SAP Implementation for Large European Port.
The Zircoo team implemented scenarios for effective planning of berths and resources in the port based on SAP YL.
SAP Implementation for Large European Port.
CUSTOMER:
A large European port.
CHALLENGE:
The customer aimed to enhance various processes to achieve efficient management of the increasing number of port units. Key challenges included load planning of berths and routes, as well as load planning of human resources.
SOLUTION:
The Zircoo team addressed the customer’s needs by customizing a standard SAP Yard Logistics solution. This customization involved adding new functionality to the existing system, specifically tailored to solve the required tasks. By leveraging this customized solution, the customer gained improved capabilities for load planning and resource management, enhancing operational efficiency and productivity within the port environment.
Project Objectives:
The expansion of port units, resources, and capacity necessitated addressing several key questions:
1. Effective Resource Management:
– Ensure equitable distribution of work among port employees and prevent vessel shutdowns.
2. Enhancement of Arrival and Departure Scheduling:
– Improve the scheduling of transport arrivals and departures to optimize port operations.
3. Development of Berth Space Booking System:
– Establish a system for booking berth spaces to facilitate rapid loading and unloading of vehicles from vessels.
The existing IT solution at our customer’s large European port did not fully meet these requirements. Our objective was to enhance the standard SAP Yard Logistics product by incorporating new functionality to:
– Enhance load planning for berths and routes
– Optimize vessel placement based on departure/arrival times and berth sizes
– Facilitate berth booking
– Minimize risks of abnormal situations, such as lack of space or resources for loading/unloading
– Improve human resource load planning
– Automate data input processes
– Expedite loading and unloading operations
– Schedule tasks efficiently for specific time periods
The solution implemented by the Zircoo team in the customer’s business processes is the Planning and Control Center Tool, designed to optimize resource planning and enhance overall port operations efficiency.
Solution Description:
Berth Planning:
– Creation of requests in SAP YL systems for vessel placement in the port.
– Allocation of berth space for vehicle loading and unloading.
– Automatic generation of optimal paths for vessels to reach the parking area.
– Route planning facilitated through MRS dashboards.
– Real-time reporting integrated into the internal system for enhanced visibility.
Human Resources Planning:
– Optimal distribution of work among employees based on available teams, team size, and qualifications.
– Reduction of manual data entry activities.
– Integration with a berth scheduler for streamlined operations.
– Time-saving visualization of reporting data, improving efficiency and decision-making processes.
Zircoo Contribution:
Our team made significant enhancements to the standard SAP Yard Logistics (YL) solution, including:
1. Addition of Berth Position Option:
– Improved functionality by integrating the option to select berth positions within SAP YL, enhancing flexibility and efficiency in yard management.
2. Development of Yard Schedule App:
– Created the Yard Schedule application from scratch, providing users with a comprehensive tool for managing yard schedules and optimizing resource allocation.
3. Integration of Planning Groups:
– Added Planning Groups functionality to SAP YL, enabling more efficient planning and organization of yard logistics activities.
4. UI Enhancements:
– Advanced existing user interface components and developed new ones to enhance user experience and streamline navigation within the SAP YL system.
5. Batch Processing Reports:
– Developed reports for batch processing, allowing users to efficiently manage and analyze large volumes of data within the SAP YL environment.
6. Data Entry Services:
– Developed data entry services to facilitate seamless data input and management within SAP YL, improving accuracy and efficiency in yard operations.
7. Integration with CAR Center:
– Integrated CAR Center, a third-party system, with SAP Yard Logistics to enhance coordination and synchronization between different operational systems.
8. Integration with MRS and Solver:
– Integrated SAP Yard Logistics with MRS (Multiresource Scheduling) and Solver, a third-party application for time management and resource allocation. This integration improved visualization of planning results and enhanced decision-making capabilities in yard logistics management.
Technology Stack
- SAP YARD LOGISTICS
- WEB SERVICES FOR INTEGRATION WITH CAR CENTER
- IMDB FOR PLANNING
- HANA DB
- SQL DATABASE
Results and Benefits:
As a result of developing and implementing a tool for planning berths and resources, our customer achieved the following outcomes:
1. Reduced Loading and Unloading Time:
– Loading and unloading times for vehicles from vessels were significantly reduced. This was achieved by strategically positioning loading and unloading areas as close as possible to their respective parking places, optimizing efficiency in the logistics operations.
2. Optimal Planning of Human Resources:
– The implemented solution facilitated optimal planning of human resources. Workloads among employees were evenly distributed, and the solution prevented resource downtime, ensuring continuous and efficient operations.
3. Elimination of Vessel Shutdown:
– The customer successfully eliminated vessel shutdowns in the port, minimizing disruptions and ensuring smooth operations. This was achieved through effective planning and coordination enabled by the implemented solution, leading to improved overall efficiency and productivity in port activities.
