Configura Unveils Transformative Updates with 15.0 Major Release
Configura, a provider of innovative design solutions for the material handling industry, is thrilled to unveil the exciting changes in the latest 15.0 Major update to CET.
Linköping, Sweden–May 20—Configura, a provider of innovative design solutions for the material handling industry, is thrilled to unveil the exciting changes in the latest 15.0 Major update to CET. The update includes a sleeker, more modern interface that's easier on the eyes and smoother to navigate.
“These enhancements mark a significant step forward in our commitment to fostering greater feedback and communication within our user community,” said Erin Corrill, Global Head of User Community at Configura. “Us Configurans are dedicated to continuously improving our products to enhance design flow, speed and overall user experience. By listening closely to our users and implementing their valuable feedback, we can ensure our products remain at the forefront of innovation in the design industry, empowering designers worldwide to achieve their creative visions with greater efficiency and ease."
A New Look for CET
While maintaining the beloved CET user experience, Configura introduces this facelift as part of its steadfast commitment to enhancing usability and delivering a standardized user experience across the platform. Users have complete control over whether they want to opt in and embrace the makeover or prefer the classic look; both options will coexist for a seamless transition.
Users can acquaint themselves with the new interface by simply switching between the two with the convenient UI toggle at the top right of the window or by participating in an interactive tour of the new features.
Expansions for CET Material Handling
In its ongoing efforts to enhance the Essentials for the CET Material Handling family, Configura is thrilled to introduce the debut of the Essential ASRS Extension. This new Extension offers a single-mast crane system that seamlessly integrates with selective racking systems from Essential Pallet Racking. This latest Extension not only broadens the scope of Configura’s material handling solutions but also enriches its platform's overall versatility and functionality.
Essential Conveyor Extension
Configura’s ongoing commitment to refinement and innovation is also exemplified in the recent updates to the Essential Conveyor Extension. Among these enhancements is the introduction of the Total Length Legend tool, which simplifies tracking the overall length of conveyor systems within designs. Additionally, curved conveyor units now boast an expanded range of angle options, offering greater flexibility in design configurations.
Including Pallet Conveyors as a new system type further enriches the conveyor offerings, providing access to essential conveyor parts tailored specifically for pallet movement, such as chain conveyors and pallet turntables. These updates underscore Configura’s dedication to empowering users with comprehensive tools and features that streamline design processes and elevate material handling solutions.
Partnership with Epic Games
Configura is also excited to announce an expanded partnership with Epic Games. This partnership will make Twinmotion the preferred fly-through tool, sunsetting Configura’s in-house solution, Movie Studio. Collaborating with Epic Games offers CET users first-class rendering and flythrough capabilities, elevating design projects to new heights.
As an authorized reseller, Configura offers a Twinmotion bundle for just $445 USD. This includes one year of the Twinmotion for CET Extension and one year of Twinmotion, offering a $100 USD savings. Users who already have a Twinmotion license can still enhance their CET experience with the Twinmotion for CET Extension available in the Configura Marketplace.
CAD Improvements
The 15.0 Major update also significantly improves CAD functionality to ensure a more stable and efficient experience when working with CAD files. These updates ensure users can work seamlessly with CAD files from different sources without a disrupted workflow caused by frequent bugs or performance issues.
The latest updates in CAD functionality include the option to import materials in the CAD Settings dialog, requiring materials to be locally available for import. Additionally, the Export CAD drawing dialog now offers the ability to export materials to DWG format, enabling the retention of CET materials for rendering within DWG drawings. Another new feature allows users to flatten 2D in the 3D view when importing CAD drawings, giving more control over the visualization. Lastly, users can now resize the CAD Settings dialog for improved readability, facilitating adjustments to window size and space distribution within the dialog.
Enhancements to Dimensions
Additional improvements to Dimensions empower users to create, measure and position objects with greater efficiency and precision. The new Quick Chain Dimensions and Quick Measure Mode tools make dimensioning faster and more intuitive.
The Quick Chain Dimensions tool lets users place chain dimensions faster and with fewer clicks. Once placed, Quick Chain Dimensions work with any type of object in CET from any Extension, and their properties and behavior are equivalent to those of the regular chain dimensions. With Quick Measure Mode, CET can automatically detect and measure distances, boosting design accuracy and speed.
COM Dialog Updates
In the design world, it’s common for users to have multiple unique Customer’s Own Materials (COMs) that are consistently used across various products within the same drawing. To simplify and standardize the time-consuming process of integrating COMs, Configura is releasing several updates to the COM dialog box in CET. By implementing these changes, Configura stays committed to streamlining its users’ design workflow, reducing the time spent on COM integration, and setting the stage for greater efficiency.
