The Cainiao Group was founded in 2013 and incubated within the world's largest e-commerce ecosystem. Through continuous innovation, it meets the complex logistics needs of high-speed growth in e-commerce.

As one of the important business segments of Cainiao Group, Cainiao Logistics Technology inherits the genes of Cainiao's intelligence and the advantages of rooted in logistics, precipitates hardcore technological capabilities such as automation, IoT, AI, big data, etc., and forms a rich variety of technology products and industry solutions, committed to professional design, hardware, algorithms, technology, engineering, and other products and services for external output. In terms of application areas, Cainiao Logistics Technology can provide personalized products and solutions based on the needs and scenarios of different manufacturing companies, helping them achieve digital transformation.?

Reporter: What products and services can Cainiao provide for the digital upgrade of the manufacturing industry's logistics?

Zhang Qiang: Cainiao has launched three major intelligent technology products for the manufacturing industry: “Smart Assistant” (Cainiao Smart Logistics Management System) for overall scenario optimization, “Command Center” (Cainiao WCS Automation Control System) for automated equipment, and “Smart Brain” (Cainiao Supply Chain Control Tower) for global supply chain optimization.

1. The “Digital Assistant” (Cainiao Smart Logistics Management System) optimized for all scenarios is a logistics management system solution that serves the entire automotive industry, including the main factory. Its functions cover four major mainstream logistics business scenarios of the main engine plant, including parts inbound logistics, plant internal logistics, vehicle sales logistics, and after-sales spare parts logistics. The system not only can improve the efficiency of logistics operations, but also help reduce operating costs, and provide strong support for automobile manufacturers to achieve intelligent upgrading.

2. The “Command Center” of automated equipment (Cainiao WCS Automation Control System) is regarded as the “headquarters” of automated equipment, playing an important role in the unified management of the entire logistics field. It can control more than 20 types of automation equipment and is compatible with mainstream brands of logistics automation, thereby improving the efficiency and quality of logistics automation applications. In addition, compared to the traditional SAPF algorithm, the system can also achieve a significant improvement in path quality, from 60% to 98%.

3. The “Smart Brain” (Cainiao Supply Chain Control Tower) for global optimization of the supply chain, through the introduction of advanced data analysis and artificial intelligence technology, can accurately predict and optimize various links in the supply chain, helping manufacturing companies achieve more efficient and intelligent supply chain management.

The three products constitute a complete solution for Cainiao in the manufacturing field, providing strong technical support for the intelligent upgrading of the manufacturing industry. Meanwhile, we have also launched a one-stop digital solution covering the links of production and distribution, production, and sales. By flexibly applying automated equipment such as AGV robots, automated warehouses, and unmanned forklifts in different scenarios, as well as digital products such as control towers and OWTB, and IoT technologies represented by RFID, we help industrial manufacturing enterprises reduce supply chain costs, improve industrial production capacity efficiency, achieve production and sales coordination, and lay the foundation for the full-chain digital construction of industrial manufacturing.?

Reporter: Currently, Cainiao has provided logistics digitalization upgrade services for many manufacturing companies. Please provide specific details about the situation.

Zhang Qiang: In recent years, Cainiao's digital services have successfully expanded into multiple sectors such as automobiles, chemicals, and new energy.

In the automotive industry, Cainiao provides a one-stop solution that covers four major business scenarios: inbound logistics, production logistics, vehicle logistics, and spare parts/after-sales logistics. With advanced logistics technology and management experience, Cainiao helps automotive and parts companies create intelligent supply chain management systems, promoting the digital transformation and intelligent upgrade of the automotive industry. Currently, we have collaborated with nearly ten automobile and auto parts companies on logistics technology applications, including leading car companies such as BMW Brillian, BYD, and SAIC-GM Wuling, as well as auto parts companies represented by Yanfeng, Inovance Automotive, and Ningbo Great Group, and have implemented dozens of projects in various technical scenarios.

In the chemical industry, Cainiao has developed technological solutions including warehouse automation and digital supply chain, which help chemical companies achieve visualization and digitization of the entire process of orders, goods, and equipment through logistics and information flow automatic updates and real-time synchronization, thereby improving management level.

In the new energy industry, Cainiao provides logistics supply chain services for the photovoltaic industry, covering the entire industry chain from upstream raw materials and semi-finished products to midstream battery cells and finished components, as well as downstream photovoltaic power plant warehousing, distribution, and integrated digital operation and maintenance solutions.?

