Like open-heart surgery: Cargologic material flow computer is modernised

 Day and night, the material flow controller of Cargologic, a subsidiary of the Rhenus Group, processes thousands of transport orders and keeps its centralised automated shuttle warehouse with 8,500 pallet spaces in operation. In partnership with the software company LplusR GmbH from Parkstein in Bavaria, which specialises in the modernisation of high-availability warehouse systems, the leading Swiss air freight handler's material flow controller is being upgraded to the latest state of the art in a complex project that will take just over a year and cost around CHF 1.5 million. 

The central shuttle warehouse is heavily utilised and operates around the clock, so it cannot stand still. "Modernising the material flow controller is like open-heart surgery," says Marco Gredig, Managing Director of Cargologic. "As a result, we can no longer take the system out of operation for testing purposes - a changeover to new software must therefore take place by the switch of a button," adds Reto Nüesch Erismann, Executive Vice President Technics & Applications at Cargologic. 

The core of the overall LplusR package is a digital twin that virtualises and emulates the shuttle warehouse down to the hardware level. This enables extensive test scenarios, optimisations and comparisons with the current system. "This is the only way we are independent of old documentation and can reliably test the system, minimise risks and guarantee successful, immediate commissioning," explains Gunther Lukas, Managing Director and project manager at LplusR . 

With the modernisation of the material flow controller, Cargologic is setting another milestone in its ongoing digitalisation strategy. The modernisation and simplification of the system landscape makes it possible to further optimise the performance of the overall system, ensure seamless transparency across all shipments and offer a significantly improved user interface for the employees. In addition, mobile devices enable more efficient maintenance and troubleshooting, which increases the overall reliability of the system. 

Cargologic - a leader in air freight handling 

Cargologic has specialised in handling air freight on behalf of airlines and freight forwarders for over 70 years. The company is recognised as the leading Swiss provider of air freight handling services. The approximately 800 employees handle up to 430,000 tonnes of air freight every year. The company has a presence in Zurich and Bern and has been part of the Rhenus Group since 2002. 

About Rhenus 

The Rhenus Group is one of the leading logistics specialists with global business operations and annual turnover amounting to EUR 7.5 billion. 40,000 employees work at 1,320 business sites in more than 70 countries and develop innovative solutions along the complete supply chain. Whether providing transport, warehousing, customs clearance or value-added services, the family-owned business pools its operations in various business units where the needs of customers are the major focus at all times. 

Cargologic    
Claudia Bracher
Head of Communications
Claudia.Bracher@ch.rhenus.com
Phone +41 61 639 3402