For each ProMat and MODEX show, show producer MHI runs an innovation award program, with various vendors entering submissions in one of three categories:
• Best New Product
• Best Innovation of an Existing Product
• Best IT [software] Innovation
The same process is underway for the virtual ProMat DX 2021 event. Last week, MHI announced the 10 finalists for each category.
Also last week, we summarized the list of finalists for Best New Materials Handling products. (See Top 10 Materials Handling Innovations for ProMat 2021.)
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This week, we look at nominees for top IT/software innovation.
Keep in mind the various descriptions we publish below are what was submitted to MHI by the vendors themselves, not MHI, and are commercial in nature.
The criteria for selecting the finalists were concept, value, and impact.
The winners of the 2021 MHI Innovation Awards will be announced during a ProMatDX keynote session at 11:00 AM CT on April 12 at promatshow.com
Top 10 IT/Software Innovations
4Front Engineered Solutions for 4SIGHT Connect Digital Gate
With 4SIGHT Connect Data, end users can: Integrate dock operations into different systems; Gain more accurate operational insight and the ability to tailor data to fit individual needs; Leverage existing technologies for required connectivity to either a Kelley or Serco Digital Master Control Panel (which serves as the dock data collection point for equipment status and operation); Create custom reports and dashboards, along with KPI’s and metrics. Using 4SIGHT Connect Data, event-based dock operation data points - such as trailer presence status at a specific dock door or the status of a dock door itself - are sent to the end-user in real-time via MQTT broker (open source ISO standard protocol). 4SIGHT Connect Data then delivers the actual data as a JSON payload for each defined event.
BEUMER Corporation for BG INSIGHT Real-time Data Analytics
BG INSIGHT is a flexible platform that enables companies to optimize their overall equipment effectiveness, improving not only the initial return on investment, but visualizing opportunities to achieve better performance and lower maintenance risks. The product uses several data sources and not only returns graphical visualizations of the operating statistics; it more so creates implicit and explicit recommendations for companies to take action. Using state-of-the-art infrastructure and technology, BG INSIGHT utilizes big data and not only visualizes information, but creates new data and insights while applying newest machine learning and proprietary data models – all in real-time. It differentiates from other solutions through it's flexible setup allowing the integration of multiple systems and equipment components across the distribution center and offering constant feature upgrades through its subscription model.
Damotech for The Damotech Platform: Rack Safety & Inspection Cloud Software
The Damotech Platform is the first and only dedicated rack inspection and asset management software in the industry. This cloud-based software provides interactive dashboards, visual representations of warehouse layouts (plan views and elevations) and allows warehouse operators to remotely track racking issues and repairs in real-time across several warehouses. Rack inspections can be performed directly on the platform by internal teams or by a third-party inspection company. The intuitive rack issue and damage viewer interface makes it easy to zoom in on exact rack locations, view the status of deficiencies, as well as look at photos taken during a rack inspection.
Clients can also gain clear insight on flagged issues and missing components, allowing them to sort these concerns by priority level or component type, and take appropriate actions. With the Damotech Platform, warehouse managers no longer need to sort through paperwork with hand-written notes on their racking issues. They no longer need to physically travel to multiple locations when there are issues.
Fascor for Advanced Cartonization
No innovation summary available on the MHI web site.
Geek+ for FleetSort - Autonomous Goods Sortation with S20
Geek+ FleetSort system provides an automatic batch outbound order sortation and goods classification solution. In cases where seasonality fluctuates demand considerably in industries, such as fashion retail, using autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for bulk mixed-good sortation will be highly efficient and accurate. A warehouse operator places the goods on the robot, and the robots will automatically sort goods into appropriate places and bins based on the user’s requirements. The sorting system can integrate with WMS to increase efficiency and productivity for outbound order fulfillment operations. FleetSort allows Geek+ picking robots, which increases the throughput of a distribution center with consolidated goods picking for batch order picking, to work in tandem seamlessly Geek+ sorting robots. The system's intelligent sorting algorithm allocates each robot to handle a vastly improved number of orders in each wave, compared to manual sorting operation.
