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Use Case

YARD MANAGEMENT

The Inpixon RTLS yard management system optimizes capacity, reduces search times, and automates workflows for efficient yard operations. Digital twin mapping and real-time communication eliminate delays, ensuring seamless, reliable, and efficient logistics processes.

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Yard Management Solution

For manufacturing facilities and logistics centers equipped with large fleets of vehicles and shipping trailers, the need for efficient and reliable yard management is paramount.

Without RTLS oversight, the stakes are high: delays lead to penalties, missed deadlines disrupt supply chains, and safety concerns loom.

With Inpixon RTLS, a real-time digital twin maps site movements ensuring you can track where everything is, get vehicles in and out faster, and reduce delays — all in real time. Automated check-ins, check-outs, and dock management streamline operations, reducing labor hours and improving security.

Ready to see how location intelligence can transform your yard operations? 

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Forklift unloading Truck

Yard Management Benefits

The implementation of RTLS in Yard Management offers a plethora of benefits. With real-time coordination and precise control of loading and unloading processes, logistics operations can be accelerated, resulting in faster turnaround times and reduced storage costs. Accurate and automatic logging of idle times ensures that companies can avoid contractual penalties while also optimizing their ramp utilization for maximum efficiency and cost savings.

Real-time communication enables rapid responses to changes and facilitates smooth logistics flow, while automation of check-in and check-out minimizes manual effort and reduces waiting times.

With RTLS, businesses can achieve a technically driven, forward-thinking, and efficient approach to yard management that delivers tangible benefits for their bottom line and improves customer satisfaction.

  • Faster turnaround times
    Real-time coordination and precise control of loading and unloading operations boosts the efficiency of logistics processes. This leads to shorter throughput times, enables orders to be processed more quickly, and reduces storage costs.
  • Avoiding Penalties through Idle Time Logging
    RTLS-powered yard management software enables accurate and automatic logging of vehicle idle times at loading bays. This thorough logging not only delivers an exact analysis of idle times but also serves as a dependable foundation for avoiding or disputing contractual penalties. Accurate recording enables companies to prove that agreed time slots have been adhered to, mitigating risk and liability.
  • Efficient logistics through real-time communication and automation
    Real-time communication improves coordination between operators, enables quick responses to changes and promotes a smooth logistics flow. The automation of check-in and check-out minimizes manual effort, reduces waiting times, and optimizes ramp utilization for maximum efficiency and cost savings.

Example Uses of RTLS-Based Yard Management

  • Digital twin

    Create a digital twin of site movements and vehicle utilization to identify bottlenecks and optimize yard management.
  • Outdoor tracking of inventories & assets
    Use RTLS (Real-Time Location System) to actively track and manage the exact location of your yard outdoor stock.
  • Vehicle coordination

    Real-time vehicle tracking optimizes coordination by accurately assigning vehicles, planning routes efficiently, and minimizing idle time. This ensures effective fleet utilization and reduces operating costs.
  • Real-time communication
    Enable real-time communication among stakeholders in loading and unloading, fostering faster responses to changes, improved coordination, and a smoother logistics flow.
  • Automate check-in and out
    Automate the check-in and check-out process by recognizing each trailer to facilitate check-in and check-out at the gates. This avoids wasted labor hours.
  • Reduce queues

    Using real-time data, the coordinator or dock management system automatically assigns trailers to ramps, minimizing bottlenecks, optimizing ramp utilization, and reducing waiting times.
  • Speed loading/unloading
    Improve loading and unloading times by integrating forklift and employee tracking. This leads to faster handling of goods.
  • Gate automation

    By accurately locating vehicles, you can enable automatic check-in and check-out at the gate. This not only optimizes the access process but also minimizes manual effort and improves security. (e.g. with RFID).
  • Dock Management

    RTLS integration ensures precise loading and unloading control. Employees are informed of trailer arrival times at specific ramps, enhancing operational effectiveness and workflow coordination.
  • Access control

    By integrating RTLS, precise access controls can be implemented. The system automatically recognizes and authenticates vehicles entering and exiting the loading bays, preventing unauthorized access.
  • Real-time monitoring

    Real-time tracking of trailers enables continuous monitoring of dock areas. Security personnel can respond in real time to potential security issues or unusual activity.
  • Accident prevention

    Precise tracking can prevent potential collisions or accidents. Alerts can be automatically generated when vehicles come too close or violate safety zones.

How Yard Management Works with Inpixon

Yard management with Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) involves a central platform for real-time location data. Vehicles, equipped with tracking devices such as GPS, ensure accurate outdoor positioning, enhancing efficiency in yard operations. The RTLS platform continuously receives real-time location data from the tags, whether RFID, GPS, or telematics. It processes and analyzes this information to determine the precise location of each vehicle within the yard. Yard managers can access this real-time data through a user interface provided by the RTLS platform. 

