Analyzing Important Features Of An Intermodal Company In An Essay.

After reading further background material on the concept of an intermodal company and relevant case studies on related companies, prepare report analysing the important features of an intermodal.  This can be located in Australia or an internatinal location i.e.Qube in Australia).  Identify logistics management strategies to resolve any issues related to the operational aspects of the company.

• The main problems at with the current logistics network in NSW or as it applies to the city where your intermodal is located
• How they might be resolved
• What, if any, involvement should government have in the resolution of the problems

Important features of Qube intermodal company

An intermodal company is a corporation that deals with freight in an intermodal container that encompasses various modes of transportation which may be rail or ship whereby the change in the methods does not involve handling the load directly. It incorporates the linking of different means of transport for efficient transportation of goods. It is typically the movement of freight from one mode of transportation to another. Containerization has made it more efficient since shipment can be moved directly into rail cars or trucks or from trucks into tracks (Cameron, 2014). This process can also be referred to as intermodalism. Intermodal help companies to reduce transportation cost since rail and trucks require little fuel and movement from the truck to the train requires little labor hence cost effective. The reduced cost has then made it very popular hence the evolution of the traditional way of freight transportation through truck or rail. There are various types of intermodalism, they include;

• Sea-truck- this whereby the shipment which are in containers are transferred from sea ports to the trucks at the marine terminals.
• Sea-rail-involves transfer of containers from the sea to the rail modes that are located near the marine terminals.
• Truck-rail-encompasses transfer of shipment from trucks to the intermodal rails.

For the process of intermodalism to be successful various types of types of equipment must be available to facilitate the transportation of goods. The equipment include 

• Containers- products are packed into containers to enable easy transportation.
• Intermodal terminal- these are the pieces of equipment used at the terminals for movement, loading and offloading of the containers for example packers which are used to move containers from bottom to top and stackers which are used to stack containers.
• Transportation equipment- these are types of the material used to haul intermodal freight.
• Intermodal chassis -these are frames which are wheeled and contain devices for locking containers.

It is very imperative for Qube to have a logistic and activities for modeling the day to day operations at the terminals (Monios, 2015). This is necessary to avoid congestion and for security purposes. Again, it helps in the preventing environmental hazards related to congestion or idling on the road. Logistics is also significant as it ensures trans-loading of the cargo from international containers and ensures they are offloaded to the domestic trailers (Francis, M., Fisher, R., Thomas, A., & Rowlands, H. ., 2014).  Through logistics, Qube's logistic operations can be tracked as they are transferred through trucks, and these trips that the vehicles make are accounted for. Also, logistics is very imperative in the channeling of trucks equitably in the region.

Cargo handling and storage involves three main activities. The large transfer facilities whereby there are the massive commodities are moved. Cross docking where the cargo is Trans loaded without being stored in the warehouse, and this entails many trips and deliveries (Yang, Y. C., & Lin, C. L., 2013). The last activity is whereby the docks are transferred to the warehouse and distribution centers. Qube must have all the superior facilities to enhance its operations.

This is the transfer of containers from one terminal to another which may be marine terminal or rail terminal. They have to be taken into account to come up with the total trips made on the highway network. Drayage can also be considered as truck trips, and so it is important for Qube to have drayage since it is cost effective.

Equipment

It is very crucial for the management to consider the most cost-effective means of transporting goods in the region and on the same note providing quality services to achieve the primary objectives. Therefore it is important for Qube to understand the needs and expectations of the customers and the degree of logistics necessary. Deliveries, therefore, must be timely to both the inbound and outbound clients (Chandra, S., Ghosh, D., & Srivastava, S. K. . , 2016). Outsourcing logistics activities require a supportive organization to ensure fruitful logistic operations.

The introduction of new and utilization of the existing technology helps in improving and catering for the customer needs in a more efficient manner that saves a lot of time. Advanced technology should be used in all the criteria of managing the supply chain. All the processes involved in Qube’s logistics can be compressed together and be automated to just a single click whereby accounting, inventory processing, and shipping process are integrated to just a single click (Pu, L., Xiaolu, L., Chunping, H., & Zengxiang, Z., 2015). Information systems like Executive Resource Planning and SaaS are also essential for processing. This is very crucial in logistics as Qube can create websites for efficient management of the inventory. It reduces paperwork and improves the logistics operations, for example, validating credit cards instantly and facilitates calculation of shipment costs.

