Workshop Review: Innovation Lab Transport Management

No Data, No Party!

Yesterday, I had the exciting opportunity to participate in the AEB getConnected event and contribute to the TMS workshop. As a digital enthusiast, the opening keynote brought a smile to my face. Johannes Klingebiel answered the question, "What is a hype, and how do I recognize it?" Naturally, his talk focused on AI, blockchain, and other emerging technologies. His zine titled "Guide to Hype" is also worth a read in this context.

From Keynote to Workshop

The task in the workshop was to develop solution approaches for TMS and create a prototype for a control tower. This tower would serve as a central hub for organizing and managing transport processes. The phrase "No Data, No Party" emphasizes the need to improve access to relevant data to make transport management effective. A well-functioning control tower allows companies to integrate all data streams and receive real-time information on transport status, route planning, freight costs, and other details and parameters. Problems and bottlenecks become transparent, enabling us to intervene. Only with this information can we kick off the party of optimal transport management and ensure that all guests enjoy it.

My Pitch

In a brief pitch, I outlined a possible IT architecture. My suggestion was a decentralized service-oriented architecture (SOA). The idea behind this is to create the necessary data transparency that TMS and other departments, such as procurement, sales, warehouse management, and foreign trade, require.

Focus on Methods and Interaction

"Everyone kind of knew what a control tower for logistics processes is, but how to approach it?" This question occupied the 14 of us participants. We ultimately chose two methods:

• Troika for getting to know each other and working out the problem, and 
• Design Studio for visualizing the task and ultimately solving the problem. 
  

My Conclusion

It was inspiring to hear and learn from the experiences and strategies of logistics practitioners. The insights and exchanges with professionals from various companies broadened my horizons and helped me develop new perspectives. Regarding the much-needed data foundation for a control tower: No Data, No Party!

Takeaway

Inspiring conversations, new connections, and a self-printed pencil case.