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RFID scanners can track empty cargo wagons, increasing efficiency
Articles- Oct 27,23
In this interview with Rakesh Rao, Rajnish Gupta, VP and Head for India and Sub-Continent business, Zebra Technologies Asia Pacific, explains how RFID technology can help in wagon tracking and enhance overall operations.
Indian Railways is implementing wagon tracking project for better visibility and planning their processes more efficient. RFID scanners, which are capable of tracking empty cargo wagons comprehensively, can enhance traceability and help in optimum utilisation of all resources. Helping railways in this process is Zebra Technologies with its intelligent edge products, which are best suited to create the visibility across the supply chain. In this interview with Rakesh Rao, Rajnish Gupta, Vice President and Head for India and Sub-Continent business, Zebra Technologies Asia Pacific, explains how RFID technology can help in better planning for loading and unloading goods, and enhance overall operations.
With the Indian government investing to build dedicated railway freight corridors, what kinds of business opportunities is it creating for Zebra?
The Indian government's investments in dedicated railway freight corridors presents several significant business opportunities for us and the ecosystem overall. As these corridors become pivotal to India's logistics network, it will require tailored solutions that cater to the varied needs of businesses. For example, DFCCIL (Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Ltd) has been given a mandate to construct, maintain and operate dedicated rail freight corridors across the country. To make this initiative a success, it will require adoption of advanced technologies such as RFID and other automation solutions that will help in fast tracking overall operations.
Enablement of track-and-trace of the goods/ material will be the key to the success of the project. The project not only involves transit of goods but also all critical elements of supply from goods collection to goods delivery. Zebra’s intelligent edge products are best suited to help create the visibility across the supply chain.
This presents a great opportunity for us as we have been constantly supporting ecosystem players in the supply-chain, logistics industry with our portfolio of customised solutions to address their specific needs. These include RFID technology, rugged handheld mobile computers, rugged scanners, mobile barcodes, thermal printers, mobile barcode labels, wearable computers, and even advanced communication tools. These solutions are meant to provide greater visibility throughout the supply chain so that critical business decisions can be made swiftly and decisively.
What are the key challenges before logistics service providers (who are using railways for transport)? How are next-generation technologies helping logistics service to overcome some these challenges?
LSPs face numerous challenges, notably with tracking goods within railways from handover to collection amidst issues like visibility and workforce shortages. To mitigate this challenge, they can implement end-to-end rail visibility solution that provides real-time visibility into the location and status of rail shipments. By doing so, shippers can better manage operations and ensure timely delivery, which directly impacts customer satisfaction.
Starting from the finance minister’s announcement during the Union Budget 2022 to expand logistics, multi-modal connectivity, to the announcement of 100 PM Gati Shakti cargo terminals in the next three years, these efforts will surely help improve efficiencies in the sector.
Along with the efforts by the Indian government, investments in the right digital technologies like RFID, barcodes, workflow automation, and traceability solutions will help considerably bring down the overall logistics cost and elevate operations at the same time. This will lay the right roadmap towards gaining India’s ranking to 25th by 2030 in the World Bank's Logistics Performance Index (LPI).
How critical is wagon tracking technology for dedicated freight corridors? How does this technology increase logistics efficiency?
Wagon tracking has been an important project being implemented by railways. This data will help not only railways but all service providers who use railways as a prime mode of goods transit. With better visibility, they can plan their processes more efficiently.
After the successful roll out of the current project, Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs) will follow suit. DFCs have the potential to significantly reduce transit times by dedicating specific tracks for freight transport, thereby improving efficiency and increasing the speed of cargo transportation. They achieve this by dedicating specific tracks for freight transport, thereby improving efficiency and increasing the speed of cargo transportation. Additionally, DFCs contribute to better cargo traceability, which is currently a significant requirement for organisations. This enhanced traceability enables better planning for loading and unloading goods, ultimately leading to improved efficiency.
To enhance traceability further, RFID scanners can be strategically placed along the route, approximately every 200-500 kilometres. These RFID scanners are capable of tracking empty cargo wagons comprehensively, ensuring that all resources are properly accounted for and utilised. RFID technology is effective even at high speeds, making it a valuable tool for both organisations and the government to promote safety and sustainability.
How is Zebra serving the Indian logistics sector?
Zebra Technologies is transforming India's logistics sector with its cutting-edge technology solutions gained from over 40 years of innovation, fostering efficiency and productivity enhancements. These solutions encompass real-time tracking and visibility technologies such as RFID and barcode scanning, which assist logistics companies in optimising their operations, reducing errors, and improving inventory management. The tools facilitate digitalization, ensuring that businesses can adapt at their own pace while simultaneously boosting cost and time efficiency while minimizing errors.
Zebra also offers tools for warehouse management, route optimisation, asset tracking, and cold chain management, addressing the unique challenges faced by logistics companies operating in India's diverse and complex transportation landscape. Their mobile devices and applications empower the mobile workforce, ensuring real-time access to essential information. Additionally, Zebra's compliance and traceability solutions help logistics companies adhere to regulatory requirements. Zebra’s commitment to innovation is further evident through its substantial investment in a new 250,000 sq. ft. R&D center in India, strengthening its global enterprise software solutions.
What are your plans to further tap the railway freight segment?
Zebra is ready to tap on any potential opportunities arising from the expansion of railway freight corridors, by leveraging its expertise in providing series of inventory management solutions, automation technology, and other customization to meet the specific needs of businesses operating within the ecosystem.
But the most crucial of all would be the wagon tracking system. Deployment of RFID integrated real-time monitoring devices will enable better time and resource management, resulting in improved efficiency, reduced costs, and enhanced customer satisfaction. By tracking the wagons with RFID technologies, organisations can monitor the movement of goods, identify bottlenecks or delays, and take proactive measures to optimise routes and schedules.
Railway wagon
wagon tracking
Indian Railways
Rajnish Gupta
Zebra Technologies
RFID Scanners
RFID technology
Dedicated Freight Corridors
Gati Shakti cargo terminals
railway freight corridors
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