The challenge: Organizing custom manufacturing orders on the factory premises
The balers and loading wagons are custom-manufactured at the Wolfenbüttel site and then prepared for shipping. Both finished and unfinished machines are parked on the premises and stored until delivery or the next production step.
If individual parts are missing during production, the affected machines are often temporarily parked on the premises.
Time loss due to manual search and lack of transparency
When a specific machine is needed, it must first be found based on its order-related serial number. Since the exact location is unknown and the serial number on the baler is difficult to see, the search is often time-consuming.
Additionally, the re-organization of stored machines is extremely labor-intensive due to frequent maneuvering. Initially, movements on the factory premises had to be manually recorded by employees. A solution was missing that captures locations in real-time and makes the entire logistics process on the premises transparent and efficient.
Smart Asset Tracking with the Real Time Operations Suite
For AGCO, it was clear that this process should be simplified, if possible with technological support. The goal was to optimize logistics processes, automatically update changes in a machine's location, and establish dynamic yard management. The choice fell on the Real-Time-Operations platform thingsHub by SmartMakers in combination with low-power GPS-Trackers.
The Trackers are attached to each baler immediately after production and automatically communicate with the system. This way, the location of each machine is captured in real-time.
The Trackers send the location in real-time during a re-organization on the yard. The platform is accessible on any mobile device. This allows employees to locate the machine for the specific manufacturing order on the map within seconds using a smartphone and the installed Track & Find App.
The result: up to 80% less time spent on transport operations
The introduction of the Asset-Tracking solution by SmartMakers reduces the time required for a transport operation by up to 80 percent. The position of a baler or loading wagon can be pinpointed to within a few meters. Even after a re-organization on the premises, the new locations are immediately retrievable. The platform is extremely easy to use, and the Trackers are also impressive in terms of maintenance: they can be operated for years without battery replacement and without additional maintenance effort.
