RBS enters the new year with a milestone marking our 30th anniversary in operation. Since founded in 1991, we have been humbled by the many valuable opportunities that allow us to connect with fantastic operators and container terminals across the globe.

We have also witnessed a great deal of change in the last three decades since the industry has endured several technology landscapes shifts, fluctuating economies, and evolving standards. Being present and involved in these changes attribute to our expanding knowledge as we are inspired to innovate further and strengthen our partnerships. As a result, RBS has developed unique products over the years, which offer a holistic solution driving innovation and efficiency for our clients. Rolling out the first real-time TOS on the market, achieving powerful automation tools, and followed by developing the first true cloud TOS are few of the most noteworthy achievements over the years.

Our achievements reflect the dedicated efforts of our founder, Harry Nguyen, and developers which continue to push boundaries and nurture ideas that facilitate, streamline, and develop better prospects for our clients. As a company, we have learned a great deal and are devoted to cultivating RBS’s vision of offering guidance that prepares terminal operators alike for uncertainty and a better future.

We thank all our clients for their loyal support and choosing us as your TOS provider – it would not have been possible without you!

“Indonesia to become a digital powerhouse in Southeast Asia” – Tim Synan, head of Google Cloud Southeast Asia.

One of the largest cloud providers in the market, Google Cloud, launched late June in Indonesia. The tech giant will develop its base for cloud computing in Jakarta to accommodate the country’s stark rise in the use of digital technology. The move is a significant step forward into the fourth industrial revolution, creating the massive potential for economic growth and digital innovation for businesses who previously did not have the opportunity to do so.

“A lack of local cloud infrastructure has been a traditional barrier to cloud adoption in Indonesia, but we’re changing that with the launch of our Jakarta cloud region,” admits Rick Harshman, managing director of the Asia Pacific and Japan at Google Cloud. 

Late adopters of disruptive technology will finally have access and use this platform to globalize their business. RBS sees this news as an incredible movement drawing us closer to achieving our overall vision for marine terminals. Continuous knowledge sharing with our customers has proven a cloud-based TOS is the first step to creating astronomic growth for this industry. With the cloud making a breakthrough in Asia, TOPS cloud will empower enormous reductions in expenses so terminal operators will achieve maximum value in operational and financial aspects. Securing this future-proof strategy will set your terminal, regardless of size or container throughput, ahead of your peers.

Several terminals worldwide have become bankrupt due to a lack of or from refusing technological advancements. A cloud TOS is the best means for a market exposed to constant changing conditions since upscaling, or new system integrations will be an extended module of TOPS TOS Cloud. Terminals with an on-premise solution are more than ever at risk of becoming inept at innovation if they do not consider moving their IT infrastructure into the cloud. There is nothing better than knowing that you will not only survive a wave of growing competition but thrive

COVID-19 has taught nations across the globe valuable lessons. Countries at the frontline have tested their strategies while others trailing behind have learned from their leads and refined their approach to obstruct the same mistakes from occurring. The one priority that remains unanimous in every country’s decision is protecting the health and well-being of individuals. With many isolated at home, port and terminal operations are at a standstill. As a result, Cloud TOS solutions are true testaments reminding the economy it can still operate despite the events of COVID-19 shackling industries.

Given the infectious nature of the virus, Cloud TOS’ offering flexibility to work from anywhere is no longer a novel idea. Terminal operators could consider it as a viable alternative to contain the spread but also sustain the supply chain. The speed and scale of the outbreak could expedite the use of Cloud TOS in the future and lead an increase in automation equipment adoption. Practice preventative measures with the Cloud TOS since it offers:

• 灵活性 – The Cloud TOS offers a safe and secure environment for TOS users to work from home. Cloud TOS features and functionality are exactly as on-premise TOS except on-site presence is not a requirement. Contact is limited to zero because planning, monitoring and control decisions can be made on a workspace from any web-enabled device.
• 自动化 – Automated CHEs interfaced with the cloud TOS will further reduce the need for human interaction. The combination will exist as a powerful solution that can jumpstart and strengthen all inactive nodes of the supply chain. Now is the time to consider moving onto the cloud and get serious about investing in automation.
• Massive Savings – Inconsistent numbers of imports and exports, scarce resources, and yard space not used to its full capacity are strong reasons to adopt a Cloud TOS. Operating on a pay-per-use model offers terminal operators the flexibility to plan for what is needed. Therefore, the structure of the payment model only calculates charges according to the number of TEUs currently in the yard.
• No up-front investments – Implementing new TOS infrastructure changes are attached to misconceptions of a costly investment. The Cloud TOS, on the contrary, requires no up-front investments, completely free of charge right from deployment. Moving TOS capabilities into the cloud can save ports and terminals that may struggle to make it out from the pandemic.