New Dawn for Horizon Warehouse Execution Software (WES)
Horizon Warehouse Execution Software (WES) is built on three pillars: Ready to Run – the software is pre-configured and rigorously tested using emulators (which emulate all external interfaces to the WES) prior to installation for a rapid deployment and reduce or eliminate costly coding by software engineers in the field. Every installation is built from core clean code eliminating a myriad of performance issues which will be visible over time. Grow & Change – Horizon WES provides organizations with a vast array of configurable parameters which allow many minor system changes to be handled without change orders. The modular construction allows for adding new functionality and updating a module without impacting the rest of the system.
(See More Below)
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CATEGORY SPONSOR: SOFTEON |
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Optimal Discovery LLC for Optimal Picking
 Optimal Picking has all the capabilities of proven Voice Picking systems while also addressing the needs of the entire picking process. It generates ideal pallet designs with unmatched flexibility. And it ensures that those ideal designs are properly communicated to the picker by leveraging the use of images for the picker at each step of the picking process.
Optimal Picking can use image recognition technology to validate that each pick was made correctly. Finally, it continually improves operations by using Artificial Intelligence. And best of all, it does all this for less than half the cost of legacy voice picking systems. Optimal Picking leverages the best technology at the right price point to deliver great value.
SmartBOL for Mobile Driver Check-in & Check-out
SmartBOL has increased the contactless environment and the ability for drivers to sign bills of lading via mobile SMS messages as well as check-in from the comfort of their own truck cabs generated from the SmartBOL portal. This is in addition to the SmartBOL self-service kiosks that can also be used for driver check-in and check-out as well as communications to drivers such as dock assignments.
Softeon for Softeon Warehouse Management + Execution System
Softeon combines its powerful WMS with a new Warehouse Execution System (WES) to bring higher levels of performance to distribution centers. Softeon WMS and WES are each available standalone, or as a powerful integrated solution (Warehouse Management + Execution System) for the first time. Leveraging our component architecture, Softeon can uniquely and flexibly share specific WMS or WES capabilities with each other, using a shared component library. A common example would be adding advanced cartonization functionality from the WMS to a WES deployment.
Softeon’s WES simply brings powerful fulfillment capabilities beyond those available even in leading WMS systems. Those capabilities include: granular, real-time visibility to throughput and bottlenecks for each DC process or area/zone; use of simulation to drive labor planning and dynamic resource allocation; direct, real-time control and optimization of various picking sub-systems, from mobile robots to put walls, Voice and more (see accompanying video); order batch optimization; fully autonomous order release (new to the industry) based on priority, inventory and resource availability, carrier cut-off times and more. Softeon WES uniquely delivers value both to heavily and less automated DCs.
Yard Management Solutions for Yard Management Solutions
At Yard Management Solutions, innovation is the driving force that keeps us at the cutting edge of our industry year after year. As the #1 YMS, each new software feature and automation tool is built to deliver more value, reduce operational costs, and increase efficiency in every area of the yard. This year, we have three transformative innovations that push yard management to the next level: YMS Virtual Assistant, Intelligent Dock Scheduling System, and YMS Smart Gate Entry System. Sometimes you don't need data analysis and reports, you just need a simple answer.
The YMS Virtual Assistant works harder so you don't have to. Simply ask a question and the YMS Virtual Assistant immediately provides relevant information about your yard. How many loaded trailers are in the yard? How many outbound appointments are in the next hour? What trailers are approaching detention? These answers and more are instantly available, saving your operation time searching through mountains of data. Our new Intelligent Dock Scheduling System takes efficient planning to the next level. Easily schedule appointments with a few clicks, or provide carriers access to generate their own.
Next week, SCDigest will summarize the finalists for Best Innovation of an Existing Product.
Any reaction to this list of finalists ? Let us know your thoughts at the Feedback section below.
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