How can freight forwarding companies use artificial intelligence easily?
Omnistics from Fraunhofer IML provides an accessible entry point to AI applications. The platform integrates data from internal and external sources through open interfaces and provides apps for capacity planning, arrival predictions, knowledge management, and freight rate analysis.
Fraunhofer IML presents the future of logistics with the Omnistics platform, which was developed specifically for freight forwarding companies without extensive IT infrastructure. Omnistics offers AI as a Service (AIaaS) and significantly lowers the barrier to using artificial intelligence (AI). This makes it possible to design logistics processes more effectively and efficiently without making high initial investments.
The Omnistics platform provides barrier-free access to artificial intelligence and integrates various data sources, including internal systems such as TMS, WMS, ERP, and CRM, through open, documented interfaces. Partner data sources from suppliers and customers, as well as public data sources such as traffic data and weather information, can also be integrated.
This comprehensive data foundation makes it possible to host the platform entirely on the company’s own hardware, providing maximum flexibility and control over data and applications.
Capcast provides a comprehensive capacity planning solution with advanced forecasting technology and an assistance function for planning measures. Capcast’s AI model is trained on historical business data and external factors such as market indicators and seasonal fluctuations.
This enables Capcast to manage fleet and personnel capacity with precision. Accurate forecasts up to six months in advance help avoid bottlenecks and excess capacity, resulting in significant cost reductions and improved service quality. The application has already been proven in practice and improves planning processes and strategic decisions.
Pretime takes multimodal arrival predictions to a new level. Developed as part of the Silicon Economy, this app uses innovative AI methods to accurately assess the effects of delays or early arrivals.
The AI model is trained on a wide range of data, including digital road, waterway, and rail networks; traffic data such as schedules and congestion data; and route plans. Pretime improves supply chain coordination, minimizes delays, and increases customer satisfaction. Its precise predictions help improve the punctuality and reliability of deliveries, which has a direct positive impact on business relationships.
LoOmni-Chat is an advanced chat and voice assistant that provides company-specific logistics expertise and up-to-date performance information. The app combines different AI models and uses company-specific data sources such as TMS, WMS, ERP, and CRM. LoOmni-Chat helps reduce the concentration of knowledge in the minds of individual employees by storing company knowledge securely so that it is no longer held only by specific individuals.
This is particularly useful for training new employees and ensuring a consistent level of knowledge throughout the company. LoOmni-Chat also makes processes transparent and significantly improves internal communication and decision-making by providing intuitive assistance systems and solutions for operational issues in day-to-day business.
Frostimate revolutionizes strategic and tactical cost estimates for freight rates. The app was trained on extensive freight rate data from internal and external sources, as well as freight exchange data. Frostimate determines precise freight rates based on the route, meaning the transport’s origin and destination; the mode of transport; the type of cargo, such as containers, silos, or refrigerated transport; the transport volume; and the date or lead time.
When operated independently, Frostimate uses only the company’s own data, ensuring that the calculated freight rate is particularly well suited to the company’s specific circumstances. Frostimate provides a reliable basis for purchasing freight services, makes it possible to assess whether freight offers are in line with the market, and optimizes pricing, thereby strengthening the company’s negotiating position.
Integrating AI into logistics is essential because it enables companies to significantly increase efficiency and competitiveness. Automating and optimizing planning and decision-making processes through AI-based solutions such as Omnistics offers numerous advantages. The precise predictions provided by Capcast and Pretime help use resources more efficiently and improve delivery punctuality. LoOmni-Chat supports knowledge distribution and transparency within the company, while Frostimate calculates freight rates precisely and increases competitiveness.
Omnistics is under continuous development, and freight forwarders are now being sought to serve as testers and help improve the platform. Testers’ needs and requirements can be integrated easily, and their feedback is invaluable.
Omnistics and its associated apps are to be continuously expanded. This development relies on input from freight forwarders. Their experience and suggestions help adapt the platform even more closely to the real requirements of the logistics industry. Participating in this exciting development provides an opportunity to actively shape the future of logistics.
The current AI Regulation was carefully considered during the development of Omnistics, ensuring that all solutions comply with legal requirements. This provides assurance that using the platform is not only innovative and efficient, but also compliant with applicable regulations.
Omnistics provides a platform for intelligent, efficient, and future-oriented logistics. Contact information is available for those interested in participating as testers and experiencing the logistics of tomorrow.
Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics IML