Transportsystem
Also: Transportsysteme, technisches Transportsystem, Transport-System, Materialtransportsystem
AI-generated
A transport system refers to the totality of all technical facilities, processes and organizational structures that enable the physical transport of goods, products or materials.
Key facts
- Transport system is an umbrella term that can refer to both external transport networks and internal material flow solutions.
- In intralogistics applications, the term encompasses conveyor technology, AGVs, AMRs and tugger train systems.
- A clear distinction from the transport control system and the TMS is essential when specifying systems.
- Selecting a suitable transport system requires analysis of throughput, product range, IT interfaces and scalability.
What is a transport system?
The term transport system is an umbrella term that is applied in logistics at two fundamentally different levels. In an external context, it describes the network of carriers, routes and processes that organizes the interregional or international flow of goods. In an internal context, it refers to technical systems that ensure the flow of materials within a warehouse, production facility or distribution center. Since both meanings coexist in practice, it is important to always specify the term clearly in project requirements, tenders and system specifications.
Internal transport systems in intralogistics
In an intralogistics environment, a transport system typically encompasses various technologies and system categories:
- Conveyor technology: Continuous conveyors such as belt conveyors, roller conveyors or chain conveyors that automatically move goods between storage locations or workstations.
- Automated guided vehicle systems (AGVs): Automatically navigating vehicles that flexibly handle transport tasks within the facility.
- Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs): Unlike conventional AGVs, these operate without fixed path guidance and feature dynamic route planning.
- Tugger train systems: Manual or semi-automated systems for the scheduled replenishment of materials between buffer zones and point of use.
These systems frequently work in conjunction with higher-level control systems, such as a transport management system or a warehouse management system that manages transport orders and coordinates the facility's components.
What matters when making a selection?
Choosing the right transport system depends on several factors that should be carefully analyzed in advance. The first question to address is whether the transport requirement is internal or external, as this fundamentally changes the relevant vendors, technologies and interfaces. Throughput requirements, product range, building structure and the required level of automation then play a decisive role.
Further relevant criteria include the ability to interface with existing IT systems such as ERP or WMS, as well as the system's scalability as volumes grow. Since transport systems typically represent long-term investments, maintenance concepts, spare parts availability and manufacturer support should also factor into the decision. Whether a system is financed via CapEx or as a service depends on the vendor and contract terms and should be considered early in the business case.
Related terms
- AGV
AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) refers to driverless transport vehicles that automatically move goods in warehouses and production environments. They follow predefined or sensor-controlled routes without a human driver.
- AMR
AMR (Autonomous Mobile Robot) is a driverless, self-navigating transport robot that moves goods within a warehouse without any fixed installed infrastructure. It orientates itself independently using sensors and digital maps, and dynamically avoids obstacles.
- API
An API (Application Programming Interface) is a defined interface through which two software systems can exchange data in an automated and standardized way. In intralogistics, it connects systems such as WMS, ERP, or TMS with one another and with external services.
- Automatisierung
Automation refers to the use of technologies and systems to execute processes fully or partially without human intervention. In intralogistics, the spectrum ranges from simple conveyor systems to fully automated high-bay warehouses with autonomous vehicles.
- Business Case Automatisierung
The Business Case Automation evaluates, from an economic and operational perspective, whether an investment in warehouse or intralogistics automation is justified. It summarizes costs, benefits, risks, and assumptions in a structured way, forming the basis for management approval decisions.
- CapEx
CapEx (Capital Expenditures) refers to investment expenditures for long-term assets such as plant, machinery, or IT infrastructure. These expenditures are capitalized and depreciated over their useful life, rather than being recorded immediately as an expense.
- Carrier
A carrier is a transport service provider that physically moves goods from a point of origin to a destination. It assumes operational responsibility for the actual transport – as opposed to freight forwarders or logistics service providers, who often only coordinate.
- Disposition
Disposition refers to the operational planning and control of resources, quantities, and orders in logistics – for example in transport or materials disposition. It encompasses capacity assignment, scheduling, prioritization, and response to disruptions.
- Distributionslogistik
Distribution logistics encompasses all processes that move goods from the manufacturer or warehouse to the end customer – from network planning through storage and transportation to order fulfillment.
- FTS
An Automated Guided Vehicle System (AGVS) is a complete system of automatically controlled vehicles, infrastructure, and control software that transports goods within a facility without human drivers.