All IT articles – Page 5
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Feature
Last mile: Blocking errors bit by bit
Block chains, the technology that powers the virtual bitcoin currency, could be used to simplify and revolutionise information exchange in the automotive supply chain in the near futureThe finance industry has been jolted by the advent of bitcoins, but finally, after six years, it has recognised the potential of the ...
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FeatureChina: Cutting costs and creating efficiency
The evolution of inbound and outbound networks is reflecting Chinese economic slowdown and reforms, as well as opportunities for stronger, more advanced automotive logistics services[sta_anchor id="1"]China’s passenger car market has been in a period of hyper-growth, rising more than fourfold over the past decade. However, with sales slowing to single ...
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FeatureTesla’s supply chain set for a surge
Tesla has captured the car industry’s collective imagination in many ways since its start-up in 2008, including how it builds and sells its electric vehicles.Besides the novelty of the products themselves, the intrigue is partly down to co-founder Elon Musk, one of the great entrepreneurs of this generation, seen in ...
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FeatureBMW: Flexing up for the fourth revolution
BMW’s partnership with Fraunhofer has produced innovations in materials handling to support its global parts exports, but these are only a first step towards wider digitalisation and automation in logisticsThere’s nothing wrong with asking for a little help every now and then, especially when it comes to developing and testing ...
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FeatureInventory inversed
Changes in technology, economics and attitudes are driving a resurgence of interest in vendor managed inventory programmes among automotive manufacturersProduction lines need availability, not inventory. Manufacturers’ primary concern is that each individual part is a good one and that it is ready by the line when the assembly robot or ...
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FeatureIs the digital future now history?
[sta_anchor id="1"]Electronic consignment notes were given the green light by the EU in 2011 but their implementation across European countries remains patchy. Has their time finally come… or gone? So far, only eight EU member states and Switzerland have ratified the so-called e-CMR protocol – the digital addition to the ...
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FeaturePackaging: Thinking smarter outside the box
[sta_anchor id="1"]Tracking technology is playing an ever greater role in the effectiveness of returnable packaging, but still has some way to go before it becomes ubiquitousTracking returnable containers, racks and pallets has come a long way during the past few years, and while barcoding is still the dominant technology, radio ...
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FeatureMercedes-Benz Trucks moves to 3D printing for spare parts
Mercedes-Benz Trucks is to move to 3D printing as the standard production method for a number of plastic spare parts at its Customer Services and Parts division from September. The truckmaker said the technology would initially be used for 30 part lines but that this would increase. It added that ...
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FeatureDB Schenker signs deal with uShip for digital freight network in Europe
Deutsche Bahn’s freight wing, DB Schenker, has signed a five-year deal “worth tens of millions” of euros with US-based online freight shipping marketplace uShip, a platform that matches shippers and carriers through mobile and internet devices.Later this year DB Schenker will launch its own ‘Drive4Schenker’ (D4S) online platform to match ...
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FeatureJCB renews transport management contract with 3T Logistics
Construction equipment maker JCB has renewed its contract with transport management provider 3T Logistics for a further two years.The company has been managing the transport of aftermarket parts for JCB to international markets since 2008. It is working with JCB’s aftermarket division – JCB Service – providing transport management systems ...
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Feature
CDN reports big take-up in North America for ePOD app
Car Delivery Network (CDN) has reported that its electronic proof of delivery (ePOD) application vinDeliver is now being used to handle 2.5m finished vehicles annually, giving it a market share in the US and Canada of 15%.The app, which is an online vehicle delivery transport management system, connects carriers with ...
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FeatureFVL North America conference: Crossfire panel. Talking until the fat cows come home
As declared by Sarah Amico, executive chairman of Jack Cooper, 2016 is a “fat cow year” for vehicle logistics. US sales are expected to reach a peak this year, rail and road capacity has been improved, while carmaker and logistics provider executives appear more ready than ever before to collaborate.There ...
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FeatureFVL North America conference: Beyond the year of the fat cow
All seven annual Finished Vehicle Logistics North America conferences have taken place during periods of recovery and growth for the industry. At the latest event, many thought sales were at their peak, and warned that OEMs and providers would need to be efficient even as the market changes. Marcus Williams ...
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FeatureFVL North America conference: Kicking the hundred-year habit for car carriers
The finished vehicle sector in North America has made some significant advances over the past few years in terms of bringing greater efficiency to the network. Despite that, it remains characterised by wasteful empty backhauls, which account for as much as 40-50% of mileage, according to some estimates.Some executives think ...
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Feature
UK aftermarket still growing
UK motorists spend a collective £21.1 billion ($30.7 billion) a year on servicing and repairing their vehicles, according to a new report by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).There are more than 42,500 vehicle service and repair locations in the UK and the aftermarket is diverse and very ...
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FeatureDassault Systèmes buys out rival Ortems
Planning software provider Dassault Systèmes has signed a deal to buy rival Ortems, which designs collaborative manufacturing planning and dispatching software.The buyout will extend Dassault’s offering in 3D manufacturing, supply chain and delivery applications under its 3DExperience platform. Dassault did not reveal how much the acquisition cost.Alongside its 3DExperience platform, ...
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FeatureMAN invests in freight management IT provider
Commercial vehicle manufacturer MAN Truck & Bus, part of the Volkswagen Group, has invested around $8.5m in a US technology firm called FR8 Revolution. The start-up company has developed an IT platform due for launch this quarter that is designed to optimise schedules to help shippers, carriers and truck drivers ...
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FeatureSupply Chain Conference: Only the data and technology you can handle
Left to right: Nissan's Ben Shain; Magna's Bridget Grewal; Surgere's William WapplerSpeakers at the Automotive Logistics Supply Chain Conference in Atlanta were optimistic about the potential for data analysis and new digital technology to improve the supply chain. But Marcus Williams and Christopher Ludwig find most companies are cautious ...
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FeatureKewill to buy LeanLogistics from Brambles
Logistics software provider Kewill has signed an agreement to buy LeanLogistics, the transport management software provider, from Brambles for $115m. Brambles specialises in the pooling of packaging equipment and associated services.The transaction is subject to standard regulatory approvals and is expected to be completed within 45 days, a spokesperson for ...
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FeatureKessler moves to CPO role at Cargomatic
Jonathan Kessler (pictured) has stepped down from his role as CEO of Cargomatic, the on-demand shipping platform that matches truckers and shippers which he co-founded with its president, Brett Parker. He remains with the company in the new role of chief product officer, however, and also remains on the board.“It ...