In as much as Qube may be working towards reducing the costs involved with the transportation of goods, it must consider the logistics that are demand driven. Demand-driven logistics and inbound logistics leads to lower costs, and in the same perspective, it is very important to improve customer service (Christopher, 2016). Inbound logistics helps develop the third party logistics (3PL) and helps shippers understand the importance of evaluating the 3PL providers for effective customer satisfaction.

Various logistics networks are imperative to any organization, for example, the FTL, LTL, and courier. Logistics volumes are anticipated labout these networks and so positioning them appropriately can provide significant discounts in the cost of freight hence providing a competitive edge to Qube (Roghanian, E., & Pazhoheshfar, P., 2014). This great discount creates a difference between the Qube and other related companies. For this reason, Qube should acquire an end to end access to their network and evaluate the services and costs.

Qube as an intermodal company cannot manage to do everything in the case of logistics, and so they have to emphasize on a particular thing that will facilitate efficiency and effectiveness in logistics. Outsourcing domestically may be very efficient. Qube should also ensure it has competent people for planning and executing their networks with relevant experience, skills and good customer relations (Schönsleben, 2016). Qube must make sure that the products flow efficiently in the supply chain. Again, it must have strategic ways that deals with the general design of the network and tactical that involve application of relevant carrier ways of optimizing their freights to gain a competitive advantage.

Logistics and operations at the terminals

The challenges faced with the current logistics network in NSW in Australia can be classified into various categories which include; technological, legislative, demographic, environmental, regional and urban challenges.

In the past few years, it has been noted that accident claims related to animal have increased to a greater percentage. Wild animals can appear anywhere in the local regions, and this is a huge threat to Qube's tools and equipment as well as the life of the people involved in the transportation process like the drivers. The consequence of this is, therefore, damages hence increased losses to the Qube.

Australia is such a big city and so maintaining all its roads is such a tricky task. Due to the frequent movement of goods through heavy trucks some of the roads have been destroyed (Rushton, A., Croucher, P., & Baker, P., 2014). The existence of potholes makes the roads unworthy hence may result in damage to the equipment and the trucks or very long transportation period thus hindering Qube’s objectives.

Australia is one of the countries that are prone to natural disasters like floods and bushfires. This may end up damaging the equipment and floods, for example, will lead to delay of the commodities since transportation has been hindered. Floods are as well dangerous to the human life since the drivers and the trucks may be carried away by the overflowing water. Qube will consequently incur many losses and delays.

During winter snowballs are encountered. At times the snow is too much that the Qube’s drivers are not able to see well hence making transportation such a hell of work. Also, during this period the tires may not be convenient, and so it requires the use of tire chains, and for that case, heavy trailers and trucks are not encouraged on the road hence causing delays and damage of the perishable goods. During summer, on the other hand, the temperatures are very high thus the railway lines may buckle (Woodward, G., Bonada, N., Feeley, H. B., & Giller, P. S, 2015). Furthermore, some goods are highly perishable, and so the high temperatures may be to their disadvantage as they require cold temperatures to enhance their stay.

The government of Australia has the responsibility of funding various activities of its state. It collects tax and revenues to be used for funding such activities as infrastructure and education. Disagreements may come in when it comes to funding infrastructure for example which roads and railway should be built and developed. This disagreement, therefore, results in delays in improvement or building the roads and rail thus affecting transportation.

Cargo handling and storage

To transport goods to Australia various regulations need to be taken into consideration, for example, Qube has to obtain a permit to do so. Some of these regulations may affect logistics directly or indirectly (Psaraftis, H. N. (Ed.)., 2015). Obtaining such permits may take quite a long period due to the formalities required and procedures to be followed. Moreover, getting the license is an additional cost to the Qube.

