Swiss Post expands its deployment of INFORM’s yard management system
Feb 15, 2022
Within just two weeks, the Aachen-based optimization specialist INFORM implemented its Vehicle Yard Management System in Hemau, at AUTO1 Group SE's first own production center in Germany. The system supports the operator of the online trading platforms with end-to-end transparency of the up to 16,000 vehicles at the site, more efficient processes and an increase in on-time delivery. A rollout of the solution to other AUTO1 Group production centers is also planned.
The deployment of INFORM’s Syncrotess Yard Management System (YMS) at Swiss Post’s newly planned Pratteln parcel center will mark the fourth deployment of the YMS within the Swiss Post network of parcel distribution centers and is scheduled to go-live with the site’s opening in 2022.
Dr. Eva Savelsberg, SVP of INFORM’s Logistics Division said, “Swiss Post is one of our oldest customers having started using our YMS some two decades ago and we’ve certainly enjoyed being able to continue to grow and adapt our solution ensuring they stay at the leading edge of technology.”
The software solution will be delivered to Swiss Post’s newly planned regional parcel center in Pratteln, Switzerland near Basel. The new facility has some unique characteristics which the Syncrotess YMS will be accounting for in its configuration.
Dr. Ingo Marko, Senior Consultant and Project Manager for INFORM’s Logistics Division said, “There is very limited space on-site which impacts both how trucks are checked in and out of the facility as well as where swap bodies are stored.”
“The ETA of inbound trucks is intelligently calculated while the vehicle is in route to the regional parcel center and the driver receives drop-off and pick-up instructions via text message to their mobile phones prior to arrival,” he added.
“In addition to the unique external truck arrival process, excess swap bodies will be stored in an off-site storage area which will be managed as part of the YMS allowing the internal vehicles to still perform transfers to and from this external area in an optimized way,” he added.
INFORM’s YMS has been purpose built from the ground up to service post and parcel operators as well as distribution centers globally. At its core, INFORM’s powerful optimization engine helps to ensure that all areas of yard management are running smoothly and efficiently from storage area utilization, dock door allocation, through to internal vehicle move orders. With the ability to run as a decision support tool or a fully automated decision-making AI system, the YMS leads the industry in both optimization and automation capabilities.
INFORM specializes in AI and optimization software to improve operational decision making. Based in Aachen, Germany, the company has been in the optimization business for 50 years and serves a wide span of logistics industries including distribution centers as well as post and parcel operators. With a broad range of standalone and add-on software modules, INFORM’s unique blend of algorithmic based software expertise, rich industry experience, and big world thinking delivers huge value for their customers.