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The Technology Trends That TAL 2021 Speakers Are Calling the Future of Automotive
Automotive is undergoing the biggest disruption in all the years of its existence. New technologies are coming to the fore, and if you cannot flexibly adapt, you’ll lose a lead that is very hard to earn back. What important trends are transforming logistics today in the eyes of the experts who spoke at Trends in Automotive Logistics 2021?
Switching to SaaS: a strategic change that saves CAPEX and OPEX
Security, scalability and cost optimisation – these are just a few of the cloud benefits that will surprise few people today. But what else does the cloud conceal? This year we’re expected to see an unbelievable 23% increase in cloud-services spending over 2020 – partly but not solely due to the need to secure remote workforces and optimise IT costs. That’s because the transition to SaaS services has unlocked an entirely new category of company-wide benefits for the strategic development of companies that use it.
Driving trucks from home, and UX as an engine for digitalisation: The most interesting quotes of TAL 2021
Seeking the right balance for automotive logistics – that was the main theme for this year’s Trends in Automotive Logistics conference, held in Pilsen on 21 September 2021. A total of fourteen speakers from throughout Europe came to share verified tips and experience gained from digitalisation projects. How do automotive logistics experts see the future? We’ve chosen the most inspiring statements from this year’s conference just for you.
Automation in Logistics – From Hardware to Artificial Intelligence
Intralogistics and warehouse automation were once again among the main topics at this year’s TAL conference. And Czech technology start-up VertiFlex, which was one of the main partners for the entire event, focuses on precisely these areas. VertiFlex is active on eight markets in Central and Eastern Europe, to which it supplies automated vertical stackers for warehousing from Swedish manufacturer Weland Solutions boosted with its own VertiNode AI software, which makes use of the possibilities offered by artificial intelligence. In our interview with their managing partner Bohumil Tejnický, we spoke on the development of automation in intralogistics
Supply chain digitalisation and automation at RAPA
For more than 70 years, RAPA has been known as a specialist for solenoid valve technology, and in total this company has 100 years behind it. Today, hydraulic and pneumatic components and system solutions for the automotive industry as well as numerous customers in the healthcare and industrial sectors are produced under the RAPA brand. This company with roughly 1,000 employees cooperated with Aimtec to resolve a lack of know-how in integrations and to digitalise the supply chain. We talked about the details of this solution with Jan Stočes, Aimtec’s director of Cloud & Integration Solutions.
The TAL 2021 Conference: Logistics Digitalisation Must Come with Balance
Fourteen speakers from throughout Europe assembled in Pilsen on 21 September for the Trends in Automotive Logistics (TAL) conference, organised by Aimtec in cooperation with IHK Regensburg and DTIHK. The automotive logistics experts appearing on the conference stage included Marco Prüglmeier from i2market and Michael Schneider from idealworks. The topic of establishing the right balance regarding logistics digitalisation accompanied the entire programme. And the conclusion? Constant balancing, the seeking of new paths and evaluation of individual solutions’ pros and cons is, the speakers say, what is most likely to guarantee success for both small projects and cross-company transformations. TAL 2021’s participants found confirmations of this in the majority of the conference presentations.
Automotive should learn from e‑commerce. Through data and digitalisation.
If you want to succeed, learn from the best. That is why we’ve interviewed Ivan Marinec, with his rich portfolio of experience from operations and logistics management in automotive. Over 20 years in this field have given him a unique perspective on the current turbulent situation and more importantly on the trend of digitalisation in automotive manufacturing. We asked him for tips as well as lessons learned that have helped him to start his own company.
A digital‑first approach to logistics innovation by idealworks
When BMW’s new spinoff, the fully owned subsidiary idealworks, was founded in November last year, the message was fairly clear: This Munich startup – which is partnering with major players such as NVIDIA Corporation, ADLINK Technology, and SICK – is reimagining autonomous logistics and changing the way intelligent robots work. We spoke to idealworks’ CEO, Michael Schneider, about the startup’s first year of business, its goals for next year, and his presentation at TAL 2021.
Zebra Intelligent Cabinets: A safe place for your mobile devices
In recent years, mobile terminals and printers, industrial tablets and more have become a part of modern warehouses and production lines. A single plant can have even hundreds of these items in its inventory. How do you handle and store these smart devices? Intelligent cabinets from Zebra Technologies create a central hub for your warehouse equipment, in which stored devices can be secured and monitored similarly to warehoused items.
