Smart City: High Performance Computing and Logistics

Logistics is becoming increasingly digital. While the industry still relies on the physical transportation and management of goods, cutting-edge technology is pushing these age-old processes into the digital age.

For example, AI computing systems are used to plan routes and decide on the optimal way to take consignments from A to B. Meanwhile, edge computing technology captures data close to the source and processes this immediately, leading to swift and agile data insight and understanding.

Underpinning all this is high performance computing architecture. With so much data, ultra-high-performance components are needed to make sense of everything and to transform this information into something that can be applied in the field.

But what is all this in aid of? Read on to learn more about potential applications of high-performance computing in logistics and to discover some of the Avalue products that are supporting these applications.

As businesses target higher levels of efficiency, better cost-effectiveness, and (most importantly) enhanced safety, they are increasingly turning to IoT solutions to manage complex logistics environments.

IoT sensors and devices can be used to monitor everything from inventory levels and location to environmental conditions to provide a comprehensive real-time view of operations. To complement the IoT setup, high-performance computing is essential to process the massive amount of data generated. This enables swift and agile data insights that can be used to optimize workflows and prevent potential issues before they occur.

For example, a rugged fanless vehicle telematics system like the VMS-CFS-PSE or the EMS-TGL-PSE can track the location of valuable assets or freight in transit, ensuring their security and providing a complete picture of the in-vehicle environment. This proactive monitoring improves safety, reduces the risk of loss, and ensures everyone is on the same page. Similarly, an edge AI system (like the AIB-NW01) is required to process this data at the source, which allows for immediate insights and decision-making.

Logistics has long relied on physical documentation like manifests and packing slips to track goods and communicate information. But in the digital age, companies need smarter solutions that connect operators to the broader network.

Avalue's ePaper solutions can be integrated into the supply chain to provide dynamic information in real-time. ePaper displays can be used for digital manifests on vehicles, inventory lists on pallets, or interactive information boards in warehouses. These displays are highly readable in various lighting conditions and consume minimal energy, making them ideal for the challenging environments of logistics.

A semi-rugged tablet like the CAXA0 can also be carried by personnel to give them up-to-date information on order statuses and stock levels. And by replacing static labels with dynamic ePaper, the entire network stays connected, ensuring everyone is on the same page with no latency or delay.

Modern logistics involves vast and often complex supply chains, bringing together warehouses, transportation vehicles, and shipping hubs to connect locations right across the globe. Port facilities are a large logistical hub in action, and digital technology has a big role to play in their management.

AI computing systems and IoT computing systems are used to optimize the way in which items are stored and orders are managed, helping to handle the thousands of consignments that may pass through a port each day.

For instance, tablet devices are vital for handheld management of items stored and handled by the facility. Personnel on the ground can use these devices to connect with remote points elsewhere within the network, updating systems instantly so everyone is working with the same information.

For this workforce, a semi-rugged tablet like the CAXA0 is vital, while central control can be executed using rugged multi-touch monitors from the ARC family (e.g. the ARC-1500, ARC-1509, and ARC-1209 featuring IET expansion for added functionality).

AI computing systems and IoT computing systems are also used to optimize the way in which items are stored and orders are managed. Thousands of consignments may pass through a port facility each and every day, and it is important to manage these consignments in a way that supports maximum efficiency. AI and IoT computing can help with this. A rugged fanless embedded system can help with this task by processing all the data from the various sensors and monitors.

Last but certainly not least, IoT and AI computing can also help devise maintenance schedules to keep the entire port operating as it should. All in all, digital technology has a huge role to play in the micro- and macro-management of port facilities on an ongoing basis.

Logistics networks are complex, and you need the right solutions to get the best out of these networks. In an increasingly digitized age, technology is your friend — cutting-edge hardware and software combine to bring you the next step in the evolution of the logistics industry and the development of the smart city.

Here at Avalue, we offer the ideal components to make this happen.

To discover more, browse our product pages today and find what you need, or reach out to our team for support and assistance.