Situation Overview

For Deutsche Umschlaggesellschaft Schiene-Straße mbH (DUSS), the modernization and digitalization of all national intermodal terminals is of enormous strategic importance. In this context, the company identified the need for a future-proof Terminal Operating System (TOS) back in 2001. This should result in a long-term increase in efficiency and operational rationalization.

Implementation

To this end, the TOS software BLU (operations control system for transshipment stations) was further developed to version 2.0 together with the experts from Berghof Automation's Process Control and Logistics department. 
Through continuous optimization and expansion, the system has been and continues to be adapted and modernized to meet the changing needs of DUSS.

The use of BLU 2.0 is essential to make the exchange of loading units (LUs) between freight trains and trucks more efficient. To ensure that the LUs are suitable for onward transportation, the employees at the terminal subject the incoming LUs to a detailed inspection. It makes no difference whether they arrive by train or truck. 

This is where BLU 2.0's process optimization comes into play: all activities at the terminal as well as all loading units and trains in the facility are mapped holistically and clearly by the software.
A key function of BLU 2.0 is the predictive planning of loading processes in order to design them efficiently and ultimately handle the loading units. The system can carry out optimized loading planning for a train based on the available booking information for the incoming loading units. The result can be communicated to both terminal staff and truck drivers. If it is not yet possible to load the train, BLU 2.0 determines a suitable position in the depot for interim storage.

Other important developments included the integration of a video gate system and additional interfaces for real-time communication in order to digitize the gate process. These interfaces integrated the handling of trucks, including their pre-registration for the delivery and collection of LUs, as well as check-in. This involves carrying out a visual inspection of trucks before they enter and documenting this via tablet. 

In this step, the logic for the automatic allocation of parking spaces was also extensively expanded together with Deutsche Umschlaggesellschaft Schiene-Straße mbH. This means that trucks are assigned the optimum loading bays for loading and unloading in the terminal without human assistance.

The system flexibility is also reflected in the mobile application, which allows employees on site to enter key data directly into BLU 2.0 – regardless of their location on the terminal site. This increases productivity, as the status of all LU movements can be viewed in real time and manual data transfer from paper forms and printed lists is no longer necessary.

BLU 2.0 can be easily integrated into an existing IT network architecture. No additional hardware is required on site. 
Even in the event of network disruptions, information integrity is maintained thanks to the reliable and comprehensive data management functions. This effectively prevents data loss during communication.

BLU 2.0 also acts as a powerful tool for analyzing relevant data, providing key performance indicators (KPIs). This allows various terminal services to be billed more efficiently. The software centralizes key processes and promotes data transparency. This leads to an optimization of resource allocation and ultimately to a continuous increase in the efficiency of the terminals and the entire system.