Logistics Link Live is on course to host the industry’s hottest innovations with exhibitors lining up to offer top tips on how to slash logistics costs and boost efficiencies.
Logistics Link Live is moving on to a new stage in its development, showcasing demonstrations, all the latest products, systems andservices ina livewarehousewhich offers all the comforts of home.
Isuzu trucks will be on display at the show, courtesy of dealership Paynes ofHinckley. Trucks to be exhibited include an Isuzu Forward F180.260 18-tonnerwith box body, an Isuzu Forward N75.170 7.5-tonner with box body, alongside several of Paynes of Hinckley’s models including a Commercial Model T Ford. Hinckley can offer a full range of commercial vehicles fromcar-derived vans up to 18-tonners. It is virtually a 24/7 service operation capable of working on all makes of commercial vehicles.
Companies are increasingly looking to squeeze more out of existing facilities, which will often involvepinpointingways toboost storage density. Narrow Aisle’s Flexi Euro articulated forklift truck is designed to do just this. Visitors will have the chance to see live demonstrations of the truck at the show. Translift Bendi will be running live demonstrations of the awardwinning Bendi articulated truck throughout the show.
Briggs Equipment will reveal a new product called FlexiHire, which it reckons can help customers de-risk their business with short, flexible contracts, while reducing their cost of running the fleet year-on-year by five to ten per cent. Dematic will exhibit a range of automated systems. In the current climate companies with limited capital budget can still reduce costs and realise a solid ROI, says Dematic. Voice picking technology typically delivers a productivity improvement of around 20 to 30 per cent over paper or radio data terminal picking with a return of under 18months.
VoiteQ will introduce the new VoiceManMovermodule – an application for managing warehouse stock movement tasks. This uses the RF network within the warehouse to interface with truck-mounted terminals running VoiteQ Mobile Warehouse Operations. And auto ID specialist Zetes will reveal its latest value-added systems for goods ID and people ID, comprising barcode, voice, RFID, smartcards and biometrics technologies.
Exhibitor SSI Schaefer reckons a good way to save money is to invest in small-scale automation systems, rather than high-end, fully automated picking systems. It also provides a modular approachto its systems,whichenables a company to grow, change, adapt and invest in stages over time.
Software-as-a-service is becoming increasingly attractive as an alternative to conventional software. This enables companies to rent the software it needs on an on-demand basis. Proteus experts will be on hand at the show to give expert advice on which solution will best fit your business.
Retalix will be unveiling three new transportmanagement systems, eachofwhichhaveprovedpopular intheUSover the last two years: YardandDocManagement,designedto reduce trailer wait time, improve labour productivity, fleet use, and planning andforecasting;DockAppointment Scheduling; and Inbound TrafficManagement.
Ensign, providers of Logistics Link Live 2009 WiFi network, will be available to discuss your WiFi and mobile computing requirements. Ensign will be displaying best-of-breedmobile computing with devices fromIntermec, Datalogic and LXE.
Richard Thomas Associates is launching a WMS package aimed at small and medium sized companies, designed to help “let you spend time running your business not your system.” It is designed to boost productivity, flexibility and growth in the warehouse and offers rapid ROI. Its differentiators are: true control over and access tomeaningful business data; extensibility, document management and report-writing. It is cost effective: unparalleled power, reach and scalability for the price. Technology-wise, it is built with and for the Microsoft.Net environment, exploiting Windows, web andmobile platforms.
RedPrairie reckons supply chain workforce management can be an effective tool to meet the challenges arising from a tough economic climate. Andrew Kirkwood, senior vice president and executive director, says: “At a time when it’s vital for businesses to reduce cost and increase efficiencies, RedPrairie’s Workforce Management solution has enabled some of our customers to cut labour costs with 15 to 50 per cent savings, while achieving an ROI in less than sixmonths.”
Seeburger is another leading software supplier that will be exhibiting. It recently launched 4invoice, an automated invoice processing solution, in a standalone edition. Skeye Systems will be showcasing its Mobile Computers, designed for retail and logistics as well as point-of-sale solutions. The IT specialist will be revealing the latest in scanning technology at the show.
Momote will unveil a new product, Workflow+, which combines all standard mobile workforce management software applications; instant job dispatch, photograph capture and job completion signature capture, but for no upfront cost. This means that, for the first time, it can offer companies with fewer than 50 mobile employees all the cost saving and efficiency gains of mobile technology, for £25 per user/permonth – providing an average ROI of twomonths.
Manhattan Associates says that while new warehouse expansions may be postponed, there are many ways to squeeze more efficiency from an existing site with more modest investments. Slotting Optimisation software is an option worth considering. It can be bought as a low-cost, standalone system, and integratewith an existingWMS. It can help determine the best picking profile for a warehouse to improve access to fast-moving goods, and change pick profiles in line with changing demand patterns.
OBS Logisticswill be demonstrating the latest inWMS and TMS systems to help a company boost its competitive edge.
Knapp UK will be exhibiting its Speeder-System – an automated storage and retrieval system that features smaller and lighter cranes, to quicken acceleration and deceleration, but avoid the high maintenance needs of larger, heavier cranes. Combined with its Energy Management software, it says a company can stand tomake big operational savings.
Retrenching an existing warehouse or distribution centre is a goodway to cut costs. Property specialist Goodrichwill be offering expert advice on how to go about redesigning and refurbishing an existing warehouse.Whether installing a VNA system, adding amezzanine, ormore racking, it’s vital to pay close attention to the state of the floor. Experts in new warehouse floors, along with upgrades, repairs and refurbishments fromthe CoGri Group will all be available.
Belgravium will be demonstrating its latest innovations, namely the new-to-market EX25 near-far imager. This has been incorporated into its Boston 8500 series hand-held terminal, and the result is new long-range reading capability on 1Dand 2Dcodes.
Kardexwill be running demonstrations of itsmost popular high-density vertical lift system – the Shuttle 500XP. Kardex storage systems can help release up to 90 per cent of floor space, freeing up revenue.
Industrialdoor specialistRo-Dorwillbe telling visitorshow a company can save around £48,000 annually by installing properly insulated warehouse doors.
SOLAR SITE
Top class facilities
Logistics Link Live takes place from 13-14th May at Gazeley’s 275,000 sq ft Solar warehouse at Magna Park.
Facilities for visitors have been upgraded this year. Visitors will have access to free wireless internet, while those looking to catch up on work while at the show can enjoy specially designed seating areas. And top nosh is on the agenda with improved catering facilities.
Magna Park is near Lutterworth where the M1 motorway meets the M6. The nearest motorway junction is J20 on the M1.