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Yard Management Building Blocks

Our platform is designed with your business in mind. It's highly adaptable and allows you to utilize a variety of technologies to address your specific needs. With Inpixon, you can create custom location-based hardware and seamlessly integrate with other systems like asset management applications and IoT platforms. Our Real-Time Location System (RTLS) for yard management includes a comprehensive range of components and functionalities that are sure to meet your requirements.
  • Inpixon RTLS Platform-1

    RTLS Platform

    The core of an RTLS for yard management is the RTLS platform. This software-based system is designed to collect, process, and analyze location data in real time. It serves as the central hub for managing and visualizing the location information of assets within the yard.

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    Vehicle Tracking Tags

    Vehicles within the yard are equipped with tags or devices that enable their precise location tracking.

  • rfid icon

    RFID Tags

    Radio-frequency identification tags are commonly used for proximity-based tracking within the yard.

  • gps-icon

    GPS Devices

    Global Positioning System devices provide accurate outdoor positioning for vehicles in real-time.

  • lidar-telematics-icon

    Telematics Systems

    These systems combine GPS technology with onboard diagnostics to provide comprehensive data about vehicle location, status, and performance.
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    Wirepas for Mesh Technology (Optional)

    In some cases, mesh technology like Wirepas may be utilized. Wirepas is a wireless connectivity solution that allows devices to form a self-healing mesh network. This can enhance the robustness and reliability of the communication infrastructure within the yard, especially in environments with potential signal interference or obstacles.
  • Fleet-Management-Icon

    Fleet Management Systems

    Integrate vehicle tracking into existing fleet management systems to enable comprehensive monitoring and control of vehicle fleets.
  • Intralogistics-Use-Case-Icon

    Logistics and Supply Chain Management Systems

    Integration into logistics systems allows real-time tracking of goods and vehicles along the supply chain.
  • Enterprise-Resource-Platforms

    Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems

    Integrated into ERP systems, vehicle tracking technologies can contribute to optimizing logistical processes and resource utilization.

  • Emergency-&-Safety-Systems

    Emergency and Safety Systems

    Integrated into existing emergency and safety systems, vehicle tracking technologies can facilitate a rapid response to accidents or emergencies.

Yard Management Solution FAQs

  • What is a yard management solution?

    A yard management solution helps you track all the trucks, trailers, and assets moving in and out of your warehouse, logistics, or manufacturing yard. It provides real-time visibility into your yard's operations, helping you streamline processes, reduce wait times, and improve the efficiency of your loading and unloading docks.

  • What benefits does the integration of RTLS provide in Fleet Management Systems?

    The integration of Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) into Fleet Management Systems offers several advantages for businesses, including

    • Real-time Monitoring: Companies can monitor their vehicle fleets in real-time, enabling precise location tracking and effective control.
    • Route Optimization: Accurate vehicle positioning allows for optimal route planning, leading to shorter travel times and reduced fuel consumption.
    • Efficient Resource Utilization: RTLS integration enhances resource utilization as companies know precisely where their vehicles are located and how they can be deployed efficiently.
    • Rapid Response to Changes: Real-time data empowers companies to swiftly respond to traffic jams or unforeseen events, optimizing deliveries and operational workflows.
  • What are the security considereations when using vehicle tracking systems?

    When utilizing vehicle tracking systems, various security aspects must be considered:

    • Data Privacy: It is crucial to ensure that the collected location data complies with data protection regulations and respects drivers' privacy.
    • Security Protocols: Clear security protocols should be implemented to control access to the data and prevent unauthorized access.
    • Encryption: To guarantee the integrity of collected data, encryption technologies should be employed, especially when transmitting data over networks.
  • How can companies benefit from integrating vehicle tracking technologies into Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems?

    The integration of vehicle tracking technologies into ERP Systems provides several advantages for businesses:

    • Real-time Data for Planning: Integration allows access to real-time data, facilitating more accurate planning of logistical processes and resource utilization.
      Process Automation: Connecting vehicle tracking with ERP enables the automation of many logistical processes, enhancing efficiency and minimizing errors.
      Transparent Supply Chains: Companies gain a comprehensive view of their supply chains, leading to improved transparency, traceability, and faster decision-making.
  • How often is the location data of the forklifts updated, and how accurate is the positioning?

    The truck location data is usually updated constantly [e.g., every 30 seconds]. The exact frequency depends on the specific settings and requirements of the forklift tracking use case. The position is determined with high accuracy by integrating, for example, UWB RTLS with up to 10-50 cm or Chirp technology 1-2m.

  • How can we ensure the forklift tracking system is seamlessly integrated with other WMS?

    Seamless integration of the forklift tracking system with other systems is achieved through standardized interfaces and protocols, particularly REST API. Extensive testing is carried out before implementation to ensure compatibility and interoperability with existing systems such as ERP, WMS, and others.

Yard Management Resources
IoT

Key Trends for Smart Factories & Intralogistics in 2024

16 minute read | January 22, 2024
IoT

How to Optimize Warehouse Processes with RTLS

14 minute read | November 16, 2022
IoT

5 Key Steps for Building a Smart Warehouse

13 minute read | August 23, 2022
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