It’s a crucial time to start instilling safe practices for healthy wellbeing and sustainable economy. When a catastrophe of this magnitude brings immediate attention and forces restructuring, it’s not entirely impossible or too late to leverage control before it entirely implodes.

TIC 4.0 was founded in 2019 and brings together leading terminal operators, equipment manufacturers and solutions providers to promote, define and adopt standards. Now, the initiative has been formally registered during a ceremony in Brussels, Belgium.

In a statement, TIC 4.0 said Boris Wenzel, Managing Director, Terminal Link, would be its president and Norbert Klettner, Managing Director, RBS-EMEA, its vice-president.

Frank Kho, who has numerous experience with terminal operators and equipment manufacturers, will become CEO. The current 20 members of TIC are a good mix of terminal operators and suppliers in the industry, who are Hyster-Yale, Kalmar, KoneCranes, Kuenz, Liebherr, NAVIS, Phoenix Lighting, RBS, SICK, TBA, TMEIC, ZPMC, APMT, Bollore, Eurogate, Port of Koper, PSA, Terminal Link, MMC Ports and Yilport, several other organizations have expressed their interest to join this unique initiative.

The goal of TIC 4.0 is to promote, define and adopt standards that will enable the cargo-handling industry to embrace the 4th Industrial Revolution. Therefore TIC 4.0 will also strive to attract more members from the terminals operators as well as industry suppliers.

Its initial objectives are as follows:

• Define and agree on a common semantics and definitions among the companies involved in the cargo handling industry, both terminal operators and port solution providers.

• Develop communication protocols and frameworks that will be adopted by the port industry players for seamless data communication regardless of the manufacturer or type of equipment/machine.

• Facilitate the inter-operability of different information sub-systems of a cargo handling facility.

• Promote the adoption of selected existing standards and those developed by TIC 4.0 by the sector.

“I really feel that both energy and commitment prevail among TIC 4.0 members to achieve the goals we have set. I believe that to achieve these goals, the cooperation between terminal operators and solution providers is a great critical success factor,” said Frank Kho.

“TIC 4.0 members all believe that the work on standardization is of utmost importance for our industry in the context of increased digitalization of the supply chain. It will also enable the adoption of innovative processes and solutions” added Boris Wenzel.

Click here to visit RBS EMEA.

What does AI mean for Terminals?

In this current era, existing processes and available resources which cannot efficiently or immediately meet operational demands, has become the incentive for terminal operating systems to expand their field into alternative technologies. As a result, AI has become quite the common buzz word, sparking opportunities for the Container Handling Industry to venture for strategies which enhance operational flow and decision-making. However, AI is still in its early stages due to its complexity requiring immense efforts and strong expertise in the area to develop a quality product manifesting its true capabilities. Subsequently, little to no terminal operating systems integrating capable and skillful AI into their systems are available on the market.

Is it really AI in your TOS?

Terminal operating systems are the heart of every terminal powering operations right from planning down to execution. However, when AI is integrated into a TOS, it must be unwavering of the centralized server architecture. Before we continue to expand on this, it is crucial to understand the constructs of AI which follows a process that collects pools of data, then learns from it, makes algorithms, and applies this knowledge to make independent decisions automatically. As a result, Big Data is not only an integral component of the initial stages of AI learning, but having accurate and reliable data is also another necessity.

Your conventional TOS requires multiple servers to load information, which not only instigates longer wait times but inherently pulls fragmented data. Data becomes redundant when flowing through a TOS with a decentralized architecture that cannot support real-time control and planning. A non-true real-time environment instills inefficiencies within operations and management, mainly when changes made to data has already been processed onto the next step. Static control processes respond ineffectively to changes since the information which is now deemed redundant will continue to be worked on until the new modified data is retrieved from the previous workstation operator. Changes made from the previous process may not inflict such drastic impact upon the current planning task, but what if alterations need to be made from five steps prior?

Consequently, if data is not in its most updated state, poor decision-making from AI is a strong likelihood, inducing inefficiencies in terminal operations. The omission of core AI components will directly tamper the execution process such that CHEs will misplace containers in the yard or move containers in a yard bay that is no longer available, incurring additional moves and time for it to be placed in its correct location. These events will snowball and will inevitably yield a reduction in ROI. Therefore, for AI within a TOS to be beneficial for a terminal, it must devise an architecture that sustains real-time control planning to ensure that CHEs are always making the optimum number of moves and achieve accurate decisions.

