AX4 - Collaboration Suite

Sustainable manufacturing through digital supply chains with Wagner Informatik & Siemens

With Siemens AX4, your production supply chain becomes more transparent and resilient. The cloud-based platform enables a central overview and real-time control of all logistics processes, so that you can react flexibly to changes in the market and demand. AX4 supplies production planning with important real-time data, such as deviations, and thus improves planning reliability. This enables optimized production utilization and ensures that your resources are used efficiently. Close integration with your existing systems optimizes production and logistics processes, avoids bottlenecks and increases efficiency. Intelligent automation accelerates your processes, and a central database enables well-founded decisions in real time. The result is a significant reduction in production costs and an increased return, as fewer resources are wasted and production is more precisely tailored to actual demand. A strong, future-proof supply chain that sustainably improves your production is thus guaranteed.

Collaboration along your supply chain

Modular, Integrative and Efficient

 Optimize collaboration and transparency in your supply chain through seamless integration of partners and systems. The AX4 Collaboration Suite, used by more than 500,000 users, connects digital processes with real logistics, creating an intelligent bridge between the virtual and physical worlds.

Modular cloud solution


Rely on AX4, a modular SaaS solution for your supply chain that grows flexibly with your requirements. Developed with a clear separation of data, logic and user interface, AX4 enables easy adaptation to individual requirements - for a solution that is scalable and ready for use at any time.

Integration


Thanks to AX4's powerful web service interface, the solution can be easily integrated into almost any existing system - regardless of the system landscape. This means you can integrate AX4 seamlessly into your IT infrastructure and, if necessary, adapt it as an individual white label solution.

Efficiency


Use the full potential of your transport resources, minimize empty runs and optimize the control of your transports. With AX4, you not only reduce CO2 emissions, but also make your entire supply chain more efficient and environmentally friendly.

What does AX4 offer for your production?

Optimize your production and supply chain with an integrated cloud platform. Simplify your production and logistics processes with a cloud-based platform that enables fast and smooth communication across all locations and departments. With the AX4-based Control Tower solutions, you can replace isolated island solutions with a central, fully integrated solution - perfect for manufacturing companies that want to bring transparency and efficiency to their supply chain.

Seamless integration and communication for maximum efficiency

Integrate AX4 effortlessly into your existing IT landscape to promote seamless collaboration across departments and company boundaries. Your entire supply chain – from production to warehouse to delivery to the customer – benefits from a seamless connection between systems and actors that enables real-time transparency.

Efficient

 Document management and optimized logistics processes

Create and transmit all the  necessary documents  for inbound and outbound  transport, from pickup orders and  delivery notes  to  waybills  and  labels. Through rule-based validations and  automation, you can accelerate your logistics processes, improve  production planning  and ensure that  goods  and  raw materials  arrive  on time  and  cost-effectively.

Reliable planning and cost efficiency throughout the supply chain

Plan the next steps in  production  and  warehousing  with  reliable real-time data and optimize your entire supply chain. The high-performance AX4 WebService interface makes it possible.  Reduce production downtime, increase efficiency and ensure stable processes - from  production  to  delivery  to the customer.

The advantages at a glance

Efficiency - Automation - Transparency


Optimization of operative transport management


Modular cloud software: flexibility and efficiency combined


Modular software is a modern type of software architecture that aims to develop individual software components as independent modules. Each module is self-contained, can function independently of one another and perform specific tasks or functions. These modules can be individually combined, expanded or adapted without having to change the entire system. In the cloud, this means that companies can put together their software environment in a tailor-made and flexible way - precisely tailored to their current and future requirements.


Scalability

Modular cloud software makes it easy to add new features or capacities without having to restructure the entire system. This gives companies the flexibility to expand their applications and resources to respond to changing business needs



Adaptability

Every organization has specific needs that can change quickly. Modular cloud software allows the system to be flexibly adapted and new modules to be added or replaced as requirements change.



 Cost efficiency

 Since each module can be purchased and operated separately, companies only pay for the functions they actually need. This avoids high initial investments and reduces their operating costs in the long term.




 Ease of maintenance

 Errors or upgrades in one module can be carried out without affecting the operation of other modules. This leads to fewer system failures and ensures greater stability in everyday life.


Future-proof

The modular structure means that new technologies or updates can be easily integrated without having to redevelop the entire system. This helps to make the software future-proof and remain innovative in the long term.

All modules at a glance

- smart production and logistics

Order Management

Efficient order management for reliable production supply!

With the Order Management module, you can precisely control your procurement network  and enable automated processing  of release  orders through to collection. The central management of all order processes - from supplier confirmation  and the definition  of shipping specifications  to the creation of delivery notes  and the management of collection orders - streamlines  and accelerates  the entire material flow  to production.


