An efficient management of the Supply Chain and logistics processes brings various benefits to companies, as they represent a fundamental part of the business.
One of the main misconceptions, however, is to think that the improvement of the supply chain can do without an adequate IT infrastructure and related security.
Logistics and IT
Over time, IT systems have emerged to support supply chain management, including, for example, ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems, the so-called management software, or the so-called WMS, the management or control systems of the warehouse.
In this sense, corporate IT tools make it possible to collect, process, analyze and catalog data in real time, in order to optimize processes, reduce waste, and maximize profits, as they provide data that support decision making for logistics and supply chain. In fact, companies from wholesale to retail, from B2B to E-Com in a number of industries such as Food&Beverage, Pharma or durable goods are increasingly leveraging on service and fast delivery to improve their customers’ shopping experience. The possibility of gathering and analyzing data in real time allows operators to optimize their logistics processes, for example by improving inventory management.
Errevi Automation: the rele a WMS plays in logistic automation
Errevi Automation, active for 30 years in the logistics and industrial automation sector, has developed a proprietary WMS system that supports companies in the management and control of warehouse processes, from inbound, to storage, up to outbound.
“Agilog” is a simple, intuitive, secure and scalable WMS and it allows to interface with machinery and automation already present in the logistics hubs, acting as Artificial Intelligence between operators and machines, aimed at handling even the most complex logistic issues.
Cyber security's role in industrial automation
And it is precisely in this scenario of interaction between operators, automation and IT systems that the role of Cyber Security comes into play, especially for increasingly integrated logistics where the exchange of even sensitive data between the various players in the chain, from producers, to 3PLs, to consumers, brings the challenge of adopting the necessary countermeasures against increasingly frequent attacks both in the IT and OT field.
Errevi Automation is part of the Black Bear TechHive international group, which offers cutting-edge technologies, such as data diodes or unidirectional gateways, deep packet inspection (DPI), machine learning and other solutions to protect the transfer of sensitive or critical data, and other solutions to protect the transfer of sensitive or critical data and has developed a suite of scalable and high-performance solutions specifically for the automation world (https://blackbear-ics.com). data diode or gateway unidirezionali, deep packet inspection (DPI), machine learning and other solutions to protect the transfer of sensitive or critical data, and other solutions to protect the transfer of sensitive or critical data and has developed a suite of scalable and high-performance solutions specifically for the automation world (https://blackbear-ics.com)
Cyber security as booster for logistics
To protect the cyber space an efficient Business Continuity management systembecomes essential, in order to reduce or mitigate the impact of any emergency situation.
Therefore, investments in logistics automation must go hand in hand with those in IT and security systems, implementing targeted strategies in training, prevention, protection and risk management.