andfreightrecovery,businessintelligence,andcontract negotiationsolutions; Simple Route and Ubimax,theglobal marketleaderforEnterpriseWearableComputingand AugmentedRealitySolutions.
OtherkeynotableplayersareBoxC,Globaltranz,Premier LogisticsPartnersandODWLogistics.
DogothroughtheinsightsfulinterviewwithBradley Moore,theFounderandCEOofSAFRRemovals,awellknownlogisticscompanyinSouthAfrica.
Wealsopresentanin-housearticle Envisioning the Future of Logistics Technology
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Matthew Telesca
Founder & CEO MGN Logistics
Technologyhaschangedthe waybusinessisdone.Today, customerandproduct locationisnolongerimportant. Producttravelsacrosstheglobewith thepromiseofrapidorevensamedaydelivery. Andtomakethose promisescometrue,logistics providersarestreamliningprocesses andcreatingnewSupplyChain Solutionsassistedbyenhanced technology.
Thelogisticsspace,likesomany otherindustries,continuestobe disruptedbynewandcompelling technology.Advancementshave increasedproductivityinthesupply chainandminimizedcosts,while reducingerrors.Thebenefitsare beingreapedbyallareasofthe industry,fromover-the-road transportation,railways, internationalshipments(waterways andairways),aswellassupplychain andlogisticsmanagement.
Inadditiontothetechnology,new entrantshavepushedtheenvelopeof analreadycrowdedspace,creatinga racetodevelopthefastestdelivery supplychains. Now,morethanever, logisticcompaniesneedtoshowand adoptgenuineimprovementthrough bettertechnology Asthesechanges occur,manyarebeingspearheaded bythosecompaniesthatnotonly possessthetechnologicalvision,but alsothetransportationandsupply chainreal-worldexperience. Highly adaptiveandspecializedcompanies likeMGNLogistics,Inc.,have distinguishedthemselvesasindustry leaders.
Anearlypioneerofweb-based transportationmanagementsolutions,
MGNLogistics’innovativeand proprietaryTransportation ManagementSoftware(TMS)was designedbyexpertsinthefield.
TheirTMSplatformhasbeenthe backboneofsomeofthecountry’s largest3PLsformanyyears. Originallylaunchedasafully automatedfreightmarketplaceonline calledlogisticsquotein2000,the websitewassoldtoagroupof privateequityinvestorsin2004,after exponentialusergrowth. Building uponthecompany’searlysuccess,in 2007MGNacquiredaBoston-based freightmanagementcompanyand launchedanentirelynewTMS.
Withafocusoncuttingedge technology,thecompanycontinued todevelopuniquetransportation modules,whichincludedpredictive pricing,extensiveKPImetricsand intelligenttransportationrouting, whichoutpacedallmajorplayersin thespace. By2009,thecompany hadopenedofficesoutsideof Philadelphia,BostonandOrlandoto assistwithdemand. Thenin2013, thecompanyopenedanofficein Santiago,DominicanRepublicand developedaninternationalTMS platform.
In2014,thecompanycontinuedits expansionandacquiredaspecialized truckloadbrokerageinNewJersey, andthefollowingyear,madeanother strategicacquisitionofaChicagobaseddigitalfreightbrokeragewitha uniqueproprietarytruckloadpricing app.Thenagainin2018,the companyacquiredoneoftheleading parcelauditingandmanagement softwarefirms,alongwiththeir exclusiveRatingAgreement ManagementSystem(RAMS).
Today,MGNoperateswithoffices spanningPennsylvania,NewJersey, Massachusetts,Chicago,Orlando, theDominicanRepublicandPuerto Rico. Afive-timerecipientof Inc. magazine’sprestigiousrecognitionas oneofthecountry’sfastest-growing privatecompanies,MGNhas continueditsexplosivegrowth throughnumerousacquisitionsand organicgrowthwithnooutside investors.
MGNLogistics’cloud-basedTMS supportsallmodesoftransportation includingTruckload,LTL,Ocean, Air,Rail,IntermodalandParcel, providingcustomerswithapowerful, yeteasytouse,singleplatformfor theirentiresupplychain.MGN’s state-of-the-art,NextGenplatform offersseamlessintegrationinto existingEnterpriseResource
MGN Logistics ultimately provides excellent value to our customers and fair reward to our employees, partners, and owners.
“ “
Planning(ERP)andWarehouse ManagementSystems(WMS)orcan beimplementedasastand-alone solution.
Functionalitiesincludemodeand carrierselection,rateoptimization, automatedtrackingandtracing, includingGPS,freightbillauditing andpayment,alongwithbusiness intelligence,blockchain,artificial intelligenceandsophisticated analyticaltools.MGNprovidesthe highestlevelofconsulting intelligencecoupledwithtechnology toimplementbestpractice, compliance,andauditingto maximizeallavailableopportunities forimprovement.
MatthewTelescaistheFounder andCEOofMGNLogistics.Telesca isaserialentrepreneur,investorand successfulbusinessman. Afterearly successofsellinghisfirststart-up, TelescafocusedonbuildingMGNto beoneofthelogisticsandsupply chainindustry’spremiertechnology companies.Hisbackgroundin financeandlogisticsmanagement,as wellassoftwaredevelopment, positionedhimperfectlytoleadan industrythatwasonlyinitsinfancy, withtechnologicaldevelopmentsin thelate1990sandearly2000s.
AsCEO,Telescaissomeonewho inspiresthosearoundhimtoseeand followthecompany’svision.He acknowledgesthatoftenthebest innovationdoesn’tcomefroma singleperson,butrather,froma collaborationofdifferentindividuals withadiversesetofideasthat ultimatelycometogethertocreate somethingspecial.
AtMGN,Telescaandhisexecutive teamstrivetocreateacorporate environmentwhereemployeesare empoweredtothinkaboutinnovation andmakesuggestions.Themanaging teamnotonlyencourages participationbutincentivizesother teammemberstoengageincreative thinking. MGNhascraftedaspecific strategytolookaheadandinnovate, andthishashelpedtoalignthe directionoftheirideasandthe executionoftheimplementation.
MGNLogisticsofferscustomers reliableandhigh-qualityservicesthat optimizeallfacetsoflogistics operations. Clientsoftenbenefitwith immediatecostreductionfrom carrierandmodeoptimizationand fulltransparencyintoallshipment invoices.Clientsgetreal-time visibilityintoanyshipmentmetric, vendorshipmentexecutionand
compliancereporting.MGN’s featuresutilizeartificialintelligence foroptimization,blockchainfor enhanceddatasecurityandalso provideclientsaccesstolivemarket data.
