Porsche Controls AGVs via MHP FleetExecuter

The sports car manufacturer Porsche integrates Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) into its intralogistics, which are now controlled via the MHP FleetExecuter. This marks the first time in the company’s history that the automaker relies on a central fleet management system. The cloud solution, integrated into the existing IT infrastructure, is in use at the main plants in Zuffenhausen. There, it serves as the functional core of the logistics process automation. Further roll-outs are expected soon, such as in the construction of the Taycan.

(Ludwigsburg) Numerous projects are planned, involving several hundred vehicles in different AGV fleets with over 300 functions in operation. The subsidiary of Porsche AG is responsible for consulting, implementation, product development, as well as service and support.

Currently, 27 driverless transport vehicles (FTF) conduct up to 1,600 material transports, including loading trips, daily over a distance of 750 meters. The MHP FleetExecuter orchestrates various new and older assets such as elevators, high-speed doors, and existing systems. Additionally, the FTF navigate through four automatic gates, a double elevator system, and four crossing external systems on their route between different high racks.

Henning Hiebsch, Partner and Business Owner FleetExecuter at MHP: “We are dealing with a completely novel architecture here. To meet Porsche’s individual requirements, we have configured and further developed the solution to ensure that the process-critical production supply is guaranteed one hundred percent. Despite its technical complexity, it remains intuitive for the end user.” For this purpose, the application was fully digitally modeled and simulated in advance and then physically tested in the MHPLab, a testing area of MHP in Ludwigsburg, as well as in a customer-oriented cloud infrastructure. The result was that the software could be put into operation just a few months after the project began.

Marc Lösken, Head of Porsche Brand Logistics: “I am pleasantly surprised that the project has started so successfully despite a short realization time of only 9 months.” Four parties with 100 participants were involved in the project, and numerous connections to internal and external systems had to be realized – nevertheless, the FleetExecuter was able to go into automatic operation on time. Since June 2023, plants 2 and 3 at Porsche in Zuffenhausen have been live. Ten more projects will follow, including in “Building 70,” the assembly hall of the Porsche Taycan, where new AGVs will support production supply.

Increase Efficiency by Up to 20 Percent

The MHP FleetExecuter fully exploits the potential in intralogistics: The software can increase efficiency by up to 20 percent, providing more transparency and resilience on Porsche’s shop floor, thus laying the foundation for improved processes. It also enables reliable system availability: The MHP FleetExecuter is equipped with a variety of special and emergency functions that ensure high fault tolerance. Additionally, costs can be reduced – for example, through process-optimized energy management. This ultimately leads to a quick return on investment.

Albrecht Reimold, Member of the Executive Board for Production and Logistics at Porsche AG: “By using the MHP FleetExecuter, we are more efficient and flexible than ever in our internal logistics. This allows us to precisely control our ever-increasing number of driverless transport vehicles. At the same time, we can save previous truck trips through the software-controlled transport systems, thus contributing to sustainability.”

With the MHP FleetExecuter to Full-Service Provider

To optimize intralogistics, more and more companies are using driverless transport systems. To ensure that FTF from different manufacturers can also be managed comprehensively, a manufacturer-independent software for fleet management is required. The management and IT consulting firm MHP has launched the FleetExecuter, a cloud solution that does exactly that: the central and consolidated control of the entire fleet, regardless of the manufacturer – and thus also independent of the communication interface, data source, and the degree of automation of individual systems.

Digital Fleet Management Solution

The integration of the FleetExecuter is a prime example of how MHP is transforming from a consulting company into a holistic IT and software provider. Since spring 2023, MHP, together with technology and industry partners, has been offering Software-as-a-Service solutions (SaaS solutions). This includes the MHP FleetExecuter, one of the first software products from the new portfolio of Industrial Cloud Solutions (ICS). This Industrial Cloud Solutions incorporates all the experience and extensive know-how of MHP and various partners. Companies from the automotive, manufacturing, and logistics sectors receive tested and ready-to-use software products that allow them to digitize their processes with minimal effort. The individual solutions are continuously developed further, including in the past two years with MHP’s digital fleet management solution. With Porsche’s contract, the solution has made a significant leap forward. After the initial proofs of concept, the go-live at Porsche has now occurred – with orders covering the entire value chain.

Photos: © MHP