A framework for the implementation of real-time location systems in material handling : A case study at Scandia Transmission

Sammanfattning: Real-time location systems (RTLS) have been applied on material handling to provide positioning and tracking in a warehouse of forklifts and other mobile entities, such as AGVs (automated guided vehicles). The purpose of this research is to develop a structured analysis to evaluate the impacts, potential benefits and challenges for implementing a real-time location system in the material handling for automotive industry, as well as a recommendation of preparation steps to the companies when integrating RTLS into their production systems, seeing that has a significant potential to improve efficiency. The data for this thesis project was collected through semi-structured interviews with nine Scania logistics employees, based on a case study conducted at the transmission machining workshop. The results discussed in this thesis show a very informal process in general for material handling currently. There is no technology at all to communicate the plan and performance of the daily tasks. For the managerial level, there is neither monitoring of forklift’s drivers spending time on their routes nor challenging the efficiency of the process. For a future state vision, there is a positive mindset for implementing a real-time location system into material handling. The expectations are high regarded to facilitating the current processes, improving the efficiency with clear visualization of the routes and following up the whole in real-time, including safer and optimized routes for no clashes. The results for a future state vision indicate a long journey to reach a certain level of digitalization. Set a new strategy for a digital environment into the organization, establish standard processes, provide training and knowledge sharing are some examples of challenges and steps presented in this thesis report as implications that may be essential for implementing RTLS in material handling.