The seamless integration of all parties involved, such as suppliers, freight forwarders, warehouses  and production sites, allows real-time transfer of order data  and offers full transparency in every process phase. End-to-end monitoring with milestone monitoring enables continuous control of the order status and ensures that all necessary transport documents such as labels  and waybills  are created automatically. This reduces delays and ensures that materials are always in the right place at the right time.

With this comprehensive overview of every order, you increase the efficiency, reliability and transparency  in your procurement network. The optimized control of the ordering and collection processes ensures that production is supplied without interruption, thus ensuring stable  and timely production planning.

Optimal order control
for efficient production planning

Automated order processing


The automated processing of release orders through to collection increases efficiency and reduces manual errors. The central management of all orders optimizes the flow of materials to production, thereby minimizing delays and bottlenecks. The automatic creation of delivery notes and shipping instructions ensures a quick and error-free handover to the freight forwarders.

Real-time transparency and improved production planning


Real-time transfer of order data ensures complete transparency on the status of each order, so that production is always informed. End-to-end monitoring with milestone monitoring enables precise planning and timely delivery of materials, which supports on-schedule production. Central control of all pick-up orders ensures seamless transfer of materials to the production lines, without unnecessary delays.

Cost and process optimization


By detecting deviations in the ordering process at an early stage, bottlenecks are identified in good time and can be resolved quickly. A clear overview of all orders helps to make tenders efficient and optimize the costs of logistics services. The automatic creation and verification of transport documents such as labels and waybills reduces administrative effort and saves time.

Transportation Management

Efficient control of your transport processes!

Optimize your transport operations with a holistic solution that gives you complete visibility and control over your supply chain.


By centrally merging data from different sources, transport orders can be processed automatically and sent to the relevant service providers. This reduces manual errors and speeds up the entire process.


Track shipments in real time and get detailed information about the current location and accurate forecasts of the expected delivery time. Automated notifications inform everyone involved of deviations or problems so that they can react quickly.


Through this comprehensive control of the entire transport process, you not only improve efficiency, but also reduce transport costs and optimize the entire supply chain.

Transportation Management Inbound

The Transportation Management Inbound module enables transport orders from various data sources and formats to be efficiently processed, validated and assigned to the correct units. By bundling shipments, assigning tracking information and automatically creating the necessary accompanying documents, the module ensures smooth supply.

Milestone plans enable precise control and monitoring of multimodal transports.


Real-time position data and precise ETA forecasts can optionally be integrated via partner platforms in the Siemens Digital Logistics network. This means that follow-up processes can be triggered automatically when important milestones are reached or missed.

To efficiently manage delivery at the site, time slot data is linked to shipment and manifest information, automatically determining specific delivery times and loading gates. This prevents overloading at the dock and ensures that necessary personnel and equipment are available on time.

The inbound module not only improves transparency along the entire supply chain, but also increases production capacity utilization because supply is optimally guaranteed and unnecessary transport is minimized. Production planning is enriched and optimized with real-time data.

Production optimization starts with strong inbound logistics

Optimized material availability and planning security


With greater consolidation potential thanks to detailed transport forecasts and targeted allocation to freight forwarders, AX4 ensures that materials are optimally bundled and arrive at the production site at the right time. This transparency helps production planning to use resources efficiently and avoid downtimes due to missing materials.

Complete transparency and proactive deviation control


AX4 provides complete transparency across the entire shipping process, including tracking down to material number level and estimated arrival times. Deviations from the milestone-based rule process are escalated early so that delays can be quickly identified and action taken - for smooth and continuous production.

Flexibility and Efficiency in Logistics Management


With support for flexible logistics strategies, such as early receipt of goods by suppliers, AX4 ensures that critical components are available on time. Self-invoicing also simplifies the billing process, reduces administrative effort and ensures seamless integration into production processes.

Transportation Management Outbound

With the Transportation Management Outbound module, all transport-relevant data can be centrally consolidated and made available via a uniform interface. This gives production, logistics and shipping departments direct and structured access to real-time information, which replaces manual, error-prone processes and significantly increases process reliability.


Transport orders from production logistics are automatically accepted, sent to the respective freight forwarders and independently supplemented by the system with the necessary shipping and transport documents.
The seamless recording and transmission of tracking data takes place across systems via API, web access or mobile applications and provides real-time status information to all those involved, from distribution centers to the end customer. Advanced search functions for reference and order data ensure seamless transparency and traceability of the supply chain. Routine tasks and standardized workflows can be fully automated so that time- or event-based notifications in the event of deviations enable proactive control and timely escalation.

The outbound module therefore ensures high process stability and on-time delivery of finished products, which enables continuous optimization of the supply chain and a sustainable increase in customer satisfaction. The improved reliability and transparency in the shipping process are essential factors in meeting delivery commitments and production targets and strengthening long-term customer relationships.