For more information on these exciting updates, explore Configura’s Roadmap, where users can discover upcoming projects, read full release notes and rate the importance of current ideas and projects.
Jeremy Van Puffelen grew up in a family-owned contract warehousing business and is now president of that firm, Prism Logistics. As a third-party logistics service provider (3PL), Prism operates a network of more than 2 million square feet of warehouse space in Northern California, serving clients in the consumer packaged goods (CPG), food and beverage, retail, and manufacturing sectors.
During his 21 years working at the family firm, Van Puffelen has taken on many of the jobs that are part of running a warehousing business, including custodial functions, operations, facilities management, business development, customer service, executive leadership, and team building. Since 2021, he has also served on the board of directors of the International Warehouse Logistics Association (IWLA), a trade organization for contract warehousing and logistics service providers.
Q: How would you describe the current state of the contract warehouse industry?
A: I think the current state of the industry is strong. For those that have been focused on building good client relationships over the years, I think it’s a really exciting time. Coming out of all the challenges of the past few years, I think there’s a lot of opportunity for growth and deeper partnerships. It’s fun to see the automation and AI (artificial intelligence) integration starting to evolve [in a way that’s] similar to what we saw with WMS (warehouse management systems) in the early 2000s.
Q: You are now president of your family firm. Is it an advantage having grown up in the business as opposed to working elsewhere?
A: I definitely believe it was an advantage growing up in the business. Whether it’s working with family or someone else in the industry, there’s always an advantage when you have mentors[to guide] you. I’ve been blessed to have several mentors, some in the industry, others just in life, and I’m thankful that they were willing to mentor me and that I was willing to listen to them.
Q: What are the biggest challenges currently facing 3PLs, and how are you addressing them?
A: Labor and legislation are both tough right now. The two seem to have a lot to do with each other, and it can make it tough to find and retain people. So I think we’ll see more and more automation of processes industrywide.
Q: Third-party service providers often must handle a wide variety of products for a lot of different clients. Does this variety make it difficult to invest in automation and other new technologies?
A: It can make things more difficult when looking at certain automation, but it’s in the “difficult” that a lot of opportunities lie. It would be tough to find a single solution that fits every client’s needs, but there are always opportunities to improve in certain areas. It just takes a bit of vision and commitment, and a willingness to invest in your own long-term success.
Q: As a 3PL, what do you look for when selecting the clients you work with?
A: Quality relationships that will last a long time. When both parties are happy and working together in the same direction, everyone wins.
Q: You’ve been a board member of the International Warehouse Logistics Association since 2021. Why is your involvement with this organization important to you?
A: I think it’s important to understand what’s happening in the industry. IWLA is a great resource for staying up to date and getting a solid education when it comes to the latest logistics trends. I also think it’s important to give back and pass along what we’ve learned to those just getting started in the business. As important as it is to have a mentor, it’s just as important to mentor and help others.
“While there have been some signs of tightening in consumer spending, September’s numbers show consumers are willing to spend where they see value,” NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said in a release. “September sales come amid the recent trend of payroll gains and other positive economic signs. Clearly, consumers continue to carry the economy, and conditions for the retail sector remain favorable as we move into the holiday season.”
The Census Bureau said overall retail sales in September were up 0.4% seasonally adjusted month over month and up 1.7% unadjusted year over year. That compared with increases of 0.1% month over month and 2.2% year over year in August.
Likewise, September’s core retail sales as defined by NRF — based on the Census data but excluding automobile dealers, gasoline stations and restaurants — were up 0.7% seasonally adjusted month over month and up 2.4% unadjusted year over year. NRF is now forecasting that 2024 holiday sales will increase between 2.5% and 3.5% over the same time last year.
Despite those upward trends, consumer resilience isn’t a free pass for retailers to underinvest in their stores by overlooking labor, customer experience tech, or digital transformation, several analysts warned.
"The 2024 holiday season offers more ‘normalcy’ for retailers with inflation cooling. Still, there is no doubt that consumers continue to seek value. Promotions in general will play a larger role in the 2024 holiday season. Retailers are dealing with shrinking shopper loyalties, a larger number of competitors across more channels – and, of course, a more dynamic landscape where prices are shifting more frequently to win over consumers who are looking for great deals,” Matt Pavich, senior director of strategy & innovation at pricing optimization solutions provider Revionics, said in an email.
Nikki Baird, VP of strategy & product at retail technology company Aptos, likewise said that retailers need to keep their focus on improving their value proposition and customer experience. “Retailers aren’t just competing with other retailers when it comes to consumers’ discretionary spending. If consumers feel like the shopping experience isn’t worth their time and effort, they are going to spend their money elsewhere. A trip to Italy, a dinner out, catching the latest Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds films — there is no shortage of ways that consumers can spend their discretionary dollars,” she said.
