Case Study
CargoVIS in general cargo handling
at Emons Spedition GmbH
"Our drivers now take care of the
shipment research themselves.
The image quality is really razor-sharp
and the software is easy to use.
This also supports us in everything
beyond research."
Stephan Schwarz
Forwarding Manager Emons Spedition GmbH
August 1, 2021
Emons Spedition GmbH
Zero shipment loss and reliable proof of oversized shipment dimensions
“Our drivers now take care of the shipment research themselves. The image quality is really razor-sharp and the software is easy to use. This also supports us in everything beyond research”, says forwarding manager Stephan Schwarz, summarising the user experience with the new DIVIS solution.
Every day around 2,200 consignments run through the Emons Spedition GmbH location in Cologne. With the overhaul of the video system, the plan was to further optimise productivity. The main aim was to eliminate weak points such as the time-consuming search for consignments and unresolved disagreements about the bulkiness of shipments as a cost factor.
While on the look for a suitable provider, the company remembered the positive experiences in other Emons branches such as Dresden, Leipzig, and Großbeeren near Berlin, which have been working successfully for some time now with the video management solution CargoVIS from DIVIS and are very satisfied with the achieved process optimisations.
That is why Martin Heinisch, authorized signatory and head of central purchasing & real estate at Emons, was convinced that DIVIS would also be the best choice for the Cologne location: “The team is committed, motivated and customer-oriented to ensure that the project is carried out successfully in all of the various functional areas. The solutions are based on practice and are constantly being advanced with innovative power."
In the first half of 2020, Emons therefore commissioned DIVIS to install their video management solution in Cologne. With the new software, the expertly planned selection and strategic distribution of high-resolution cameras, several process optimisations were subsequently realised on-site.
Previously, the search for missing consignments was only possible with the help of several employees, which was time-consuming and did not always result in 100% success. The goal was to change this situation. In addition, the branch wished for a more reliable method of measuring bulky shipments. In the past, during the billing of these transported goods, the company often lacked sufficient proof and therefore was often not reimbursed appropriately.
Relief for everyone involved in the process
The project was implemented in compliance with strict corona protective measures during ongoing operations within just three weeks. The CargoVIS video management software and a total of 82 high-resolution cameras were installed, both indoors and outdoors, including panorama cameras for a good areal overview.
In general, recommendations for the hardware are based on the individual structural conditions on site. Thanks to a network of outstanding partners, DIVIS is able to choose from a variety of high-quality components at the best price-performance ratio for customers, another contributing factor in the rapid amortisation of the DIVIS solutions.
Most of the visual hardware used at the Emons site in Cologne was sourced from the manufacturer Hanwha. The high resolution of the Hanwha camera provides an impressive image sharpness and level of detail of the recordings, a very useful support for all users on-site who are searching through the image material visually.
“The team is committed, motivated and customer-oriented to ensure that the project is carried out successfully in all of the various functional areas. The solutions are based on practice and are constantly being advanced with innovative power.”
Martin Heinisch
Authorized Signatory and Head of Central Purchasing & Real Estate at Emons
In addition, some valuable add-on functions for the software-based status analysis of gates (Gate+) and the entry of information related to the image in the software (Text+) have been implemented. Another module, Load+ for video-supported load optimisation, is currently also being added.
Everyone at Emons enjoys working with the new system. “Local transport loading has been accelerated and shipment research has been facilitated. Our drivers experience a noticeable added value through time savings and, above all, more success in their research,” says Schwarz, describing the current situation and explaining the previous everyday problems: “In the past, drivers always had to ask an employee about the consignments they were looking for. With about 80 drivers and an average of 30 searches every day, colleagues were too busy with these tasks for too long."
The forwarding manager is visibly pleased with the CargoVIS optimised shipment search: “Now drivers simply enter their search query themselves in the driver's computer and the consignment they are looking for is displayed promptly. Today, the commercial staff rarely has to help out and only with really complicated search queries. All employees are happy because the system works 100% and we find what we are looking for. It has facilitated work in all areas."
“Yet the relief of about 30 search queries a day is only one out of several improvements,” continues Stephan Schwarz. “The benefits go beyond that because we use the system for a wide variety of purposes, for example also for shipment identification after unloading and before loading."
“The overview of the truck has also been improved,” he adds. "That also makes it easier for us to evaluate the load space utilisation."