Reporter: How do you view the characteristics of the logistics digitalization upgrade demand in the manufacturing industry in recent years? Please provide a brief analysis of the reasons behind these requirements.

Zhang Qiang: I believe that the demand for digital upgrading of logistics in manufacturing enterprises mostly comes from the huge changes in the external environment or market pressure. Taking the automobile industry as an example, with the change in market size, there are high requirements for the expansion capacity and production line flexibility of automobile manufacturing enterprises, and they face new transformation and upgrade needs almost every year.

For example, in the collaboration between Cainiao and a well-known top-tier automobile company, the customer's goal is to upgrade the manual tasks of storing, sorting, and transporting components that were originally done by humans to unmanned tasks completed by robots. This requires the introduction of numerous different brands and types of automation equipment. Our value lies in our ability to help them achieve large-scale, multi-brand, and complex scheduling management.

There is another type of demand, which comes from the need to further enhance the lean management capability of enterprises through digitalization. Especially for some traditional manufacturing enterprises, by adopting advanced digital systems to achieve real-time monitoring and data analysis of various key links in the supply chain, it deepens lean management and provides strong support for optimizing production processes and improving production efficiency.?

Journalist: Please introduce the implementation strategy and steps for manufacturing companies to upgrade their logistics digitization based on typical projects.

Zhang Qiang: Due to different factors such as company size, product market coverage, and development stage, the strategy and steps for logistics digitalization upgrade may vary. However, there are several common considerations.

For example, companies need to carry out comprehensive digital layout instead of just doing it in a piecemeal manner. Because the digitalization of logistics is a systematic project that involves multiple aspects and departments of enterprise operations, only a comprehensive layout can ensure the smooth progress of digitalization and bring long-term development benefits.

At the technical level, it is necessary to comprehensively consider the various departments and links of the entire supply chain, formulate long-term plans, identify the entry points, and carry out work in accordance with the basic approach of starting with the easy tasks and gradually progressing to the difficult ones.

Reporter: What are the current focus areas for Cainiao in terms of digitalization upgrade for manufacturing enterprises?

Zhang Qiang: The scope of manufacturing is very broad. With the rapid development and transformation of manufacturing, logistics, as an important supporting link of manufacturing, directly affects the competitiveness of manufacturing industry in terms of efficiency and level of intelligence. Cainiao pays close attention to the digitalization and upgrading needs of manufacturing enterprises, and are committed to meeting these needs through advanced logistics technology solutions.

Our current focus is on: (1) using technologies such as big data, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things to help the manufacturing industry achieve real-time tracking, prediction, and optimization of logistics information, improving the efficiency and accuracy of logistics operations; (2) reducing the logistics costs of the manufacturing industry and enhancing overall competitiveness through optimizing warehouse layout and improving distribution efficiency; (3) providing one-stop supply chain services, from raw material procurement to product sales, ensuring smooth and efficient supply chain operations.

Besides, we believe that technology is just a tool, and its most important value lies in serving the business. This is also the concept of “logistics technology 'ground flying'” that Cainiao has always emphasized and adhered to, focusing on providing personalized solutions for different industry scenarios, and continuously creating value for all walks of life.

Cainiao self-developed four-way shuttle trolley

In addition, in order to better expand the manufacturing industry, we are also promoting changes in organizing teams, products, and ecological cooperation, specifically including: (1) gathering excellent personnel in related fields to strengthen team capabilities; (2) emphasizing productization and continuously updating technology and products based on market demand; (3) valuing the joint and focus of ecological partners in this field.?

Journalist: In your opinion, what development trends will be presented in the technology and application of digital upgrading of logistics in manufacturing enterprises?

Zhang Qiang: The manufacturing industry involves a wide range of industries, each with its own specific technologies and processes. As an important field in the manufacturing industry, automobile manufacturing not only integrates traditional mechanical manufacturing technology, but also involves advanced electronic technology, materials science, automation control, and other fields, reflecting a high degree of technological integration and innovation capability. Moreover, with the development of trends such as intelligence, networking, electrification, the automotive manufacturing industry is undergoing unprecedented changes. The development and application of technologies such as autonomous driving, vehicle connectivity, and new energy not only promote the advancement of automotive manufacturing technology, but also provide strong support for the transformation and upgrading of the entire manufacturing industry.