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FIS-iLog Helps Companies Collaborate Better to Effectively Plan and Track Reusable Container Movement Returnable transport packaging (RTP) helps control costs across industries. But companies have traditionally had their own systems for tracking containers - making it a largely manual, costly, and inefficient process. This is why FIS-ilog created the RetPlat platform. Built on the SAP HANA business data platform, iRetPlat enables real-time sharing of RTP data, enables better coordination of shipments and exchanges, and simplifies RTP-related transactions for all companies involved. PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS Project Name FIS-iLog integrated Logistics Platform GmbH Products and Services Collaborative platform to streamline and coordinate the management of returnable transport packaging (RTP) containers across companies. Business goals Reshape the way reusable containers are managed, using advanced technology Digital innovations Mobile and cloud technologies Why SAP Development tools for and high performance of the SAP HANA business data platform; SAP's reputation in the market; ease of integrating heterogeneous systems Outcome of RTP Connected an ecosystem of logistics partners to create greater efficiency, transparency, and speed in the management SAP Solutions SAP HANA, SAP NetWeaver technology platform, and SAP Fiori user experience Returnable Packaging: Disparate Systems Limit Value The shipping of goods is a fundamental part of business across industries, and the costs of the packaging used to carry products can add up quickly. With that in mind, companies in several European countries have embraced returnable transport packaging (RTP) using standardized, reusable containers such as pallets, lattice boxes, and plastic boxes. On any given day, there are some 4 billion such RTP items in circulation in Europe. Using RTP can bring significant potential savings. But those savings are eroded by inefficient tracking of those containers. In general, various logistics companies use different ERP and transportation management applications, and there are few standards in place across systems. This disparate IT landscape makes it difficult to connect systems and share RTP information between companies. As a result, the RTP process often relies on paper files, spreadsheets, telephone calls, faxes, and e-mail. This approach quickly complicates processes and increases administrative and shipping costs. It also means that companies lack timely visibility into container usage and movement. Without accurate information, companies struggle to plan returns effectively, leading to delays, lost containers, and increased throughput times - all of which tie up capital and add to the cost of using RTPs. To address this problem, FIS-iLog integrated Logistics Platform GmbH, a Germany-based logistics software company created iRetPlat-a cloud-based platform running on the SAP HANA business data platform - that connects companies across the supply chain. By doing so, FIS-ilog helps companies operate as intelligent enterprises -- using technology to increase visibility and agility and cut through the complexity that is preventing logistics operations from achieving the full potential of the RTP concept. Bringing Digital Intelligence to RTP Management Built on SAP technology, iRetPlat integrates disparate logistics and ERP applications from across the supply chain into one collaborative platform, allowing companies to easily share information about container movements in real time - minimizing manual processes. Designed to support RTP processes in a range of industries, iRetPlat uses the cloud to simplify integration with customers' SAP and non-SAP applications. The solution supports alignment with recognized global and German technical standards to let companies work together with the same logistics information, smoothly and efficiently, using a common, shared RTP management process. "Instead of setting up numerous interfaces with many individual business partners using different systems, each company just needs a single, simple interface to iRetPlat," says Johannes Weigand, managing director of FIS-ilog. Overall, iRetPlat provides a process hub for managing returnable container transactions and movement. It provides complete wisibility into RTP processes, making all relevant data available in real time. It digitales time-consuming manual processes and enables workflow-based and automated dearing procedures. Users can access the platform via mobile app or PC browser to coordinate shipments, post transactions, and manage and reconcile accounts. "The iftet Plat platform helps companies greatly simplify and streamline transport logistics processes," swys Weland. As a central hub, it enables the kind of collaboration and information sharing that can benefit everyone involved SAP: Powering the Collaborative Platform Because of the groundbreaking nature of RetPlat and the specialized nature of KTP processes, FISito took greenfield approach to developing its solution and the company determined that SAP technology would be the night fit. For example, says Weigand, we needed a secure, mature, and extensive development platform to create our solution, which SAP could provide. It allowed us to focus on process design and user interfaces, rather than invest a lot of time working on basic functions. That was important, because iRetPlat had to incorporate new data flows and the innovative process created by FIS ilog to support what was essentially a new form of business collaboration in transport. The company used the development tools available with SAP HANA and employed a combination of classic project-based and agile development techniques, The performance and scalability of SAP HANA were also key factors in