As a successful business that meets your customers’ needs, you’re used to working around supply chain disruptions. Throughout the year, you may deal with labor strikes that delay deliveries and increase lead time, factory malfunctions that reduce part supplies, and fuel increases that drive up the price of materials.
But the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in the past year-and-a-half have been unprecedented in shutting down entire industries and countries. You’ve had to adjust your actions on the fly to deal with all the challenges. The key to success has been shifting to remote control and automation.
To help with both, Bossard implements Smart Factory Logistics through ARIMS as well as SmartBin Cloud and SmartLabel Cloud.
Controlling the Flow from Anywhere
ARIMS, our interactive supply chain platform, improves your supply chain by tracking orders, offering access to intelligent analytics, and digitally managing your inventory. You gain full transparency of your B- and C-parts.
Its main components include ARIMS Analytics for an overview of your locations, orders, deliveries, and articles through reports and graphs, and ARIMS Interactive, which lets you submit change requests, customize system parameters, and view current and past changes.
The most important component for preventing supply chain disruption is ARIMS Mobile, which uses Android and iOS devices to give you full control of all functions wherever you are, even if you’re on the production floor or at a remote location. You can find an item, view related information, and check orders in real-time through your personal device.
Automating with Real-Time Data
While ARIMS focuses on software to enhance Smart Factory Logistics, SmartBin and SmartLabel Cloud focus on hardware. It fully automates ordering by recognizing demand, managing orders, and replenishing stock with deliveries.
It begins with a weight sensor that is triggered by motion. Every time someone picks up an item, stock information is updated in real-time. You can then monitor the real-time stock level at any time. When enough stock has been depleted, a replenishment order can be launched automatically or at the push of a button.
SmartBin Cloud
SmartBin Cloud implements Smart Factory Logistics using bins that are filled with stock. It can be integrated into your existing layout without changing your infrastructure. Taking stock from the bin triggers vibration sensors that measure the stock level in real-time. This information is sent via the cloud to Bossard.
Stock that goes down to a certain point initiates a replenishment order. We consolidate the ordered items into one shipment that is sent to either your loading dock or directly to the point of use, depending on your preference. Stock information, order status, and delivery date appear instantly on the label in front of the SmartBin.
SmartLabel Cloud
SmartLabel Cloud functions similarly to SmartBin Cloud but relies only on modular labels that can be placed in your existing storage units. To initiate a replenishment order, you push a button on the label, which then sends the information to Bossard to be filled and delivered to you.
How We Can Help
If you have any questions about the components of Smart Factory Logistics and how it can help you improve supply chain resilience, please contact us today at ProvenProductivity@bossard.com.
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