Overcoming challenges at external warehouses
The problems companies with forklift fleets face within warehouse management.
Optimized logistics processes thanks to precise forklift GPS tracking
The L-mobile FGS in use at Birkenmeier Stein + Design GmbH
Imagine having to coordinate your forklifts in a warehouse area of about two soccer fields. With about 250 postings per day.
Birkenmeier Stein+Design GmbH is a leading manufacturer of high-quality concrete products and design elements for designing gardens, terraces, and outdoor facilities. All product pallets are managed on an 110,000 m² yard logistics system without fixed warehouse structures, due to the wide range of products, which is why it is enormously important for this concrete specialist to prevent incorrect loading and to reduce search times at the warehouse. The goal: Raising process design to a new technological level.
You can use the L-mobile forklift guidance system (FGS) in combination with the mobile warehouse management software L-mobile warehouse ready for MS Dynamics to reduce search times, prevent empty forklift runs, and maximize transparency at the warehouse. Find out exactly how the L-mobile FGS is used by our customer Birkenmeier and how the company can now efficiently pick and load an average of 250 postings a day in the video and a detailed case study.
Free whitepaper: 5 reasons to use a forklift guidance system
Making logistics processes up to 60% more efficient
The choice is yours: Experience our forklift management with connection to our smart factory, the Digital Factory, as well as information on suitable hardware offers and benefit calculations for an forklift guidance system either from the comfort of your desk in a live stream at one of our numerous FGS online events.
Or visit us for an individual presentation appointment directly at our headquarters in Sulzbach and experience first-hand practical scenarios involving high-precision forklift tracking using GPS at our outdoor premises. Of course, you can also experience indoor tracking live on site as well as all the other technologies and software solutions that we offer for optimizing your warehouse and production processes.
L-mobile—Your partner for intralogistics solutions and transport management systems
These include forklift management and forklift localization, digitalization of the entire materials management system, and informative reporting
Forklift localization and route optimization are far from the full scope of functions provided by a forklift guidance system. We have more to offer in the areas of warehouse optimization and digitalization of in-house logistics processes. With our L-mobile warehouse warehouse management solution in combination with a transport management system, scanner solutions, and other solutions, we offer the ideal basis for inventory security and stock transparency within your entire warehouse management. We are also happy to support you in the area of production and on your path to becoming a smart factory. And best of all: You can discover all this live at any time at our Digital Factory in the form of a completely digitized manufacturing process, from ordering to shipping, and combined with many other modern technologies and solutions.
Forklift management with many functions
Forklift localization, control, utilization, evaluation, and visualization of your forklifts
Inventory tracking through outdoor/indoor localization
Stock identification in open areas is fast and error-free using GPS, barcode, RFID or in buildings with UWB. Two-stage posting (loading and unloading of the load carriers) allows for inventory tracking in real time. The “transfer storage bin” is the interim storage area for the load carriers until they arrive at their destination. This ensures that you always know where your order stock is at any given moment by means of forklift localizations (RFID forklift optional). Scanning necessary information such as source and target storage bin location, item number, batch, etc. ensures the correctness of the postings.
Route optimization for your forklifts
The L-mobile forklift guidance system uses GPS to guide your forklift drivers to the desired items or storage bins based on optimized routes. The global satellite navigation system ensures very accurate reception. This even makes the dynamic forklift movement visible on the terminals (map view). With the right filtering and algorithmic sorting of your orders, your forklifts can process route-optimized transport orders (individually or collectively).
Route optimization prevents orders from being left unattended or orders that do not have priority from being processed too early. As a result, all points of requirement always have their needed materials available at the right time. This consistently avoids idle times and machine downtimes.
Minimization of empty forklift runs
The avoidance of empty runs is a core issue that, along with route optimization, can be solved most efficiently by using a transport management system. Forklift guidance systems prevent unnecessary forklift trips at several locations. Duplicate trips are a thing of the past thanks to effective routing and scanning. The scanning process alone avoids errors through consistent posting, no manual transfer errors, warning of incorrect storage locations, for example, or it prevents stock from being distributed across multiple storage bins.
