Werlte, Germany: Quadruplicate paper consignment notes to facilitate European-wide freight movement are a thing of the past, says Krone. They will be replaced by electronic forms developed in a partnership involving Krone. To illustrate the bureaucracy involved, Austrian international forwarder LKW Walter generated some six million paper pages.
Max Birle, head of Krone telematics and digital services: “The “Smart Assistant” is an important part of our digital transformation fields at the trailer – comparable to a powerful operating system. It has revolutionised the document management of all Krone trailers by radically simplifying the handling of vehicle documents such as eCMR and other services without the need for additional apps.
“This is the most straightforward offering on the market and provides real added value to our customers on a daily basis, making the difference in the logistics world,” Birle said.
Krone has already equipped the first LKW Walter trailers with a QR code for Krone Smart Assistant, which now also serves as access to the eCMR. The QR code on the trailer can be scanned using a smartphone or other digital device. This gives everyone involved easy access to the e-CMR, the trailer’s vehicle documents and the Walter driver app.
The Walter Group already processes numerous processes, such as load securing, in the Loads Today app. “With the e-CMR, we are the first transport company to digitise the most important accompanying document for all transports. Thanks to this innovation, our carriers will save time and money and make administration easier for their drivers. In addition, millions of pages of paper will be eliminated, which will also benefit the environment. For us as a company, e-CMR not only sets new standards for efficiency and transparency in the supply chain, but also emphasises our commitment to environmentally friendly processes,” said Michael Gschwandtner, director digital business,LKW Walter.
“Together with partners from the Open Logistics Foundation, the foundation stone of the eCMR was laid and a common standard for this innovation was defined. In close cooperation between LKW Walter and Krone, the digital e-CMR was finally realised.,” Krone said.
“It revolutionises overall communication within the supply chain by acting as a central interface and ensuring that all parties have the same level of information. This not only leads to more efficient transport processing, but also marks the end of potential sources of error in the documentation process.
“The eCMR consolidates our pioneering role in the industry and underlines our endeavour to offer customers simple solutions and to shape the logistics landscape sustainably through innovation,” Gschwandner, said.
