Software AG has unveiled a Smart Logistics blueprint for its Digital Business Platform. The Digital Business Platform combines capabilities to digitise, analyse and monetise assets by enabling cutting edge digital applications.
The Smart Logistics blueprint overlays the Digital Business Platform with smart processes for real-time synchronisation of global logistics networks. Smart Logistics can analyse streaming Internet of Things (IoT), vehicle telematics, and contextual data to provide logisticians with enhanced visibility and increased efficiency across complex logistics operations.
Software AG has a strong background with customers use cases in Smart Logistics, including maritime, road, rail and air logistics, and in complex supply chains. Customer case studies were recently showcased at the Software AG Global Logistics Summits, which was keynoted by Dutch maritime logistics specialist Royal Dirkswager.
The Software AG Digital Business Platform enables shippers and logistics services providers to instantly analyse streaming data from onboard sensors, suppliers, logistics partners, environmental sensors, traffic feeds, telematics systems and geopolitical risk analysis systems. It is possible to identify problems early, such as wrongly loaded shipments or delays, and respond proactively. The DBP can also factor in information from vehicles, ships, rail cars, and more; this gives users the ability to understand whether events taking place onboard the conveyance will affect transport.
With the Digital Business Platform’s tools for predictive modelling, users also gain the ability to predict where exceptions are most likely to occur and determine estimated arrival times before the transportation route has begun.
Sean Riley, Global Manufacturing & Logistics Director, Software AG, notes: “The ability to act upon the results of real-time analysis and to communicate reliable expectations to all the parties involved in the logistical efforts is the key to smart logistics. Software AG’s Smart Logistics is designed to enable logisticians to capture, analyse, aggregate and act upon streaming IoT data in order to help minimise waste and scheduling inefficiency. It’s a tremendous competitive edge.”
Real-time analysis and aggregation of streaming data enables timely actions and accurate predictions by merging real-time and historical data. An almost limitless amount of connectivity options ensure all providers and shippers can participate in the solution as well as share and synchronise data among multiple parties and processes, regardless of their level of technological sophistication.
Software AG’s Digital Business platform integrates a number of key technologies, critical to enable Smart Logistics. ARIS and Alfabet, market-leading business and IT process modelling platforms, enable complex Logistics processes to be digitised and optimised. webMethods, a market leading integration and process orchestration platform, enables firms to connect all their different, disparate on-premise, hybrid or Cloud software seamlessly, serves as a conduit to obtain data from virtually anywhere quickly and flexibly. It also enables Smart Logistics processes to be orchestrated. Apama, a market leading continuous Streaming Analytics engine, serves as the nerve centre to detect patterns in logistics data and to respond intelligently, adjusting processes accordingly.
The ability to capture and manage data from a wide range of sources may enable users to see patterns and trends that can lead to new business models, partner relationships or practice efficiencies.