All industry experts in the supply chain have been enduring significant hardship in this time of ordeal. However, this period has warranted many valuable lessons that will only drive resiliency and strengthen strategic plans. It is also crucial to note that given the crisis, the available pool of resources has depleted to meet the new level of demands, forcing ports and terminals to cultivate or make further adjustments to their strategy that will drive optimum performance.

Given the current and unprecedented circumstances, ports and terminals are struggling with lessened cargo flow and the reduced size of personnel. In response, the industry has investigated the potential of Cloud TOS and automation. 

A cloud environment that can support TOS users working from home without compromising security has taken a more profound interest. Strict quarantine social distancing measures have compelled port and terminal executives to realize this digital transformation previously dismissed. Similarly, automated CHEs will rise in the upcoming years to reduce costs and errors while maximizing return on investment. Therefore, we can anticipate a positive outlook on advancing technology as port and terminals become accepting of the Cloud TOS combined with automation.

There is an inherent interrelation between technology and trade – whereby inducing advancements in technology instigates further growth of globalization. With containerization playing an integral role in this process, it is critical to understand that the global supply chain has become incredibly dependent on terminals to fuel the economy. Countries worldwide who are working towards a more sustainable economy, hint that terminals, regardless of their size or type of cargo they manage, must expedite their presence in the Container Handling Industry to participate as well as attribute to the growth in the economy. Therefore, all terminals must ensure their operations are always executed at the optimum and adopt a Terminal Operating System (TOS) that is best tailored to their current and future needs at a cost-effective price.

The purpose of a TOS is to accommodate to all operations and processes which provide palpable insight to assist in planning and heed greater visibility over the performance of terminal operations. Selecting a static TOS that only satisfies current projected requirements is an illustration of tactical planning that centralizes only on short-term goals. Although tactical planning can generate immediate results, it may also pose as a barrier to prospective success. Terminals, as a result, must be diligent when selecting a TOS that not only fulfills specialized needs but reinforces both tactical planning and strategic planning to conjure functionalities that are also future proofed. As a terminal grows, their operations and objectives inevitably change, requiring a flexible TOS that can easily accommodate to these scalabilities without incurring irrational expenses or fuss.

Rejecting a TOS with comprehensive functionalities conform to the narrow mindset that limits future opportunities and paves a broader stream for operations becoming obsolete or ineffective. Instead, terminal operators should take prudence and care when selecting a TOS such that it adheres to these following elements:

• Scalable – easily add memory and various modules such as 自动化, 人工智能 (AI), 优化, etc. when terminals encounter a change in objectives or respectively experience higher throughput and growth
• 灵活 – an open TOS system that can interface with any third-party systems such as Gate Operating Systems (GOS), DGPS, automated CHEs, etc. to support automation, business intelligence, and IoT strategies
• Future proofed – avoid TOS’s which integrate just enough functionalities to satisfy current needs as it may be lacking in capabilities due to poor and redundant infrastructure. Seek for a TOS that has all-inclusive functions that accounts for every possible container operation on the spectrum to increase efficiency and limit unproductivity
• Cost-effective – the pool of TOS’s that can concurrently perform exceptionally, offer various and comprehensive functionalities, and provide services at a low price is extremely limited and difficult to discover in the market. Terminal operators should, therefore, consider adopting a true cloud-based TOS to leverage all these benefits without compromising their financial resources

The overarching inference warrants that a terminal operating system in the cloud is the most viable choice as it encompasses all factors ranging from scalability in functionalities to the most imperative; future proofing. When a TOS has purely manifested a cloud architecture, it is embedded with the capabilities to integrate any additional modules and ingest data in any manner which alleviates the need to adopt other external systems and data sources to operate. Any sentiments challenging this conception is a direct indication that the proclaimed cloud TOS is built on a forged infrastructure which is resource intensive and consequently cannot afford adhering to a pay-as-you-go model to offering cost-effective prices.

Although it may not be critical to the operations now, does not excuse it from being crucial for the future. Limit the pool of providers and instill a reliable web-based TOS that truly cares about your future. Never settle for less and find a TOS provider that is committed to your success.

Realtime Business Solutions (RBS) has signed another contract with Pelindo 1 on August 2018 for PT Prima Terminal Petikemas in Medan, Indonesia (PTP). PTP follows in the footsteps of PT Prima Multipurpose Terminal in Kuala Tanjung, Indonesia, as it orders identical ARTGs from Konecranes and adopting the RBS TOPS Expert System. The Go Live date for this Terminal is planned to be in the early months of 2020. RBS is glad to be part of the new Automation wave in the Indonesian terminals.

Pelindo 1 has teamed up with the Port of Rotterdam Authority and DP-World to develop an integrated port – PT Prima Multipurpose Terminal in Kuala Tanjung, Indonesia (PTM). The multipurpose terminal has a 30,000 square metre dock and a 2.8 kilometre trestle for four truck lanes with a width of 18.5 meters. With huge investments of US$2.5 billion into the Multipurpose terminal, PTM adopted Konecranes’ Automated RTGs (ARTGs) for their operations, along with RBS TOPS Expert System to control and manage their operations. RBS TOPX Expert system is fully integrated with the Konecranes’ automation and works together to improve operational efficiency. The contract with RBS was signed in July 2018 and RBS TOPS successful Go Live was on 15/02/19. With its new automated equipment and integrated TOS, PTM has a positive outlook to achieve its goals for 2019 and years to come.