Current Landscape

The global supply chain can be alluded to as a network, branching out and connecting several other nodes. Namely, international trade and technological advancements are the underlying sources which influence the overall landscape – extending from the global supply chain to globalization and the entire economy. These two driving forces have formed a pact to pervade other industries, prompting its recognition when conducting business. A grave inference draws these factors as the direct outgrowth of marine terminals. Therefore, the whole economy relies on terminal operations and will plummet if it is exposed to vulnerabilities which may be attributed by an inefficient terminal operating system.

The Problem

Terminals that centralize on a business strategy resisting change end up taking resource intensive routes. A rippling effect will ensue, causing detriment to terminal revenue, magnify inefficient terminal operations, and affect the global supply chain, which is inherent in steering the overall economy. As a result, this should not be the primary goal of any business – this narrow-minded view relays onto a single focus adopting only the necessary actions mitigating change, shackling potential and massive growth. Instead, businesses should retain a reformed perspective on adaptability that responds proactively to changing environments and build various avenues to elevate the economy. An economy that “stays in the expansion phase of the business cycle” is a prolonging and collective goal of many worldwide, whereby technology advancements pose as a substantial factor influencing the decision-making process in every industry. More than ever, the one at large are marine terminals, requiring the cooperation with beneficial technological innovations to engender a thriving economy.

If every business process is stripped down to its resources, the point of supply is terminals. Therefore, they hold a crucial responsibility in adopting a flexible terminal operating system that has the dynamic capacity and innovative functionality to respond to a fluctuation in container throughput. A terminal operating system that is unrepresentative of innovation and fails to incorporate the suite of capabilities that can account for all terminal operations or drive efficiency is a recipe for disaster. Although, advancements in technology may become disruptive, rejecting its presence may deprive avenues that present more efficient methods to running terminal operations, which not only degrades its market position but also drives a downturn in the economy.

The Response

Many avenues strengthen the global supply chain, but the place to start is selecting the correct terminal operating system that cares about your growth, prospects, and objectives. A common denominator that reinforces a viable TOS should include the following innovative technologies:

• 云计算

If the TOS is built on a true cloud architecture, all your data is maintained in a centralized system, granting access from anywhere at any time. A dual advantage is warranted to smaller terminals since they can adopt a pay-as-you-go payment model while larger terminals can achieve economies of scale, which generates extremely low costs for both structures. Enhanced accessibility corresponds to greater efficiency since terminal operators gain better control over operations since resources can be invested to accomplish other business strategies as opposed to maintaining IT facilities which are not needed when using a TOS in the cloud. For more details on cloud technology, click here…

• 自动化

A terminal which experiences many bottlenecks or errors may request the integration of automation into their TOS. Automation, if executed correctly, would render a decrease in error rate and heighten operational efficiency by sustaining the interoperability between a TOS and automated container handling equipment. Due to this nature, an increase in ROI will be achieved. For more insight into the world of automation, click here…

• 优化

Optimization drives functionality that highlights resource, process, and CHE strategy as the core components for efficient operations. An accurate optimization module will make the best possible use of available resources, streamline the execution process, and determine the most optimal number of CHE moves to deliver efficient operations. To gain a deeper understanding of optimization, click here…

• 人工智能 (AI)

A TOS manifesting an infrastructure supportive of a true AI architecture is very rare in the Container Handling Industry. Only offered at RBS, TOPS Expert optimization module integrates AI into berth planning and yard planning to reduce the workload which is practically impossible to calculate manually without entering a trade-off between accuracy, time, and resources. The TOPS Expert AI optimization module exhibits human intelligence in planning to improve reliability in decision-making processes, which intrinsically induces a higher degree of operational efficiency and mitigates error rates. For a more in-depth knowledge of AI, click here…

Ultimately, terminals must comply to a path that leads to a better economy by adopting a TOS that can leverage and proactively adapt to change. Otherwise, a TOS that is unresponsive to new innovative technologies will neglect a terminal from reaching its maximum potential in performance and productivity, putting the economy in a downward spiral.

Blockchain technology is one of the most popular buzz words that has climbed to the summit alongside other terms like Cloud TOS and automation. This technology has circulated across different industries and even traded in the global stock market. But is it threatening to disrupt the Container Handling Industry or is it going to engender an innovative revolution that will transform the way terminals handle their finances?

As a new entrant in the container handling and shipping industry, blockchain technology threatens reformation on conventional financial practices conducted in a terminal. Its capabilities of being an incorruptible digital ledger of economic transactions have earned its trust by many individuals, companies, and organizations. Another component contributing to its substantial reception is that the technology can be programmed to record beyond financial transactions and virtually anything of value. In simpler terms, blockchain technology is a series of a time-stamped immutable record of data managed by a network of computers that is entirely independent of any entity.

