Mr. Goldberg, is there anything you would like to highlight?
I would particularly like to emphasize the trusting cooperation between all those involved in this project. More people and roles were involved in the introduction of the yard management system than we had expected, and star/trac was able to impress with its professional support and performance.
Why did you consider introducing yard management software at your site?
We at BASF in Schwarzheide had been looking for software that could support our processes in the best possible way and create transparency for some time. The solution is your yard management software flow.
The focus is on the digitalization of business processes, the integration of partners and freight forwarders, integration into existing business systems through the use of interfaces, but of course also on increasing efficiency.
In concrete terms, this means, for example, recording truck movements on the factory premises and maintaining an overview of individual journeys.
How many drivers and vehicles are currently in which process step at the site?
We also aimed to support and relieve the transport office and make the logistics processes at our production site leaner and simpler.
In summary, our aim was to simplify processing with the best possible transparency for everyone involved in the process.
What challenges did you identify in advance?
Systemically, we saw the connection to our management SAP system as one of the biggest challenges. We had set ourselves the goal of looking for a solution that had a high degree of standardization and was already successfully in operation in the chemical industry.
The introduction of software with this level of integration as an SaaS* solution, with its many issues regarding information protection, data security, etc., also kept us busy in the run-up to the project.
What were the highlights, what were the challenges that had to be overcome?
The excellent teamwork of all those involved should be emphasized once again at this point. The good coordination between our own project team and the star/trac project team created an intensive and productive working environment. The implementation on site therefore went very well.
It was challenging to implement this IT project as a SaaS* solution in a tight economic situation, which meant that the project had to be completed within a time frame of approx. 1 year. In addition, interface problems had to be overcome and many employees and partners had to be prepared for the new way of working.
How did the introduction of our yard management software flow go at your site?
After completing the first steps of the project, such as the preliminary study, process recordings, internal approvals and coordination, we decided in the preliminary phase to introduce the software as a cloud solution. This was a bold decision, as it was the first time for both of us to operate yard management software, in this case flow, from a cloud.
The successful preliminary study was followed by the implementation of the project... but then came the first wave of coronavirus. The first effects were a postponement of the planned go-live date by several months, the conversion of the training concept for the affected employees to online events and the limitation of the go-live team on site.
Nevertheless, the software went live smoothly in just one day in parallel in two separate operational teams for transport processing. Despite the many people involved in the process - from the transport office, service providers and loading points to plant security and the internal IT department - the changeover went off without any problems or delays.
How did your colleagues experience flow?
Our colleagues are very positive about the introduction of Yard Management flow. The outgoing goods process in particular has been accelerated. Thanks to electronic pre-announcement and digital documentation of individual process steps, there are no more illegible documents and translation and communication issues have also been reduced. This saves time.
Thanks to the bidirectional interface to SAP, the process could be seamlessly integrated into our business processes. The real-time monitor provided by the system shows incoming goods, outgoing goods, loose and packaged goods and therefore most trips and always provides an overview of the current processing status.
The employees in plant security also benefit from the digitalization of checklists and can no longer imagine working any other way. Mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones are used to process checklists, scan documents and store photos. All this information is then available to everyone involved in the process, which in turn significantly reduces the amount of communication required.
What happens next?
For us, the introduction of flow is just the starting signal, or rather a basic building block, for further steps in the digitalization of our physical and administrative transport handling processes.
We want to drive further improvements by implementing additional modules of the yard management software flow. Topics include gate automation, the connection of weighing systems, the use of instruction modules and the mapping of internal traffic.
To simplify check-in processes, we are looking into the introduction of the CTC Wallet driver app, the intensive expansion of slot booking and the stringent use of web-based forwarder pre-registration.
Software as a Service
Thanks to Mr. Goldberg for this very pleasant and informative interview.
Your plant logistics challenges are a thing of the past
We're taking your logistics to the next level - faster, more efficient, digital and perfectly integrated.
