Supply Chain Technology
Automotive Products
In an age of fierce global competition and declining vehicle sales, auto manufacturers are looking to save time and money by utilizing the latest in supply chain technology.
Here are three supply chain automotive IT products that help get the cars from factory to dealership.
Company: Advent Inc.
Product: The Advent Auto Logistics System is a user-friendly back office solution for ro-ro carriers that allows for visibility of shipments and cost control.
Platform: Browser-based Web architecture. Web browser and Internet access is the only platform required. Customer Web interface allows shippers to have visibility with their cargo.
Function: Provides carriers instant access to vehicle shipments. Shippers can use the customer website to manage quotes, bookings and bills of lading. Invoices the status of shipments, locally or overseas. Also offers custom integrated, multi-terminal solutions to manage the shipment of automobiles and other ro-ro cargo.
The Advent Auto Logistics System Modules include:
• Commercial: Allows carriers to maintain their business from order to invoice. Users can perform actions against data in the system manually or via EDI.
• Voyage: Allows designated users to maintain master vessel schedules and port rotations.
• Cost: Carrier can control costs associated with the port call, vessel and vessel voyage.
• Quality Control: Can perform highly detailed vehicle surveys and damage assessments with digital picture attachments, helping to lessen liability for damage and associated costs.
• Reports: Offers users the ability to create their own reports against any data in the system and share these reports with others in the organization.
• EDI: Allows new trading partners to be brought on quickly and easily. Extensive EDI log allows users to easily view transactions, edit errors and process them to complete the transaction.
• Administration: Designated users can easily manage the system. Functions such as password changes, user profiles, port profiles, vessel profiles, inspection profiles and exchange rates can be changed without involving a system programmer.
Who uses it: Ro-ro carriers and shippers.
What sets it apart: Application source code ownership.
Customers: “K” Line America Inc., Matson, Wallenius Wilhelmsen, Höegh Autoliners, MOL, Sea Star Line, Ceres Terminals Inc.
Website: www.adventinc.com
Company: WhereNet (a division of Zebra Technologies)
Product: WhereNet provides technology for RFID, RTLS and real-time locating systems for distribution centers and automotive manufacturing. The system provides a single, integrated wireless infrastructure for real-time location, messaging, telemetry and Wi-Fi applications.
Platform: Driven by wireless radio tags (WhereTags) and WhereLAN locating access points, WhereNet offers a real-time locating system (RTLS). Web-enabled WhereNet has a software layer (MTS) that automatically detects container transitions and delivers tracking information to a computer. WhereLAN provides a real-time location system (RTLS) position determination of the RFID devices.
Function: Provides on demand information about vehicles and parts in automotive supply chain, their physical location and status. A single wireless architecture runs multiple WhereNet applications and customized client solutions. The application WhereSoft Vehicle manages vehicle inventory within a manufacturing and distribution environment. The WhereSoft Yard Management System, combined with the Vehicle Tracking and Management System (VTMS), help facilitate automotive processing speed and productivity in both the manufacturing and transportation realms.
Comments: WhereNet’s new Material Flow-Replenishment System automates parts replenishment, controlling the routing of material not only throughout the assembly plant but also across the supply chain. The system manages the flow of parts from the supplier to the appropriate assembly-line operator.
Who uses it: Automotive manufacturers and
shippers
Customers: Ford Motor Co., Getrag Ford Transmissions, APL, NYK Logistics, and more.
Note: The company has received the Henry Ford Technology Award and was ranked among the top 10 in the InfoWorld 100. WhereNet’s strategic partners include Cisco, CSC, EDS, FMC, GE, GE Fanuc Automation North America Inc., IBM, Siemens and Unisys.
Website: www.wherenet.com
Company: Pasha Automotive Services
Product: Pasha OnTrack is a suite of Internet browserbased and client/server applications that manage Pasha’s automotive, maritime, transportation and relocation operating divisions, all designed and supported solely by Pasha’s IT Services.
Pasha OnTrack Automotive (OTA) is the Pasha Group’s terminal management system. OTA supports wireless handheld operations, EDI integration, desktop management and a Web portal at www.PashaAutomotive.com.
Platform: Web-based browser architecture. Pasha’s proprietary Web-based vehicle tracking system, Pasha OnTrack, uses the latest RF technology to provide critical information for process management and inventory control. OTA is designed for multi-terminal usage and is currently deployed throughout the Pasha network.
Function: Pasha OnTrack Automotive features:
• Vehicle Tracking System: Pasha OnTrack Port Vehicle Tracking system manages automotive fleet imports and exports. Each vehicle is monitored and tracked individually, from factory release to arrival, through purification and servicing, directly through to dealer delivery. Repairs or ancillary services are logged and available for reporting through add-on modules, which include a body shop repair program, claims system and billing system. The PashaAutomotive.com portal supports load building and prioritization for carriers and Web-based access to terminal vehicle and inventory information.
• Railhead System: Pasha OnTrack Railhead tracks a vehicle from factory release to dealer delivery. System features include automatic freight invoicing and payment and module automated yard management, as well as a system for contracted transportation and ancillary services for both rail and truckaway.
• Domestic Vehicle: Tracking product from allocation through to final delivery, Pasha OnTrack Domestic Vehicle is designed to manage point-to-point traffic anywhere in the United States. It handles multiple commodity and carrier capability, automated freight bill invoicing and payment, as well as truck bills of lading. Data flows into a single location for ease of monitoring and tracking and provides a single source for management reporting, status and claims.
Who uses it: Large automotive shippers.
Customers: Honda, Volkswagen, Mazda,
Porsche, Isuzu, and luxury brands Porsche, Lamborghini, Bentley and Lotus
Comments: Pasha Automotive Services provides automotive transportation solutions throughout North America with a network of port, distribution and service facilities and single-source factory-to-dealer distribution. OTA’s EDI capabilities manage events from pre-arrival through release and shipment. The OTA EDI infrastructure was upgraded in 2008.
Website: www.pashagroup.com
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