Details

T-Systems and DHL will be presenting the special prize at the European Satellite Navigation Competition together for the first time in 2008. What are the advantages of doing so and what do both companies expect from the winner? Dr. Keith Ulrich, Director of the DHL Innovation Center, and Ralf Nejedl, Director of Galileo and Satellite Applications at T-Systems, let us in on the story:

^{l. to r. Dr. Keith Ulrich (Deutsche Post World Net) and Ralf Nejedl (T-Systems) to Interview.}

Why are DHL and T-Systems presenting this year's special prize together? What are the advantages?

Dr. Ulrich: We want to get the best idea ready to go to market as quickly as possible. That's why we're going to back it up with the force of two major companies. Together, we possess a huge pool of knowledge, experts and investment capital.

Mr. Nejedl: A high level of logistics expertise on the one hand and a high level of technology expertise on the other combined with the creative, innovative force of a young company - that's a strong combination that we can use to sustainably optimize logistics processes with satellite technology.

What selection criteria will you use to determine the winner of the special prize?

Dr. Ulrich: The idea needs to be feasible and contain a solid business model that we can use to generate a market-ready solution.

Mr. Nejedl: No commercial enterprise can afford to pursue technology simply for technology's sake. That's why the technology's economic potential will be a decisive factor.

Why do DHL and T-Systems need a new satellite solution? What are the most important areas where the solution can be applied?

Dr. Ulrich: We want to find new ways to optimize logistics processes, save costs and keep CO₂ emissions to a minimum. To do this, we need to be able to measure the freight volume of our transporters remotely, for example. We're looking for a concrete idea that will make this possible. If the control center can use satellite technology to keep track of the vehicles' location at all times as well as what their current freight volume is, the dispatchers will be able to keep vehicle capacity utilization at a maximum, which will enable us to reduce the number of trips.

Mr. Nejedl: There are other areas of application besides route optimization that T-Systems considers important. Satellite technology is a driver for many ICT topics. The best example of this is the toll system, which would not be possible in its current form without satellite technology.