第三方物流如何将技术引入基础设施

Even the infrastructure in the third-party logistics sector gets a technological makeover.

Technological solutions and data are now more apparent throughout the cold chain, 特别是在第三方物流(3PL)组织. Food Logistics’ June 2020 issue detailed the variety of new applications designed to modernize the 3PL experience, 但更新操作不仅仅是软件. 以及新的应用程序和解决方案, 3PLs are updating the very infrastructure that makes the transportation of cold food possible.

Right now, sustainability and the need to streamline operations drives innovation in infrastructure, pushing automation, electric-powered equipment, 制冷和数据采集和实现的新方法.

可持续发展的法规不断增加, 促使第三方转向更环保的业务，如实施电池供电或混合动力汽车和重型起重设备，除了在设施内的能源使用.

“多年来，冷链的基础设施一直在不断发展,” says Lowell Randel, vice president, 全球冷链联盟政府及法律事务. “This applies to both facility infrastructure and transportation infrastructure. In both cases, the need for increased efficiency, sustainability and data have driven innovation. 能源是仓库的最大成本之一, so the adoption of best practices and new technologies has become a high priority for many of our members.  GCCA最近制定了一个能源卓越计划，以表彰在提高能源效率方面取得的成就. [查看《欧冠足彩怎么买》2020年6月刊了解更多信息].冷链中的卡车采用了新技术.Arrive Logistics

“For transportation, we are seeing a move toward more use of electric hybrid transportation refrigeration units (TRUs). 在加州尤其如此, where state regulators are moving to require hybrid units to reduce emissions. 这导致了卡车和拖车基础设施的转变, as well as requiring infrastructure changes at facilities that need to have the ability to accept plug-ins,” adds Randel.

“We are also seeing the use of solar energy in both transportation and facilities,” he continues. “Some facilities have opted to install solar panels on their roofs to generate power either for the facility, 或者卖回电网. 而技术成本正在下降, 欧冠冠军足彩看到这项技术在一些州得到了大量的应用，这些州为采用太阳能技术提供了强有力的激励.”

除了混合动力车和太阳能的使用, 冷链第三方物流也使用燃料电池, battery storage, 锂离子电池技术, lighting, 可持续性的变频驱动器(VFDS)和ECM电机.

Some examples of sustainable practices in the 3PL space include Carrier Transicold’s  new solar-power system for trailer refrigeration. Odyssey Logistics & Technology 在车队中增加了天然气拖拉机. And, Port of Long Beach is 测试零排放设备 at two of its terminals.

Associations also offer incentives to urge 3PLs to pivot to sustainable practices. For instance, the North American Sustainable Refrigeration Council released a new incentives program for natural refrigerants.

Automating the 3PL

除了可持续性实践, 3PLs also look for ways to help drive efficiency to support their bottom line and satisfy customers. With so much technology to ease many tedious and tiresome processes in the workplace, 自动化已经成为一个主要工具的第三方物流展望未来.

“自动化技术在近年来有了显著的发展, and more companies are finding automation as a viable option for their operations,” adds Randel. “欧冠冠军足彩开始看到新建筑的增加, 美国的全自动化设施(很像那些在欧洲更普遍的设施)，以及自动化技术集成到现有的更“传统”的设施的增加. GCCA在2月份发布了一份行业趋势报告，强调自动化是该行业的优先领域. This was reinforced by a recent survey 欧冠冠军足彩COVID-19对冷链行业的影响，其中41%的受访者表示，由于COVID-19大流行，他们更有可能投资于自动化(58%的受访者表示，目前的自动化计划没有改变).“冷链中的温度是基础设施的一个重要因素.Americold

Vecna Robotics等技术提供商, Kryon, Universal Robots和Prime Robotics只是制造解决方案和设备的几家公司之一，这些解决方案和设备利用人工智能机器人和机器人系统实现了仓库和物流过程的自动化，减轻了人类工人的负担.

For example, recently Vecna Robotics与UniCarriers Americas (UCA)合作 开发自动化仓库物料搬运车系列, 配送中心和制造环境. Kryon created ConsoleX, 一个基于web的管理和监控仪表板，允许用户进行配置, schedule and manage virtual workforces comprised of its robots from any location in real time.

在2020年Modex期间，展示了通用机器人 各种各样的新技术 including a Quick Deployment Kit (QDK) that allows customers to quickly scale for parcel induction, 装箱和货到人任务. 这家机器人公司还推出了Cross Palletron, 一个利用UR10e cobot创建一个完全协作和移动的码垛机和去码垛机的解决方案, 以及全新的RightPick2平台，该平台具有智能抓握器, a vision system, 控制软件和一个UR5e合作机器人.

此外，Prime Robotics推出了它的 Auto Shelf, 仓库机器人平台，包括一个专利设计，将机器人集成到每个货架.

“自动货架将改变库存的处理方式,” says Eric Rongley, Prime Robotics的创始人兼首席执行官, in a statement.  Prime Robotics创建了一个新的机器人平台，并获得了仓库和其他用例的所有方面的专利. 大客户可以满怀信心地部署该系统，因为他们不仅拥有最高效的仓库机器人系统, 但机器人的知识产权是干净的.”

3PLs leverage these systems to speed up their processes and make their operations more efficient. These automated solutions also handle pallet loading, sorting, in-warehouse transportation and more.

而自动驾驶解决方案经常被提及, there is little evidence of driverless technology showing up in the infrastructure of 3PL fleets. However, 如果无人驾驶汽车变得更加普遍的话，可能会出现这种情况, 他们可以极大地提高第三方物流的效率，并在司机短缺再次突出时提供帮助.

