Category Archives: Technology

Kale Logistics Solutions (Kale) has completed a decade in offering IT solutions and simplifying operations for the logistics industry globally. Incorporated in 2010, the company is headquartered in India with regional branches and subsidiaries in USA, Canada, Netherlands, UAE, Kenya and Mauritius and serves more than 4500 satisfied customers in 29 countries. Rajesh Panicker, COO, Kale Logistics Solutions, says, “What we are witnessing right now is the start of our long and rapid growth journey, where we are shifting gears for enterprises to build cloud-based foundations that will serve as a resilient, secure and scalable digital core. Our success is a huge endorsement of the increased relevance of our solutions and services to our clients as they pivot to digital simplification and future-ready technologies. Accessibility and touchless are becoming important attributes for solution design and our platforms continue to gain traction as they enhance enterprises’ digital capability to respond and recover from the pandemic.” Expressing his delight over completion of 10 years, Amar More, CEO, Kale Logistics Solutions says, “It is a great pleasure to be in the business of logistics and Kale in this decade has witnessed rapid growth. From a humble beginning, Kale is now a preferred global partner for logistics enterprise automation and community platforms. We envision that in the new normal, successful enterprises have to be purpose-driven, autonomous, and highly adaptive in order to drive innovation and to best serve their customers and employees.” Vineet Malhotra, Director, Kale Logistics Solutions said, “We have always maintained that growth is the best margin lever, and that is very evident in our journey. It is very gratifying to see that what we laid-down as a foundation keystone – digital …

NebulARC has introduced UBICUO, an AI-enabled Virtual Assistant for organisations helping them to take immediate actions based on detailed workflows, real-time alerts and analytics. The solution aims to help the companies to automate the entire supply chain and make supply chain management even smarter. With the growing need for effective logistics amidst rising customer demand for ecommerce and FMCG companies, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find apt manpower to manage the supply chain functions. Leveraging the AI-enabled virtual assistant is a smart option for companies working towards faster decision making and enhanced experience. Being an innovation-driven company, NebulARC’s virtual assistant – UBICUO allows enterprises to keep a check on inventory, product perishability, supply trends, demand supply ratio etc. It is a cost effective solution that manages warehouse operations and follows up dispatched and stock in hand to inform the production requirements for smarter business decisions. Alok Sharma, CEO & Co-founder, NebulARC said, “Certainly positive about the market sentiment, we are thrilled to introduce one of our most-disruptive logistics solutions for businesses across verticals. Our one-of-a kind virtual assistant – UBICUO has been developed keeping in mind the various constraints that a company faces while managing its logistics be it for B2B shipments or for end-customers. With its unique capabilities, UBICUO will prove to be a key enabler for organisations by helping them to increase their productivity and optimise their operations at a significantly lesser cost. With this resource-saving project we are making yet another substantial effort towards accelerating digital transformation in the logistics space.” NebulARC’s AI-enabled Virtual Assistant not only manages the entire logistics ecosystem but also helps the businesses to significantly reduce risks of theft, pilferage and other …

Mahindra Electric announced the launch of its new electric 3-wheeler cargo model Treo Zor at a starting price of Rs 2.73 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). Built on the Treo platform, the new offering comes in three variants – pick up, delivery van and flat bed – and will be available at Mahindra small commercial vehicle dealerships in select cities across the country from December. “Our Treo platform demonstrates our commitment to Aatmanirbhar Bharat through the latest technology and make in India. The Treo Zor will provide a clean, sustainable and affordable solution for last-mile delivery,” Pawan Goenka, MD and CEO, Mahindra & Mahindra said at the launch. “The proven Treo electric 3-wheeler platform has already redefined last-mile mobility with 5,000+ satisfied customers who have traversed 35 million kms on Indian roads. Treo Zor has been developed with cutting edge technology to deliver substantial customer value proposition and is available in 3 variants to meet every customer needs,” said Mahesh Babu, MD & CEO, Mahindra Electric. Treo Zor comes with an 8kW advanced lithium-ion battery and a best-in-segment payload of 550 kgs. It gives higher earning opportunities. Also, the new vehicle comes with a standard warranty of 3 years/80,000 km, the company said, adding the vehicle can be charged by plugging into a 15AMP socket. The wide service network of over 140 dealerships across India ensures timely after-sales service as well, it added. The other features include telematics unit and GPS, windscreen and wiping system, spare wheel provision, among others, the company said.

Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State for Shipping, Government of India has e-launched the indigenous software solution for Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) and Vessels Traffic Monitoring Systems (VTMS) in the capital. Following the development, Mandaviya emphasises that indigenous system is the requirement of the country instead because there is no need to rely on high costing foreign made software solutions for traffic managements of the Indian Ports. He said that aligning with the vision of ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat’ of Prime Minster Narendra Modi, ‘Made in India’ VTS and VTMS software will pave the way for ‘Make for the world’ vessel traffic management systems. VTS and VTMS are software which determines vessel positions, position of other traffic or meteorological hazard warnings and extensive management of traffic within a port or waterway. Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) contribute to safety of life at sea, safety and efficiency of navigation and protection of the marine environment, adjacent shore areas, work sites and offshore installations from possible adverse effects of maritime traffic. Vessels Traffic Management Systems are installed in some of the busiest waters in the world, and are making valuable contribution to safer navigation, more efficient traffic flow, and protection of the environment. Traffic flow in busy approach routes, access channels, and harbours can be coordinated safely, in the best interest of port and its users. Incidents and emergency situations can be dealt with quickly. Data from traffic movements can be stored and used as reference information for port administration, port authorities, coastguards and search and rescue services. VTMS is mandatory under IMO Convention SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea). The VTMS traffic image is compiled and collected by means of advanced sensors such as …

Utilising its services to improve global logistics, NICDC Logistics Data Services-NLDS (formerly DMICDC Logistics Data Services, DLDS) has extended its services to Nepal and Bangladesh after the consent of Land Port Authority of India (LPAI) to install the RFID readers at Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) at India–Nepal and India–Bangladesh border. With this expansion, exporters and importers from Nepal and Bangladesh can track the movement of their containers through Logistics Databank Portal www.ldb.co.in and a mobile application named ‘NICDC-LDB’. The expansion includes ICPs, namely, Agartala-India-Bangladesh Border, Petrapole-India–Bangladesh border, Jogbani-India–Nepal border, Raxaul-India-Nepal Border With this coverage ICPs located at Agartala, Jogbani and Raxaul will help in road movement container tracking and Petrapole ICP will help in rail movement container tracking. Speaking on the development, K. Sanjay Murthy, IAS, CEO & MD, NICDC (National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation) and Chairman, NLDS says, “The new extension of services reiterates our vision and commitment of streamlining logistics across the country and the brand’s ambition to improve the EXIM trade, reduce the logistics cost and pave the way for India to become a logistics hub.” Ichiro Oshima, CEO, NLDS says, “Since its inception in Dec 2015, NLDS has played a vital role in enhancing the operations of Ports and Maritime Industry in India. While aiming at 100 per cent container volume tracking in India, this expansion will certainly mark a great milestone in bringing efficiency in logistics and supply chain industry.” Before NLDS came into existence, operators handled logistics independently through autonomous systems, which led to delays and inefficient tracking. Through its flagship product, LDB (Logistics Data Bank), NLDS streamlined container movement and today serves 25 port terminals while handling 96 per cent of the country’s …

The Ministry of Railways has approved Alstom-built 12000 HP electric locomotives and RDSO to run freight trains at a maximum speed of 120 kmph. Indian Railways had inducted the WAG 12B e-locos, which are the most powerful locomotives to run on Indian tracks, earlier in the year. These electric locos will allow faster and safer movement of heavier freight trains capable to haul ~6000 tonnes at a top speed of 120 kmph. Planned to be deployed for operations on major freight routes of Indian Railways including the Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs), they are expected to increase the average speed of freight trains in India by at least 20-25 kmph. Alain SPOHR, Managing Director, Alstom India & South Asia said, “The approval from RDSO is indeed a matter of pride for all of us at Alstom and a testimony of our technical expertise in partnership with the Indian Railways. In line with India’s push towards self-reliance, we have successfully leveraged our local engineering and manufacturing capabilities. Alstom is also committed to support IR in reducing its carbon footprint and adopt cleaner technologies in its quest to transform into the world’s largest Green Railway network. India is a priority for Alstom, and we are committed to work closely with the Indian Railways for all their future modernization endeavours.” “Equipped with Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBT) based propulsion technology, it would lead to considerable savings in energy consumption due to use of regenerative braking. The technology is also helpful towards making the acceleration process more efficient by reducing the heat generation and traction noise. Additionally, this move will not only bring down operational costs, but also reduce the congestion faced by Indian Railways”, …

