It You Can Touch
A trip to virtual reality in the logistics sector
Closing in on Reality: A Visit to a Storage Facility That Hasn’t Been Built Yet
Instead of developing a plan for new workflows and processes, why not have the ability to see, test and evaluate them virtually? Using Virtual Reality, Arvato Systems invites customers to a digital journey into logistics planning. This is a journey that does come with an added value. With a VR headset, a view of design and warehouse processes is already available in the planning stage, making it possible to step through the processes, testing them for feasibility before they are introduced into real life - In fact, before the storage facility is even built.
For logistics organizations who find themselves in the state of continuous change and need to constantly update their logistics processes and storage facilities to keep up with the changing environment, this offers a higher level of efficiency. The areas for optimization range from restructuring through new planning. It is difficult to identify and evaluate the correct steps to take for complex logistics systems, without the right tools in place. Arvato Systems' innovative Virtual Reality (VR) approach is just such a toolkit.
The Method
Using Virtual Reality Arvato Systems creates realistic models which enable the reviewing of logistics systems in the future. System simulations are used to enable an in-depth evaluation. This is done by accounting for the physical and mechanical properties. Virtual operations are used to test storage management systems to allow the development of a perfect outcome. Modeling, animation, simulation, and emulation all use the same model, which is implemented throughout the project.
- Modeling: At an early phase of the project, proven elements from the standard catalog are used to develop a logistics system model. This is then enhanced and expanded as needed according to the individual customer requirements. The outcome is a realistic 3D view of planning status and a pre-evaluated bill of materials which can be used as a basis for budgeting.
- Animation: After the modeling phase, the animation is used to visualize the workflows. This model creates videos, and this enables the stakeholders to have a better understanding of the processes.
- Simulation: Simulation is used to show the limits of complex material workflows and offers information for correct dimensioning. Complex production and logistics systems are modeled in detail with their control strategies. Simulation experiments generate a mass data which is evaluated, interpreted and prepared for presentation. This helps to improve the profitability of the planned logistics project, and investment decisions can be secured.
- Emulation: The emulation phase serves to test the storage facility management and material flow systems taking into account the communications interfaces, control logic, and response times. In implementation projects for a storage facility and management systems, Arvato Systems uses on-demand emulation as early as possible to enable virtual commissioning of warehouse control as well as all material flow components.
Your Partner throughout the Project
Virtual Reality supports communications in all phases of the project. The ability to examine future logistics systems in a Virtual Reality environment offers the following benefits:
- Stakeholders are involved from an early stage. Therefore, they can contribute their requirements and ideas. Potential weaknesses are uncovered in the planning phase and can be more easily remedied. Because of this, the quality of the overall system will be significantly higher.
- By testing workflows and processes in advance, development and QA times are reduced. Thereby, shortening the project duration.
- The use of Virtual Reality to create digital prototypes allows for virtual assessment and testing of workplace ergonomics.
- Regarding training, Virtual Reality enables faster staff training. Training can be flexible considering location and can even take place before the workplaces have been created. This eliminates the need for lengthy training phases in the real-life workplaces.