For example, as soon as a forklift driver takes over a transport order, the information is taken directly from the ERP system and no other driver can execute this order.
Trips after a putaway (empty run) are then used to execute the next transport order (TO) in the vicinity. The forklift driver always knows what their next task will be and can avoid additional trips by means of the transport orders collected and algorithmically displayed on the forklift terminal.
Direct posting in the ERP system
The data is posted in real time thanks to the existing interfaces between L-mobile forklift management and most ERP systems.
It doesn’t matter if it is a stock transfer, putaway, stock removal or stock-independent transport order.
Supported ERP systems: Infor COM, MS Dynamics, Proalpha, SAP, ALPHAPLAN, Sage OL/100, and many other inventory management systems.
Analysis
You can filter all finished transport orders either by ID (transport order, batch, sub-stock no., load carrier ID), user, deadline, or end date.
These KPIs provide transparency and the ability to run an analysis. How productive was my forklift operator Martin? How many transport orders did we complete on that day? This and many other factors provide you with information about the route instructions carried out by the forklifts and help you with the future utilization of the forklift drivers (forklift utilization forecast). A heat map of the routes is also possible.
Does this sound like a great way to optimize transport management in your warehouse? Then take a look at the L-mobile forklift guidance system in action! At our FGS online events, we present the numerous highlights of the L-mobile FGS live from our outdoor site at our main location in Sulzbach!
Forklift guidance technologies in our forklift guidance system
RFID forklift guidance, UWB forklift control system or GPS forklift management.
How does a transport management systemsuch as the L-mobile forklift guidance system become a solution with which forklifts and industrial trucks can be precisely located and coordinated efficiently based on their position? In a nutshell, what makes the L-mobile FGS a real-time location system (RTLS)? This solution features three different positioning technologies that enable real-time forklift localization: RFID, UWB, and GPS.
To select the appropriate tracking technologies for your individual forklift guidance system, it must first be determined whether the transport management system is to be used in the indoor area of the warehouse or outdoors. Depending on whether you need indoor localization or outdoor localization for your forklifts, different localization technologies are used, each with their own advantages.
Forklift localization using RFID: Indoor localization with high transmission speed
If forklifts need to be coordinated indoors with the aid of forklift guidance, one option is RFID forklift coordination. Objects can be identified without optical contact by means of RFID transponders and RFID readers. In the case of forklift coordination, storage locations and load carriers are equipped with RFID transponders for this purpose. At the same time, the forklifts you use will be fitted with an RFID reader. This enables the forklift driver to automatically detect goods as soon as the RFID transponder is within range.
And this range is significantly greater for the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) RFID frequency band used in most industrial applications than for tracking using UWB. RFID technology enables detection from a distance of up to 20 m. Based on this data, you can control your forklifts along optimized routes and successfully prevent empty runs in the warehouse.
However, RFID tags are very susceptible to interference from metals. Therefore, if you work with liquid containers or a lot of metal surfaces in your warehouse, the use of RFID forklift guidance becomes much more difficult and we recommend relying on a UWB based forklift guidance system instead.
Highly accurate real-time indoor localization of forklifts with UWB
Another option for indoor forklift guidance is an Ultra-Wideband (UWB)-based forklift guidance system. Based on its high bandwidth, UWB technology is ideally suited for precise indoor positioning of your forklifts without interfering with other radio signals.
For precise localization of forklifts to the centimeter, warehouses are equipped with sensors, known as UWB anchors, to create different sections in the hall. Additional movable sensors in the form of UWB tags are mounted on the forklifts. UWB anchors and UWB tags can now exchange signals in various ways to determine the position of a moving object. In this way, the forklift can be localized with great accuracy and in real time in the warehouse.
In contrast to RFID tags, detection and localization using UWB technology is not restricted by metal surfaces. However, due to the low level of output density, the UWB signals can only travel within a limited distance. However, extremely accurate forklift location can be easily achieved with a sufficient amount of UWB anchors installed in the warehouse.
