INFORM GmbH has deployed its Syncrotess Optimization Plus platform at Norfolk Southern’s Austell Intermodal Terminal in Atlanta, Ga., “enabling the terminal to have complete transparency of stacking operations, as well as optimized yard storage and crane movement operations.” Austell is the second NS intermodal facility running Syncrotess Optimization Plus, following its Rossville, Tenn., terminal in 2023.
“INFORM’s add-on AI and optimization solution takes a modular approach to adding advanced intelligence to NS’s existing Terminal Operating System (TOS), OPTCS 2.0.,” the company said. “This path allows NS to isolate the terminal’s specific challenges and provide a bespoke solution for specific operational challenges. NS is using INFORM’s Yard Optimizer (YO) to intelligently manage stacked operations. The Yard Optimizer works in conjunction with TOS to allocate storage locations for containers within the yard, to automatically determine the next operationally efficient move, and to better allocate handover locations for external trucks in order to minimize travel distance for the container in and out of the stack. Additionally, NSis utilizing INFORM’s Crane Optimizer (CO) to optimize overhead crane movement to minimize empty travel and maximize lift equipment productivity. INFORM has a suite of six industry-proven optimization modules designed to improve operational efficiency and reduce operational costs that ultimately allow for improved revenues: Crane Optimizer (CO), Yard Optimizer (YO), Vehicle Optimizer (VO), Train Load Optimizer (TLO), Rail Scheduler (RS), and Machine Learning (ML) modules.
Austell is equipped with six fully electric Kuenz RTG Freerider cranes. In March, NS switched handling of international intermodal traffic from a wheeled system to a stacked operation. “Stacking helps us maximize space utilization, increasing our parking capacity by more than 30%, and it provides flexibility in handling diverse cargo types and sizes,” NS noted. “Reducing ground traffic also improves security, ensuring smoother operations and heightened safety. We are managing the program with the implementation of [INFORM’s] stack optimization technology. This technology, which enhances transparency and optimizes yard inventory and crane movement operations, has already demonstrated its efficacy at Rossville , which served as a precursor to the Austell launch.”
“INFORM’s Syncrotess Optimization Plus solution is helping revolutionize our operations at Norfolk Southern’s Austell and Rossville terminals, providing us with unparalleled visibility and efficiency in our stacked operations, yard storage, and crane movements,” said. Will Deshazor, NS Group Vice President Intermodal Automotive Terminal Operations. “Our rollout in Austell marks another step forward in our commitment to delivering exceptional service to our customers while optimizing our terminal operations.”
“No doubt, it has been a journey to get the Austell terminal up and running, but we’re excited to be in a position now to demonstrate our world class optimization solutions working in live operations,” said Matthew Wittemeier, Director of Marketing and Sales at INFORM’s Terminal & Distribution Center Logistics Division. “The future of most North American intermodal terminals is stacked; being able to demonstrate to the industry that stacking can be done effectively without sacrificing customer delivery times and with that the customer experience was a primary goal of the project from its outset.”
“I’m tremendously proud of INFORM’s team and their commitment to the Norfolk Southern project,” said Dr. Eva Savelsberg, Senior Vice President at INFORM’s Terminal & Distribution Center Logistics Division. “It’s great to have the second Norfolk Southern site go live; it is a strong demonstration of our continued partnership with NS.”
INFORM GmBH describes itself as “the market leader in process AI and optimization software to facilitate improved decision making. Based in Aachen, Germany, with North American headquarters in Atlanta, the company has been in the optimization business for more than 50 years and serves a wide span of logistics industries including ports, maritime, and intermodal terminals with both add-on optimization modules as well as TOS solutions. INFORM develops software to optimize business processes using artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced mathematics of Operations Research. The company promotes sustainable value creation in various industries through optimized decision-making. Its solutions are tailored to specific industry requirements and help more 1,000 current customers worldwide to operate more resiliently and sustainably with greater success. INFORM’s systems serve a range of industries including aviation, automotive, financial institutions, logistics, manufacturing, transportation, telecommunications, and wholesale. The company is committed to ethical AI practices, sustainable customer relations and is increasingly focusing on cloud-based solutions.”
