CJ Logistics, which operates in 36 countries worldwide, has partnered with Ericsson to deploy the first full-scale commercial private 5G network within the logistics sector at its Ichiri centre in Icheon City, South Korea.
The new network enables tasks ranging from the intricate choreography of receiving, sorting and categorising goods to the coordination of loading and unloading processes.
With 400 warehouse facilities in South Korea alone, as well as 40 more centres globally, scalability and easy deployment were vital factors in choosing the right provider for CJ logistics.
Since the installation, CJ Logistics has achieved a 20% productivity increase at the Ichiri centre. The majority of this has come from the ability to reduce the time required for the picking process, where items are taken from shelves and prepared for shipping.
Through enhancing precision and enabling real-time communication between devices and systems, the time needed for manual intervention is reduced.
Similarly, by eliminating subnetworks and connecting to a single private 5G network, self-controlled vehicles, such as AGV (automated guided vehicle) and AMR (autonomous mobile robots) fleets, can operate simultaneously at high speeds.
This will improve not only workflow but also safety, as vehicle speeds can be increased without the risk of unexpected events that could lead to collisions.
The Ericsson Private 5G Network is future proof and enables CJ Logistics to push forward with Logistics 4.0 – handling rapidly growing data volumes, introducing more Internet of Things devices, and leveraging AI to make logistics centres even more productive.
The decision to implement a private 5G network in the 40,000-square-meter facility was made after CJ Logistics experienced continued connectivity blackouts and dead zones despite installing 300 Wi-Fi access points throughout its warehouse.
Sangcheon Ryu, CIO, CJ Logistics, said connectivity serves as a backbone, enabling seamless communication, data exchange and coordination among various devices, systems and stakeholders involved in complex operations.
“The ability to utilise dedicated industry spectrum ensures our network’s reliability and performance, making private 5G a strategic choice for our organisation,” said Ryu.
Thomas Norén, head of dedicated networks at Ericsson, said their work with CJ Logistics is a groundbreaking example of the benefits a private 5G network can bring to a business.
“With only 22 radio dots installed, compared to 300 Wi-Fi access points, the private 5G network guarantees connectivity, supporting innovative end-to-end solutions for precise material flow, streamlined supply chains, heightened safety measures, cost reduction and sustainable practices,” said Norén.