Sincethebeginning,MGNLogistics hasbeenattheforefrontof immersivefreightdatavisualization, optimizationandoutrightcreativity MGNhasalwaysbelievedthatdata collectionandmoreimportantly, accuratedataanalysisisacrucial partoftruebusinessintelligence.It hasdevelopedoneofthemostrobust freightanalyticsdashboardsinthe industrywithcomprehensivedrilldowncapabilitiesandsuper-intuitive usercontrols. “Our reporting suite is designed not just to engage the executives with information, but to assist in real-time decision making,” Telescaresponds.
Asasuccessfulentrepreneur,Telesca believesthatentrepreneurship requiresgritanddiscipline. “You have to be able to get back up when you fail.” Hesays, “Everyone wants to be successful and yet, for the majority, success is very elusive. However, I always worked while thinking you never truly fail unless you stop trying.”
Hisadvicetobuddingentrepreneursis, “Be prepared to work above and beyond everyone else. You should be the first one in the office, the last one to leave, so you can inspire those around you. And you should be willing to do what everyone else only talks about doing. If you have this quality, then, perhaps you have one of the necessary building blocks to creating a successful business.”
Alongwithadvancesintechnology,comechallenges. Todayshippershavemorechoicesthaneverbefore, butthemarketplaceisfullofdatedlegacysoftware thathasbeenrebrandedassomethingnew. Alltoo oftenshippershavepurchasedsoftwareorservices thatareusingoldtechnology.MGNLogistics,onthe otherhand,hasnotonlybeenapartoftheindustry’s originalpioneersbuthascontinuedtobeoneofthe leadinginnovatorsatapacebeyondtheir competitors.
Today,MGNLogisticsisoneofthetop3PLsinthe countrywithanaward-winningTMSdesignedby logisticsprofessionalsusingonlythelatest technology. MGNcontinuestoinnovateandlead, inspiredbyfounderandindustryveteran,Matthew Telesca,MGNhaslaunchedanewtechnologystartupinSanJuan,PuertoRico. AILogisticswill exploreopportunitiesandfocusonintegrating blockchaintechnology,machinelearningand artificialintelligence,toefficientlyoptimizesomeof theindustry’santiquatedprocesses.
MGN Logistics proudly combines over 100 years of industry experience with a working knowledge of the top technology tools.
“ “
BradleyMooreistheFounderandCEOofSAFRRemovals,oneofthemorewell-knownlogisticscompanyin SouthAfrica.InaninterviewwithInsightsSuccess,BradleysharedsomevaluableviewpointsabouttheLogistics Industry.Healsohasalsoelucidatedonhowhiscompanyisexperimentingandinnovatingdifferentideasthatare transformingtheindustry.
WhatisthepresentscenarioofLogisticsTechSolutionindustryfromyourpointofview? WestillhavemuchtodotoenhanceefficiencieswithinLogisticsTechSolutionspace.Thelogisticstechnologyistherebut
theknowledge,trainingandcoordinativefunctionsforthis technologyaren’tmaximizingthesolutionsthatare available.Thelogisticalplayinggroundhastoomany playersthatareallpreoccupiedwiththeirownlimitedfocus andsurvivalsinsteadofcombiningtheirresources,clients’ needsandtruckspacemanagementformoreefficiency,and thereforecostsavings.Amoresimplisticbusiness infrastructurecanbeinitiatedwiththeLogisticsTech solutions.However,itneedsahumanelementtointegrate andcoordinateallviableplatformswiththelogistics players.Webelievethehumanelementisnecessaryfor manipulatingtheTechfunctionalityintothelogisticsarena.
Wouldyouliketoenlightenusaboutyourmission, vision,philosophiesyoufollow,andthefuturegoals?
AstheFounder&CEOofJHBRemovals,Iamsetabout testingabusinessphilosophyandincreasingefficiencyby implementingIoTandimprovingthecoordinationwith co-playerswithinthetransportindustry.
Thephilosophywastocollectandcoordinatewith co-industryplayerswhoshareapassiontodeliverquality customerserviceanduseourcollectivemarketintelligence toeffectivelyrepresentlocalremovalandstorageservice needs.Thismarketintelligencewouldnotonlyenhanceall roleplayerstosourcenewbusinessopportunities,butit wouldalsoprovidelogisticalefficiencywherebyeachteam canconcentrateonspecificregionswithintheprovinces. Thiswouldeliminatedieselwastage,travellingtimeand grapplingwithunnecessarytrafficwhichcontributesso muchinefficiencytologisticalservicedelivery
TheSAFRGroup(PTY)Ltdmanagementphilosophyis basedoncarefullyselectedstaffandteamsthatareselfdrivenandhaveanaturalinstincttoprovidethebest possiblecommunicationandservicedeliverytoourclients. Eachteamandpersonaretheirownauthoritywithoutbeing policedandmotivated.Therewardsarereflectedinthe resultsoftheirownwork.
Briefusaboutyourcompanyanditsinceptionstory. Cape Removals (https://www.caperemovals.co.za/) CapeRemovalswasinceptedinOctober2012, CapeTown, WesternProvince,SouthAfrica.
Theregionallyfocusedfurnitureremoval&storage businesswasfoundedwiththeobjectiveofprovidinga collectivebrandthatwouldrepresent4to6independent removalteamswhichallhadthesameservicedelivery commitmentsbutlackedtechnologyintegrationand regionalbrandidentity.
Thebusinessmodelwasextremelywellreceivedbythe localizedremovalteamsinTheWesternCape.We coordinatedandprovidedaplatformtolaunchThe1stleg ofournationalstrategyin2012andlaunchedCape Removalsbusinessin2012.
ThesuccessofCapeRemovalsanditsformulawas duplicatedinotherkeyregionswithinSouthAfricawhich includedJohannesburg,Pretoria,andDurbaninthe Gauteng&KwaZulu-Natalregionsrespectively.