GPS forklift tracking for precise outdoor localization
If you are looking for a transport management system for use in large outdoor storage areas where a lot of forklift drivers move around every day, then a GPS forklift location system is the ideal choice. This is because tracking with the world-renowned Global Positioning System (GPS) has proven its worth, especially for outdoor localization of industrial trucks. The global satellite navigation system ensures extremely precise localization, accurate to within a few centimeters. Coordinates are used to localize forklift drivers in real time. Based on this data, the driver is automatically assigned the transport orders that match their current position.
GPS forklift location also enables dynamic display of forklift movements on the terminals used. On a map, the forklift operator can see the position of the forklifts and the storage locations to be reached. A larger and more detailed area display is possible at any time.
For more information on the outdoor localization of your forklifts using GPS localization, please feel free to contact our experts. We will inform you about the essential prerequisites in the area of hardware and software and work with you to develop the right concept for successful forklift localization in your external storage facility.
No matter which forklift guidance technology you choose or we may recommend, the integration of tracking technologies has a decisive added value: By tracking your forklifts and items you get the best possible forklift utilization and routes.
Take a look at our product flyer to learn about the highlights of our forklift guidance system in addition to the localization of forklifts.
Advantages of the forklift control of our transport management system
Minimization of empty forklift runs
Connection to any ERP system
Destination location suggestion for forklifts (empty bin search)
Map display to show stocks
Tracking through data from your ERP forklift
Optimization of forklift utilization
Forklift tracking system using outdoor localization and indoor localization
Forklift localization with GPS, UWB, RFID, or posting
Route-optimized order processing
Easy self-scheduling for forklift operators
Combination with L-mobile warehouse/production
Graphical evaluation online in the browser
100% stock transparency in warehouse management
Error-free deliveries thanks to avoidance of incorrect loading
Reduction of forklift downtimes
Digital transport order: Wide range of possibilities in warehouse management thanks to flexible forklift guidance system
Because a transport order in L-mobile FGS does not only mean a stock transfer
It is clear that with professional forklift navigation, forklifts can be guided through the warehouse based on optimized routes and at the same time precisely localized in order to process transport orders. However, these transport orders do not only have to be stock transfers in the L-mobile FGS. The transport management system can also be used to process putaway from goods receipt, stock removal or inventory-independent transport orders. In all these stock transfers, the requirement to scan items, containers, or storage bins ensures that incorrect postings and therefore incorrect loadings are successfully avoided. This is because if an employee scans in the wrong item, they receive an instant notification and can quickly and easily correct the mistake.
| Stock transfer with forklift | Putaway with forklift | Stock removal with forklift | Inventory-independent transport orders |
| Example: Provision of material for manufacturing | Example: Goods receipt of material | Example: Post goods issue for material consumption (manufacturing order) | Example: Unloading goods that are not yet in the system |
If a user determines that an item needs to be transferred, but is unable to perform this stock transfer due to a lack of a suitable tool, they can create an internal stock transfer order on a PDA.
For example, if a pallet is to be moved, an employee who does not have a forklift creates an order for a forklift driver. The stock transfer order is then displayed to and executed by the appropriately equipped personnel.
We are your partner for forklift guidance systems in terms of software and hardware
With our forklift guidance system, we ensure that your forklift drivers can organize themselves. Transport orders are automatically suggested and assigned to the forklift drivers who currently have both the capacity for them and are located in the vicinity of the corresponding storage bin. Once an employee accepts a transport order, no other driver can execute it. Thanks to integration into your existing ERP system, all information booked by the forklift driver via the forklift guidance system is posted to your ERP system in real time. In this way, required trip determined online are always available to your personnel.
The forklift guidance system enables even temporary workers without much expertise to work with the system and you will not have to invest in cost-intensive and time-consuming training. The solution also provides an analysis of driver utilization. Or you can just display the workload information graphically. To keep track, you can also view the fill level of your warehouse online at any time.
In addition to all the options we provide with our software solution, we are also the ideal contact when it comes to the associated hardware for implementing your forklift guidance system. In addition to mobile handheld scanners, we also offer a selection of terminals to equip your forklifts, for example. Equipping your warehouse with UWB sensors or RFID tags, as well as comprehensive WLAN coverage survey if required, is also part of our range of services.