The proof is in the numbers
drives per day handled
reduction of waiting times
use of loading bay capacities
transparency
See more success stories
Automatised handling of entry and exit processes at BASF Ludwigshafen
"With our digitalization project, we are creating the conditions for effective and innovative truck handling and management at the Ludwigshafen site. With star/trac, we have a strong and experienced partner at our side," says Thomas Grunwald (Project Manager, Digitalization of Truck Handling at BASF in Ludwigshafen).
Optimised processes at Symrise/Symotion
Symotion, the logistics specialist for food and dangerous goods, controls the traffic on the site of Symrise AG in Holzminden with our system flow. They were the first to use the innovative function flow Touchpoint which enabled the drivers to perform the weighing of trucks autonomously.
flow - Yard management and truck supply control from the cloud successfully in use at BASF Schwarzheide GmbH
Mr. Goldberg - Expert Site Logistics at BASF Schwarzheide GmbH in an interview with star/trac
Ready to transform your yard operations?
From slot booking to check-in via app, weighing, loading point management, and check-out, flow streamlines your entire traffic processing. Experience enhanced planning reliability, data transparency, and time management.
Your questions, answered!
We've compiled answers to the most common questions our clients ask. Whether you're curious about our services, safety protocols, or how to get started, this section has all the information you need.
Digitalization is transforming the logistics industry by enabling more efficient, transparent, and agile operations. Through automation, real-time data integration, and smart systems, digitalization allows logistics companies to streamline complex workflows, reduce manual labor, and minimize errors. By digitizing critical functions such as order processing, inventory management, and transportation tracking, businesses can significantly reduce operational costs and improve resource allocation.
Moreover, access to real-time data enables quicker decision-making and better coordination, leading to shorter delivery times, improved customer satisfaction, and the ability to foresee and mitigate bottlenecks before they impact your supply chain. As global supply chains become increasingly complex, digitalization empowers logistics providers to stay competitive by offering increased speed, flexibility, and transparency.
Our logistics software is engineered to significantly accelerate and optimize logistics processes by automating manual tasks, integrating real-time data exchange, and ensuring seamless compatibility with your existing systems, such as ERP, WMS, and TMS platforms. The system automates key logistics workflows — such as order processing, inventory updates, and shipment tracking — allowing your team to focus on more strategic tasks. By harnessing real-time data, you can identify and resolve bottlenecks as soon as they arise, reducing downtime and enhancing operational efficiency.
Our software also uses intelligent algorithms to optimize resource allocation, ensuring that the right amount of inventory, labor, and transportation is used, minimizing waste, and maximizing productivity. This results in faster response times, improved delivery accuracy, and a more efficient end-to-end supply chain, ensuring your logistics operations can scale with growing demand.
Our yard management software flow is designed not only to speed up logistics processes, but also to make them more sustainable and resource efficient. By automating and digitising processes, it reduces paper consumption and significantly shortens truck turnaround times, which in turn reduces fuel consumption and therefore CO2 emissions. Real-time data enables optimised planning, minimising waiting times and empty runs — a significant contribution to reducing emissions.In addition, flow improves resource utilisation by monitoring the workflow in real time and identifying bottlenecks at an early stage. This innovative solution not only makes processes greener, but also increases efficiency and flexibility throughout the supply chain — a win-win situation for the environment and the business.
While our system offers some functionalities found in traditional Transport Management Systems (TMS), it goes beyond the scope of a standard TMS by offering a comprehensive solution that addresses a wider range of logistics challenges. Our platform integrates with existing TMS software but also provides advanced features like yard management, real-time data analytics, and flexible workflow automation, enabling you to manage not just transport logistics but your entire supply chain ecosystem. This broader functionality allows businesses to handle complex processes that span beyond just transportation, such as warehouse operations, yard logistics, and supplier management.
Our solution provides a holistic view of your logistics operations, ensuring end-to-end efficiency and helping you identify cost-saving opportunities that a traditional TMS may overlook.
