EUROPE: International wagon and tank container leasing group Ermewa has started installing the Amsted Digital Solutions telematics platform across much of its fleet, the two companies announced ahead of the InnoTrans 2018 trade fair in Berlin.

With more than 40 000 assets, Ermewa was looking for comprehensive, end-to-end visibility of its fleet along with advanced software to assist in optimising traffic flows and wagon utilisation. An outline agreement was announced at the Transport Logistik event in May 2017, and work is already underway on an initial deployment of 20 000 telematic systems.

According to Amsted Rail, the Amsted Digital platform builds on more than 100 years’ experience with the manufacturing and maintenance of bogies and other freight wagon components for use in many different countries. A key element in the package is the Rail Supply Chain Visibility software, which has been developed around ITSS standards. This will enable customers to access information on wagon cycle and route analysis, predictive estimated time of arrival metrics, and the WeatherVue application, which provides insights into rail assets that may be impacted by weather-related disruption.

In addition, the telematics system will provide Ermewa with information to support a condition-based maintenance programme, using the rugged onboard gateways and wireless sensors coupled to advanced digital analytics that should help improve repair depot cycle times.

According to Ermewa Group Chief Executive Officer David Zindo, the telematics platform will provide customers with ‘flexible and powerful tools to improve their supply chain’, leading to better customer satisfaction among both vehicle lessors and shippers.

Amsted Digital Solutions Managing Director John Felty said the company was ‘excited to be working closely with Ermewa Group’, adding that the SCV tools and dashboard would ‘provide new insights beyond just general track and trace and incorporate functions of artificial intelligence and machine learning’ to support more informed decision-making.