Forklift guidance system easily integrated into your ERP system
Our forklift control offers standard interfaces for all common ERP systems
Forklift guidance system with SAP
Particularly in large companies with a lot of warehouse space, it is often not enough to use only the SAP ERP system. The processes are too complex, inventories quickly become out-of-date and untraceable, and efficient forklift management based on real-time information is not possible with SAP ERP systems. A flexible forklift guidance system is the solution. The L-mobile forklift guidance system for SAP enables efficient forklift control with simultaneous forklift localization in the warehouse and in production. A great deal of value can be added to a forklift guidance system by utilizing this transport optimization as part of your warehouse management.
The forklift guidance system guides forklift drivers (RFID forklift optional) automatically along optimized routes through your warehouse enabling the clear and paperless processing of transport orders. Empty runs, double runs, and search runs are minimized by the SAP forklift control system. The reduction of downtimes where your forklifts are idle in the warehouse without an order, causing high costs, is another benefit of a forklift guidance system in SAP.
Another particularly valuable aspect for your storage processes: the forklift drivers receive all transport orders and information on their terminal directly from your SAP ERP system. This is made possible by the direct connection of L-mobile FGS to SAP. Each forklift is equipped with a forklift terminal that enables error-free processing of transport orders including a visual display in map view. By means of useful filtering and algorithmic sorting, you can perform route optimization for your forklifts so that transport orders (individual or collective) are based on optimized routes. At the same time, thanks to the connection between the transport management system and SAP, you can view the latest information and postings of the executed transport orders in SAP at any time.
In addition to our forklift guidance system, we offer further options to advance the digitalization within your warehouse and production processes with SAP ERP ECC or SAP S/4 HANA.
Forklift management with Sage 100
The forklift guidance system for the Sage 100 inventory management system makes loading and unloading faster.
Forklift management with MS Dynamics
The FGS for MS Dynamics NAV and Business Central guides forklifts based on optimized routes and enables inventory tracking in the warehouse and in production. Loading lists generated in Navision and Business Central appear on the forklift terminal or the scanner and can be accepted and processed directly by the forklift drivers.After a transport order is confirmed by a forklift driver, the transport order disappears from the loading list in Microsoft Dynamics. Duplicate runs are therefore completely avoided. If a transport order has been successfully executed, the task is reported back to Microsoft Dynamics NAV or Business Central without delay via the forklift management by the driver’s confirmation on the mobile device.
The integrated evaluation functions, as well as the optional localization technologies of the forklift guidance system for Navision, visualize the utilization of the drivers and determine the shortest routes, with fewer empty runs.
More information about digitalization within warehouse and production processes with Navision and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central:
Forklift guidance system for Proalpha
The L-mobile forklift guidance system for Proalpha allows you to control and locate your forklifts and industrial trucks based on optimized routes. This means that the transport management system for your warehouse and production minimizes your empty runs, idle times, search times, and incorrect loading. And not only that: with the L-mobile forklift guidance system, you simultaneously do away with paper-based processes in your intralogistics.
Full integration in Proalpha is ensured with digital forklift management: Your drivers receive information conveniently from the Proalpha ERP system on the forklift terminal. They can use this or a radio scanner to directly report completed operations such as stock transfers or putaways back to Proalpha, so that the data is always available in real time. At the same time, the direct connection to Proalpha allows your forklift drivers to view the latest information and postings of completed transport orders at any time.
Using GPS, RFID or UWB, the forklifts in your storage spaces can be located and coordinated to the centimeter. Thanks to automatic route optimization, the forklift control Proalpha ensures efficient processing of transport orders. This adds a lot of value to your warehouse management with Proalpha.
In addition to a forklift guidance system, we offer many other functions for your Proalpha in the area of digital warehouse management.
Don’t see your ERP system listed? We offer solutions for more than 26 ERP systems. Get to know the digitalized warehouse management and production processes with L-mobile.
