WhereNet Deploys World's Largest Active RFID Real-Time Locating System to Precisely Track 40,000 Vehicles at Broekman Group's Automotive Logistics Terminal at the Port of Rotterdam
SANTA CLARA, California, September 7 --
- WhereNet Partners with Mieloo & Alexander to Provide Vehicle Tracking System that Enables Broekman Group to Improve Throughput, Quality, and Customer Service While Processing 250,000 New Vehicles Annually
WhereNet Corp., the leader of wireless solutions for tracking and managing enterprise assets, announced today that the Broekman Group is deploying the WhereNet(R) active RFID real-time locating system (RTLS) technology at its 750,000+ square-meter automotive logistics terminal at the Port of Rotterdam. Spanning the Rotterdam Car Terminal and Rotterdam Car Center, both part of the Broekman Group's automotive division, the WhereNet wireless tracking system will precisely locate any one of 40,000 vehicles parked in the facility at a given time. To implement this system -- the world's largest active RFID/RTLS installation -- WhereNet is partnering with Mieloo & Alexander, a European consulting firm specializing in optimizing business processes by implementing innovative technology for its clients.
The Broekman Group currently uses time-intensive manual data collection processes to handle more than 250,000 new vehicles each year at its Rotterdam terminal. The company selected the WhereNet system to automate these data collection processes in order to increase throughput and expedite delivery of vehicles to dealerships across Europe while cutting costs, improving quality and customer service, and accommodating growth.
"We view WhereNet as a leapfrog technology that will make a major impact on our ability to increase throughput while reducing costs," said Wim Milder, general manager of information and communication technologies for the Broekman Group. "The most powerful tool for any manager is accurate, real-time information about the location and status of work-in-process inventory. Without any human intervention, the WhereNet system automatically records accurate location data about every vehicle across our expansive facility, allowing us to dramatically reduce our call-for-delivery cycle time and expedite vehicle delivery to dealers to keep up with consumer demand."
When new vehicles arrive at Broekman's Rotterdam Car Terminal, each vehicle is assigned an active RFID WhereTag(TM) transmitter that is "married" to the vehicle identification number (VIN). The WhereTag remains on the vehicle until it has been processed and is ready to ship to one of several hundred European dealerships. The Rotterdam Car Terminal installation also includes 125 WhereLAN(TM) locating access points and 400 WherePort(TM) devices that trigger each WhereTag to emit a signal when entering or leaving a specific zone; this design enables the system to automatically record such information as arrival, dwell, and departure time.
By using the WhereNet vehicle location system, the Broekman Group expects to realize a complete return on investment in less than one year through numerous benefits, including:
- Labor savings resulting from reducing search time from hours to seconds
as the WhereNet system graphically displays the location of every
tagged vehicle at the terminal
- Improved yard utilization and throughput, enabling greater capacity
- Increased damage control, as vehicles can now be identified without
workers having to open doors to read the VIN and are therefore less
likely to incur "dings" during processing
- Better customer service that provides a competitive advantage in the
automotive logistics market and results in higher customer satisfaction
and new business
"In high-volume, high-velocity distribution environments, bar codes and passive RFID can only get you so far. When you are processing about 800 vehicles a day and your customer is demanding delivery of new vehicles to keep up with consumer demand, you can't afford to wait around and 'hope' your workers can fulfill the request," said Matt Armanino, senior vice president of corporate development for WhereNet. "The Broekman Group recognizes that in order to achieve the next level of efficiency gains, it must continue to innovate and automate business processes. Broekman chose WhereNet in recognition of our ability to drive unprecedented productivity improvements through our active RFID-based technology."
"By partnering with WhereNet, we can leverage the strength of our alliance infrastructure and proven best practices, and WhereNet's industry-leading locatable, active RFID solutions," said Joseph Owusu, partner, Mieloo & Alexander. "The Broekman Group deployment in Rotterdam represents the first of many joint customers that will benefit from the combined domain expertise, integration, and best-of-breed technology solutions offered through the strategic alliance of Mieloo & Alexander and WhereNet."
About The Broekman Group
Founded in 1960, the Broekman Group now employs about 625 employees across several companies that are organized in four divisions: shipping (liner agencies, tramp vessel agencies); logistics (forwarding, NVOCC, logistic inland services, physical distribution and warehousing); automotive (logistics services for the automotive industry); and corporate (support HRM, ICT, accounting etc.). Widely recognized for its commitment to excellence in the shipping, logistics, and trade industries, the Broekman Group is headquartered in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, with offices in western and central Europe. For more information, visit the Broekman website at www.broekman-group.nl or call +31-10-4873-911.
About Mieloo & Alexander Business Integrators
Mieloo & Alexander Business Integrators is a consulting firm specializing in technology-enabled business improvement. Based in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, Mieloo & Alexander supports its clients with project & change management and business & technology consulting on projects across Europe. With significant RFID and RTLS experience and through a strong partnership with WhereNet, Mieloo & Alexander assists clients with exploring, assessing and deploying RFID-based RTLS solutions to enhance logistics operations. For more information, visit us at www.mielooandalexander.com or contact Mr. J. Owusu, partner, directly at +31-62-0619-450 or at j.owusu@mielooandalexander.com.
About WhereNet Corp.
WhereNet is the first company to deliver a single wireless location and communication infrastructure that reliably and cost-effectively manages valuable mobile resources and delivers a complete return on investment within 6-12 months. Based on patented, standards-compliant technology resulting from a collective 100+ years of development, the WhereNet real-time solutions enable companies such as BMW, Ford Motor Company, and NYK Logistics to reduce inventory, lower operating costs, and improve operations. The company has received the Henry Ford Technology Award; was recognized for strong ROI by Computerworld; was ranked among the top 10 in the InfoWorld 100; and has been recognized as a wireless innovator by Forrester Research, Computerworld ROI, Frontline Solutions, Plant Engineering, and Supply Chain Systems magazines. Headquartered in Santa Clara, California, with offices throughout the United States and Europe, WhereNet is funded by Crosspoint Venture Partners, Foundation Capital, Bay Partners, Crescendo Ventures, and Sun Microsystems. For more information, visit the WhereNet Web site at www.wherenet.com, or call +1-408-845-8500 (in the U.S.) or +32-3-286-84-50 (in Europe).
NOTE: WhereNet is a registered trademark, and WhereLAN, WherePort, and WhereTag are trademarks of WhereNet Corp. All other brands, products, or service names are or may be trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.
Ross Perich, +1-925-556-5463, or wn@trainercomm.com, for WhereNet Corp.; or Wim Milder of Broekman Group, +31-0-10-487-32-20, or mobile, +31-0-6-511-837-46, or w.milder@broekman-group.nl; or Joseph Owusu of Mieloo & Alexander Business Integrators, +31-0-10-440-11-22, or mobile, +31-0-6-206-194-50, or j.owusu@mielooandalexander.com