Technological advancement has led to the existence of new regimes. The new systems require computer skills and not all Qube employees are computer literate. This, therefore, leads to frustrations to these employees and demoralization to the employees who were not consulted before adoption of the new system (Wang, C. J., & Gou, M. M., 2014). Throughout the process of adjusting into the new regime employees will make numerous mistakes since they are not so used to the new system hence some data may be lost in the process. Qube, therefore, will incorporate experts to help assist the employees until they adjust and this will slow down the distribution and logistics operations.

Since Australia is a developed country, it has advanced technology, and so most of the companies rely so much on technology for their operations due to ease and efficiency. Over-relying on technology have negative impacts such as information loss in case technology fails. For this reason, it is important for Qube to encompass backup systems to various sources which are very costly.

 Over the last few decades, security risks associated with transportation of goods grew more so the valuable goods like electronics and jewelry. Necessary control measures should be put in place to mitigate such risks like surveillance systems, window and door locks and random security checks (Lam, J. S. L., & Dai, J., 2015). These measures are very costly, and the thieves are very well acquainted with them hence they keep advancing new techniques of stealing.

Traffic congestion can be reduced by locating warehouses in less populated regions and improvement of the roads to ensure a traffic flow. The government of Australia can also build more highways and superhighways to reduce congestion (He, X., Chen, X., Xiong, C., Zhu, Z., & Zhang, L., 2016). Encouraging the use of public transport so as to reduce the number of vehicles on the road can also help to reduce congestion.

The latest changes to road signs and posts should be used to prevent or minimize the occurrence of accidents. Qube should fully utilize its resources whereby they reduce the number of trips by carrying heavy loads and use other routes that do not encompass tolls.

Drayage

Being that the distance to be covered is colossal since Australia is immense, Qube should consider carrying heavy loads with the maximum capacity to reduce the number of trips and save on cost and having suppliers from within so as to reduce the transportation distance (Waters, D., & Rinsler, S., 2014).  Moreover, Qube can also consider cheaper methods such as rail transportation.

The drivers should be trained on how to deal with the situation in case a wild animal appears, and they should also be made aware of and important signs put in the regions that are prone to wild animals. In addition to that, they should consider putting measures to prevent the animals from crossing the road like taking the animals to the national parks and proper fencing to keep them from escaping.

Poor and unworthy roads should be improved with better road signs and various warning posts. This will enable Qube transport its goods faster and more efficiently.

Qube should mind adopting environmentally friendly technologies for the perishable goods like warehouses where they can be stored to facilitate their longevity and maximization of the capacity by carrying heavy loads to reduce the number of trips during the favorable climate period.

Forecasting is necessary to predict the weather hence effective planning for adequate transportation of enough goods before the unfavorable so that they are not affected by the delays. Qube’s employees should also be trained on how to handle such perishable goods and advanced technology used in the preservation of such products (Ramos, T. R. P., Gomes, M. I., & Barbosa-Póvoa, A. P., 2014). Again other alternative means of transportation like air may be used in such periods.

Encouraging activities that ensure that infrastructure is carried out without any interference and that can be done by lobbying various groups and also finding representatives who fight for the development of regional roads.

Qube should help its employees to adapt to the new system by training them and taking the implementation process in stages so that they don't feel frustrated or demoralized. This will help reduce the information loss and use of backup systems to prevent loss of information.

The government must have key strategies of helping those who live in areas that frequently encounter natural disasters like compensation for the damages caused and providing incentives when disaster strikes (Bolumole, Y. A., Closs, D. J., & Rodammer, F. A. ., 2015). Implementation of such strategies will provide a significant impact on the logistics operations as the losses related to natural disasters will be compensated by the government thus improving efficiency.

Logistics management strategies

Efficient freight logistics play a massive role in the sustainability of economic growth and so on that perspective freight logistics has brought a significant positive impact to the Australian economy and its environmental sustainability (Walker, P. H., Seuring, P. S., Sarkis, P. J., & Klassen, R., 2014). In that case, it is vital for the government to improve infrastructure and employ environmentally friendly rules so as to boost efficient freight logistics to enhance sustainability.

The government must find strategic ways of increasing funds for improvement of infrastructure so as to ensure that any problems encountered in logistics in Australia are not as a result of congestion or poor state of the roads. It should make sure efficiency by building other alternative means of transportation like rails so as to reduce congestion. It can also encourage public-private partnerships.

References

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