Yes, we offer flow and its supporting services as robust, flexible Cloud-based logistics platform that provides On-Demand access to your data anytime, from anywhere, and on any device. Our Cloud solution is designed to ensure that your logistics operations are not tied to a physical location or hardware infrastructure, enabling your team to work remotely or from multiple sites seamlessly. On-site facilities like self-service-terminals, weighing stations or barriers are also supported. Security is a top priority — our Cloud platform is highly available, hosted across several data centers in Germany, protected by advanced firewalls, single-sign on and/or multi-factor authentication. Regular monitoring, backup and application of security updates are part of our service ensuring your sensitive logistics data is safe from cyber threats and unauthorized access. Our Cloud solution eliminates the risk of data loss while allowing for rapid scaling as your business is growing. The Cloud-based nature also ensures lower operational costs since there is no need for heavy investments in on-site IT infrastructure or maintenance.
Our logistics software is a perfect fit for companies seeking to streamline their logistics operations with automation, transparency, and enhanced efficiency. Whether you operate in industries such as manufacturing, distribution, or even more specialized sectors like the chemical industry, our system is designed to meet the needs of complex and large-scale logistics operations. We work closely with you to understand your specific operational challenges and logistics goals, tailoring our solution to ensure it fits seamlessly into your existing workflows.
From reducing operational costs to enhancing supply chain visibility and accelerating delivery times, our software supports businesses that want to remain agile and competitive in a rapidly evolving logistics environment. Our flexible and customizable platform ensures that it can adapt to meet your unique business needs, no matter the size or complexity of your operations.
Our yard management software flow records all relevant data for your logistics processes in real time, from incoming goods inspection to the departure of the trucks. The integrated reporting system keeps you on top of things.
- Standard reports provide you with all key logistics KPIs such as lead-times, error rates, capacity utilisation and on-time delivery.
- Customised dashboards can be flexibly adapted to your specific requirements.
- Automatic data preparation, including export (PDF), supports internal invoicing.
- Trend analysis helps to identify optimisation potential at an early stage.
The insights gained form the basis for fact-based decisions and continuous improvement of your logistics processes. AI-powered analytics also allow you to proactively respond to changes and optimise your processes with foresight.
Yes, flow is specifically built to handle the most demanding and complex logistics processes, ensuring smooth operations even in high-pressure environments. It is ideal for businesses with intricate supply chains, high volumes of goods, or complex distribution networks. The system is highly configurable, offering customizable workflows and modular features that can be tailored to your specific needs — whether you're dealing with multi-leg transportation, cross-docking, or specialized inventory management.
Our solution is also designed to handle industry-specific challenges, such as those faced by the chemical, manufacturing, or pharmaceutical industries, where precision and regulatory compliance are critical. The software's ability to integrate with other logistics systems (ERP, TMS, WMS) means that even in complex environments, you can maintain real-time visibility, automate key tasks, and ensure that all processes run efficiently and securely.
Yes, our software supports the integration of IoT hardware like scales, cameras, traffic lights, and other devices. This allows for process automation, faster workflows, and minimized errors by seamlessly connecting physical infrastructure with digital control systems.
Self-service features on driver terminals on the site at the Check-In allow drivers to enter data directly and efficiently. This results in faster and smoother operations.
In addition, a call-back function is available for direct contact with the driver.
By connecting the driver app CTC Wallet from Trusted Carrier, the driver can securely and conveniently register himself and his vehicle in advance. They will then receive a QR code to enable automated entry.
Since flow is built in responsive design, for relevant functionalities it is offering relevant stakeholders access to vital information and functions, whether on the move or on-site.
Our yard management software flow is designed not only to speed up logistics processes, but also to make them more sustainable and resource efficient. By automating and digitising processes, it reduces paper consumption and significantly shortens truck turnaround times, which in turn reduces fuel consumption and therefore CO2 emissions. Real-time data enables optimised planning, minimising waiting times and empty runs - a significant contribution to reducing emissions. In addition, 'flow' improves resource utilisation by monitoring the workflow in real time and identifying bottlenecks at an early stage. This innovative solution not only makes processes greener, but also increases efficiency and flexibility throughout the supply chain - a win-win situation for the environment and the business.