JHB Removals (https://www.jhbremovals.co.za/) JohannesburgandPretoria,asregions,areessentiallythe financialzoneswhichdriveSouthAfrica’seconomyand ourlocalizedbusinessJHBRemovalswasbornwiththe samebusinessmodelandformula,hopingtoreapthesame resultsthatCapeRemovalshad.JHBRemovals’localized formulawasextremelywellreceivedandtheprogressionto KwaZulu-Natalfollowednaturallyandeasily
DBN Moving Company (https://www.dbnmovingcompany.co.za/)
DBNMovingCompanywaslaunchedinDurban, KwaZulu-Natalin2017,toconnectthelogisticaldotsfora startingnationalinfrastructureandtoexpandourselection ofserviceswhichnowfacilitatesanationalfurniture removalservice.
We are bringing together localized teams and services from all corners of South Africa.
“ “
SAFR GROUP (PTY) Ltd
(https://www.furnitureremovalssa.co.za/)
SAFRGROUP(PTY)Ltdwasbornin2019withthe purposeofprovidingacoordinativehubforusandour partnerswiththeobjectiveofmaximizinglogistical efficiency,Increasingourreachandoptimizingcustomer serviceatgroundlevel.SAFRGrouphasfoundapurpose inbringingtogetherlocalizedteamsandservicesfromall cornersofSouthAfrica.
SAFRGroup(PTY)LTDwillconsolidateitsposition beforereachingoutinternationally
Whatkindof‘out-of-the-box’strategiesdoesyour companyfollowtodifferfromyourcompetitors?
SAFR’sout-of-the-boxstrategyistocoordinateourselves andlocalizedroleplayersintoanefficientmachine.This startswithleadershipmanaging,communicatingand re-emphasizingourcommongoalsinprovidingthebest possibleserviceatthebestpossibleprice.Workingtowards serviceexcellenceandprofessionalismarekeyaspirations forus.
HowdoesyourorganizationcontributetotheCompany
SocialResponsibilitycause?
Weareayoungcompanywithourresourcesbeing reinvestedintoourbusinesstoensureweallhavejob securityfirstandforemost.Wearenowexpandingonthis andweareensuringthatourownstaffandtheirchildren’s dignityandsocialstatusareenhancedandupliftedto healthylevels.Besideslookingafterourown,weprovide financialsupporttocommunitysportsinitiativesfor childrenaswellasanimalrescueandrehabilitation.
Howdoyoudiversifyyourofferingssoastobenefityour customers?
RemovalCosting,personalgoodssecurityandprotection aretheprimaryfocusesforusandourclients.Thetraining andselectionofourstaffareobviousattentionareasforus butwestillcontinuallysearchforstrategicdedicated employees,shareloadtransportation,technologyoptionsas wellassupportingserviceslikepacking,crating,protective wrappingandpackagingmaterial.Personalgoodsandtheir safetyareemotionallyandsentimentallyattachedtoour clientsandthereforewestrivetoprovideinnovative protectiveoptionsforourclients.
Fromthebeginningtilltoday,listoutthetoughest difficultiesyou’vefacedandlessonsyou’velearnedfrom them?WhatistheeffectofthecurrentDieselphase-out plansproposedbymanycountriesonyourcompany? Ourdifficultyisprimarilycoordinatinganefficientshare loadspaceutilizationwithclientsandourownschedulesto minimizetheemptyspacesbeingwasted.Weareaspiringto
ultimatelyreducetrucksandtimeontheroadbutstill facilitatelogisticalcollectinganddeliveringofallfurniture toourclients’depots,offices,andhouses.
Weareprodieselphaseoutandwemaintainourobjective ofdieselefficiencybyusinglessdieselandultimatelyno dieselatall.WeaimtobetheleaderinElectricadaption st andthe1 inSouthAfricaandAustraliatodoso.
Withthemassiveadvancementsintechnologysuchas IoT,AutonomousVehicles,AI,ElectricVehicles,and morewhataretheopportunitiesandchallengesevolving withit?
OpportunitiesforAI,IoT,andElectrictruckingismassively excitingforus.Theintelligenceandanalyticsderivedwill enhanceourabilitytoeliminateinefficiencies,reduce humanerror,enablemanagement&clientstobeproactive andbemoredirectlyinvolved.
ThisisanareathatSAFRGroupisaspiringtoprepareand inceptasquicklyaspossible.
Ourchallengeswillbetodeveloptheexpertiseto implementandmanageallAIandtheIoT
Whatcanbeexpectedfromyourcompanyinthenear future?
Toprovideandpopulateaninteractiveserviceforour clientsandselectedcontractorstocommunicatedirectlyon anefficientlogisticaltransportingplatformperregion,per district,nationallyandinternationally.
Anyadviceforthebuddingentrepreneursinthe industry?
Opportunityandentryintoourindustryhaveneverbeen easiernormoreexciting.TheLogisticsofferssomanyareas ofexpertisewhichcanandshouldbeindependentwitha verylittlecapitalcostofentry.TheLogisticsindustrywasa verycapitalintensiveindustrywiththeneedtohavetrucks andsupportinginfrastructuretoprovideacompleteservice totheirclients.
Theplayingfieldhaschangeddrasticallyandit’sbecoming increasinglyeasierforanentrepreneurtoenterthelogistics marketfromalargevarietyofexpertisechannels.
Logisticshasplayedasignificant roleinalmostallkindsof industries.Whenitcomesto transportandfreightmanagement, logisticsisthekeyaspectofall processesinvolved.
Tounderstandtheintricaciesandrisks involvedinthelogisticspartofthe business,companieshireexpertswho knowtheinandoutoreverysmall detail.Theseexpertsorlogistics solutionsprovidersareequippedwith theright tech and talent requiredto providethebestofservicetoclients.
Thisedition,The10Most RecommendedLogisticTechSolution Providers,2020,wascuratedwiththe intenttoexhibitsuchsolution providersthatshowcasethenecessary potentialtodeliverwhatispromised. Oneprominentnameamongsuch expertsisIntelligentAudit(IA)
HeadquarteredatRochellePark,New Jersey,IntelligentAuditisaleading supplychaintechnologyservices companyfocusedonreducing transportationcoststhroughautomated auditandfreightrecovery,business intelligence,andcontractnegotiation solutions.Thecompanyaspiresto developinnovativeanalytic intelligencetodriveefficienciesand optimizeitsclient’sglobalsupply chainprocesses.
IntelligentAuditisthetechnology leaderinparcelandfreightaudit, businessintelligence,andspend optimization.IA’sproprietarytechnology,pairedwithitsteamofstrategic accountmanagers,providesan unrivaledabilitytouncoveropportunitiesforcostreductionandprocess improvement.