The implementation was done by RBS together with the local partner and in close cooperation with the customer. This setup bring the best value to the customer with local experience and the proven automation approach from RBS.

In this implementation the customer benefited from the experience and the proven solution of RBS together with Konecranes which is already implemented on other terminals. The approach to control the equipment from the TOS and talk directly to the equipment control system, PTM can gain all the benefit of a true real-­time system with the fast and efficient decision taking and dispatching. This has been proven extremely important in automated terminals, so that the TOS can react fast on operational interruptions.

“The secret to getting ahead is to get started”

RBS is now introducing the never been achieved before – automation in the cloud. Over the years, we have worked diligently to deliver a holistic solution that not only expands the solution’s functionalities but facilitates terminals in developing greater capabilities to accomplish optimal levels of performance and output. We are offering you the only true cloud-based TOS in the market that can run automation and still achieve real-time control and planning. This state-of-the-art software is years ahead of its time and will propel your terminal to the forefront of the Container Handling Industry.

The automation module is integrated into our proven TOPS Expert Cloud solution to deliver success to your terminal. Success with RBS is a rendition of higher ROI, lower expenses, enhanced security, and most importantly achieving maximum operational efficiency in all areas. With this new solution, your terminal can leverage both the benefits of automation and the cloud.

Conventional logistics no longer sustain growing pressures to meet customer’s demands of immediate delivery. As a result, terminals are turning to automation as a strategy to accelerate cargo flow. The steep decline in inefficient operations, costs, injuries, and environmental impacts are the primary benefits derived from the employment of automation. However, only 3%-13% of terminals worldwide are either partially or fully automated. So why do terminals refrain from such an opportunity?

Inefficiencies in terminals cost the Container Handling Industry a massive $17 billion a year, and yet most of the advantages of automation are left disregarded. Consequently, ports and marine terminals are inhibited from reaching their full potential in operational efficiency and may confront the risk of becoming obsolete.

The problem is, terminal operators, omit to automation due to reasons varying from unions to costs. A large portion of terminal operating executives and managers favor more equipment as opposed to intelligent IT software which is another factor constituting to the resistance to automation. Reduced transparency in terminal data is a repercussion that arises in the absence of automation. This is because data recorded for when a container is being loaded, discharged, stored, and moved, will not be entirely accurate or standardized if exercised manually.

However, the initial finances required to invest in the implementation of automation in terminals remain as the biggest deterrent. Most terminal operators are unfamiliar with the scalable aspect of automation. It is critical to note that automation modules can be scaled accordingly to match the budget provided while still satisfying all set requirements. Therefore, if terminal operators can endorse a prospective outlook, a substantial spike in cost savings, operational efficiency, and ROI, can be recognized.

Don’t let the budget define the limits to your cost savings. Take control, let automation do all the hard work and witness the success.

The expansive nature of technological advancements has made automation possible, creating a frenzy for all stakeholders in the Container Handling Industry. An increase in vessel sizes has engendered the realization that operations can no longer be handled effectively and economically without incorporating any automation. This revolutionizing technology has transformed conventional terminal operations and developed a large reception due to its ability to induce greater efficiencies in operations as a result of minimal to none human intervention.

Reduced capital expenditure and costs of labor are predominant factors contributing to the increasing adoption rate in terminals. Terminals are leveraging the benefits of automation to accelerate their initiatives in optimizing operations which inherently:

• Increases Operational Efficiency
  If a true AI planning function is integrated into the TOS to operate in conjunction with the automated machinery, the output produced will be of higher accuracy and greater agility. This removes a significant number of possibilities in human errors as well as delays, and therefore, increases safety. Transparency and consistency escalate in simultaneity with automation as every container move is tracked and recorded, facilitating better management and control of resources which improves overall operational productivity.
• Reduces Costs
  All operations regarding the handling of containers from berth to yard and vice versa can be fully or partially automated. Nevertheless, if automation is implemented into a terminal, up to 45%, less personnel are required on the field which drastically cuts labor costs. Terminal operators can optimize their remaining resources and invest in other business strategies to fulfill their business objectives and requirements.
• Increases Environmental Sustainability
  Carbon emissions drastically decline in response to automation due to less fuel consumption. Sustainable resource control is, therefore, heightened which prolongs the life of the Container Handling Equipment (CHEs).
• Enhances ROI
  Fully automated terminals can operate throughout the entire night without any supervision, generating higher turnover rates and hence, increases revenue.
• Faster Turnover Rate
  As a result of automation, CHEs execute container operations with extreme precision which guarantees no delays when containers are moved following its arrival or departure.

Furthermore, depending on the Terminal Operating System (TOS), the automation module can be flexible and adapt to business goals as well as requirements such that terminals have the freedom to choose which operations and processes to automate.