Portnet Cape Town is the second largest sea freight environment in South Africa with approximately 20 vessels a week representing between 9500 and 10000 containers at any time in the yard.
Psion Teklogix studied the architecture of the Psion Teklogix Radio Frequency System utilised by Portnet in Durban. Cape Town Container Terminal`s Quality Assurance Manager, Yacoob Hartley, explained the various applications that they use with such a system and with his assistance, all the possibilities of the system, which combines reliable hardware equipment with a strong software solution, were explored.
The system consists of a process cycle, which makes intensive use of Psion Teklogix equipment. From the "order" to the "physical check to vessel" through the "straddle carriers to stack", Psion Teklogix Radio Frequency Terminals are used throughout the entire export process cycle.
Portnet moved from a manual to a computerised system, which was not an easy operation, as most of the field operators are not really adapted to this new computer literacy and culture. Portnet solved this problem by offering a training program in conjunction with Psion Teklogix and, within one month, the five hundred and eighty operators in the yard were able to use the Radio Frequency devices. "After training, everybody knew what to do at the "switch on" date", said Hartley. "Such a short training process is only possible because the Psion Teklogix Terminals are very simple to use and because the software application is clear to everybody".
Portnet`s software application is like a map of the Container Terminal, with each container position either empty, or filled with the container references. With the "physical check" of the container at the entrance gate of the terminal, the system knows all the parameters of the container, such as the reference number, the arrival date and time, size, weight, the courier company and even the damage status.
By clicking on one reference of the Yard map, the manager has access to all the data relating to the container including container location, enabling Portnet to analyse the performance of the Terminal and to produce various detailed monthly reports. "The Radio Frequency Terminal is an intelligent device for management purposes and, in terms of accuracy and management, it is a huge improvement", said Hartley. "We know the exact position of each container, more accurately than with a GPS device, and we can also analyse the activity in the yard at any time of the day, week, and month".
The Radio Technology, which uses Narrow Band, requires only three base stations to cover the entire site and equipment includes:
* Two 9300 Network Controllers supporting IBM 5250 emulation (AS 400) with full redundancy.
* Six 9140 Wireless Gateways (3 in use and 3 for full redundant backup).
* 78 Teklogix Vehicle Mounted Radio Terminals (model 8055).
* 30 Handheld Terminals (model 7030).
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