Further interfaces and integration options
For seamless interaction between your automated guided vehicle system and other software solutions
Making processes mobile and efficient at last
Say goodbye to paperwork in the warehouse and hello to transparent and efficient processes with mobile warehouse management. Whether goods receipt, order picking, stock transfer, replenishment, or annual inventory, with a mobile warehouse management solution, your employees can record all information about warehouse stock and the movement of goods on the spot—quickly, easily, and error-free. Through seamless connection to your ERP system, all data is made available in your ERP system in almost real time when a posting is made. This is how you gain maximum transparency over your stock and make daily routines in the warehouse simpler for your employees.
Experience digital and networked production processes live
Those responsible for production are constantly looking for ways to make their production operations even more efficient. Numerous digital and networked solutions can provide effective support here—from digital production data collection and digital worker assistance systems, through automated production planning, to the automation of material flow with automated guided vehicle systems. To see for yourself how these concepts work in real life, visit our new digital showroom in Sulzbach an der Murr and experience first-hand the exciting possibilities of digital and networked warehouse and production processes.
Automation of material flow with automated guided vehicle systems
Seemingly effortlessly, automated guided vehicle (AGV) systems move materials weighing up to several thousand kilograms through the production process—reliably, safely, and automatically. But that’s not the only advantage of using an AGV system. In fact, AGV systems make it possible to optimize all internal material transport by providing the required materials efficiently, reliably, and on time at the right location—around the clock and on a fully automated basis. This means that warehouse personnel no longer have to perform non-value-adding or hazardous transport tasks, thus reducing the risk of accidents and transport damage while ensuring the smooth supply of materials to the production line.
Helpful, practice-based tips for the digitalization of your warehouse processes
Our multi-industry expertise makes the difference
We usually learn about new requirements before anyone else due to our strong network and close partnership with many system providers. This enables us to notify our customers of future changes at an early stage.
We also have years of industry expertise and inform our customers and prospective customers about specific industry solutions that make working in the respective industry easier.
FAQ—What you’re asking us…
What is a forklift guidance system?
The forklift guidance system, or transport management system, is a software solution linked to your leading ERP system for highly efficient processing of transport orders without paperwork. This means you can also eliminate the need to print out your documents on paper. With the L-mobile forklift guidance system, you minimize empty forklift trips, optimize your forklift utilization, and send your forklifts on optimized routes. You can also run analyses of your forklift utilization.
Is a specific ERP system a prerequisite?
L-mobile already has interfaces to most ERP systems. Simply contact our specialists.
The following ERP systems are supported, for example: Infor COM, MS Dynamics, Proalpha, SAP, ALPHAPLAN, Sage OL/100, and many other inventory management systems.
What is the average increase in efficiency when using a forklift guidance system?
The efficiency of the transport fleet, or the cost savings, is usually 15 percent to 35 percent. This is because there are no more empty runs, no more search times, and no more standstill of the forklifts. You can process your transport orders more efficiently, generally need fewer forklifts, have lower operating costs, and your forklifts travel based on optimized routes.
How many forklifts are required to use the L-mobile software solution?
You should have at least 5 forklifts in use at your warehouse and/or manufacturing facility in order to be able to guarantee forklift navigation and route optimization.
Is it possible to locate the forklifts?
Yes, forklifts can be located with additional technology. For example, by GPS (outdoor), UWB (indoor), RFID or by posting process.
Are the posting processes automated?
Yes, the posting processes are automated. Two-step posting with loading and unloading of the load carriers enables real-time inventory tracking.
Which forklift manufacturers can be combined with the forklift guidance system?
Our solution is vendor-independent and can be used as a stand-alone.
Does the L-mobile forklift guidance system include a forklift call system?
No, warehouse personnel cannot request a forklift via the L-mobile forklift guidance system. Instead, thanks to forklift localization, existing transport orders are automatically assigned to forklift drivers who have the capacity for the job and are also positioned nearby.
Can the transport management system also be used for applications other than forklifts?
Yes, various vehicles can be integrated with the transport management system (such as tugger trains, forklifts, narrow-aisle trucks).
Can forklift routes be optimized?
Yes, route optimization is possible through the use of various algorithms.
Does the forklift guidance system dynamically adapt to my warehouse structure?
Yes, our forklift guidance system dynamically adapts and is self-learning.