 Production and delivery performance through precise outbound logistics

Automated and efficient logistics processes


The outbound module enables the automatic transmission of shipment data to connected freight forwarders, whereby shipping orders from production are seamlessly transferred to transport logistics. Freight forwarders have flexible options for reporting tracking data to ensure transparent and timely communication along the entire supply chain.

Comprehensive transparency and event management


A central, cross-location tracking dashboard provides complete transparency of all ongoing shipments and their status. The easy findability and proactive escalation of deviations in the milestone-based standard process enable fast response times and support continuous production planning without interruptions.

Detailed analyses and cost efficiency


The system simplifies the analysis of shipping volumes and supports tenders for logistics services. Incoming freight invoices are verified based on the actual completed shipments, meaning only correct costs are posted. Automatic crediting for service providers and internal cost center allocation reduce administrative effort and increase cost efficiency.

Appointment und Dock Management

Efficient time slot and dock management for smooth loading and unloading processes!

With the Appointment and Dock Management module, you can efficiently manage incoming deliveries and optimize the loading and unloading processes directly in your production environment. Reserve, book or cancel time slots for trucks and deliveries quickly and easily - and link them directly to the respective production orders.


Flexible time window options and predefined templates enable targeted control and equalization of traffic flow in order to avoid production interruptions due to delayed or poorly coordinated deliveries.


Vehicle type, driver data and specific requirements such as the need for a crane or the handling of hazardous goods can be easily added. This ensures a complete overview and helps to identify the need for special resources at an early stage.


Before booking, the system checks the plausibility and validates all required freight documents. This ensures that all relevant documents such as delivery notes and certificates are verified in advance, which ensures both efficiency and legal compliance.


The module saves valuable time and reduces the effort for senders, drivers and recipients alike. By creating clear processes and linking dock planning with production logistics, it ensures a smooth, timely and resource-saving supply of materials in production.

 Optimized scheduling and dock planning for efficient production logistics

Efficient resource planning and delivery control


The module enables precise planning of deliveries, which means that resources in production are used optimally. Flexible time windows and the recording of vehicle and driver data ensure better coordination and reduce delays. Special requirements such as cranes or hazardous goods can be taken into account at an early stage. This leads to better predictability and reduces delays in the production process.

Validation and linking with production processes


The system checks the plausibility and validates freight documents before booking, thereby reducing sources of error. By linking deliveries with production orders, the material flow is optimally tailored to production needs, which increases efficiency.

Increasing production reliability



Predefined time slots smooth out the flow of traffic at the docks, minimizing congestion and waiting times. This keeps the production line continuously supplied and reduces administration workload, resulting in greater reliability and efficiency in production.

Freight Cost Management

Cost control in logistics - maximize efficiency in your production!

The Freight Cost Management module offers an automated and customizable solution for the precise calculation and distribution of freight costs in logistics. This module gives you clear insights into transport costs, which can be calculated individually depending on factors such as volume, transport mode or distance. This allows freight costs to be allocated precisely to the respective production orders, cost centers or customers, which enables transparent and efficient cost control.

Invoices and credit notes are created automatically based on relevant data such as shipping volume, distance and other additional services. The module compares expected and actual invoice amounts and automatically marks deviations for review. This optimizes the comparison between calculation and actual costs and reduces manual checks.


Freight costs are generated based on existing contracts and can be used for tenders or offers to secure the best conditions. The audit and approval processes can be individually adapted to ensure efficient and error-free processing.

In addition, the system supports the automated allocation  of freight costs for internal  and external financial accounting, so that complex tariff structures  can be easily mapped and integrated into the overall accounting. This saves both time and resources and ensures complete  and error-free cost control.

 Optimized freight cost control for cost-efficient production

Precise allocation and complete transparency of freight costs



The Freight Cost Management module provides an automated and customizable solution for calculating and distributing freight costs based on factors such as volume, distance or transport mode. This enables precise allocation of freight costs to the correct production orders or cost centers, increasing transparency in production calculation.

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Automation of invoice processing and clarification



Freight costs are automatically calculated based on shipping volume and other factors such as transport mode or additional services. Expected and actual invoice amounts are compared and deviations are marked for review. This reduces manual effort and ensures more precise billing in production.

Efficient account assignment and easy integration into financial accounting


The complete automation of the accounting for internal and external freight costs means that even complex tariff structures can be efficiently mapped in the system. The seamless integration of freight costs into financial accounting simplifies billing and reduces administrative effort in production and beyond.

Extended Workbench Management

Efficient integration of external partners for your production!

The concept of the “extended workbench” makes it possible to optimize production and logistics processes by outsourcing to external partners.


To manage these processes smoothly, precise integration of inbound and outbound processes is required.