Automotive for a New Age: Localised Manufacturing and Supply Chains Alongside New Business Models
For over a year now, the global economy has seen a trial by fire, and it is struggling with the impacts of anti-epidemic measures. In automotive, the pandemic has mercilessly revealed the vulnerability of global manufacturing and supply structures, and meanwhile this sector is seeing the greatest change in a century, with combustion engines gradually giving way to electric.
We learned while doing – and always valuing decency and good relationships
Aimtec is celebrating its 25th birthday. That’s why we couldn’t resist asking its co-founder Jaroslav Follprecht what has changed and what events most strongly shaped the company – but also how hard it is and has been to find work-life balance.
TAL 2021: The topic for automotive logistics in 2021 will be finding a balance
Audi, BMW Group, ŠKODA AUTO, ZF Friedrichshafen, Volkswagen, Eissmann Group Automotive – návštěvníci konference Trends in Automotive Logistics (TAL) už měli v minulosti možnost vyslechnout si zkušenosti, případové studie a inspiraci od těchto velkých hráčů v automotive a také od desítek jiných. Loni v únoru přilákal jubilejní 20. ročník do Plzně téměř 300 českých i zahraničních účastníků, kteří podle zpětné vazby odjížděli spokojeni. I v letošním roce chystáme inspiraci v podobě toho nejlepšího z logistiky v automotive. Posun na podzimní datum 21. 9. 2021 vidíme jako příležitost setkat se v Plzni znovu osobně a navázat tak na úspěšné předchozí ročníky. O tom, na co se letos můžete těšit, jsme si povídali s Romanem Žákem, předsedou představenstva Aimtecu.
Local automotive manufacturing? Smart microfactories will make it possible.
Traditional production lines may soon be replaced by innovative microfactories consisting of manufacturing cells with flexible robotic stations. These can make do with a floor area that’s two orders of magnitude smaller and can be brought into operation considerably faster.
Expensive electromobility may endanger Europe’s OEMs
Even ten years from now, European OEMs will still spend more to produce each electric vehicle than they would for a compact automobile with an internal combustion engine. Pressure on companies’ profitability will continue to grow, and in time it can lead them to merge into larger units – and to share R&D costs as well. Will Europe’s automotive leaders fall into the red?
The warehouse automation market will see strong growth – powered by e‑commerce
The research company Statista is predicting a doubling of the warehouse market automation market by 2026. The volume of investments into automated warehouses, and thus into related technologies as well, is predicted to rise worldwide from its 2019 level of $15 billion up to $30 billion in 2026. This trend was already growing before the pandemic, but now companies that operate warehouses have been forced to shift automation away from “nice-to-have” priority up to “must-have”. If they want to remain relevant in this field, such a strategy change is a necessity. How high will this trend rise?
The three most common mistakes when choosing a WMS
A Warehouse Management System is capable of controlling processes throughout the whole warehouse, making it the first choice for internal logistics. The latest study by the SKLAD association has shown that an unbelievable 53% of Czech logistics companies want to invest in a WMS over the next year. Are you among them? Then make sure that while you’re choosing, you’re not making any of these mistakes that can endanger the whole project’s success!
The Five Things You Need for Successfully Launching Your Production and Logistics Automation Project
The automation of logistics and manufacturing is steaming ahead. This trend has been helped along by the constant pressure for efficiency, along with the digital transformation and a shift towards greater freedom from human capital. All this has made way for the deployment of new technologies, with which automation is often connected. How can you maximise logistics automation’s potential while making sure your project goes as smoothly as possible?
Three real‑world examples of how to configure the system for controlling logistics and production
Today, when the demands on businesses and how they work are changing nearly non-stop, it is essential to be able to react quickly and gain control immediately even in tough situations. And so it is no surprise that custom configurability is also a fundamental matter for WMS, MES and APS, among other logistics and control systems. The trend is clear – customers seek a system where their hands and minds are free to create their own transactions and processes and shape their system’s future development. But is this truly possible?
DCIx 7: The Future Is in the Cloud
The 2020 DCIx User Group on 10 September 2020 introduced this application’s latest version: DCIx 7. Are you expecting the usual – just some added features like in previous versions? Then you’ll be pleasantly surprised. The cloud has entered the game more than ever before. And that makes this more a revolution than an upgrade. What else can the new DCIx 7 offer you?
When transformation is not a trend, but a necessity
An automobile comprises about 20,000 parts. Some components are so unique you could count their suppliers on just one hand. If on top of that you’re forced to speedily switch to a new supplier, the whole process can become a nightmare. We probably needn’t quiz you on why this information is so interesting of late…
Digitalisation goes hand in hand with automation. And it can bring companies durability and flexibility.