IAleveragestechnologytohelp customersbecomesmartershippers; gettingshipmentsdeliveredfasterto theirconsumers,withlessexceptions atcheapercosts.
IA’scloud-basedsolutionaddresses logisticspainpointsusingdata-driven analyticsandreportingtoanalyze, benchmark,optimize,andhelp shippersgaincriticalinsightsintotheir globaltransportationnetworks.With best-in-classauditandreporting technology,clientsareabletoleverage theirdatatoreducecosts,enhancerealtimevisibility,andimproveendcustomerexperience.
Withmorethan2,800clientsrepresentingover$16billioninannualtransportationspend,IntelligentAuditprides itselfonprovidingclientswiththe toolsandinsightstohelpthemship smarter
“IntelligentAudit’sbest-in-classaudit andreportingtechnologyallowsour clientstoleveragetheirdatatoreduce costs,enhancereal-timevisibility,and improvetheend-customerexperience,” expressesHannahTestani,theChief OperatingOfficer.
IntelligentAuditwasrecentlynamed theFastestGrowingCompanyinthe TransportationandLogisticsIndustry byInc.Magazine.Itwasalso recognizedbyGartnerasaGlobal Providerinthe2018MarketGuidefor FreightAuditandPaymentProviders. IAhasrecentlypartneredwithTriumph Banktoprovidefullyintegrated,bankbacked,freightpaymentprocessing. Throughthispartnership,thecompany canhelpitsclientsstreamlineaccounts payable,optimizeworkingcapital, becomeashipperofchoice,and
enhancethesecurityoftheirsupply chains.
ExhibitingBusinessExcellence
Intelligentaudithasawiderangeof servicesandsolutionstooffer:
Freight Audit and Recovery –
IntelligentAudithelpsidentifyexisting andpotentialfutureissuesand maximizerefundsfromcarrier companiesworldwide.Onecanaudit over150pointstorecover opportunitiesregardlessofdollar amount,automatedisputesubmission andresolutiontasks,andcreate systematicprocessestodriveand increasecostsavings.
Business Intelligence and Analytics –
IntelligentAuditcapturesand consolidatesbusinessdata,then coordinatesandsynchronizesitto provideclientswithactionable intelligencereporting.Usingcloudbasedbusinessintelligenceand analyticstools,thecompanyempowers clientstountanglethecomplexwebof datasurroundingtotaltransportation spendtomakethebestdecisionsfor theirorganizations.
Carrier Contract Optimization –IntelligentAuditprovidesthe knowledgeandindustryexperienceto ensurethatclientsreceivebest-in-class serviceatthelowestpossiblepricefor alltheirshippingneeds.Byoptimizing clients’entiresupplychain,Intelligent Auditprovidesaholisticviewthat offerssuggestionstoimproveoverall transittime,loweredcosts,and improvedcustomersatisfaction.On average,clientscansave12-18%of totalshippingcostsafteracarrier contractnegotiationmanagedby IntelligentAudit’steam.
Finance and Accounting Tools –Clients can effectivelymanage complexGLcodingandcostcenter allocationentries,automatemulticurrencyfreightpaymentand remittanceprocesses,accurately categorizecostsbybusinessunit,and modelandforecastaccrualsandlanded costs,throughIntelligentAudit’s FinanceandAccountingTools.
Freight Payment – IntelligentAudit streamlinesclients’accountspayable processes,ensuresthatcarriersarepaid correctly,ontime,andinlinewith currentpaymentterms,accurately managesandallocatescostsacross clients’organizationsandsimplify operationsandimprovetheirbottom line.
Advisory Services – IntelligentAudit’s teamofexperienceddataanalystswill leveragetheirin-depthknowledgeof freight,transportation,andlogisticsto helpclients’companyfind opportunitiesforcostreduction, processimprovement,andresource optimization.Thecompanybelieves thatbyhelpingclientsrespondtoa rapidlychangingbusinessenvironment andmakefast,strategicdecisions,they becomemoreflexibleandcompetitive. SurpassingAdversities
Whenaskedforheropiniononthe impactofthecurrentCOVID-19crisis onthelogisticsindustry,Hannah states,“Wesee visibility becoming evenmorecriticalforshippersinthe yearsahead.Onequestionwe’vebeen askingshippersforyearsthathas becomeevenmorerelevantnowis: howcouldashipperpossiblybecome moreeffectiveanddelivershipments fastertotheirconsumersatcheaper costsiftheydon’thaveagoodgrasp onwhattheyaredoingtoday?How doesashipperevenstarttodefinewhat ‘better’lookslikeiftheydon’t (quantitatively)understandthecurrent stateofaffairs?
Wealsosee network optimization playinganevenmoresignificantrole goingforward,especiallyforthose shipperswhoareworkingtoshifttheir channelstooffsetthechangesin purchasinghabitsofconsumers.”
“Asmoreandmoreofoureconomy reopens,theshippersthatwillsurvive willbetheoneswhocanquicklyadapt toaneverchangingworld,which meanstheywillneedtohavetheir fingeronthepulseoftheir transportationdataatalltimes.The daysofbeingmorethan30days behindinunderstandingyoursupply chainaregoneandshippersneedto
findpartnerslikeIntelligentAuditwho canquicklyturnmassiveamountsof disparatedataintoactionablebusiness intelligenceinreal-time,”adds Hannah.
Additionally,inheradvicetothe aspiringentrepreneursandlogistics enthusiasts,Hannahsays,“Aswith everyindustry,logisticsisconstantly changingandevolving.Withtheonset oftheCOVID-19pandemic,the landscapeissurelytolookvery differentinthecomingyears.Always makesuretobeonestepahead,witha focusonleveragingtechnologyto maintainefficiency.”
Talkingabouthervisionforthe companyforthefuture,Hannahstates, “IntelligentAuditseesthecoming yearsasanopportunitytohelp shippersstreamlinetheiroperations evenfurther.Thoughwedon’tknow exactlywhatwillhappenasaresultof COVID-19,it’sclearthatthingsare goingtochange.What’simportantis thatshippersmovequickly,before carriersbegintomakesignificant changestothewaytheystructuretheir pricing.”
Intelligent Audit’s best-in-class audit and reporting technology allows our clients to leverage their data to reduce costs, enhance real-time visibility, and improve the end-customer experience.
