Magazine Article | October 23, 2007

Navis, LLC

Source: Field Technologies Magazine
Resource Guides, Resource Guide For Asset Tracking & Management

Navis

Navis Provides Automated Terminal Asset Management System At Georgia Ports Authority
As a key logistical hub in the Southeastern United States for national retailers like Target, Lowe’s, and Wal-Mart, the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) is projected to grow 57% over the next three to five years. To handle this growth, Navis has been commissioned as the lead contractor to design and build an automated terminal asset management system (ATAMS) for GPA. “We knew we needed to be able to handle this increase in volume without increasing truck turn times or causing delays at the gates,” says Bill Sutton, general manager of IT for the GPA. 

The ATAMS project is being implemented to enhance operational efficiency through the automation of gate and yard processes; to identify and track containers whether they come via truck, rail, or sea; and to automate container handling processes within the terminal. Navis SPARCS and Navis Edge Manager programs will process data collected from active RFID tags affixed to truck cabs and from a positional detection system (PDS) tracking the positions of all container handling equipment.

Active RFID tags send information on identification and real-time visibility of over-the-road (OTR) carriers and in-yard vehicles into Navis Edge Manager and Navis SPARCS. As a truck enters the gate, RFID readers collect the truck information from the tag and pass it through to the Navis programs. The truck then passes through the optical character recognition (OCR) portal, where the container number is read and also communicated to the Navis programs. The information is then cross-referenced and verified; instructions for the driver are sent to the gate pedestal where a ticket is printed. This process used to be done manually with gate clerks visually reading container numbers and communicating with truck drivers via speakers to create the transactions.

Once ATAMS is in place, a truck can travel through the RFID/OCR portal at 10 miles per hour as opposed to the 10 to 15 minutes it took the clerk to authorize the truck to enter the yard.

Product Description
The Navis product suite automates data collection and optimizes logistics asset-related operations with real-time visibility into the location, status, condition, and security of cargo shipments and related assets.

The Navis suite of solutions includes:
  • Navis™ SPARCS N4 is the most scalable, open, deployable, adaptable, and maintainable terminal operating system (TOS) available today.
  • Navis™ Cargo Tracker provides real-time visibility into the location, status, condition, and security of cargo shipments and associated logistics assets.
  • Navis™ Asset Tracker is designed for manufacturing, distribution, and service companies that need to track containers and other high-value assets.
  • Navis™ Edge Manager, an advanced middleware, leverages the power of RFID, Wi-Fi, and GPS technologies and integrates real-time tracking of assets with other Navis applications.
  • Navis™ Yard Visibility provides real-time visibility of logistics assets and inventory across the supply chain.
  • Navis™ Yard and Navis™ Yard Scheduler are robust yard management solutions that streamline the flow of goods through yard operations.

Company Overview
Navis is the proven leader and the global standard in asset visibility, control, and optimization, offering a suite of solutions that increase operational control over asset-related operations. Founded in 1988, Navis was the first company to automate marine terminal operating systems (TOSs), improving productivity, velocity, and visibility of cargo movement through port and intermodal facilities. The Navis suite of products helps streamline the flow of goods or “connect the docks” with best-of-breed systems for dock and yard management, cargo and container tracking, mobile asset management, and marine terminal automation. 

Why Navis?
  • 30% of the world’s commerce passes through Navis client terminals.
  • 60% of North American marine terminals use Navis.
  • World-class customers include Academy Sports, Albertson’s, Perdue Farms, Kroger, California Cartage, Georgia Ports Authority, Coca Cola Bottling, NYK Line, APMT, and Johnson & Johnson.
  • World-class partners include Psion Teklogix, IBM, LXE, Identec Solutions, and Motorola.

Navis, LLC
1000 Broadway, Suite 150
Oakland, CA  94607
PH: (510) 267-5000
FX: (510) 267-5100
E-mail: info@navis.com
Web site: www.navis.com