The refrigeration factor

所有行业的第三方物流公司调查自动化和可持续性, 但是冷链还有另一个因素要考虑——制冷. New technologies in refrigeration infrastructure push innovation in the transportation of fresh food, 许多人努力在减少能量的同时保持食物更新鲜.

“Industrial refrigeration systems are another area where we are seeing innovation,” says Randel. “大多数冷藏仓库利用大型, central ammonia refrigeration systems to meet their temperature-control needs. However, 在过去的几年里, 欧冠冠军足彩已经看到了新型制冷系统的发展，目前正在考虑为新设施提供一种替代大型收费系统的方法，这些系统受到某些监管要求的限制. 这些新技术包括小电荷氨系统, transcritical CO2 systems, 氨/二氧化碳级欧冠足彩怎么买统, 所有这些都利用天然制冷剂，不会造成臭氧损耗或全球变暖的潜在因素.”

新的制冷方法有助于减少气候变化的威胁, but other technologies in reefer units can help 3PLs better manage food delivery. 除氧级技术外，还能保持食品的新鲜, 这些设备通常都配备了精密的传感器，这样就不会在监测温度时瞎猜了. While most companies in the 3PL sector have dealt with the driver shortage within the last decade, 冷链中的制冷因素使这一点更加复杂, 因为它需要高级技能, 培训和知识运输易腐物品. The more user-friendly technology is in this sector, the easier it is to onboard new employees.

“司机短缺对冷链的影响更大，因为运送冷链货物需要更多的培训，需要更多的责任和资本投资,” says Darlene Wolf, senior vice president of the strategic partners division at Arrive Logistics. “冷藏货运更倾向于进行更严密的检查. Therefore, 彻底的计划和沟通之间的托运人和第三方物流是至关重要的建立彼此的成功.”

Data moves freight along

With these technologically advanced systems comes a heaping amount of data. This can help in a variety of ways such as visibility with partners as well as planning an effective strategy.

“Overall, 供应链的各个方面对透明度和可见性的需求都在增加，尤其是在食品和饮料行业,” Wolf continues. “可用的可见性技术有很多, including mobile GPS, ELD, blockchain and others. 好的经纪人可以过滤所有的可见性跟踪选择，并与最好的技术合作，帮助他们的运营商和客户. 欧冠冠军足彩订舱运费, 只有少数公司有有效的平台，使预订交易货运容易，并为承运人减少行政负担. 在与技术供应商和经纪人合作时，考虑你的需求/目标是很重要的，要多问问题.“就连仓储基础设施也随着技术的发展而更新.Americold

FourKites released a new visibility solution the offers greater accuracy, from pre-pickup to delivery for less-than-truckloads,

UST全球与Gravity供应链解决方案合作，开发了一个 集成端到端供应链可视性数字平台 for their clients.

And, Loadsmart推出多式联运服务, bridging port drayage, 转运和公路卡车装载运输, 在整个生命周期中展示完全的透明度.

仓储管理系统和运输系统也采用了这些特点，为第三方物流提供了更好的数据来源.

“Information technology also plays a critical role in the success of cold chain facilities and transportation,” says Randel. “仓库管理系统(WMS)和运输管理系统(TMS)正变得越来越强大，为冷链公司提供优化运营所需的数据和信息. The availability, quantity and quality of data is very important to our members. 除了WMS和TMS服务之外, 区块链技术的进一步发展和应用有助于加强未来的供应链.”

COVID-19又增加了一个层次

Advanced visibility is always helpful with third-party cold chain logistics, 而是最近的冠状病毒(COVID-19)大流行, 这些解决方案甚至更为重要. Added regulations, restaurant closures, 食品杂货店的限制和疾病导致的劳动力短缺给易腐食品供应链带来了巨大的痛苦. 这些产品在变质前的交货时间很短, even with growing technologies to help prevent this and many dairy farmers dumping their milk supplies. This makes technological visibility solutions that are tied into infrastructure more important than ever.

“因为学校停课, 餐厅等大型餐饮服务客户, much of that product is now being diverted to other markets such as food banks, 直接面向消费者和杂货店,” says Jon Samson, executive director of Agricultural and Food Transporters Conference at American Trucking Association. “然而，大量的包装阻碍了这一努力. In addition to the foodservice industry, fresh products are also struggling to find a home. A great deal of produce that was bound for similar markets has now been left to find an alternative market. 这些产品因其易腐烂的性质而受到特别的影响. 像牛奶和农产品这些原本是为学校和餐馆准备的产品现在被转到直接销售, food banks or are being dumped or tossed out because they simply can’t find that alternate market.

“在转移产品方面存在显著差距, specifically perishable, 一个新市场或消费者,” he continues. “欧冠冠军足彩遇到了两个具体的问题——如果出现问题，缺乏快速连接供应和需求的能力，以及有足够的空间和资源将大量产品分解成对消费者更友好的产品。. Ultimately, 欧冠冠军足彩已经发现，欧冠冠军足彩需要在整个供应链中加强连通性, practically making it a web. 理解链条通常就足够了, 但如果出现了打嗝，那么在这些时间敏感的动作中，有能力及时切断和重新连接是至关重要的.”

随着该国在COVID-19期间开始缓慢重新开放, infrastructure in the 3PL space will be an extremely important part of the process. 那些投资了现代, 自动化和可持续的设备可能已经并将会在应对供应链所面临的“新常态”方面占据优势.

Beyond COVID-19, 新的能源系统将帮助3PL公司更符合可持续发展法规和激励措施, while automation will grow efficiency and data can make decisions on what is best for the organization. 3PLs will continue to invest in advanced equipment, thus further driving the sector forward.

图片来源:来自Pexels的Irina Iriser，原创文章发布在这里: http://www.foodlogistics.com/3pl-4pl/article/21136102/how-3pls-bring-technology-to-infrastructure