Editor's note:This article was revised on October 18 to correct the attribution for a quote to Matt Pavich instead of Nikki Baird.
The market for environmentally friendly logistics services is expected to grow by nearly 8% between now and 2033, reaching a value of $2.8 billion, according to research from Custom Market Insights (CMI), released earlier this year.
The “green logistics services market” encompasses environmentally sustainable logistics practices aimed at reducing carbon emissions, minimizing waste, and improving energy efficiency throughout the supply chain, according to CMI. The market involves the use of eco-friendly transportation methods—such as electric and hybrid vehicles—as well as renewable energy-powered warehouses, and advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) for optimizing logistics operations.
“Key components include transportation, warehousing, freight management, and supply chain solutions designed to meet regulatory standards and consumer demand for sustainability,” according to the report. “The market is driven by corporate social responsibility, technological advancements, and the increasing emphasis on achieving carbon neutrality in logistics operations.”
Major industry players include DHL Supply Chain, UPS, FedEx Corp., CEVA Logistics, XPO Logistics, Inc., and others focused on developing more sustainable logistics operations, according to the report.
The research measures the current market value of green logistics services at $1.4 billion, which is projected to rise at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.8% through 2033.
The report highlights six underlying factors driving growth:
Regulatory Compliance: Governments worldwide are enforcing stricter environmental regulations, compelling companies to adopt green logistics practices to reduce carbon emissions and meet legal requirements.
Technological Advancements: Innovations in technology, such as IoT, AI, and blockchain, enhance the efficiency and sustainability of logistics operations. These technologies enable better tracking, optimization, and reduced energy consumption.
Consumer Demand for Sustainability: Increasing consumer awareness and preference for eco-friendly products drive companies to implement green logistics to align with market expectations and enhance their brand image.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Companies are prioritizing sustainability in their CSR strategies, leading to investments in green logistics solutions to reduce environmental impact and fulfill stakeholder expectations.
Expansion into Emerging Markets: There is significant potential for growth in emerging markets where the adoption of green logistics practices is still developing. Companies can capitalize on this by introducing sustainable solutions and technologies.
Development of Renewable Energy Solutions: Investing in renewable energy sources, such as solar-powered warehouses and electric vehicle fleets, presents an opportunity for companies to reduce operational costs and enhance sustainability, driving further market growth.
A real-time business is one that uses trusted, real-time data to enable people and systems to make real-time decisions, Peter Weill, the chairman of MIT’s Center for Information Systems Research (CISR), said at the “IFS Unleashed” show in Orlando.
By adopting that strategy, they gain three major capabilities, he said in a session titled “Becoming a Real-Time Business: Unlocking the Transformative Power of Digital, Data, and AI.” They are:
business model agility without needing a change management program to implement it
seamless digital customer journeys via self-service, automated, or assisted multi-product, multichannel experiences
thoughtful employee experiences enabled by technology empowered teams
And according to Weill, MIT’s studies show that adopting that real-time data stance is not restricted just to digital or tech-native businesses. Rather, it can produce successful results for companies in any sector that are able to apply the approach better than their immediate competitors.
“ExxonMobil is uniquely placed to understand the biggest opportunities in improving energy supply chains, from more accurate sales and operations planning, increased agility in field operations, effective management of enormous transportation networks and adapting quickly to complex regulatory environments,” John Sicard, Kinaxis CEO, said in a release.
Specifically, Kinaxis and ExxonMobil said they will focus on a supply and demand planning solution for the complicated fuel commodities market which has no industry-wide standard and which relies heavily on spreadsheets and other manual methods. The solution will enable integrated refinery-to-customer planning with timely data for the most accurate supply/demand planning, balancing and signaling.
The benefits of that approach could include automated data visibility, improved inventory management and terminal replenishment, and enhanced supply scenario planning that are expected to enable arbitrage opportunities and decrease supply costs.
And in the chemicals and lubricants space, the companies are developing an advanced planning solution that provides manufacturing and logistics constraints management coupled with scenario modelling and evaluation.
“Last year, we brought together all ExxonMobil supply chain activities and expertise into one centralized organization, creating one of the largest supply chain operations in the world, and through this identified critical solution gaps to enable our businesses to capture additional value,” said Staale Gjervik, supply chain president, ExxonMobil Global Services Company. “Collaborating with Kinaxis, a leading supply chain technology provider, is instrumental in providing solutions for a large and complex business like ours.”