FMDS v.1
In 2001, German port and transport logistics company HHLA commissioned gluIT to design a terminal-specific FMDS for the new Altenwerder Container Terminal (CTA). Later on, gluIT got the contract to realize the system as well. In close collaboration with the customer and the other involved contractors of cargo-handling devices (gantry cranes, stacker cranes, automatic guided vehicles, etc.) a system was built that gathers and analyzes data from all connected devices.
This system called CTA-FMDS has become indispensable in everyday operation. Users basically partition into the following groups:
- After providing support to engineers in the start-up phase of the terminal, it now supports regular operation since commissioning in 2002.
- Terminal Operators who control the logistic process are provided with a overview that features information on failure indications sent out by terminal components. As a reaction, they can adjust operations to the new situation.
- The Service Team gets technical information about the operations state of all supervised components so they can do exploratory research on error conditions and plan their schedule, including proactive maintenance work.
- Administrators analyze productivity as well as operational data collected by the system. The system processes the data statistically, generating digests that enable controlling of business aspects in the terminal.
- Engineers who are responsible for the cargo-handling devices use the data to further optimize the devices' operation.
During 2012/2013 gluIT, in cooperation with Terex Gottwald, fundamentally re-engineered the CTA-FMDS. By combining the second-generation FMDS, which by then had matured well, with the existing and ever-changing CTA system environment, a new generation CTA-FMDS was crafted. The system now reliably supports day-to-day operations at Altenwerder Container Terminal for years to come. Proven features were transferred, new capabilities added.