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INLECOM Systems ltd announces ecoTAURuS, the innovative e-transport solution for real time truck – terminal collaboration and planning of actions to speed up and optimise the loading and unloading process in multi-modal terminals. The new service has been designed and configured to be running on simple mobile phones, and has been supported via the European Research and Development project EcoHubs ( http://www.ecohubs.eu/ ) for the terminals of the future, in Transportation and Logistics. Besides the six month free trial period, there are additional benefits to the new entrants in the service (for info email: Αυτή η διεύθυνση ηλεκτρονικού ταχυδρομείου προστατεύεται από τους αυτοματισμούς αποστολέων ανεπιθύμητων μηνυμάτων. Χρειάζεται να ενεργοποιήσετε τη JavaScript για να μπορέσετε να τη δείτε. ).

ecoTAURuS belongs to a new breed of terminal software services which can be seamlessly integrated with back office systems, able to connect and exchange information with systems regardless if these are made of Legacy or Web 2.0 enabled technologies. ecoTAURuS at the same time supports both process efficiency and environmental improvements.

The project EcoHubs is producing a range of similar services to ecoTAURuS, which are driven by leading European intermodal terminal operators. All these services will be made available through the EcoHubs Ecosystem delivering the following common innovations:

• Business innovations: Process improvements addressing gaps / weaknesses of existing practices particularly from a collaboration perspective between terminals and their users, offering new services, such as consolidation of logistic chains and increased utilisation of resources.
• Technology innovations: secure connectivity infrastructure for terminal stakeholders through Access Points and integration tools for Terminal Community creation and support (enables the newcomers to 'connect once and talk to everyone' lowering the economic barriers to connect for budget sensitive SMEs.
• Capacity building: availability of highly cost effective solution and freeware (Access Points, Mobile apps, best practice process and data templates for easy configuration and agility) for SME participation.

ecoTAURuS is a service that allows stakeholders around a group of terminals (terminal and intermodal operators, trucking companies, truckers, dispatchers, etc.) to increase their effectiveness and optimize their operations through the seamless integration of truck appointments systems and the consolidation of Unit status data from multiple sources (multiple Terminal Operating Systems - TOS and Trucker mobile interfaces). The service is also bundled with complementary security, environmental and marketing services depending on the type of terminal or port.

FUNCTIONALITIES AND DIFFERENTIATORS

ecoTAURuS was conceived and built based on the requirements of two terminal operators (IFB & Adria Kombi ) and provides:
• Unit Order Management: supports the retrieving, sending and providing visibility on Unit order information from multiple sources, along with identification of preferred unit loading/unloading slots to maximize the potential for direct loading/unloading.
• Integration with multiple Terminal and other Systems: supports the seamless collection of Track Appointment Reservations, Visit/Call IDs, slot availability, TOS generated events, TMS
• Trip Order Management: supports the retrieving, updating, sending Trip Order information from multiple sources
• Trucker Mobile Interface: supports the receiving/accepting Trip Orders from multiple sources, reporting Unit Status, receiving notifications, transmitting GPS data
• Automated Incident Notifications: provides notifications for unit delays, traffic data, terminal capacity/congestions/equipment failure through secure channels to the responsible actors/roles
• Information Exchange/Authentication: enhances security and information protection through a single Access (Entry) Point, alleviating the routing concerns for messaging
• Measurement: seamless connection and streaming data flows with measuring and benchmarking application for decision support, process monitoring, and strategic planning.

THREE PORTS SIGN ON ALREADY FOR TRIALS

Port of Patras

Mr Antypas, Head, Department of Studies, Technical Works and Environment of the Patras Port Authority (Port of Patras – PPA) says 'With the construction of the New (Southern) Port and other developments in the PPA port terminals, , the New Port plays a key role in the multimodal transport chain of the South-east European Corridor. We are looking to further improve efficiency and environmental friendliness and the EcoTAURuS System complies with all our needs. The truck appointment and planning system for the port, fulfils our requirements and most importantly comes with tools that enable customisation of and integration with existing systems. The EcoTAURuS System has important technological innovations that will improve our productivity and our environmental footprint significantly.

Port of Alexandroupolis PoA
Mr Pogkas of the Port of Alexandroupolis, explains ' a small port such as PoA needs to maximise capacity utilization. When a vessel arrives in the port we need to synchronise the downstream supply chain in order for the transit operations to take place more efficiently and the cargo to be seamlessly unloaded to trains or trucks. The limited port space (both seaside and landside) requires advanced capacity planning, quick vessel turnaround, synchronized (un)loading and improved synchronization between modes. EcoTaurus and the EcoHubs Ecosystem offer an ideal solution for us as investment for large expensive solutions is impossible considering the current economic environment. The EcoHubs suite offers advanced technological for a fraction of the costs required to achieve the same productivity levels with traditional investments.

Port of Piraeus
Mr Papayiannopoulos, Port Security Officer for the Port of Piraeus Authority, explains how EcoTaurus will help the fastest growing port in Europe tackle productivity issues and environmental footprint reduction: "The port currently faces challenges in terms of security improvements and environmental performance. Our intention is to trial EcoTaurus with a new Access control system relying on advanced information for trucks and cargo. In particular EcoTaurus will help us reduce truck traffic from the congested port perimeter, better utilise truck availability, reduce emissions from congestion, and, reduce nuisance for citizens".

PRIVATE SECTOR: Koliousis Logistics Services

Mr Koliousis, Managing Director of the Koliousis Logistics Services and former Secretary General of the Hellenic Union of Road Transport Companies, confirms the value expected from implementing the EcoTaurus system. He explains that: "the economic situation reduced the truck productivity, primarily due to the empty runs. However, improved visibility over a network of EcoTaurus users, will improve the truck planning and assignment and will help boost our productivity thus reducing the truck carbon footprint. However, the important driver into selecting the EcoTaurus has been its easy to use, intuitive, smartphone interface, which is ready to be used by our drivers with minimal operational disruption and minimum training."