STEEL + TECHNOLOGY 01/2020 EXTRACT

STEEL DISTRIBUTION | 69
Steel logistics
SSAB’s road transportation digitalized
through eTransport
Digitalization is part of logistics today. Innovative technology makes it possible to track and plan shipments more
efficiently. Client requirements for transport chain visibility and traceability are also recognized by SSAB. The
first step in digitalization of the transport chain is to adopt electronic data interchange. Digitalizing information
makes it more adaptable for numerous applications as digital services are developed.
SAB has systematically been developing
electronic data interchange for
years in road transportation. In 2013,
SSAB sites in Finland adopted electronic
data interchange with transport operators.
The concept was named eTransport.
Today, the same system is used for transport
orders and monitoring in Finland and
Sweden. eTransport is used at all SSAB
sites and service centers in Finland, as
well as the Borlänge, Oxelösund and Finspång
sites in Sweden.
eTransport has become increasingly
popular over the years, and currently
around 60 transport operators are using
the solution. SSAB’s sites use the system
for placing orders electronically with transport
operators. The operator confirms the
order electronically and submits any additional
data required by the site, including
vehicle registration numbers and pick-up
times. Once the transport operator picks
up the shipment from our site, the pick-up
time is logged into eTransport. When the
shipment arrives, the transport operator
logs the actual delivery time into the system.
The operator can also report any
inconsistencies or other events affecting
the shipment during transportation with
eTransport.
“Technically speaking, eTransport is a
combination of Electronic Data Interchange
(EDI) and cloud services. Everything
revolves around transport-related data,
which is exchanged through a harmonized
data transfer interface. Standardized data
and technical solutions have facilitated connecting
new operators to eTransport. Both
SSAB and the transport operators have
access to the same view and data content,”
explains SSAB Europe’s eTransport
Project Manager Juha Harju-Panula.
“Once a transport operator has been
connected to eTransport, they are able to
eTransport is a combination of Electronic Data
Interchange (EDI) and cloud services. Once a
transport operator has been connected to
eTransport, they are able to communicate with
all SSAB sites.
communicate with all SSAB sites. The
transport operator can choose to connect
to eTransport with a mobile device, web
browser, or by implementing an EDI connection
in their own system”, he continues.
Benefits of eTransport
Juha Harju-Panula, eTransport Project Manager at SSAB Europe
The eTransport concept improves cost-efficiency
for road transportation through
automated data processing. Electronic
transport orders reduce manual labor and
the risk of human errors. SSAB’s sites are
also able to schedule operator arrivals
more accurately and prepare for upcoming
loading processes in advance. This shortens
unloading times, facilitating loading
and ensuring that products are delivered
to customers faster.
eTransport supports SSAB’s delivery
accuracy targets by improving transport
chain transparency. Some road transport
can already now be followed in real time,
which enables information about in consistencies
electronically from eTransport.
In future, transport tracking information
will be available to customers through the
customer portal as well as through eTransport.
• SSAB
eTransport is used for transport orders and monitoring at all SSAB sites and service
centers in Finland, as well as the Borlänge, Oxelösund and Finspång sites in Sweden
(Picture: SSAB Europe)
STEEL + TECHNOLOGY 2 (2020) No. 1