Launch of Urban Logistics Technology Roadmap, 12 Additional Malls to Benefit from Tech-Enabled Process Re-Engineering

IMDA unveils its Urban Logistics technology roadmap for 2020

SINGAPORE – 28 November, 2016: The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) unveils its Urban Logistics technology roadmap for 2020, which will test and implement new technologies to enable greater supply chain efficiencies in Singapore. Urban Logistics will also be rolled out to 12 additional retail malls in Singapore next year.

Following Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam’s October 2015 announcement of $20 million to be allocated for the transformation of domestic logistics, the Urban Logistics programme was launched to analyse challenges in the logistics sector, and identify technologies that can help significantly improve Singapore’s supply chain processes and improve efficiencies.

IMDA developed the technology roadmap to address different stages of the urban logistics process, outlining vital requirements that ensures the Urban Logistics solutions, systems and processes are interoperable, and remain open for interested industry players to adopt and/or adapt, to help optimise resources, as well as improve turnaround times and process efficiencies. These include steps that enable dynamic scheduling to accommodate early or late arrivals as well as complex algorithms to manage increasingly larger volumes of deliveries.

Working with SPRING and CapitaLand, IMDA had also developed the In-Mall Distribution model of delivery management that establishes an in-mall operator to receive goods at the mall unloading bay. This model is enabled by technologies such as a Dock Scheduler and Queue Management system, and Change of Custody system to improve current delivery/acceptance processes and reduce congestion of delivery vehicles leading to the unloading bay. The In-Mall Distribution model also enables our malls to have extended hours of delivery/acceptance operations, and foster greater automation, professionalism and security of such services.

Since the implementation of the In-Mall Distribution delivery model in Tampines Mall in June 2016, the process has handled almost 20,000 cartons of goods per month, constituting almost one third of all cargo transactions taking place within the mall.  Delivery truck vehicle parking times have also been reduced from an average of 24 minutes, down to 7 minutes. This was then implemented in Bedok Mall in September 2016. The In-Mall Distribution model will be rolled out to a further four CapitaLand malls in 2017, at IMM Building, JCube, Westgate and Bukit Panjang Plaza.

“Through the use of infocomm media technologies such as sensors, software systems and data management, together with a careful redesign of the supply chain processes and business model of the various players in the supply chain, the Urban Logistics programme is able to take innovative leaps forward in significantly improving the effectiveness and efficiencies of the domestic logistics processes, benefitting the logistics and retail sectors,” said Mr Khoong Hock Yun, Assistant Chief Executive (Development), IMDA. “This disruptive improvement helps these sectors improve their competitive advantage as outlined in the Infocomm Media 2025 plan, helping us achieve our Smart Nation goals.”

Mrs Kee Ai Nah, Group Director (Industry & Enterprise), SPRING Singapore, said, “SPRING is pleased to work with IMDA and industry partners to promote technologies that will improve operational solutions and benefits under the Urban Logistics initiatives. We welcome more industry retail and logistics players to consider the efficiencies and productivity that they can derive from participating in Urban Logistics as we have moved into a manpower-lean era.” 
Ms Teresa Teow, Head of Retail Management, Singapore, CapitaLand Mall Asia, said, “Since the implementation of the In-Mall Distribution solution at Tampines Mall and Bedok Mall in June and September respectively, we have noticed an easing of road congestion around our malls as the queuing time for delivery trucks reduces. This has resulted in greater efficiency for the different parties along the delivery chain and a better experience for all visitors who drive to our malls, including shoppers.”

Ms Toh Hui Leng, Senior Director (Supply Chain), NTUC FairPrice, said “As a leading retailer in Singapore, employing innovative technologies that enhance productivity are key in ensuring our competitiveness and operational efficiency. In line with this, we also work closely with industry partners to explore various innovative solutions; we are currently participating in a trial on a new In-Mall Distribution system at Bedok Mall and Tampines Mall to streamline the unloading process for delivery of goods to malls. Through the new system, we have seen significant savings in delivery time by up to 65 percent (down from 30-45minutes to 12-15minutes) and enhanced manpower efficiency (only 1 driver required to manage delivery) during the goods unloading process. We continue to assess the system closely to enhance FairPrice’s processes, as we strive to maximise manpower and productivity.”

Related Resources
Annex A: Urban Logistics Fact Sheet (368.85KB)
Annex B: Urban Logistics Technology Roadmap (192.26KB)

Mr Christopher KOH (Mr)
Senior Manager, Corporate and Marketing Communications, IMDA
DID: (65) 6211 1709
E-mail: Christopher_Koh@imda.gov.sg