Hannah Testani Chief Operating Officer
Oceanfreightisadynamicmarket.Thegiant containershipsthattransporteverythingfrom garmentstoBarbiedollstostrawberriesaroundthe globe,isboomingdaybyday.Sameisthecasewiththe companiesthatownthem.Andthismillion-dollarindustry isachievingnewerheightseverysingledaywithdigital innovations.
AbouttheCompany
“Nothing of worth was ever accomplished without enthusiasm!”,thisquotebythegreatlitterateurSamuel JohnsonistheinspirationbehindthesuccessofAheer TransportationGroup Theenthusiasticteamatthe organizationworkstowardsemergingasavaluablevendor, allyandpartnerofanyclientfacinguncertaintywiththe Canadianeconomy TheteamisworkingwithCanadian ImportersandExportersinthePortVancouvermarket.This asset-basedcompany,foundedin1993,istotallyCanadian ownedandoperatedbyShindaAheerandhisfamily.
ABriefGlimpseofitsServices
Aheerownsthe15acresofPrimeIndustrialRealEstateon RiverRoadinDelta.BesidesitsRealEstatebase,the Groupconsistsofseveraloperatingdivisions:
AheerTransportationLtd.(non-union)
BurtonDeliveryServiceLtd. (TeamstersLocal31) TriangleTransportationLtd(FlatdeckDivision,Teamsters Local31)
AGTransportLtd(UNIFOR)
PacificTransportationGroup(PTG) DayalTransportLtd.
Togetherwetotalover80Tractorsand800+Chassis,onthe roadhaulingtheirclients’importandexportcargoes.
InadditiontoitsconsiderablethrowingweightintheOcean ContainerDrayageSectorofthePortVancouvermarket,the AheerGrouphasdiversifiedintoOceanContainerHandling andStorageOperationsoverthepastfiveyears.
AheerCYYardTerminallocatedat8713RiverRoad,Delta isthedesignatedCYYardforallofHamburg-SudLine’s
andMaerskLine’sdryboxes.Aheer’sLiftCapacityisnorth of80,000lbsandthecompanyhasthenewestHysterTopPickunitsinthePortVancouvermarket. WhileOcean ContainerDrayageremainstheAheerGroup’sprimary activity,theEquipmentHandlingandStorageDivisionis gaininggroundrapidly AheerhasasecondCYYard,subleasedfromVancouverFraserPort’sRealEstateDivision whichtotalsover3acresat10008RiverRoad,Delta, Aheer’s“NordelYard”.
OntheDrayageside,qualitatively,it’sworthmentioning thatAheerTransportationLtd.isthedesignatedOcean ContainerDrayageproviderforCanadaPostCorporation.
Assuch,andindealingwithaquasi-Governmentagency likeCPC,allofAheer’sdrivershavebeenvettedbyCanada PostSecurityinOttawa,includingcriminalchecks,fingerprinting,etc. TheCEOofthecompanyfeelsproudtohave thisCanadianGovernmentSecuritydesignationasit underscoresthequalityofdriverthathehasbeenhiredover theyears.Let’smeettheacclaimednavigator…
ThePresidentandCEOofAheerTransportationGroup, ShindaAheermovedtoCanadafromPunjab,India,when hewasonlytenyearsold,theyoungestoffourbrothers. Afterattendingschool,Shindabecameaveryproficient TractorDriver,haulingHeavySteel,AluminumProducts, aswellasOceanContainersandGeneralLTLFreight. In 1992,whenthecompanyhewasdrivingforwasonthe vergeofdrowning,Shindamadeapactwiththelargest client,aprolificAluminumCanmanufacturerandreenlivenedthecompany
Gradually,Shindabuiltanasset-based,multi-faceted companythatmostrecentlyhasaccelerateditsgrowthvia theacquisitionofsmallercompetitorsintheOcean ContainerDrayagesector.
Hisentrepreneurialskillscontinuetoflourishwiththe recentpurchasesofPacificTransportationGroupandDayal TransportLtd.justoverthepasttenmonths.
Loyaltyisatwo-wayvirtue.Shindastillcountsonmanyof hisoriginaldriversfromthebeginnings,aslongstanding employeestothisday.
Loyaltyalsoisevidentonthecommercialsideasmostof Shinda’scustomershavebeenwiththecompany,literally fordecades.OntheImportsidewithlongtimeFreight ForwardersupporteslikedbSchenkerandontheExport sidewithCanadianproduceslikeCatalystPaperandInterex ForestProducts,theclientstendtostaywithAheerthrough thickandthin.
ShindaAheerisaveryproudaswellasgratefulCanadian whowantstogivebacktothenationthatacceptedhimasa youngboy Towit,Shindaisanactiveparticipantin Charities,philanthropicdeedsliketheBCChildren’s Hospital,theUnitedWay,andmanymore.Reflectingonhis culturalethics,Shinda’sgenerosityislegendaryfor donatingfunds,equipment,andmanpowertohelpbring successtomanyannualIndo-CanadianFestivals,Parades, andotherSikhTempleevents.Shindabelievesingiving backtotheCommunitieshebelongsto,bothtothe CanadianandtheIndo-Indianorganizationswhoreachout tohimforassistance.
TheManagementTeamatAheerismadeupofexperienced freightindustryprofessionals,whohaveforgedrelations withnotonlyvaluedAheercustomers,butotherimportant commercialentitiesliketheCanadianRailwaysandthe
OceanSteamshipLines.Moreover,operatingina RegulatedEnvironmentlikeTrucking,contactswiththe threelevelsofGovernment,PortMetroVancouver,thenew OfficeoftheBCContainerTruckingCommissioner,theBC TruckingAssociationandotherNGOshavebeen established.Theentirestaffofthecompanythrivesfor excellencebyexceedingthecustomerexpectation.
Safety-thePrimaryFocus Truckingisrightlydesignatedasaregulatedindustryin CanadaandtheAheerGrouprecognizestheneedforSafety Regulationsthatensurethesafeandsecuremovementof theirclients’cargoesonCanada’sPublicRoadwaysthatare alsousedbytheCanadianpublic. Safetyhasalwaysbeen theAheerGroup’sprimaryfocusthroughoutthecompany’s history
Aheer’sstandingshavealwaysbeentop-drawervis-a-vis:
NationalSafetyCode; BCWorkSafeCompliance; InsuranceCompliancy; PortVancouverTruckLicenseCompliance; BCTruckingAssociation
“Historically, safety has been viewed as a responsibility we owed to our Customers, to our Employees, and to our fellow Canadians…..and Safety will continue to be so…..first and foremost in our dealings and operations going forward!”,endsShindaonabrighttone.
s 3D printing continues to take more steps into production, from product design right up to the production floor, sciencefictionisbecominganalmostscientificreality Some companies recognize 3D printing as an opportunity ‘to do things differently,’ starting from engineering to cars and healthcare. This encourages us to deeply rethink how the logistics industry will develop and manufacture goods and to reassess the nature of supplychainsingeneral.
