CONTENT
- Home
- Cover Story
- General Features
- Interview
- Business Profiles
- Company Showcase
- News
- Appointments
- Conferences and Exhibitions
- Rail Alliance Newsletter
CHANNELS
- Infrastructure
- Rolling Stock
- Freight
- Health & Safety
- Security
- Skills & Training
- Franchises
- Business Improvement
- New Products & Services
- Station Development
- Contracts
- Depots & Maintenance
OTHER MAGAZINES
- Venture
- Food Chain
- Construction Today Europe
- Manufacturing Today Europe
- Modern Utility Management
- European Supply Chain Management
- European Oil and Gas
- Shipping and Marine
- Schofield Publishing
RSS FEEDS
FeedsHome: April / May 2012 › A new approach to the market – smart solutions and smart logistics
A new approach to the market – smart solutions and smart logistics
20/04/2012 | Channel: Infrastructure, Rolling Stock, Business Improvement, New Products & Services
Faced with apparently conflicting challenges within the supply chain, FOCON believes that offering scalable, customisable, standardized solutions is the only way forward
Who hasn’t heard the following?
“The rail industry is very conservative……”
“Standardisation is impossible……”
“We as car builders have to offer unique solutions
to compete…….”
“Project design costs (non-recurring) are far
too high……..”
“We want the newest, state-of-the-art technology…..”
“We want fewer spare parts on stock without jeopardising up-time….”
“Your parts are obsolete and require a re-design.....”
“Your delivery time for spare parts is too long…..”
Technology is changing rapidly – day2day
Today’s consumer has become accustomed to the exponential development rates for consumer electronics, driven by the entertainment industry. New products and concepts are being churned out two-three times a year. Rapid global deployment of mobile telephones, 3G and 4G internet solutions and newer, thinner, more energy-effective devices are spreading information technology and opportunities for more efficient use of their time are likewise creating new demands among passengers and challenging all companies who supply information systems directed at rail passengers.
New mix of challenges
Typically, IT systems for passenger information in trains have been designed specifically for each project. Each OEM car builder has their own internal design standards and concepts, which suppliers must meet, guaranteeing Fit, Form and Function for typically a 30-year car lifetime. At least one global OEM operates with multiple sets of internal standards dependent upon how many engineering departments they employ and how many geographical sites they occupy.
Train operators on the other hand are increasingly focusing on energy efficiency, flexibility, lifetime costs and responsiveness to new trends, but are limited by the rolling stock they employ. Often the requirements of the car builders and their supply chain are out of alignment with the needs and expectations of the train operators and finally with those of the passengers.
So the challenge for companies who serve the entire supply chain, from OEM car builder to train operator to maintenance company, is to develop a business model to address these often conflicting interests both in the case of new builds and retrofits.
Offering scalable, customisable, standardized solutions is in our opinion the only way forward.
A WIN situation for all
Basic electronics in these systems is ideally based on standard componentry. Volume is probably the single most important cost driver in electronics production – so it is imperative to get as large economies of scale as possible. Scalability and customisation are best achieved in the software in the heart of these systems. .. (Of course there is also a degree of latitude in design of the visible devices to match the space and ergonomics of the car design).
Software can also be standardized and yet customisable. Using a modular approach, new functionality can be added as the need arises. If this flexibility is designed into the trains from the beginning, the information systems can be adapted and upgraded over time at substantially lower costs than today. New functionality and new devices can be added to the basic product backbone without having to replace the entire system.
We believe this WWW approach (WIN/WIN/WIN) allows the train builder and the train operator to become more responsive to the information needs of the customer – THE PASSENGER.
Value for money through proven solutions
From one-off project to proven solutions that build on standardization and scalability
If you recognized any of the opening statements … you should look into FOCON’s latest PIS / CIS platform. A platform built listening to the ‘customer’s voice’ and innovative thinking. With help from key industry people, passengers, train builders, operators and consultancy companies we have acquired an in-depth insight into current and future needs within rolling stock and built our newest PIS / CIS generation around it. We have designed it in a standardized way utilizing proven building blocks that may be configured into exactly your requirements.
Not only is it proven, it’s also easy upgradeable over time. You can start with a basic PIS system and easily upgrade later with our advanced, yet cost-effective infotainment system, route-info system or other special features from our standard option packages.
Our IMAGINE platform is not just a standalone PIS solution where you may add your choice of options, it is effectively supported by a strong, customizable, aftersales concept InMotion ensuring optimum up-time and lifetime costs, by maximizing availability of spares and service with proven products of high reliability.
FOCON stands today as a market-leading solution provider whose core capabilities are integrated solutions consisting of total project management, software programming and software-friendly hardware. Our new platforms are IP-based and include, among others, options such as infotainment, CCTV, and disruption messaging.
As a member of Luminator Technology Group, and IRIS and ISO certified, we offer proven processes and global presence for the rolling stock market. We provide solutions ranging from LRV (Light Rail Vehicles) over Commuter and Regional trains, Metros and Undergrounds to high-speed trains. Other Group companies excel in systems for buses.
