Optimized capacity planning: How AI maximizes efficiency in logistics
In today’s logistic landscape, it is a challenge to make optimal use of the available load space. Many companies struggle with inefficient utilization of shipments or shipping containers, which leads to higher transportation costs and unnecessary CO₂ emissions. The complete and efficient use of transport capacities is in focus to reduce costs and minimize the ecological footprint. The S2data Platform software, S2data offers an innovative solution for precisely calculating and optimizing capacity utilization but how exactly does it work?
The problem: Incomplete utilization and inefficiency in logistics
In transport planning, a large part of the load space often remains unused – on average, only about 68% of a truck is used to capacity, which leaves the remaining 32% of the available space unused. The reasons for this often lie in the lack of transparency throughout the entire supply chain. The lack of coordination between material planners, production planners, warehouse managers and transport planners play a big role in this as each prefers to pursue individual goals which leads to inefficient loading plans.
Challenge: How can material planners improve truck utilization through their decisions on inventory and demand planning, thus bringing logistics back to the foreground? S2data has recognized this challenge of today’s logistics and has developed a solution that not only ensures efficient utilization of transport capacity and increased visibility along the supply chain, but also contributes to the complete automation of the planning process.
S2data’s approach: holistic loading space planning and optimization
The S2data platform uses innovative algorithms to make the use of loading space as efficient as possible. All relevant factors are taken into account:
- Loaded meters, volume, mass, stackability and axle loads: Utilization is calculated taking these parameters into account to ensure that every centimeter of available space is used without exceeding legal requirements such as axle loads.
- Detailed 3D loading plans: Our software generates 3D loading plans that make it possible to find the optimal position for each loading unit. This includes both regular and special loading units such as lattice boxes or pipes.
- Optimized loading planning: The algorithm adjusts the loading from pallets to sea freight containers. The stackability of goods and individual restrictions such as weight and axle loads are precisely considered to ensure optimal distribution.
- Predictive planning: S2data enables automated, forward-looking planning over several days. This not only reduces the number of trucks required, but also ensures that loads are consolidated or split to maximize efficiency.
- Integration in material and warehouse planning: The optimization is based on data from the warehouse and material planning. This enables efficient and complete loading of shipments and promotes seamless connection between the various departments.
- Focus on TCO (Total Cost of Ownership): The software always strives for the optimal balance between cost savings and capital lockup. Overall economic efficiency is considered so that the best balance between minimizing costs and efficient capital use is achieved.
View of the axle load in the S2data platform
Integration and innovation: The technology behind the S2data platform
The S2data software goes beyond mere load space optimization but offers a novel holistic planning approach. It can be seamlessly integrated into existing systems. The platform can be easily connected to existing ERP or TMS systems via an API interface, enabling real-time data transfer and processing.
Combination with other supply chain challenges: Unlike many load optimization-only systems, S2data combines load space optimization with other aspects of transportation planning, such as route and tariff optimization, as well as inventory planning. This creates a holistic solution that enables companies to tap into global optimization potential.
Comparison of transports without and with optimization by the S2data platform
A look at how it works in practice: fewer trips, more efficiency
A real-life example shows how S2data significantly reduces the number of necessary trips. In this milk run, optimization reduced 42 trucks to 33 – a saving of almost 25%. This increase in efficiency goes hand in hand with a reduction in CO₂ emissions and lower transport costs. At the same time, the automation of processes helps to prevent the shortage of skilled workers.
Practical insight: Comparison of transport planning with and without optimization by the S2data platform
What makes it different from other systems?
Many solutions rely on forward planning but neglect the efficient use of loading space. Without 3D loading planning, valuable storage space often remains unused, which leads to higher costs and more CO₂ emissions. S2data goes a step further by combining forward planning and optimized loading space utilization – every centimeter is used leading to fewer trips, lower costs, and more sustainable logistics.
The bottom line: Greater efficiency, fewer emissions
With S2data, by combining automated, predictive planning and precise algorithms, the entire process from loading to delivery is made more efficient offering companies a powerful solution for optimizing their entire transport planning. The result: fewer trips, reduced costs and more sustainable transport.