Sistema Geral de Pesagens

Country: Brazil City: Sarzedo Period: January 2020 - In Progress
This Sucess Case is posted by Microsoft in their website.

Project

The solution was based on Microsoft's Azure cloud environment and Edge, bringing together various protocols, data, and equipment at the Itaminas plant to achieve synchronization between identification and weighing in the shortest possible time, 100% autonomously, using AI, RFID, automated plate readings, and edge computing.

Challenge

Over 6,000 weighings are performed daily, with the possibility of an increase. The project's challenges included: consistency and traceability in weighings, offline operation if necessary, automating image capture, scales, vehicle identification, transported materials, and routes, as well as integration of inbound and outbound invoices.

Result

All data is integrated in an automated manner without human intervention, time has been reduced by over 50%, and now weighing takes only 14 seconds. In less than 20 seconds, the entire integration flow with revenue, control, and management systems is completed. Weighing and integration errors have been reduced to almost zero.

Founded in 1958, Itaminas Comércio de Minérios is a leader in innovation and environmental respect, with an iron ore extraction and processing plant in Sarzedo, Minas Gerais. Currently, it produces around 6.5 million tons of iron ore annually and aims to increase production by approximately 53.9%, reaching 10 million tons of iron ore production. During the plant expansion process and the pursuit of operational excellence, challenges related to fleet control and weighing were highlighted.

With over 6,000 weighings per day, the process was entirely manual and lacked interconnected systems, which led to human errors and increased time demands. Additionally, the collection and integration of data from cameras, scales, vehicle identification, and transported materials were not automated, interconnected, or collected within a management control system. Another significant point is the focus on sustainability, which required solutions aligned with excellence and environmental preservation.

Itaminas engaged CrazyTechLabs to develop solutions that meet its goals and culture. Through close collaboration, understanding their needs, and providing customized solutions aligned with the company's objectives and values, the Microsoft Azure cloud environment and Edge were implemented. This integration involved various protocols, data, and equipment at the Itaminas plant. The goal was to achieve synchronization between identification and weighing in the shortest time possible, fully autonomously, using AI, RFID, automated plate readings, and edge computing.

The focus on operational excellence and sustainability has been applied since the project's inception. Reducing paper usage and, particularly, cutting-edge devices in the process was a core principle. As a result, equipment reuse and fully digital methods for generating reports, weigh tickets, and other process outputs are now utilized. All data is integrated automatically, without human intervention. The time has been reduced by over 50%, and now weighing takes just 14 seconds. In less than 20 seconds, the entire integration flow with revenue, control, and management systems is completed. Weighing and integration errors have been reduced almost to zero.

Furthermore, after the platform's implementation, there was an increase in calls for weighing monitoring, along with improvements in generating settlement reports and accountability. In other words, integrations with inventory control systems and outbound invoice issuance were streamlined. Weighing tickets are now issued via WhatsApp messages directly to the carrier, just like the notes that used to be printed and delivered. These records are now entirely digitized, in compliance with regulations.

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