Optimize Load Building with OTM 3D Load Configurator for More Efficient Transport Operations

Jan 16, 2024

Oracle | 3 min READ

It is no secret that loading and unloading processes significantly impact transport operations KPIs, including fill rates, delivery times, and cost per delivery. However, load building has always been challenging across the transportation industry.

So far logistics companies have relied on manual approaches to configure loads. However, load configuration depends on numerous factors, including handling constraints, loading sequence, regulations surrounding gross vehicle weight (GVW), and the shape and size of individual items. As a result, manual load configuration is, at best, a suboptimal approach and, at worst, can significantly degrade ground logistics outcomes.

This article uncovers what factors make load configuration challenging and how these challenges can be overcome using 3D Load Configurator in Oracle Transport Management (OTM).

Charchita Mohapatra

Principal Consultant,

Birlasoft

Satyam Gupta

Sr. Lead Consultant,

Birlasoft

Load building challenges

While configuring loads, it is essential to pay attention to several factors. These include delivery sequence, space utilization, GVW, and handling constraints. See how each of these factors impacts load configuration and logistics KPIs:

Delivery sequence: The last item to go in must be the first to come out. Otherwise, significant time is spent in unnecessary loading and unloading when delivering items, which delays deliveries.
Space utilization: Ensuring maximum space utilization is crucial to achieving a low cost per delivery and a high fill rate. However, efficiently configuring irregularly shaped items manually can prove challenging.
Handling constraints: Some items are fragile and prone to damage if kept at a lower level.
Gross vehicle weight: Finally, exceeding gross vehicle weight can lead to fines and other legal risks.

Load configuration is more challenging in some industries

While one can efficiently load regularly shaped pallets and boxes, some objects can prove particularly challenging. For instance, space utilization becomes difficult in industries like cable manufacturing, where reels of various shapes and sizes lead to a high volume of unutilized space.

Large machinery manufacturers also face this challenge, or when truckers carry items with abnormally shaped protruding parts.

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OTM 3D Load Configurator: An intelligent approach to Load building

Oracle Transport Management (OTM) is currently the leading transport management solution (TMS) that drives global supply chain processes. 3D Load Configuration is an OTM module that supports intelligent, 3D truckload configuration plans. It accounts for numerous variables discussed above and devises an optimal load configuration for each truckload.

OTM 3D Load Configurator automatically pulls data from OTM to gain context about each item to be shipped. It enables logistics teams to configure loads based on destination data, shape and size of shipment, and other constraints like orientation preferences. The OTM 3D Load Configurator then uses this data to suggest the most optimal load configuration.

Here are three key outcomes enabled by OTM 3D Load Configurator:

Cargo placement visibility: OTM 3D Load Configurator offers a precise 3D representation of cargo placement from multiple angles. It tells the exact position of each item in the container and provides complete visibility into the loading process.
Improved loading efficiency: Helps ensure that the maximum number of items are loaded in the container, maximizing the number of items transported in a single trip. Moreover, it follows the Last In, First Out (LIFO) approach, which eliminates unnecessary loading and unloading in multi-stop deliveries.
Reduced cargo risks: The OTM 3D load Configurator can be programmed to follow various loading logic rules, like orientation preference of each item, stacking constraints, or limitation of mixing items in the same shipment. This reduces the likelihood of cargo damage and lowers the risk of adverse handling events.

Business benefits of OTM 3D Load Configuration

Logistics teams can expect to achieve the following business benefits by implementing OTM 3D Load Configurator:

Optimal space utilization: While accounting for all parameters and constraints, the OTM 3D Load Configurator ensures maximum utilization of truck container space while shipping items of varying shapes and sizes.
Reduced handling damage: Optimally configured loads do not require unnecessary loading and unloading of items during delivery. Moreover, fragile items can be appropriately loaded to prevent the risk of damage from falls and overloading. This prevents damage to equipment during transit and delivery.
Lower transportation costs: Finally, by ensuring maximum container space utilization, OTM 3D Load Configurator ensures that a maximum number or volume of items can be shipped in one trip. This lowers the cost of transporting each item.

Conclusion

In today’s logistics landscape, no efficiency lever is too small to neglect. Logistics costs are rising, and maintaining profitability requires highly optimal operations. Because transportation plays an essential role, optimizing loading planning can lower transport costs while improving operational efficiency and reducing the risk of equipment damage.

Activate this lever at your logistics organization with the OTM 3D Load Configurator. Connect with Birlasoft logistics professionals to get started now.

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