Projects aiming to automate logistics tend to be a major challenge for companies. In this interview with Aimtec co-founder Roman Žák, we discussed the most common errors one encounters in projects like these – as well as how automation relates to digitalisation.
How to Automate Warehouse Processes with VNA: The General Prerequisites
More and more often warehouse halls contain VNA (Very Narrow Aisle) forklifts that zip through aisles all on their own, or in semi-automatic mode. But before they can do that, you need to integrate them into their surroundings properly. Unless you want VNA to stand for “Very Nasty Automation,” you need to make sure not to underestimate preparations. How can you prepare your warehouse and processes for this expansion of your fleet? We have a few tips on how to approach it.
What’s the state of Czech logistics and warehousing today? We know the current crucial trends and problems
How are logistics firms handling ever-shorter delivery periods? Do they see automation as a necessity, or are they tending to delay related investments? The new Trends in Czech Logistics study answers all of this and maps the topics that are shaping the Czech logistics market.
Automation: Keeping Your Control System in Great Shape
In our previous article on how to tackle automation, we mainly focused on your team and on how to take an efficient and modern approach to your new control system’s deployment. Today we’ll look under the hood (or into the code?) of the system itself. You want it to grow along with you – and with the evolution of your processes and the hardware technologies in use at your warehouse. So you need it to be configurable, and naturally you need to attend to its maintenance too. But you can entrust that maintenance to… automation! Join us for a look at how to “automate automation” and have a control system that’s still as good as new after years of utilisation.
Zebra Technologies’ HD4000 – the latest smart glasses for industrial augmented reality
The potential of industrial augmented reality (AR) is growing, so talk about it has grown too. And we too wrote last year about the possibilities for using it, for example in tablet-assisted quality control. The latest AR tool we’ve had a chance to try out is the HD4000: a pair of glasses from Zebra Technologies.
Lean Manufacturing Principles Applied to a Packaging Line
Not many companies in our country have withstood its fundamental societal changes over the last 100 years without major fluctuations. The Swedish company SKF is one of the exceptions.
“We Originally Just Wanted to Improve Our Processes, but in the End We Automated Our Whole Warehouse,”
states Libor Toman from the board of directors of DŘEVO TRUST, a.s. He answered our questions just weeks after the start of live operation for their fully automated warehouse – that is, in a very special phase of the project. Mr. Toman captained the new warehouse’s investment project, and therefore we asked him about his experience and the path leading up to the automation.
Efficient Planning with the Asprova APS System at Autoneum Czech Republic
Autoneum has the vision and goal of digitalising all of its logistics processes. In 2019, digitalisation made its way to production planning, with the new solution aiming mainly to increase the efficiency of manufacturing and of plan creation. At TAL 2020, Jan Stejskal, Logistics Manager at Autoneum CZ’s Choceň plant – to which the group’s other plants are now turning for inspiration – revealed how it all worked out. But is this change in production planning “just” about a tool, or is it a much more comprehensive process?
Asprova Opened Our Eyes. Thanks to It We Were Able to Reduce Our Stock by 50%
The Futaba Czech company started an implementation of the Asprova system for advanced planning and production controlling in April 2014. It has been fully relying on this APS system since the beginning of 2015.
MOM Is the Future! What Is the MOM of the Future?
Manufacturing companies will be facing challenges in the near future that will drive deeper and tighter interconnection of the virtual and physical world of products, machines and workers.
Vertical Lift Storage: When the Component Comes to the Operator
Navigation of the warehouse operator using light indication. World’s gone mad, what was enough yesterday, is not enough today. Production batches are getting smaller and the profitability limits of yesterday are being reconsidered today.
How Does the EDI Communication in the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Car Plant Look Like?
The seventh largest carmaker in the world, FCA – Fiat Chrysler Automobiles in the USA, supports the process of electronic communication with suppliers using so called feedback messages.
Integration of Systems with MuleSoft Anypoint Platform
Integration of systems in a company is important not only for the elimination of errors or current data availability in separate systems.
Interview with Tomáš Pivovarník, Amphenol‑Tuchel Electronics
The SappyMES implementation project upon agreed time and financial conditions. Czech branch of the German Amphenol-Tuchel Electronics GmbH company, manufacturing connectors and electrical cable bundles not only for OEMs, implemented the SappyMES system for the production data collection.
The Data War Has Been Declared, Production Including
The avalanche of terms from the world includes Industry 4.0, Advanced manufacturing, Smart factory, Internet of Things. Each of them has a slightly different meaning but we can find common base too. Let us analyse them from the production data point of view.