According to V Raju, Senior Vice President CL – Chemical, Pharma & Food Sector, Avvashya CCI Logistcs (All Cargo Group), “Introduction of technology means productivity and productivity coupled with efficiency is really going to pay back. Therefore, modern technology will definitely be endorsed and already 50 per cent of your customers are prepared to pay extra just to get technology in your system. However, it is only the Indian customer who is still going to bargain with you and opt for the cheaper method which is manual dependent rather than technology dependent. But over a period of time everyone will realise the kind of savings that technology gives, though the initial investments are going to high. It won’t happen in a day; it’s going to take time because the knowledge about the productivity and efficiency that will come by technology has to move into the minds of all customers.”

Commenting on should we be investing more on technology to sustain in business, Amit Malakar, Chief Customer Officer, Welspun One, says, “Technology is going to be a very important part of our lives. Everyone needs to be digitally savvy and make sure that their supply chain is resilient enough to reach the market through their warehouses. We have seen FMCG companies who were never on the e-commerce platform are now looking at digital distribution strategy in a big way.”

STARLUX Airlines has deployed IBS Software’s iCargo platform to manage business and operational functions for its entire cargo business. The iCargo management platform was implemented ahead of STARLUX Airlines’ launch in January 2020, which saw maiden flights to Macau, Penang and Da Nang with three A321neo aircraft. After a rigorous evaluation process, STARLUX Airlines chose IBS Software’s iCargo SaaS-based cargo platform to provide a single, unified platform for all critical functions. iCargo now manages all aspects of STARLUX’s cargo business, including sales, airline operations, US customs, mail, Unit Load Device, cashiering, claims, cargo and mail revenue accounting, portal services, data warehousing and business intelligence modules. “We chose the industry-leading iCargo management platform to achieve our goal of providing the best and seamless cargo service to our customers,” said Glenn Chai, CEO, STARLUX Airlines. “So far, iCargo has proved itself to be well worth the investment. It is an advanced digital solution featuring advanced and user-friendly functions. STARLUX is very glad to have made the right choice.” STARLUX plans to expand its network with additional A321neo aircraft scheduled for delivery, plus wide-body A350 XWB aircraft. iCargo is fully enabled to support this future growth and continue to empower STARLUX to deliver on its brand promise to customers.

In order to deliver an integrated solution to eliminate friction in complex global supply chains, FourKites have partnered with o9 Solutions. The idea is to augment o9’s Control Tower solution with FourKites’ real-time in-transit freight tracking. The partnership enables customers to receive, in o9, proactive notifications of freight disruptions coming from FourKites, so that they can implement agile planning and scenario management to mitigate any impact of those disruptions on their end-to-end supply chain. “o9 Solutions and FourKites are two best-of-breed solutions that are bringing a completely new value proposition to our joint customers. By bringing real-time freight tracking right into our Control Tower, our users will have access to maximum visibility, predictability and reactivity to any freight disruptions,” said Chakri Gottemukkala, CEO, o9 Solutions. “Real-time visibility and predictive ETAs are critical to end-to-end supply chain planning and orchestration,” said Mathew Elenjickal, founder and CEO, FourKites, in adding, “Our customers are seeing 10-15 per cent savings within their transportation, warehouse and customer service operations by leveraging the prescriptive recommendations from our platform. Our shipper network and data set, combined with o9’s end-to-end integrated planning capabilities, will enable our mutual customers to create exponential savings across their supply chains.”