More importantly, each block contains data that is protected and bound to another block using cryptographic principles and hence, creates a chain. Cryptography fends data from theft, alteration, and is used for user authentication by following an encryption and decryption process that converts any data in its original form (plaintext) into an incomprehensible form (ciphertext). Its blockchain architecture that is free of authority has engendered a decentralized and democratized system. Complete traceability and transparency are other underlying factors facilitating trust in this relatively new technology since all information encompassed in the uncompromisable ledger is not only free for anyone to view but holds everyone involved accountable for their actions.

How did it all start?

Over the centuries, the constant hunt for groundbreaking discoveries attributes to the astronomical improvement in both the quality of life and quantity of life. The First Industrial Revolution throttled into full force since water, and steam power was introduced to automate production, while electricity powering mass production instigated the Second Industrial Revolution. Subsequently, technological advancements instituted the Third Industrial Revolution, whereby electronic and information technology served as a primary source of production becoming automatic. Unlike the previous industrial revolutions, there is a palpable correlation between the Third and most recent; the Fourth Industrial Revolution, as technology demonstrates its continual evolvement as cultivation for its power to transform the economy, lifestyle, and how businesses operate.

There is a stark contrast emanate from the Fourth Industrial Revolution as it is “evolving at an exponential rate rather than a linear pace.” The expanse of the Fourth is so significant, it has penetrated and disrupted every industry across the globe, compelling a complete change in systems of production, management, and governance.

What does the Fourth Industrial Revolution compose of?

It is governed by the limitless possibilities in “billions of people being connected by mobile devices with unprecedent processing power, storage capacity, and access to knowledge.” These possibilities will intrinsically grow with technological breakthroughs in fields such as AI, robotic, IoT, autonomous vehicles, 3D printing, nanotechnology, biotechnology, materials science, energy storage, and quantum computing.

AI was a mere novel concept in the earlier days but has now become a practice of reality. With deeper and true understanding of AI, products ranging from self-driving cars to virtual assistants in software that translate, or assist have finally come to fruition. The impact of AI on the Fourth Industrial Revolution is credited by the substantial growth in computing power and the availability of Big Data.

Impact of the Fourth on the Container Handling Industry

Despite AI being relatively new with many professionals in the Container Handling Industry lacking a deep understanding of its infrastructure, there are little to none terminal operating systems on the market with AI capabilities that can truly exhibit human intelligence to predict different scenarios and determine the best solution to optimize berthing, processes, and resources. Although immediate results are highly valued and critical to a terminal’s success, it is imperative to select a TOS that is not only best fit for a terminal but is accepting of enhancements and is responsive to new capabilities.

How do we respond?

A collective of beliefs, values, ideas, and knowledge derived from human behavior and decisions has characterized each revolution. Similarly, the direction of each revolution is influenced by a community response. Therefore, it is citizens, consumers, and investors that hold the most significant power in driving this revolution onto the next.

To ensure that future revolutions adhere to only empowering the quality of life and quantity of life, we must develop a comprehensive and undivided perception of how technology continues to impact our lives and reform our economic, social, cultural, and human environments.

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.

Realtime Business Solutions (RBS) is a private company founded by Harry Nguyen in 1991. We opened our first office in Sydney, Australia and over the 27 years of working diligently in the Container Handling Industry, we have since grown to power over 35 terminals worldwide. RBS was able to withstand and prevail over the pool of well-established TOS providers in the market, despite starting as a one-person company. By delivering the only true real-time TOS on the market, we were able to achieve the impossible and prove all odds by landing our first contract with Evergreen’s main terminal in Taiwan, 1996. Now our team consists of over 200 professionals from our office and partners around the globe, expanding our offices into Europe (RBS EMEA UG), South America (T2S – Tecnologia), and Asia (PT. Primus Indonesia and RBSVN).

Throughout these many years, we have never deviated from our core values, adhering to delivering a second to none TOS. Our TOPS solution operates “in memory real-time” and is the most advanced solution for terminals of any size, handled in a single server. We focus on constant evolvement and are the pioneers in offering state-of-the-art software in conjunction with premium support services. We also believe working closely with our clients to address their requirements, goals, and vision, cultivates optimization and operational efficiency.

We spend extensive efforts in research which indicated a poor system infrastructure as the root cause of inefficiency in terminals. As a result, RBS developed TOPS Expert Cloud which operates in a single server, of a cloud-based, and real-time architecture. This solution works in parallel to our dedicated professional services which cover the full terminal spectrum. TOPS Expert Cloud is the first complete, real-time TOS available on the Cloud. The comprehensive and integrated TOPS solution has warranted breakthrough results as now we are operating over 36 million TEUs globally, including manual and automated terminals.