RFID provides real-time benefits for Assistor Car
Nordic ID RFID handhelds are used to speed up handling processes at Finnish vehicle terminal Assistor.
Assistor is a provider of complete logistics for vehicles and spare parts to the Baltic region via its ports and service centres in Hanko, Paldiski, Helsinki, Espoo, and Vantaa. Around 350 000 vehicles move through their facilities yearly including the brands of BMW, Mercedes, Chrysler, Citroen, Honda, Jaguar, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Porsche and Toyota. Assistor offers services such as sea transportation, forwarding, storage and inspection, PDI, installation of extras, customs clearance, taxation, pre-registration, vehicle invoicing, transportation to Finland, Russia, and the Baltic Rim, and on-line vehicle information. Now operating with over 400 personnel, Assistor has experienced strong growth and continues to expand operations.
Improved accuracy and efficiency of operations were needed to match their growing volume of operations and service offerings. Updating their IT systems and processing methods was the logical place to begin. In consultation with Digia, the Helsinki based provider of ICT systems, Assistor has chosen a mobile RFID platform to allow efficient real-time tracking of operations.
The sheer volume of vehicles being processed by Assistor could be seen as both a problem or a potential competitive advantage, depending on the approach. Prior to implementing the mobile RFID system, Assistor utilized a time consuming bar-code and paper-based tracking system that was prone to errors and inaccuracies. However, if the large volume could be handled more efficiently than the competitors, it would provide a competitive advantage to allow for more volume and profit growth.
The legacy bar-code and paper-based tracking system functioned by the employees manually scanning the bar-coded label attached to the vehicle upon receipt to identify the 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN). Additionally, the process was made more difficult by some manufacturers not providing bar codes that would require manual entry of the VIN number into the system. Combined that with tough winter conditions found in Finland where vehicles can sometimes be completely covered with snow and ice. Finally, multiply the process by over 350,000 vehicles and there is a vast area for improvement.
The collection of the VIN number is important because it is used to identify the car on all printed work orders, such as instructions for a worker to take the vehicle to the car wash or holding area. While the collection of this number is only the first step in the processing of each vehicle, it also sets the stage for later operations to move smoothly and efficiently.
Beginning when vehicles are offloaded from the ferry, passive UHF RFID Gen2 tags manufactured by UPM Raflatac, are hung on vehicles rear view mirror. Each tag contains a 6-digit number in RFID and print format, which is associated to the VIN number in the ERP system. When each vehicle is transferred to the warehouse area, the event information (warehouse and lot number) is recorded by PL3000 via RFID. The read range of PL3000 RFID handheld is 1,5 meters, which allows users to quickly pass by a vehicle and read its' information no matter the condition. If the RFID tag is unreadable for some reason, the bar code is then utilized to update the information quickly.
Later in the process when the vehicle is needed to move from the warehouse to the inspection area, it is easy to locate with information available on the PL3000. During the transfer, the information is updated to the ERP system with a quick scan of the RFID tag. Any additional operations such as adding accessories are easily updated in real time with the handheld by workers as they go about their duties. The PL3000 links to the back-end system via WLAN or GPRS to allow real time functionality.
The RFID tag is removed when the vehicle is processed for departure to the next operator. The tag is then cleared of the previous car's VIN association and made reusable for the future vehicles in the Assistor logistics service.
Assistor has now implemented a system that accurately identifies and tracks their vehicles throughout their processing. All information is available in real-time at the hands of workers via the Nordic ID PL3000 and Digia's Enterprise ERP system. Time for processing has been reduced and most importantly errors have been virtually eliminated. Assistor is able to handle more cars with the same amount of personnel and a reduced margin of error. Users move about their daily routines faster and more efficiently to process vehicles utilizing the handhelds. Tom Suvanto, Deputy Managing Director of Assistor explains: “Efficiency has increased a lot. When the amount cars we handle are increasing this year with about 44.000 units we would not have managed with our old system.”
While the benefits of this RFID implementation are readily visible, the future of expanding the RFID system to include the entire car supply chain from manufacturer to sales floor represents an exciting prospect. Explains Tom Suvanto, deputy managing director of Assistor, “It would be great if every car would have RFID when leaving factory. Also possible to use RFID to register customers driving.”
Contact address:
Assistor OY
Vapaasatama
10900 Hanko
Finland
www.assistor.fi
