A Blast from the past
Follow Karsten Horn and Reiner Bachthaler as they embark on a road trip to nostalgia. Why do so many building materials producers still use old legacy software to drive their logistics?
A spectacular movie full of fun and facts around our fully integrated end-to-end logistics solution.
The Fully integrated end-to-end logistics solution from axians ias and inform
Karsten Horn and Reiner Bachthaler sat down to discuss the functions and benefits of our fully integrated end-to-end logistics solution.
On The road:
to AI
In this new episode, Karsten Horn embarks onto the road to AI. Learn how to optimize your aggregates sourcing, and how to integrate a dynamic pricing scheme.
ON THE ROAD:
TO NOSTALGIA
In this new episode, Karsten Horn embarks onto the road to nostalgia in building materials logistics. Learn why Excel spreadsheets are tools of the last century and why you shouldn’t let nostalgia run your business.
on the road:
to net-zero
How can we lower the CO2 footprint of our industry? Follow Karsten Horn as he embarks on the road to net-zero in building materials logistics.
On the road:
the travelling sandman
The sandman, a travelling salesman, and a dispatcher of building materials – what do they have in common? We’ll find out in this new road trip video.
On the road:
at ROSS BAUSERVICE
You don’t need hundreds or trucks or a big in-house IT crew to benefit from our AI-powered transport solution. Follow us to our customer Ross Bauservice, a medium-sized aggregates and asphalt producer.
OFFSIDE – GET YOUR CONTAINERS BACK INTO THE GAME
Are your containers always offside? Bringing new containers onto the pitch does not lead to success? Learn all about the smartest formation ever in pooling: demand forecast, tracking, distribution, and transport.
On the road:
5 LESSONS LEARNED
Over the past 25 years, we at INFORM have been providing logistics transport software to the building materials industry. We and our customers have learned a bit along the way. On today’s road trip, we’ll explore the 5 key lessons for you.
time to RETHINK YOUR
DIGITAL ROADMAP
The road to digital transformation can be long and winding. Some companies take unintended detours, while others are overrun with digital tools. Time to rethink your digital roadmap.
AI-POWERED LOAD & ROUTE PLANNING
For building materials distributors, being able to take fast turns in load and route planning can mean the difference between winning or losing the daily race for competitiveness. Learn how AI can move more payloads with fewer trucks.
PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES OF SUSTAINABILITY
Many building materials producers are on a “moonshot” mission to reduce the carbon footprint of their products. A mission-critical source of greenhouse gases, however, is often neglected: logistics and transport.
THE YARD AND ROAD WORKSHOP PART 1 - AUTOMATION
From in-plant to outbound, from robots to routing, and from trucking to tracking: Automation in logistics has reached new levels. But despite all the tools and excitement, the question remains: What does it bring to the table?
TOP SCORERS IN CONTAINER AND REUSABLE PACKAGING
The stats don’t lie: Algorithms have proven to be the best passers in pooling operations. But they are also great team players when it comes to progress the game to other software systems along the supply chain, e.g. TMS, YMS, or APS.
RIVALS OR ALLIES? YARD AND ROAD IN CEMENT LOGISTICS
Some cement producers have optimized their yard processes, while others have optimized their transport processes. And the lucky few who have optimized both, in-plant and outbound logistics, hesitate to connect the two worlds.
BUILDING AI INTO YOUR LTL DELIVERIES
From palletized to stackable and from bagged to bulk – LTL planning in the building materials industry is a tough challenge. Being able to take fast turns can mean the difference between winning or losing the daily race against the clock.
UNDER THE HOOD: CO2 REDUCTION IN CEMENT LOGISTICS
CO2 reduction in the cement industry focuses mainly on production processes. Logistics and transport, however, are also a relevant source of greenhouse gases and air pollutants. Compared to cement production, logistics are a low hanging fruit.
THE SIMPLE MATHS OF LOAD CARRIER MANAGEMENT
Subtracting and adding load carriers or balancing their demand and supply seems to be a simple exercise. But in the daily grind of asset pooling this often turns out to be a complex calculation with various unknowns.
MACHINE LEARNING IN BUILDING MATERIALS LOGISTICS
Cement, ready-mix, and aggregates logistics are facing a major overhaul. Traditional tools and processes are being enhanced or replaced by Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Algorithms are challenging long-established practices.
