Whether it is improving the information flow of transportation, with truck transportation in particular, or transparency and visibility along the supply chain, or optimizing data generation on the shop floor (i.e., where the supply chain starts), the three new development projects »Digital Consignment Note«, »Digitalization of import processes in perishable air freight logistics« and »OpenDynamics« all represent a vital dimension of the Silicon Economy: »In the development of Silicon Economy components – whether for single services or for the interaction between platforms – we are currently concentrating on those with a so-called commodity character. These are functionalities that do not differentiate individual companies from the competition, but are simply needed to control, monitor or invoice logistics processes«, explains Dr Michael Schmidt, responsible for strategy development in the Silicon Economy. »Some of these commodity services have already gained acceptance in logistics today, however, they still cannot be used on a cross-company basis due to the lack of connectivity or compatibility. That includes, for example, track & trace solutions or billing systems. In other developments it has already become apparent that they set new standards and that it makes all the more sense to rely on open solutions.«

In the right place at the right time

In the »Digital Consignment Note« project, the scientists want to take a big step towards standardizing truck transportation. Although there have already been attempts to digitize consignment notes, a uniform solution is not within sight. In the context of the e-CMR protocol, which is part of the United Nations CMR transport treaty that officially authorizes the digitalization of consignment notes, it makes sense to digitize the consignment note across the board and not only with regard to Germany. At the same time, an e-freight folder is being developed which is a digital folder to accompany truck transportations in which further important documents can be stored in addition to the digital consignment note.

The topics for the development projects originated from an open ideation process in which many of the Silicon Economy players participated. The project ideas and sketches were also considered by other business representatives and matched with the specific requirements of the industry. The new »Digitalization of import processes in perishable air freight logistics« project follows on from the now completed »Supply Chain Execution« project that focused on the supply chain in C-parts management, in another important supply chain.

Click here for the profiles of the ongoing development projects:

Two more development projects are being continued with new focusses. In the »Modular Open IoT-Devices« project, in addition to recently developing further devices for innovative use cases such as the so-called »Blockchain Device« or the »Sensing Puck«, the researchers are now concentrating on designing firmware as an operating system for IoT devices.

Hier geht es zu den Steckbriefen der fortlaufenden Entwicklungsprojekte:

The results of the completed projects, i.e., »Digital Load Carrier Device«, »Dynamic Break«, »Building an AI-based ETA service« and »Supply Chain Execution«, were presented during an online event a few days ago. They are now being implemented in further Silicon Economy research projects, put into practice as part of pilot projects or being adopted by participating companies. Companies that are not directly taking part in the Silicon Economy will soon find all of the software and hardware solutions in the Silicon Economy repository.