For several reasons, the relationship between logistics and the 3D printing industry is fascinating. The 3D integration of the supply chain management seems normal, almost unavoidable. Its potential applications in the production are in line with the revolution that hasbeenpresentedsofarbythistechnology.
The industry leaders in the logistics trend radar identify 3D printing as one of the biggest disruptive trends in the near future. The assumption is that 3D printing has tremendous potential for instant production and distribution models that allow both businesses and consumers to print complex objects within the constraints of a singleprinter.
Before jumping into how 3D printing is shaping the logistics industry, let’s see what 3D printing is with some basic functionalities.
The origins of 3D printing were automated prototype production technology. This method primarily works with a computer-aided design in order to create material layers (plastic, ceramic, metal powders, etc.). This so-called additive procedure entails that each layer is printed and overlaps the last layer until a 3D product is created.
3D printing has gained its industrial position for prototyping purposes. Prior to conventional “reductive” manufacturing processes, where it has been roughed to form the item from a mass of material, resulting in slower and more expensive operation. For applications in many niche markets, 3D printers have evolved as a viable choice.
This technology is now being used to develop finished products. Although traditional mass production is viable due to economies of scale, for “special” products, it is not cost-effective. 3D printing has the power to eliminate this difference when the original (or exact copy) element is produced, and instruments that only produce one piece can be as accessible as mass production costs.
There are other benefits to manufacturing the final product by 3D printing. Things can be lighter but heavier and thicker. They also cause less pollution. Furthermore, the choice of independently making an item means that the process is suitable for mass production, in which customers will be more interested in the goods they are buying and manufactured according to their preferences.
With all such, additive production supports the democratization of the fabrication process in the industry through 3D printing. This is valued for the printing of small-volume products that are customerspecific and are much more complex than traditional means possible.
The implications of this modern manufacturing method would be particularly important for the
logistics industry. Some of these benefits are:
Any products made in China or other Asian markets can theoretically be developed closer to America and Europe. Thus, the amounts of shipping and air cargo are reduced.
Mass customization will mean that inventories will be high as goods are ordered. This is a general boost to the retail sector, but a profound positive shift for small and medium-sized business growth.
A near-immediate delivery can be guaranteed in view of the possibility of manufacturing on demand. The two consumer needs we are able to meet in this technology are personalization and immediacy
The amount of transportation by sea, air, and land in some goods will be decreased while others will increase.
There is currently a significant investment in the maintenance of stocks to supply replacement parts for different types of industries. One of the industry’s most vital needs is to satisfy the need for immediate action and to send the parts as quickly as possible. By 3D printing, it can be a few hours of operation to get new pieces. The staff could even download and print the replacement part file within the company
A new important sector in the logistics sector will emerge in light of the changing needs. The domestic distribution demand for such products will expand as 3D printers meet the general and industrial public massively.
Additive manufacturing will help companies to improve the productivity of the materials by eliminating the waste accumulated in traditional manufacturing; it will, therefore, promote the development of a beneficial circular economy with a considerably smaller environmental impact.
The world of logistics and supply chain management will change radically through 3D printing. It can reduce delivery and marketing times substantially
and satisfy customer needs with a positive effect on the world.
In such fields, this technology will remain important, as more companies learn the best ways to adapt and implement it. And, to do this, these reforms will entail the development of new models and the transformation of the logistic structures that we know are crucial for a shift in mindset towards local communities with a global impact.
- Anmol Preet Singh
Thefleetmanagementsystemisstillatitsinfancy. Thereareonlyfewfleetmanagementcompanies whohavefullyadoptedthebenefitsofArtificial Intelligenceandotherdigitalinnovations.
Fleetmanagementiscomplicated.Therearesomanythings thatimpactthefleet.Whilemanagingalargefleet,thereare chancesthedetailscangetlost.However,it’sthedetails thatoftenmakeallthedifference.Withouttherighttools, fleetscan’tbemanagedeffectively.
HeadquarteredinBucharest,Romania,SimpleRoutePlan isaneasy-to-usefleetmanagementplatformspecializedfor thecourierindustry.Foundedin2016,thiscompanyoffersa solutionthatconsiderseveryelementofrouteswithoutany arealimitation.Themainfeaturesofthisplatforminclude: planoptimalroutesworldwide,estimatedeliverytime, contactcustomerviatextmessagesoremail,GPSfleet trackingwiththelivetrafficupdates,deliverylivetracking andadvancedreporting.
FeaturingthePassionateLeader AlinBoncioaga,theCEOofSimpleRoutePlanisa graduatefromUniversityofTransylvania.Heispassionate aboutsoftwaredevelopmentandsecurity.Heholdsvast experienceinsoftwarearchitecture,variousprogramming languages,AI&Blockchain.BeforeSimpleRoutePlan, Alinusedtoworkwith Pentalog asaSoftwareDeveloper.
“My goal was to automate part of the transportation industry. The company offers a key fleet management solution as well as automated communication with customers throw SMS and Email. Part of the team are logistic professionals that made it possible to develop a platform to answer real customer needs”,assertsAlin.
TheadvancedtoolsofSimpleRoutePlanhelpthefleet companiesinmanyways:
Automatically Track Vehicles:GPSFleetTrackinghelpsto locateeveryassetinrealtime.
One Platform for your Entire Fleet:Thissoftwarecanbe usedtomanagetheentirefleet,regardlessofwheretheyare locatedintheworld.
Find Insights:Reportingoptionsallowitsclientstoreview thehistoryofroutessotheycandetermineifthereareways toimproveroutesandsavemoney.
An Investment in Your Future:Fleetmanagementsoftware willsoonhelpyourealizeareturnoninvestment.Simple RoutePlanisaffordable,andjustbyusingityou’llenjoy betterproductivityasitautomatesmanymanualtasks.As youlearnwhatroutesaretheleastexpensive,you’llfind yourreturnquickly
Reduce Risk:Anessentialfacetoffleetmanagementis minimizingrisk.Thishasmanyapplicabilityintheindustry fromenhancingsafetytoensuringvehiclesarewell maintained.