We offer an excellent choice for those seeking solutions for the future, solutions that may be scaled up going forward and which may be run with a highly competitive level of lifetime costs. Our concept has been well-received by our extensive reference list of both leading train operators and train builders.
Let us challenge you with our smart solutions – you can’t IMAGINE all the possibilities that open to you.
More information is to be found on FOCON’s website www.focon.com or by contacting FOCON directly. Contact information is also available on the company’s website.
“The rail industry is very conservative……”
“Standardisation is impossible……”
“We as car builders have to offer unique solutions
to compete…….”
“Project design costs (non-recurring) are far
too high……..”
“We want the newest, state-of-the-art technology…..”
“We want fewer spare parts on stock without jeopardising up-time….”
“Your parts are obsolete and require a re-design.....”
“Your delivery time for spare parts is too long…..”
Technology is changing rapidly – day2day
Today’s consumer has become accustomed to the exponential development rates for consumer electronics, driven by the entertainment industry. New products and concepts are being churned out two-three times a year. Rapid global deployment of mobile telephones, 3G and 4G internet solutions and newer, thinner, more energy-effective devices are spreading information technology and opportunities for more efficient use of their time are likewise creating new demands among passengers and challenging all companies who supply information systems directed at rail passengers.
New mix of challenges
Typically, IT systems for passenger information in trains have been designed specifically for each project. Each OEM car builder has their own internal design standards and concepts, which suppliers must meet, guaranteeing Fit, Form and Function for typically a 30-year car lifetime. At least one global OEM operates with multiple sets of internal standards dependent upon how many engineering departments they employ and how many geographical sites they occupy.
Train operators on the other hand are increasingly focusing on energy efficiency, flexibility, lifetime costs and responsiveness to new trends, but are limited by the rolling stock they employ. Often the requirements of the car builders and their supply chain are out of alignment with the needs and expectations of the train operators and finally with those of the passengers.
So the challenge for companies who serve the entire supply chain, from OEM car builder to train operator to maintenance company, is to develop a business model to address these often conflicting interests both in the case of new builds and retrofits.
Offering scalable, customisable, standardized solutions is in our opinion the only way forward.
A WIN situation for all
Basic electronics in these systems is ideally based on standard componentry. Volume is probably the single most important cost driver in electronics production – so it is imperative to get as large economies of scale as possible. Scalability and customisation are best achieved in the software in the heart of these systems. .. (Of course there is also a degree of latitude in design of the visible devices to match the space and ergonomics of the car design).
Software can also be standardized and yet customisable. Using a modular approach, new functionality can be added as the need arises. If this flexibility is designed into the trains from the beginning, the information systems can be adapted and upgraded over time at substantially lower costs than today. New functionality and new devices can be added to the basic product backbone without having to replace the entire system.
We believe this WWW approach (WIN/WIN/WIN) allows the train builder and the train operator to become more responsive to the information needs of the customer – THE PASSENGER.
Value for money through proven solutions
From one-off project to proven solutions that build on standardization and scalability
If you recognized any of the opening statements … you should look into FOCON’s latest PIS / CIS platform. A platform built listening to the ‘customer’s voice’ and innovative thinking. With help from key industry people, passengers, train builders, operators and consultancy companies we have acquired an in-depth insight into current and future needs within rolling stock and built our newest PIS / CIS generation around it. We have designed it in a standardized way utilizing proven building blocks that may be configured into exactly your requirements.
Not only is it proven, it’s also easy upgradeable over time. You can start with a basic PIS system and easily upgrade later with our advanced, yet cost-effective infotainment system, route-info system or other special features from our standard option packages.
Our IMAGINE platform is not just a standalone PIS solution where you may add your choice of options, it is effectively supported by a strong, customizable, aftersales concept InMotion ensuring optimum up-time and lifetime costs, by maximizing availability of spares and service with proven products of high reliability.
FOCON stands today as a market-leading solution provider whose core capabilities are integrated solutions consisting of total project management, software programming and software-friendly hardware. Our new platforms are IP-based and include, among others, options such as infotainment, CCTV, and disruption messaging.
As a member of Luminator Technology Group, and IRIS and ISO certified, we offer proven processes and global presence for the rolling stock market. We provide solutions ranging from LRV (Light Rail Vehicles) over Commuter and Regional trains, Metros and Undergrounds to high-speed trains. Other Group companies excel in systems for buses.
We offer an excellent choice for those seeking solutions for the future, solutions that may be scaled up going forward and which may be run with a highly competitive level of lifetime costs. Our concept has been well-received by our extensive reference list of both leading train operators and train builders.
Let us challenge you with our smart solutions – you can’t IMAGINE all the possibilities that open to you.
More information is to be found on FOCON’s website www.focon.com or by contacting FOCON directly. Contact information is also available on the company’s website.