Optimizing Loading and Unloading with YMS
The ever growing variety and number of products means a growing number of suppliers and customers for production companies. As a result the number of trucks to be loaded and unloaded everyday is growing too.
Planning of SMT Lines and Consequent Processes in Electronics
Practically all companies fabricating electronics use the SMT (Surface Mount Technology). In most of them, however, the production process is not finished by automatic installation.
Industry 4.0, Time for a Change – and the Czech Republic Is Sleeping
Whether we call the Industry 4.0 a revolution or evolution, obviously it is an unrepeatable opportunity for small and large (states and companies) to change their conditions of existence. However, if the one having the reins in the hands does not awake, how the commons might master the issue.
Who Will Win the IoT Global Network Race?
The starting shot was heard. The race has been started, regarding who would build the global communication standard for the Internet of Things (IoT).
The TAL Conference Has Attracted Well‑Known Experts
The Trends in Automotive Logistics conference (TAL) took place on June 9th, 2016. This annual and eagerly awaited action took place in an interesting and attractive environment again – the 28th floor of the Prague highest building, in Pankrác.
Magna: Transfer of Production Planning Experience from the Czech Plant to Germany
Magna is a leader in the automotive industry for the production and supply of components. Every year it places in the higher ranks of the top 100 global automotive industry suppliers.
Make It Digital! Your Reward Will Be Flexibility and Speed
One of leaders in the industrial automation market, the American company Rockwell Automation claims that thanks to principles of so called Smart Manufacturing, the price of a personal computer will drop to USD 300, and of a car to USD 3,000.
Is It Possible to Have a Stable, yet Agile It Infrastructure? Bimodal Architecture Is the Answer
Digital world of nowadays brings increasingly pressing and more often demands placed on enterprise IT departments.
Api‑Led Connectivity – Key for Successful Digital Transformation
API is a very frequently mentioned term in the area of information technology.
František Finger, TRCZ: We Implemented WMS Mainly for Traceability
The TRCZ company is a daughter company of the Tokai Rika company, Japan. The company manufactures automotive parts, safety elements, and keys for cars. In the Czech plant in Lovosice, the company has implemented, step by step, a complex solution for the management of material flow, from call-offs to shipment, in cooperation with the Aimtec company.
New I4.0 Technologies Must Be Adaptable into the Industrial Environment
The WITTE Automotive company ranks among global technological leaders. The production plant in Nejdek is the largest within the group.
Be Digital. Faster.
Czech economy, in its large portion, is oriented to the German market, and in the last year, the Czech Republic became one of top 10 trade partners of Germany.
Future of Planning from the Perspective of Industry 4.0
With respect to the implementation of information systems, production companies can currently be divided into two basic groups. The first group implements tested solutions, having a clear beginning, end, objective, and benefit.
We Live in a Time of an Accelerating Change, States Milan Zelený
Were you unable to attend September’s Trends in Automotive Logistics (TAL) conference? Or perhaps you attended the event and want a refresher on the fundamental ideas expressed there?
The Specifics of Delivering for Jaguar Land Rover (JLR)
A new JLR plant is being constructed in Slovakia. This is one of the largest foreign investments in Slovakia’s modern history.
Sequencing Is the Trend for Today. What about Tomorrow?
Each new car model brings an increase in the number of suppliers and parts swept up in sequential delivery to the assembly line at cars’ end-manufacturers.
Automation and HW Technologies in Logistics. a Visible Part of Digital Transformation
In our last issue, we wrote about the digital transformation; about processes, people and changes to the business model.
Monitor Warehouse Staff Routes and Localise Objects in Real Time
Where on Earth is Petr with that forklift? Where have you put that blasted pallet with the parts for the Daimler order? If you’re knee-deep in questions like these, then it’s time to discover Location Based Services.
4 Development Phases Towards Digital Factory
Many manufacturing companies have already been performing digitalisation activities for quite a long time now. In the past they invested into manufacturing equipment and warehouses, which today are commonly controlled by advanced software.
Don’t Wait Seven Years; Convert Your Sap to S/4Hana Today
SAP is a company that is adapting rapidly to the changing IT environment so as to focus on Industry 4.0 elements and companies’ digital transformations.
It Resists the Rain, Dust and Heat. and Your Business May Well Find It Irresistible
At first sight, you might mistake the new TC20 mobile computer from Zebra Technologies for a smartphone. But instead, it’s a smart tool that will help you e.g. store and track the goods at your warehouses and collect field data.
