Customised transport solutions with a system

Whether retail, industry or trade – almost all companies today operate loading ramps, high-speed doors or loading locks and carry out more or less complex logistical tasks. There is usually untapped potential for optimisation in all of these processes, which can be quickly exploited with the EXPRESSO Connect IoT solution. This modular and scalable gateway offers small and medium-sized companies in particular a simple and cost-effective way to start digitising their processes. The infrastructure of the system – developed by EXPRESSO’s Service & Digital Solutions division – is based on the collection of digital and analogue information from all connected technical units, its transmission via mobile radio to a central server and its evaluation, visualisation and documentation. The big advantage: EXPRESSO Connect works independently of the customer’s network, regardless of the brands of the integrated systems and devices and, if required, also across plants. “The system is open and can be expanded as required, can be used universally and can be utilised for both new investments and existing systems. A connection to the customer’s control technology is also possible,” says Jan-Peter Schulz, Head of Service & Digital Solutions.

Record, evaluate, optimise

If EXPRESSO Connect is used to optimise logistical processes, parameters such as loading/unloading times, gate occupancy and vehicle security, gate opening times, the number of incidents, the number of loading processes and much more can be recorded, displayed, analysed and logged. Based on this, numerous optimisation measures can be implemented, leading to shorter idle times at the loading bay, lower energy consumption during loading, reduced maintenance costs or improved employee time management. “The user operates the system via a responsive design interface on a PC, tablet or mobile phone. They can now also use our new app, which displays all recorded data graphically and makes it clear at a glance where which processes can be optimised – for example, in gate utilisation, truck allocation or MRO cycles,” explains Jan-Peter Schulz. A big plus point is that the EXPRESSO Connect app offers different display types and views. Regardless of their own location, users can, for example, display all loading systems integrated into the system or only those of selected branches. They can also switch between a general overview and various detailed views. And other app applications that focus on other optimisation aspects can be activated at any time – for example, for energy efficiency monitoring, which also records and evaluates the energy consumption of electrical systems and the CO₂ emissions of individual work areas.

Adaptable and quick to install

It is the modular structure and high level of adaptability that make this IoT solution particularly interesting for companies that were previously concerned about the almost unmanageable time and cost involved in getting started with digitalisation. “EXPRESSO Connect is the opposite of all of this,” says Jan-Peter Schulz, adding: “Our Connect Boxes can be installed and the app activated in a single day, data management is automated and users are spared the need for time-consuming training.” The Connect Boxes in question are compact modules that can be used to integrate loading bridges, gates, industrial trucks or transport trolleys into the system. The operating data they register is transmitted wirelessly (4G LTE) to a central server provided by EXPRESSO, which the user can access at any time via their app. They can view and evaluate the operating status of their systems, devices, vehicles, etc. around the clock. Depending on the configuration of the system, various areas of application can also be covered: Remote monitoring of machines, fill level monitoring of containers, visualisation of special process parameters, real-time analysis of data for condition monitoring as well as limit value monitoring, status queries and consumption measurements. “In all cases, the infrastructure developed by EXPRESSO for our digitalisation solution enables the Connect Boxes to be installed and commissioned quickly,” emphasises Jan-Peter Schulz.

Better processes, less energy

The development and manufacture of innovative equipment and systems for conveying, transport and handling technology has always been one of EXPRESSO’s strengths. As the know-how gained from almost all areas of logistics and intralogistics has been incorporated into the implementation of EXPRESSO Connect, the customer receives a practical system that effectively supports them in optimising their value-adding processes. A European food manufacturer already used the IoT solution in 2023 to digitalise twelve existing systems in various plants. Elsewhere, EXPRESSO Connect has proven its efficiency in the digitalisation of loading processes. “In addition to the benefits of documenting truck security, gate utilisation and truck allocation, our system generated considerable added value by reducing heat losses when loading trucks and swap bodies,” reports Jan-Peter Schulz.