Modern transport management solutions, such as AX4, offer enormous advantages here by bundling all relevant data and documents centrally and offering complete transparency and comprehensive control options.


By seamlessly integrating external partners into your production, you achieve more flexible, faster and more cost-efficient manufacturing. Real-time data and automated workflows ensure precise control and enable you to react immediately to changes in production or logistics.


This end-to-end networking not only optimizes the efficiency of your production, but also improves the entire value chain by avoiding bottlenecks and accelerating production throughput.

With an integrated system of inbound and outbound management, you can effectively manage your external partners and significantly improve collaboration along the entire supply chain. This way, your production remains stable and efficient even in dynamic markets.

Benefits of Extended Workbench Management for efficient production and logistics

Optimized process integration



Through the seamless integration of inbound and outbound processes, companies gain complete transparency in their processes. External partners are efficiently integrated into the production chain so that all relevant data and documents are managed centrally and updated in real time. This precise control of external collaboration reduces delays and enables a rapid response to changes in the supply chain.


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Flexibility and increased efficiency


The "extended workbench" enables a more flexible design of production processes. By outsourcing certain steps to specialized partners, companies can better adapt their production capacities and avoid bottlenecks. Automated workflows and real-time data integration optimize production efficiency and ensure a faster response to changes in demand or production bottlenecks.

Cost reduction



Outsourcing production processes leads to a significant reduction in your own operating costs. By selecting and managing external partners, capacities are used efficiently, allowing companies to reduce their resource costs and optimize production costs at the same time. Automated processes and central control also reduce administrative costs and improve cost control.

We advise the following industries, among others

The key to the success of an implementation or expansion project lies in the holistic view of the end-to-end processes in the company and their

consistent implementation. Harmonization and standardization aspects play a key role here, in addition to the practical experience of the consultants.


Every company has its own individual characteristics and therefore individual requirements for standard logistics or business management software, such as the SDL Collaboration Suite AX4.


We would like to show you the clear advantages of optimized logistics and its positive impact on your production, based on the successes of our customers!

Value creation in transition - your intelligent supply chain!

Whether it is about managing relevant information for a more efficient value creation process, connecting procurement and production processes to your supply chain or transparently controlling your financial flow, we have a solution!

We share the vision of our strong product partners and see active, digital supply chain management as a key factor for the success of your company!

Downloads

The IT control tower solution [EN]

Customers, manufacturers, suppliers, warehousers, carriers, consignees: Running a supply chain means orchestrating smooth interactions among the various players and their IT systems. Cloud-based platforms help avoid dissonance by offering flexible options for access and integration through EDI interfaces, web services, web accounts, or mobile devices. What used to be bi-directional connections become multi-directional communications networks in which information is always available to the very people who need it so that they in turn can ensure smooth processes.

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Next-gen industry meets next-gen logistics [EN]

Say goodbye to guesswork! Now it’s possible to nail down precise delivery times based on production status. Data generated from production and logistics enable simulations that help avoid risk and optimize capacities.

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More Sustainability through Digitalization [EN]

In this world, data provides the infrastructure for smart supply chains and the collaboration between human beings and machines. Such infrastructures are smart only when they go beyond satisfying customer needs to meet increasingly strict environmental goals. Lawmakers are not the only ones who expect polluters to pay. Port authorities are charging

higher demurrage for ships that darken the skies with the emissions from the heavy fuel oils they burn. Consumers are punishing businesses that act irresponsibly. Stock prices erode when environmental scandals come to light.

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Current challenges for manufacturers and their logistics [EN]

When production stalls, it gets expensive. Assembly lines come to a standstill, resources remain unused, delivery deadlines slip. The chain of negative events often has far reaching and unpredictable consequences for manufacturers and their customers.

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Why supply chains need to uplevel their transparency [EN]

Many supply chains are stuck in a rut: They lack transparency and dynamism and tend to perpetuate their own status quo. If there’s a snag somewhere – if workflows tend to produce pain rather than gain – the instinct is to start randomly changing things. What looks like agile supply chain positioning is actually a drift into mediocrity: stuck in the middle.

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Supply Chains need resilience against disruptions [EN]

The supply chain is a delicate structure – a mosaic of relationships that link worlds. We are constantly reminded of just how vulnerable this organism is by the steady trickle of ominous new developments that threaten it: supply problems that bring semiconductor production to a standstill, a pandemic that stops supply chains in their tracks, severe weather incidents that cause regional bottlenecks, labor strikes that create traffic gridlock.

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Analyst, consultant and process optimiser: The digital twin has many talents! [EN]

The more reliably companies are able to answer questions relating to the future and to decisions that need to be made, the more successfully they will be able to perform in the market. But how close do they really get to the ideal solution that they desire when using all of the available analysis tools? And how can this solution be implemented in real life with as few risks as possible?

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