Digia provides Assistor with major, comprehensive system for real-time vehicle logistics management

Digia Plc Press release 3.4.2008

Digia has provided Assistor with a major, operational, comprehensive system including ERP, forwarding, vehicle taxation, a web portal for car dealers, mobile hand-held terminal functionality in the field and in warehouses, and integration between the applications and different parties in the network. Digia Enterprise, an RFID-compatible ERP system, lies at the core of the solution.

For the reliable identification of vehicles, the system uses RFID technology. After being unloaded from a ship, the vehicles are fitted with RFID identifiers before being moved to a specified location in the storage area. Thus, vehicles to be moved for further processing can be found swiftly and surely, using the RFID hand-held terminal. During warehousing and production, actions carried out on the vehicle can also be reported using the hand-held terminal.

“Since our fast-growing operations required broader functionality, greater scalability and better support for our processes from the system, we needed to renew our operative system. The maximal use of the real-time data arising from our processes represents a competitive advantage to us. Furthermore, the management of large vehicle warehouses and locating the right vehicle presented a major challenge. When Digia suggested the new option of RFID technology as part of the solution we decided to investigate this in more detail. Having concluded that the technology was sound, taking the decision to move on from the 10-year old barcode and Dolphin hardware-based technology was easy," explains a satisfied Tom Suvanto, Deputy Managing Director of Assistor.

Measured by the number of RFID readers and reusable UHF Gen2 identifiers, the project is Finland’s largest RFID implementation in production. The system is a genuinely integrated and process-supporting entity, and is also one of Europe's largest RFID hand-held terminal implementations. It is also a trailblazer in vehicle logistics based on its use of cost-effective, passive RFID technology. NordicID hand-held terminals were used.

“Concepting and a technical compatibility analysis formed the basis of a solution model involving the use of RFID technology. In terms of the system as a whole and our operational processes, RFID functions as a major enabling technology, playing a significatn role in Assistor's everyday activities," confirms Petri Anttila, Director, Digia.

Further details:
Tom Suvanto, Deputy Managing Director, Oy Assistor Ab,
Tel. +358 (0)10 569 2960, email: tom.suvanto@assistor.fi

Petri Anttila, Director, Digia Plc,
Tel. +358 (0)50 5600236, e-mail: petri.anttila@digia.com

Assistor in brief
Assistor is a complete logistics centre for vehicles and spare parts, through which vehicles are delivered to Finland, the Baltic countries and Russia. This year it will deliver 370,000 vehicles. Its services include: sea transportation, storage and inspection, PDI, installation of extras, customs clearance, taxation, pre-registration, vehicle invoicing, transportation to Finland / Russia / Baltic Rim, forwarding, and vehicle information via the web. Today, Assistor has vehicle terminals in Hanko and Paldiski and spare parts terminals in Espoo, Helsinki and Vantaa. Assistor’s services are based on package deals according to the customer's wishes. The company has over 400 employees. Further information: www.assistor.fi

Digia in brief
Digia delivers information and communication technology solutions worldwide. Our strengths in smart mobile devices and real-time information systems enable a mobile life. Digia has strong competencies in IT projects carried out in the industry field and the value chain of trade. Our deep understanding of business areas provides the best possible basis for cooperation resulting in a solution that supports the processes of the client, and which is user-friendly and of high-quality technology-wise. Our business area solutions cover operative ERP systems, comprehensive solutions for electronic business operations, wireless and integration solutions as well as the consulting, outsourcing and maintenance services related to them.
Further information: www.digia.fi