LTL OPTIMIZATION IN BUILDING MATERIALS LOGISTICS
From cement bags to drainage coils, from a concrete manhole to a pack of screws, LTL planning is a tough challenge. Being able to take fast turns in transport planning can mean the difference between winning or losing the daily race against the clock.
RTP - GREEN BUT NOT SUSTAINABLE?
Whether they’re made of plastic, wood, or metal - Returnable Transport Packaging (RTPs) are an integral part of many supply chains and industries, including food and automotive. Learn how to make your pooling operations more sustainable.
BETTER GRIP - OPTIMIZED AGGREGATES SOURCING
Algorithms have become a major efficiency driver for outbound transport optimization in ready-mix logistics. But many RMC producers still lose traction when it comes to manage and optimize their inbound aggregates supplies.
WORKFORCE MANAGEMENT: ARE WE USING THE RIGHT TOOLS?
Algorithms are a major efficiency driver for the logistics assets of building materials producers. But many lose traction when it comes to manage their human assets. AI can synchronize the competing interest of employee needs and operational objectives.
DIGITAL TWINS for PACKAGING & CONTAINER MANAGEMENT
Digital twin technology isn't new. Why is everyone talking about it now? How can pooling managers of crates, boxes, containers and other load carriers benefit from using digital twins?
DYNAMIC PRICING – AN OPTION FOR CEMENT logistics?
Dynamic pricing is common practice in many industries. Cement producers, however, still rely on static pricing models with long-term contracts between vendors and buyers. Should producers revisit their static pricing models and switch to dynamic models?
BORN DIGITAL: THE NEW WORKFORCE IN LOAD CARRIER MANAGEMENT
Old and familiar practices have been turned on their head by the shift to data-driven management of load carriers. With the rise of new technologies, the digital workforce uses tools and processes based on real-time information and automated decision-making.
WHY DISPATCHER TRAINING ISN’T ENOUGH – PART II
Your dispatcher team just returned from the training course where they brushed up their scheduling skills? But back in the corporate grind, they quickly realize that neither the processes nor the legacy IT system support their ambitions.
WHY DISPATCHER TRAINING ISN’T ENOUGH – PART I
Your dispatcher team just returned from the training course where they brushed up their scheduling skills? But back in the corporate grind, they quickly realize that neither the processes nor the legacy IT system support their ambitions.
BLOCKCHAIN: Container Managements BEST FRIEND?
Blockchain is an abstract term and the benefits are questionable in many areas. What advantages can the technology offer in container management?
HAULIER ASSIGNMENT: MAKING THE RIGHT MOVES
Similar to chess, assigning trucks to transport orders is a changing matrix with many variables. Managing freight rates and assigning the most cost-efficient haulier can be a daunting task. AI can help dispatchers avoid checkmate from their first move.
Artificial Intelligence in Container management
How can artificial intelligence and machine learning support humans in controlling large pools of load carriers? What are the benefits for customers?
BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY: A GAME CHANGER IN BULK LOGISTICS?
Blockchain is the latest hype-driven technology that seems to be a game changer for businesses and society. Understanding the rules of this technology, however, lags well behind the innovation. Learn the basics.
A ROADTRIP TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN CEMENT LOGISTICS
With one foot in its science fiction past and the other in our daily lives, AI is making steady inroads into the logistics workplace. While human-level AI is not yet there, a practical degree of AI can help dispatchers to drive their performance.
THE RISE OF THE DIGITAL WORKFORCE IN CEMENT LOGISTICS
The shift to data-driven transport planning in cement logistics has turned old and familiar practices on their head. The digital logistics workforce uses tools and processes based on real-time information and automated decision-making.
CONTAINER MANAGEMENT - LARGE POOL, SMALL OUTLAY
The right containers delivered on time in the right quantity - container management "at its best". In reality, however, the location of the load carriers is often not even known. What to do?
OPTIMIZED
CEMENT HAULING
Cement producers try to make best use of their trucks in order to reduce costs and improve productivity. However, truck productivity optimisation does not necessarily lead to a ROI for the producer, as it greatly depends on the way hauliers are paid.
Dirk Schlemper