Reliable proof of bulkiness
Another weak spot besides the search for missing consignments was the measurement of bulky shipments. The previously used manual measurements turned out to be imprecise and did not provide the urgently needed evidentiary value. Also, the company did not want to clutter the well-used transshipment area by installing a measuring station. But the experts from Bordesholm already had a solution for this as well.
"With Scale+ we saved space. The system also streamlines our entire processing. There is no longer any discussion about bulkiness, because a document with a picture and dimensions can be sent directly from the system.“
Stephan Schwarz
Forwarding Manager Emons Spedition GmbH
The volume calculation is now carried out by another module called Scale+. This means that all other considerations about a measuring system are no longer necessary. The method developed by DIVIS for Scale+ does not require any physical measurement of the individual consignments, because it uses the video material recorded in the CargoVIS software to determine the shipment volume. Two further advantages of this technology: The loading of the truck does not have to be interrupted for measuring and the dimensions of the shipment can still be determined even after the load has left the hall.
Stephan Schwarz is satisfied that Scale+, in addition to the achieved evidentiary value, offers other advantages for the processes in the hall as well:
“With Scale+ we saved space. The system also streamlines our entire processing. Measuring shipments is a cinch with Scale+ and can be completed within a minute. There is no longer any discussion about bulkiness, because a document with a picture and dimensions can be sent directly from the system. Before, we had to do it all manually and we had no proof."
Large-scale added value
One of the installed cameras in the new scan zone looks directly at the scale's display and records the weighing process. This means that the time of weighing is also documented in CargoVIS. By scanning the shipment, the exact weight of the consignments that have passed these scales can then be tracked if necessary.
“We are seeing a lot of savings in all areas with the new system. The quality of the external cameras and surveillance, including the license plate camera, is a really high added value,” confirms Stephan Schwarz.
In the compact introduction of the software for the employees they were quickly and easily familiarised with the CargoVIS software. The operation of the user-friendly, self-explanatory interface was perceived to be uncomplicated. Stephan Schwarz also praises this phase: “The training effort for the approximately 80 drivers and our other employees was relatively low, because the software is very easy and intuitive to use. The scope of the briefing was sufficient, and the accompanying manual provides additional help with any questions that may arise. We also know that we can always turn to DIVIS in the event of any difficulties."
“We are seeing a lot of savings in all areas with the new system. The quality of the external cameras and surveillance, including the license plate camera, is a really high added value.“
Stephan Schwarz
Forwarding Manager Emons Spedition GmbH
Conclusion
The conclusion of the forwarding manager is very positive:
“Zero loss. All shipments are found” and authorized signatory Martin Heinisch adds: “The DIVIS solution fully meets our current requirements for a video system. Topics such as shipment tracking, clarification of damages and shipment measuring have been resolved in a targeted and user-friendly manner." In particular, the fact that the DIVIS service left no wish unfulfilled, despite the complicated circumstances during the pandemic, made a lasting impression. Stephan Schwarz therefore also praises the project management: “Just great and smooth. DIVIS has very short response times and that is awesome. Special requests are met with immediate solutions. That's exactly what customers want."
Read more about CargoVIS at the Emons site in Großbeeren:
BACKGROUND
Emons Spedition GmbH
Emons Spedition GmbH, based in Cologne, is a medium-sized, independent family company. The logistics service provider, founded in 1928, transported 4.9 million consignments in 2019, generating sales of around EUR 590 million. Emons is represented at around 100 locations in Germany, Bulgaria, China, Denmark, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, the United Arab Emirates, Switzerland, Slovakia, Taiwan, the Czech Republic, Turkey, the USA and Belarus.
The freight forwarder employs more than 3,000 people worldwide who offer all forwarding services from a single source. The broad portfolio includes general cargo system transport, part and full loads, CEP services, air and sea freight, digital services as well as customs services and customs seminars for customers. The offer is supplemented by rail cargo and combined transport. Another large area of the Emons Group is warehouse logistics - from storage to the complete supply chain - with 250,000 square meters of covered storage space at 30 locations.
Pick-up and delivery in local transport are largely carried out by subcontractors.
Over 900 drivers work for Emons every day. The company's own fleet line haul and direct loads includes 310 trucks, 1,000 swap bodies and 160 trailers. In addition, around 1,000 subcontractor trucks are working for Emons every day.
Stephan Schwarz
Forwarding Manager Emons Spedition GmbH
photo© Emons
Martin Heinisch
Authorized Signatory and Head of Central Purchasing & Real Estate at Emons
photo© Emons
