VR Case V1.6(standards)

GS1 / EPC Global Standards used:
- UHF Gen2 tags on all assets
- Unique GS1 GIAI numbers to identify each wagon
- All readers controlled using EPC Global LLRP interface
VR Transpoint - Rail Asset Management
BEN EF I TS
BEN EF IT S
VR Group offers travel, logistics and infrastructure engineering services. VR Transpoint is Finland's leading
transports & logistics service company with net sales €580.6 M in 2010 and 2600 employees. It operates
in 10 European countries including Russia. VR Transpoint offers a wide range of high-quality and up-todate rail, groupage, bulk goods and international transports & logistics services.
In order to maintain its competitive advantage and achieve its growth targets, VR Transpoint faces a complex set of economic
and operational challenges - for example, competitive freight pricing, maximizing asset utilization, as well as, controlling
capital expenditure levels. Hence, better automation of its logistics processes using RFID technology was seen as an opportunity to help improve revenue growth and operational efficiency.
The RFID system needed to be accurate, resistant, reliable and cost efficient. Vilant conducted surveys in different sites of VR
Group to identify how Vilant’s RFID solution for rail would be best implemented. Then, Vilant’s solution went through an
extensive testing program with selected hardware and Vilant’s soware. Vilant worked with VR Transpoint’s personnel to
assure that the new system would work seamlessly in all identified applications. The system includes a set of integrated
hardware and soware:
Ironside™, patent pending Gen2 UHF tags from Confidex were used. They give some of the best results on-metal.
Additionally, they provide low-cost passive RFID in a small sized tag and are very durable (IP68). Over 10 000 wagons
and locomotives are tagged with Confidex Ironside.
300 handheld readers by Psion, Workabout PRO, are used by VR Transpoint staff to read and transfer the wagon RFID
information to the backend. This is made available with user-friendly client soware provided by Vilant. In addition, the
GPRS based reader acts as a computer for exchanging tasks and other information from the back office to the field
workers. Workabout PRO is a tough device that can withstand multiple drops from six feet to concrete and is IP65.
Vilant Railroad Reader Units are built for specific needs of the rail industry. These fixed readers are capable of reading
RFID tagged wagons on the move from several meters and giving real time information such as list of train wagons
passing, their speed, direction and orientation.
All the information from the readers is Centrally Managed and transferred to VR Transpoint’s backend system via Vilant’s
Device Manager and Asset Tracking soware.
www.vilant.com
[email protected]
C ASE STUDY
TH E S O L U T I ON
1. More efficient asset pool management
The identification of all wagons and locomotives with
RFID gives a complete and up-to-date inventory at all
times. According to Mikko Särkkä, Head of IT Logistics
at VR Transpoint, “Real-time monitoring and traceability of location and movement saves time and
simplifies asset pool management, particularly in the
rail yards.” The information exchange from the readers
(handheld or fixed) to VR Transpoint’s computer
systems is made automatically and therefore, the
potential for errors from manual work is reduced.
2. Increased availability & productivity
More efficient asset pool administration can increase
the utilization of wagons. As a result, also increase
customer service performance.
3. Reduced operational costs
Previously, ground control and the control group
passed on information about current work tasks and
the tasks performed in fax receipts and a telephone.
Now, there is an automated communication system. In
addition, work instructions are also digitally delivered
through the handheld devices for optimal timing.
"Manual labor data processing is reduced, thereby
reducing errors. Information can be passed quickly, and
it can be transferred directly to the customers, " says
VR Transpoint Head of IT, Mikko Särkkä.
4. Added value business applications
For VR Transpoint this is however just the start as the
new logistics system gives rise for several additional
beneficial applications. Some of these applications
include tracking of assets; integration with weighing of
wagons; defect marking and tracking; as well as,
several cargo customer services leading to a new level
of services to VR Transpoint customers. VR Transpoint
is already launching a few pilot projects where RFID
system helps deliver information directly to its end
customers’ information systems in real time.