choosing SAP, given the large and growing processing workloads that come with tracking millions of containers. "The advanced in memory technology of SAP HANA offers incomparable speed," says Weigand. "It made it possible to gear our platforms toward maximum efficiency and achieve very quick response times for users - despite the large data sets and the need to provide hardware-independent access to iRetPlat to accommodate different customer systems. To provide that access, RetPlat draws on the extensive integration capabilities of the SAP NetWeaver technology platform. FIS-Log's decision to use SAP software as the foundation for RetPlat also stems from experience. FIS-ilog is an SAP OEM partner. So too is its parent company, the FIS Group, which is an SAP gold partner that has worked with SAP for more than 25 years as a value-added reseller. "As an organization, we are very familiar with SAP," says Weigand, and we had no doubt that it was the right choice for us." Cutting Manual Tasks by Half Experience has shown that iRetPlat can have a significant impact on RTP related operations. Increased digitalization, fewer manual processes, and enhanced collaboration through a central platform help reduce administrative costs. The ability to calculate container movements more accurately also reduces processing times from several weeks to a few days. Typically, manual activities in the management of transport packaging can be reduced by up to 50%, while account reconciliation is up to 90% faster. At the same time, iRetPlat is easy to use and relieves people from often tedious, paper filled work, which helps accelerate adoption and improve the employee experience. With better visibility into container flows and an improved ability to plat container movements, companies can handle shipments of empties more efficiently and operate with less "huffer container reventory. Plat alte les companies sell trade, and reallocate empty containers locally reducing the need for lengthy trips back to their pont of origin helping reduce fossil fuel emissions and also cut costs. Plus, increased visibility and the centralized support for quality standards in pallets and other packaging means that this exchange process is transparent and fair to all involved Companies using Ret Plat no longer have to contend with the traditional information sp. The entire shipment, delivery, and return cycle is captured and documented on the platform. Data is managed by SAP HANA and readily available to customers' various systems. That means companies can use their data to conduct their com analyses of container flows to continually optimize and improve RTP management processes The RetPlot Architecture The architecture of iRetPlat allows companies to share information directly with the system. SAP NetWeaver provides an integration layer that makes it possible to link up with the various ERP and transportation management systems used by customers. Logistics professionals at each company can access RetPlat using a mobile app or a PC browser Based on the SAP Fiori user experience, the RetPlat interface is intuitively understandable, clearly structured, and easy to operate," says Weigand. Data about container movements and transactions is housed on SAP HANA. In addition to development tools available with SAP HANA, FIS-Ilog also uses the full range of its database management features - such as combined OLTP and OLAP processing, data modeling, and security - and its advanced analytics tools. RetPlat is hosted on a cloud platform run by FIS-ASP, FIS-Log's sister company, in a state-of-the-art data center in Germany that also hosts some 30,000 SAP software users around the world. An advantage of this location is that it meets the needs of a growing number of companies interested in hosting data in Germany - which has rigorous data privacy standards to ensure compliance with evolving regulations across Europe and the globe. Finally, iRetPlat can be used as a stand-alone solution or as a supplement to extend the functionality of existing ERP or transportation management systems - whichever approach best meets the customer's needs. Finding Success in a New Market FIS-iLog is a startup subsidiary of the FIS Group, and RetPlat is an innovative offering that essentially carves out a new market in the transport arena. FIS-iLog plans to continue to add functionality to iRetPlat based on Big Data and analytics tools in SAP HANA. But this is just the beginning. The company expects to build an entire suite of logistics solutions on SAP HANA and SAP Cloud Platform. Possibilities include specialized industry and wholesale solutions needed to manage returnables and solutions that use technologies such as RFID and the Internet of Things. Having SAP technology at the heart of its platform will help FIS-ilog reach new markets, explains Weigand, because of the strong reputation of the brand and its soft-ware: "SAP technology brings a high level of awareness and acceptance in the marketplace - people know it. "As FIS-ilog and its network of customers grows, the iRetPlat platform will be able to keep pace, thanks to the power of SAP HANA and the case of cloud-based integration. "It is simple for companies to join and gain access to the platform, and no large investments are needed." says Weigand. "Plus, the intuitive front end means little user training is needed." FIS-iLog is building a new collaborative ecosystem that is bringing intelligent enterprise technologies to the logistics business. In doing so, it is positioning itself to be a key player in ongoing efforts to bring greater efficiency, transparency, and speed to logistics and the supply chain. Question 1 Why the results of RTP process often relies on paper files, spreadsheets, telephone calls, faxes, and e-mail? For the toolbar, press ALT+F10 (PC) or ALT+FN+F10 (Mac)