PSI Logistics Day 2018

PSI software expertise

Digital transformation is the basis for efficient networked processes and is an important factor for future competitiveness, particularly in the supply chain. In this respect, the focus in logistics is on software solutions with high innovation potential that can manage the ever-increasing challenges of the future.

PSI Logistics GmbH, in association with its parent company PSI Software AG and other sister units, offers the market such solutions for digital performance with its modern standard software and is correspondingly successful in its business development. As the two Managing Directors Dr. Giovanni Prestifilippo and Sascha Tepuric explained at PSI Logistics Day and at their LogiMAT press conference, they can not only look back on a year that far exceeded the defined goals, but can also look forward to a dynamic development - driven by innovative product developments on relevant topics.

For PSI Logistics, 2017 was characterized by an increase in sales of over 20%, an increase in employees of over 25% and 22 new customers. The company opened its own data center in Frankfurt, which now enables it to offer solutions and business models in the area of application management services from the cloud. Furthermore, the conversion of products to the Java-based PSI Framework is almost complete and PSIgui has been further expanded. In addition to further technical developments, PSI Logistics has also created new sales models and partnerships. A customer advisory board was also created in order to be even closer to the customer. The success based on customer orientation and expenditure on research and development was honored nationally and internationally with four awards.

Looking ahead, the software provider sees great potential in the field of artificial intelligence. PSIairport is already using neural networks for surveillance cameras to identify and track items of luggage. This technology of pure image capture without the use of additional scanners can also be used in other areas beyond the airport. In addition to the further development of software products, other relevant topics include electromobility, autonomous driving and blockchain, in which PSI Logistics is also involved in various research projects.

Ingolf Heil, Head of Software Technology at PSI Logistics GmbH, spoke in detail about new corporate developments and their impact on logistics products, focusing in particular on the Application Managed Services from the PSI Cloud.

The performance and future viability of PSI software is based on the latest Java technology, the PSI Framework (PJF), which combines the knowledge of the entire PSI developer community. The PJF is highly available and scalable, has a modern user interface and can be adapted to customer requirements quickly and easily.

The strong development of cloud WMS software solutions and projects - forecasts assume annual growth of around 30% - has prompted PSI to offer application management services for PSIwms (live since 1.1.2018) and software-as-a-service from this year with its own data center.

On the subject of artificial intelligence, Heil explained that PSI Software AG concentrates its know-how in its own internal working group, the results of which are incorporated into PSI Logistics products, such as the recognition of baggage in the PSIairport product.

User experiences

PSI Logistics Day

Guest speakers shared their best-practice examples of how modern companies are realizing the digital transformation and successfully taking the next step in networking with their IT infrastructure using PSI software.

Dr. Rupert Deger, CIO of e.GO Mobile AG in Aachen, spoke about "Disruptives from Engineering Valley" and outlined the advantages of PSI's integrated IT infrastructure with the PSIpenta ERP system, the PSImes manufacturing execution system and the PSIwms warehouse management system for the e.GO Life production network.

Engineering Valley, the RWTH Aachen University campus, is also a business campus. The startup e.GO Mobile is creating a purely battery-powered electric car there, whose attributes include fun, practicality and affordability. The vehicle with two doors and four seats is only intended for shorter distances and, with an investment of around €16,000, as a second or third car. The prototype is soon to go into series production and there are already over 2,600 reservations.

The startup chose PSI software in its standard functionality for its production network because, with the experience it contains, it includes everything needed to organize the processes. According to Deger, this is based on the realization that the software can always do more than you think!

The operations manager of Nordkurier Logistik Berlin GmbH & Co KG, Holger Michael, presented the transformation of his company from producer to logistics service provider and explained the role that PSIwms plays in this. The media company EUROTAPE in Berlin, a member of the Nordkurier Medien Group since 2016, has consistently expanded its position as a logistics service provider in the course of its business development. Warehousing, order picking, packaging, shipping and returns management have been offered in the B2B and increasingly D2C areas for the goods produced at the site, but also for products from other clients. Today, the distribution division is not only an independent pillar of the business, but also the main sales driver.

The growing number and dynamics of clients not only permanently influence the business model, but also require a high degree of complexity and flexibility from the underlying logistics in particular. PSIwms efficiently controls these logistics processes and supports the company's ongoing development.

Dr. Christian Lippolt, Head of Department at Logistik Consulting Robert Bosch GmbH, explained how the global supply chain network design at Bosch was planned and optimized using PSIglobal.

Especially for a technology and service company like Bosch, change is a defining issue. In terms of the global corporation's logistics, this means that networks must keep pace with developments.

To realign Group logistics, the four segments of transport, warehousing, packaging and foreign trade were therefore redesigned and realigned simultaneously, individually and in their interaction, with the aim of standardization. With the help of Supply Chain Network Design (SCND), a holistic logistics approach was developed for all areas using PSIglobal. Each individual segment was restructured in terms of organization, responsibility, methods, processes and IT.

Thanks to the extensive change process, Bosch has reduced logistics costs worldwide by around 15 percent. In view of the heterogeneous business models, which include goods and services from around 100 countries, 20,000 direct active suppliers, 270 manufacturing plants, 800 warehouse locations and 250,000 customers, this is a remarkable result.

Product presentations

As in previous years, the various product developments and releases were then presented in parallel presentations by the PSI employees responsible for the products.

In addition to the new releases PSIwms 2018 and PSIglobal 2018, whose added value was presented by Christian Welter, Team Leader Division Warehousing and Marc Berning, Division Manager PSIglobal, the Kanban optimization with PSI software as an interlinking of PSIwms and PSIpenta was explained by Rüdiger Stauch, Head of Sales at PSI Logistics and Stephan Klaas, Product Manager and Consultant at the sister company PSI Automotive & Industry.

The product presentation on PSIairport, in which Jörg Ruhnau, Head of PSIairport, spoke about artificial intelligence in baggage logistics, attracted particular attention.

Finish

Even if one can get the impression that, especially in the age of the Internet of Things, magic is sometimes used in logistics, David Lavé concluded the program by performing magic of the classic kind - magical entertainment with wit and charm that continues to captivate his audience.

Including happy hour drinks and finger food, it was a successful event for exchanging information and experiences, where both organizers and guests were able to learn a lot from each other.

Gisela Upmeyer