Enhancing Container Visibility
Until recently, shippers and the logistics companies they hire had little visibility into the whereabouts of the containers carrying their cargo because those boxes have been aptly described as “dark, dumb, and disconnected.”
As technology advances, this is dramatically changing, and Hub Group, a North American multi-modal transportation solutions provider is leading the way. Hub Group has installed Global Positioning System technology as a part of its Mission Control system, which tracks every movement of the containers in its fleet by rail or truck – from origin to destination – in an effort to boost utilization, provide cargo safety and real-time tracking capabilities.
This system is helping customers improve operational efficiency at their own container yards, which in-turn drives savings because Hub Group holds down costs for customers that turn containers around more rapidly. In one instance, a customer was holding onto a container for over 40 days, but with the new tracking system, Hub Group was able to work with the customer to improve efficiency and reduce the costs associated with holding onto the containers.
Customers have also realized improved cargo security. Since the Mission Control system tracks each event, such as the amount of time a container door is opened, the location of the container, and if the container is loaded or not, Hub Group is able to capture everything that happens to a container even when it’s not in the hands of a carrier. One container sitting in a yard in Chicago recorded its doors being opened for one minute, then closed, then opened again briefly, then closed again. Hub Group learned that an unauthorized person caused the first opening and, finding nothing of interest to them, closed the door. An hour later, a railyard associated opened the door to inspect the contents and, finding nothing amiss, closed and sealed the container appropriately. Since Hub Group could validate the door was only open for one minute, the customer inspected the cargo and accepted the load.
With these improvements in utilization, security, and visibility, Hub Group is arming its customers with the tools to help improve processes in their network. To improve usability of the Mission Control system, Hub Group enhanced its customer portal, Hub Connect, to give customers real-time access to cargo location and movement data. This new tool has granted customers 24/7/365 access to their network, helping customers make crucial decisions and improve planning.
Mission Control, GPS technology, and logistics expertise are being used together to give shippers real container intelligence, the type of data that can help executives make quicker, smarter business decisions that give them a competitive advantage. With Hub Group’s ongoing investments in technology and human capital, boxes that were once “dark, dumb, and disconnected” have become “visible, smart, and interlinked.”
Hub Group, Inc. is a transportation management company that provides multi-modal solutions throughout North America, including intermodal, truck brokerage, dedicated and logistics services. As a publicly traded company with nearly $3.6 billion in revenue, Hub Group’s organization of over 3,500 employees delivers innovative, customer-focused solutions and industry-leading service to help customers better control supply chains and their costs. For more information, visit www.hubgroup.com.
