What do you need to know to avoid paying twice for system integration?

9 July 2021

Why ports, container terminals and warehouses often lose money in the implementation of infrastructure and management systems? For example, in some cases the company's needs for engineering infrastructure are usually identified after construction completion. Or IT resources are designed separately for each of the IT systems installed at the logistics site, but the compatibility of all these systems and equipment are not provided. It also happens that a company implements redundant solutions that are not in demand by the business. The SOLVO expert told the participants of the conference “Port Infrastructure: New Construction, Modernization, Operation” how to avoid mistakes even at the stage of designing infrastructure systems and get the desired economic effect from them. The event took place in Moscow, Russia.

“Companies are developing and growing gradually, and new infrastructure systems and IT systems are often implemented in addition to those previously installed. It is a big mistake when new systems are designed separately, without taking into account the operation of the whole logistics facility (port, terminal, warehouse), and also without understanding their further impact on the operation of the entire IT infrastructure of the company. But this point is very important, and it must be taken into account. Moreover, it is important to take into account the full range of IT systems on the territory of the logistics sites," said Roman Pugach, Deputy General Director for System Integration, SOLVO.

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He explained that when choosing a terminal management system, you need to consider how the infrastructure systems are designed. This applies to networks, access control and management systems (CCTV, recognition systems, etc.), as well as other.

"The main problem is that companies invest money into these systems, but as a result the desired function in the complex are not implemented as not all aspects of the interaction of new infrastructure systems with existing systems are considered. When it is discovered, it is already too late to change something. And then companies begin to redesign or complete these systems on their own in order to include them in the general management system,” summarized Roman.

He explained the following business case as an example:

“We worked with one company, which first built an ACS (access control and management system), and then – a yard and equipment management system. As a result, the two systems manage the same infrastructure in parallel. These systems were operated by two different departments, which led to conflicts and chaos. Therefore, the development of engineering systems projects should be carried out simultaneously with the development of construction projects in order to ensure the interface of technical solutions and avoid redevelopment”.

Roman Pugach also added that the design of engineering systems should be carried out by a company specializing in equipping ports and terminals, since such objects have their own specificity.

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What are the benefits of synchronizing construction design and system integration?

  • Optimization and consolidation of IT resources by using several systems. For example, consolidation of a server complex and the use of fault-tolerant solutions and virtualization systems.

  • Seamless integration of systems for the use of the same data by different groups of consumers. For example, use of ACS for the mode control service and automation of traffic control.

  • Selection of the optimal equipment integrated with basic enterprise solutions.

The second direction, which the SOLVO expert spoke about, concerned the features of development of various infrastructure systems. These are systems such as a fiber-optic communication line (FOCL), local area and wireless networks, server complexes and data storage systems, video recognition and video surveillance systems, already above-mentioned ACS and security and alarm systems.

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Roman told in detail what key points in the development and construction of these infrastructure systems are to be taken into account in order to include them in the general loop of management and intellectualization. He also explained what place each of these systems takes in the business processes of logistics facilities, how they help to realize certain functions and tasks in the management complex.

“It would seem that the things we are talking about are obvious ,intelligible and clear to everyone. But nevertheless, today logistics companies face a lot of problems and extra costs because they have to redevelop or modify infrastructure systems even after installation. Therefore, we consider it is so important to reveal this question in more detail, based on our expertise and 25 years of experience in engineering infrastructure development (taking into account the logistics business specifics),” concluded Roman.

It should also be noted that the SOLVO provides consulting services on system integration for large and medium-sized cargo terminals, as well as for warehouses.

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