Operational Efficiencies:SimpleRoutePlancanalsohelp withreducingfuelconsumptionandvehiclemaintenance.
Idling Trucks Cost the industry $20 billion in Fuel Costs Each Year:Thecompanycanhelponetofindand implementsmartwaystoavoidtheidle.
Reroute instantly:Ifthere’sablockeronthepreferred route,SimpleRoutePlanhasanoptiontocircumventthe hazard,notifydriversimmediatelyandrerouteproactively notreactively
Track Fleet Metrics:Withthereportfeatures,ithasbeen easiertolookatmetricslikeidling,fuelconsumption,and routehistory.Thesenumberscanshedlightonhowthe
operationcanbeimproved.Theinefficientroutesmaybe identified,ordeterminedhowdriversareperforming.Italso givestheoptiontocomparethesamerouteinformationfor twodifferentdriverstoseewhatthedifferencesare.
ThesoftwareplatformofSimpleRoutePlanhasbeen designedwiththeuserexperienceinmindtryingtocreatea layoutwheresettingsandoptionsareinthemostintuitive placesandmanyprocessingstagesareintegratedsothere arefewerthingstheuserneedstofocuson.
Couriercompaniescanupdatetheircustomersonthe deliverylocationandstatusthroughSimpleRoute’scontrol panel.Thisiswhatkeepsitapartintheglobalmarket.The companyoperatesworldwideandplansroutesacross multiplecountriesandcontinents.
SimpleRoutePlanoffersitsclientstohavebettertoolsto measurecompanyprogress.Thereports,history,and statisticswillallowcompaniestoimprovethewaysto managetheirkeyperformanceindicators.Itincreasesendcustomersatisfactionbecauseofexcellentcommunication andtransparentprocedures(customersarenotifiedwhen
deliveryhasbeenregistered,thehourthecourierwillarrive atthedestination,etc).
Dieselphase-outplansaremovingthetransportation industryforward.LogisticsTechsolutionswilladapt accordingly.“When the vehicle manufacturing industry will be ready to place advanced planning software solutions in the vehicles themselves we will be there to meet the demand”,saysAlin.
Thelogisticstechsolutionprovidersaregettingcloser everydaytooptimizingtheirinternalbusinessprocesses andreducingcost. AutonomousVehicleswouldbeahuge leapforwardautomatingtheentireindustry.Ontheother hand,IoTislookingtoredefinetheindustryanditisseen thatpioneerslike Amazon arealsotestingitandtryingto makethemostoutofit.
Withtherapidbusinessgrowth,thecompanyislooking forwardtoexpandtoallcontinents.SimpleRoutePlanis continuouslyenrichingtheplatformbyaddingnewer softwarefeatures.
Foundedin2011,Ubimaxistheglobalmarket leaderforEnterpriseWearableComputingand AugmentedRealitySolutions.Asaone-stopshop,Ubimaxprovidesanall-in-onesolution-AugmentedRealitysoftware,WearableComputing devices,configurationanddeploymentservices,aswell assupport.Thecompanyhasbuiltupaverystrong partnerecosystemwithmorethan250enterprisesaround theglobeandoperatesfromofficesinGermany,theUS andMexico.
WeapproachedtherenownedCEO,Dr.HendrikWitt foraninterviewaboutthegloriousandsuccessful journeyofUbimaxthroughout:
Briefusaboutyourcompany,itsinception,and journey. Ourcompanystartedoutlikeafairnumberofstart-ups: Abunchofpeoplehavingspentsomeyearsinstrategy andmanagementconsultingwithajointvisionworking ontheirbusinessideainasmallroomalmostaroundthe clock.Butweknowwhatwewereworkingonwas worthit:Improvingindustrialprocesseswiththehelpof wearablesandaugmentedreality,enhancingdeskless workers,sotheycanreachtheirfullpotential.
TellusabouttheFounder/CEOofyourcompany,his ambitions,andphilosophy.
BeforeUbimax,Iwasworkinginthefieldofwearable computingalready.Mybackgroundofnowmorethan15 yearsinwearabletechnologyforenterprises,doesnot onlyconsistofPhDfromtheUniversityofBremenand GeorgiaTech,whereIwasworkingwiththewearables pioneerThadStarner,butalsofrombeingtheCo-Head intheEU-fundedresearchproject‘wearITatwork’.
Fromthenonitwasthegoaltomaturethetechnologyto beabletomeetthemarket’sneedsandmakeit profitable.Ubimax’srootslieinastrongteamofthe threefoundersPercyStocker,JanJunkerandDr. HendrikWitt.Wemetduringourstrategyand managementconsultingtimeandrealizedtheyhadfun workingtogetherandpursuingthesameideals.Shortly afterthefounding,Ubimaxbecametheglobalmarket leaderforindustrialaugmentedreality-basedwearable computingsolutionscreatingdigitaltoolsforrealworld problems.WhilePercyhastakenoverasPresidentof UbimaxInc.intheUS,Janisleadingthecommercial activitiesasCCOandIhavetakenovertheroleofCEO.
WhatisthepresentscenarioofLogisticsTech Solutionindustryfromyourpointofview?
Rightnow,thefearofautomationerasingjobsin logisticsisomnipresent.Weareheretoshiftthatfear intoopportunity.Yes,digitizedworkingenvironments optimizeprocessesinwarehousesbutthehumanfactor cannotbeunderestimated.Aspectslikeintuitionand flexibilityareboundtopeople.Globally,80%ofthis humanworkforcearedesklessworkers.Indigitization overthelastdecade,thismajorityofworkershasbeen forgotten.Theyareoftenstillworkingwithpaperlistsor cumbersomestationarycomputers.Andifsoftware solutionsareprovided,theyfrequentlyhavecomplex requirementsorarejustnotuser-friendly. Forus,itisall aboutempoweringthesefrontlineworkerswiththetools theyneedtomaximizetheirabilities.Thisalsomeans thatcompaniesimplementingtheinnovative technologiesarewaymorelikelytoachievetheir efficiencyandqualityimprovementgoalsinaneven shorteramountoftime.
Revolutionizing Global Enterprises with Wearable Computing and AR
Wehelpfrontline workersfocuson whattheyarereally goodat:real-world physicaltasks,not complexandtimeconsuming computerprompts.
