Hupac is planning to automate its route planning and traffic management processes by using sensor data and analytics provided by Nexiot, a spin-off company from ETH Zurich. The software enables the Swiss intermodal operator to identify and predict weak spots in the supply chain.

Hupac is already using Nexiot’s self-sustaining sensors to provide real-time updates from wagons, which are fitted with the devices. These sensors send messages on information such as location, impact events, border crossings and mileage every five minutes. The rail operator will now fully integrate the software solution into its in-house cargo management systems to predict delays, route out journeys and manage traffic.

Trial

“We began working with Nexiot two years ago when we applied the smart sensors to thousand of our intermodal wagons”, said Aldo Puglisi, responsible for Digitalisation and Business Processes Reengineering at Hupac Intermodal. “When we began to analyse the data generated by the sensors in collaboration with Nexiot, we realised that it could be used to identify and predict weak spots in the supply chain, helping us make more informed planning decisions in an optimal way.”

Following a trial late last year, Puglisi said Hupac is now aiming for a complete integration with Nexiot’s digitalisation solution, which would allow many of the planning processes to be automated, saving valuable time and money. “This is exciting because fewer manual entries imply fewer errors and the information can also be shared with our partners to make the entire supply chain process more transparent and efficient”, he added.