The collaboration between lbase and the barth logistics group has a long tradition: the German family business has been relying on lbase transport and warehouse management systems for over 20 years. Over time, a trusting partnership has developed to further develop the products and services. With the help of the addHelix web service platform, an innovative tool for route optimization has now been implemented for the barth Logistikgruppe.
What challenge did the barth logistics group face?
The medium-sized transport and logistics company has been operating successfully in Germany and Europe for 75 years. With lbase, the barth logistics group has succeeded in digitizing key processes. But the challenges remained high: in recent years, concentration on the market has intensified. In addition to quality and fast, flexible service, productivity and efficiency have become even more important. Added to this was the shortage of skilled workers.
This is where the project came in: The heart of logistics - scheduling - was still very time-consuming and labor-intensive. The desire was therefore to automate route optimization. “It was important to us not to simply apply an algorithm to everything, but also to take special features into account. Because we need the truck with the right driver in the right place, in the right area and at the right time. customers,” explains Uwe Schempp, Managing Director of the barth logistics group.
“With Tour Optimization from addHelix, we can consolidate tours, make even better use of capacities and avoid empty kilometers. As a result, tour optimization also leads to a significant reduction in CO2 emissions.”
Uwe Schempp, Managing Director barth Logistics Group
Why did you choose the Tour Optimization web service from addHelix?
To meet these requirements, the barth Logistikgruppe opted for the Tour Optimization web service from addHelix. It was adapted to the specific requirements in a multi-stage, iterative process and integrated into the lbase TMS. “In the course of the development partnership for the tour optimizer, we were in close contact with the customer on an ongoing basis and exchanged know-how. It was important for us to understand the company's processes,” explains Andreas Schellmann, CEO of lbase.
It soon became apparent that optimizing the sequence was not sufficient. In a second step, a free route optimization was therefore carried out under restrictions. In fact, there were various special cases to consider: for example, customers who order certain drivers for their transports. Or drivers who want to continue driving in certain areas that they have known like the back of their hand for years. By adapting the addHelix web service, it was possible to reliably integrate such requirements.
Solution
Further development and integration of the Tour Optimization of addHelix into the Transport Management System lbase TMS
Implementation
2022 to 2023
Benefit
Optimized route planning (sequence, consideration of special cases)
Up to 25 percent more productivity
in the disposition
Efficient personnel deployment
CO2 and travel cost savings
How does the barth logistics group benefit from the new solution?
Thanks to the integration of the web service in lbase TMS, route planning is simple and possible in the familiar environment. By eliminating manual route assignment and subsequent transfer to the system, the working day of the dispatchers concerned now starts early in the morning instead of in the middle of the night. “This increases our attractiveness as an employer. The job description is also changing: instead of spending a lot of time on repetitive tasks, dispatchers are now increasingly acting as troubleshooters when challenges arise,” says Uwe Schempp.
With automatic route optimization, the barth logistics group can consolidate routes, make better use of capacities and avoid several hundred empty kilometers a day. The resulting productivity gain is between 20 and 25 percent. In addition, significantly more CO2-emissions are avoided, which benefits the environment. The web service is currently in use at the head office and in one branch, and will be rolled out gradually to other locations.
About the barth logistics group
The barth logistics group is a medium-sized forwarding and logistics company. Founded in 1948, barth today has around 700 employees, 300 vehicles in direct dispatch, 105,000 square meters of logistics space and 16 locations in Germany. The 3rd generation family business has been owned by the Jean-Alexandre Manchès shareholder family, which owns the French transport and logistics group BMV, since December 2019.
lbase is a business unit of Axians, the technology service provider for ICT solutions in the VINCI Energies Group. The logistics software expert with two locations in Germany and Austria operates the lbase and addHelix business lines. addHelix is a web service platform for anyone who moves goods or people. The applications range from route optimization, freight calculation and routing to CO2-calculation. With lbase, the company offers a complete solution for Lostik service providers.
