Knowing what is important

© University of Stuttgart IFF / Fraunhofer IPA, Photo: Rainer Bez

Employees from material provisioning need a lot of time for non-value-adding activities. They read orders, search for material, and cover long distances. Currently, Fraunhofer IPA is working on an app that provides them with the right information at the right time and place. Now, the researchers are looking for companies to further develop "Info@Need". They will present the innovation at a forum on March 15th at LogiMAT in Stuttgart.

The service "Info@Need" supplies employees from material provisioning with tailored information.

In material provisioning, communication often still takes place in paper form. Employees read on delivery notes which parts they need to bring to which machine. "Often, they cover long distances between orders. It is not uncommon for them to only realize in the warehouse that the required material is not available or that no transport trolley is free at the moment. Overall, this costs the company a lot of time and money," reports IPA scientist Silke Hartleif.

Attributes determine information needs

Info@Need provides employees from material provisioning with the necessary information tailored to their needs. For this, the IPA researchers have defined various attributes that decide which data are important. "These include location, time, and the quality of the information," Hartleif explains. For the "Time" attribute, the employee marks an order as completed. The system then knows that they are available again and can accept a new order. The "Location" attribute is calculated using iBeacon transmission modules, which are installed throughout the production area. Once both values are determined, Info@Need compares location and time and sends the employee a follow-up order via an app in the nearest vicinity. They no longer need to draw a new route sheet, filter information, or travel unnecessary distances.

The "Quality" attribute ensures that the information is displayed in the correct format. For example, the app presents all relevant data such as material quantity, delivery address, or container shape clearly and consolidated. The service also checks whether the necessary operational resources like forklifts or transport trolleys are nearby and available. Another advantage is that the application is cost-effective. The iBeacons cost about 35 euros each, and a smartphone or tablet costs roughly between 150 and 300 euros. However, Info@Need can only be used if the appropriate IT infrastructure is in place. "If a company is not yet ready, we are happy to help implement a solution," confirms Hartleif.

Seeking application partners

The IPA researchers have already implemented Info@Need as a demonstrator. Now, they are looking for companies that want to further develop the service in joint projects. "Especially for the 'Quality' attribute, we still need specifications. The partners must reflect back to us which information they are still missing," Hartleif explains. The application is suitable for all companies that cover long distances in material provisioning. The development is scheduled to be completed by June 2018. The IPA researchers will present Info@Need on March 15th at 11:00 AM at the forum "Digital Tools for Logistics" at LogiMAT.

Profile
What: Forum "Digital Tools for Logistics – How Industry 4.0 Technologies and Concepts Will Change Logistics"
When: March 15, 2018, 10:00–11:30 AM
Where: Trade fair LogiMAT in Stuttgart
Program
• 10:00–10:30 AM
Mixed Reality Tools in Factory Planning and Logistics,
Michael Lickefett, Head of Factory Planning and Production Management, Fraunhofer IPA, Stuttgart
• 10:30–11:00 AM
Holistic Automation of Logistics with "Automation Assessment"
Matthias Dillmann, Group Leader, Fraunhofer IPA, Stuttgart
• 11:00–11:30 AM
Flexible Material Provisioning with the Tool "Info@Need"
Silke Hartleif, Project Manager, Fraunhofer IPA, Stuttgart