HendrikWitt CEO
Whatkindof‘out-of-the-box’strategiesyour companyisfollowingtodifferfromthe competitors?
WithUbimaxFrontline,wehavecreatedtheworld’sfirst fullyintegratedend-to-endenterpriseplatformfor wearablecomputing.Designedaroundthefouraward winningARsolutionsxPickforintralogistics,xMakefor manufacturingandqualityassurance,xInspectforfield serviceandxAssistforremoteservice,weareableto supportdesklessworkersintheirdailytasksalongside theentirevaluechain.Oursoftwareworksintuitively withoutcomplexrequirements.So,workersarenot distractedfromtheiractualtasksandcanworkmore productivelywhileitincreasestheirworkplacesafety andergonomicsatthesametime.WithUbimaxFrontline wecreateaninnovativeanddigitizedworking environmentforhands-onworkers.ItislikeMicrosoft office–onlyfortheblue-collarworker Thegoalisthat companies,processesandtheworkerscanbenefitfrom oursolutionslikewise.
Howdoesyourorganizationcontributetothe CompanySocialResponsibilitycause?
Socialresponsibilityforusisallaboutpeople.Afterall, connectingpeoplewithandthroughtechnology-thisis whatUbimaxstandsfor Thatiswhywenotonlysupport desklessworkersallaroundtheglobebutwealsoputthe humanbeingwithallhisqualitiesandexperiencesinthe foregroundinourowncompany.Weseeinternationality andculturaldiversityasopportunities.Ourteamconsists of17differentnationswith15differentlanguages.
Withoutourdiverseteam,itwouldnothavebeen possibletobecometheworldmarketleaderinsucha shorttime.Ourclientsarelargecorporationsoperating onaninternationalscale.Onlywithourdiverseteam,in whichinterculturalexchangeisagiven,wearean attractivepartnerfortheinternationalmarket.Diversity thusprovidesuswitharealcompetitiveadvantageand drivesusforward.
Howdoyoudiversifyyourofferingssoastobenefit yourcustomers?
Weareacompanythatlistens.Wefound,themorewe arereadytolearnfromtheproductiveuseofour platform,thebetteroursolutionsbecome.Alotofthe featuresfoundwithinoursoftwareareeitherbasedon concretecustomerwishesorderivedfromchallenges beingsolvedinproductiveusage.Wedonotthinkthat creatingnewtechnologyonlybecauseitisfeasiblebutit doesnothaveaproductivevalueisadvantageousfor anyone.Witheverynewfeaturewewanttomeetreal industrychallenges.Sofar,wecanrelyon250customer projects.Theexperiencegainedfromtheseisavaluable sourcefornewideasonhowtoadaptoursoftwareeven morepreciselytoourcustomers’needs.Thisway,we growasacompanywitheverynewchallenge,with everynewprojectwitheverynewcustomer
Fromthebeginningtilltoday,listouttoughest difficultiesyoufacedandlessonsyouhavelearned fromthem?WhatistheeffectofthecurrentDiesel phase-outplansproposedbymanycountriesonyour company?
TheDieselphaseoutplansandotherenvironmental challengesareactuallyabigopportunityforus.Our maingoalisoptimizingindustrialandlogistical processesalongtheentirevaluechain.Thatreducesnot onlygenerallycostsbutalsospecificallytheneedfor resourcesofanykind.Throughoptimizinglogistics,we aredrivingleanprocessesforwardwhichhelpstoreduce transportationandstoringefforts.Withourremote assistancesolutionstravelingforproblemsolving becomesobsoleteinalotofcases–againagreatchance intimesofenvironmentalchallenges.Also,oursolutions supporttheconstructofapaperlessfactorybyproviding allneededinformationdigitallyrightinfrontofthe worker’seye.
Withthemassiveadvancementsintechnologysuchas IoT,AutonomousVehicles,AI,ElectricVehicles,and morewhataretheopportunitiesandchallenges evolvingwithit?
AtUbimaxwehaverecognizedtheseopportunitieslong ago.FeatureslikeIoTcomponentsareintegratedintoour platformaswellasAIfeatureslikeimagerecognitionfor recognizingpickeditemsforexample.Withthehelpof wearables,datacollectionhasbecomeeasierthanever before.Theanalysisofthataccumulateddataoffersa
precisebaseforprofounddecisions.Throughthemobile devicestheconnectivityismaximized,too.Thatway,a powerfulcollaborationbetweenhumansandmachines–theso-calledInternetofHumans-isachieved.Withour solutionsweareaugmentingtheworkforce’s intelligence.Onechallengethatwearefacingisthe acceptanceofthetechnologyamongworkers.All providedadvantagescansometimesnottrumpethical concernslikedatasecurityorsurveillanceatthe workplace.WeatUbimaxhaveimplementedfeatures likearecordingsymbolwhenthecameraisstarted remotely Theworkeristheninformedthathis supervisoriswatching.Thesestepsseemsmallbutthey arepowerfultoolsforincreasingworkers’autonomy.
Whatcanbeexpectedfromyourcompanyinthenear future?
Forus,thefutureisanaugmentedworkforce.Wewant toachievethisnotonlythroughwearablecomputingand augmentedrealitybutthroughthiscombination enhancedthroughartificialintelligence.Thatiswhatwe callaugmentedintelligence.Drivingindustryand logisticsforwardwithnext-leveltechnologiesand providingrealaddedvaluewithdigitalprocesses.While artificialintelligenceoffersanarrayofadvantagesonthe businesssideitalsoempowersfrontlineworkersby supportinghealthyworkingenvironmentsandmaking informationevenmoreeasilyaccessible.Thatwaywe createawin-winsituationforallinvolvedstakeholders.
Anyadviceforthebuddingentrepreneursinthe industry?
Webelievethataftermobileandsmartphoneerathe nextcomputingdecadebelongstowearabledevices.In thelastyears,themarkethasdevelopedrapidlyand continuestogrowuptoanestimatedmarketvalueof35 billionby2023.Thus,thefieldisofferingplentyof opportunityfornewcompanieswithgoodideas.The mostimportantaspectforusisnottolosethefocuson theworkforce.Afterall,theyaretheonestousethe technologyonadailybasis.Withthatinmind,weare lookingforwardtonewfacesenteringthemarketdriving theindustryforwardtogether
