Have you ever wondered how warehouse processes can be automated for higher throughput? Or what it takes to have your online deliveries arrive on time? Thanks to the KLU Boot Camp: Digitalization in Logistics in April 2017, 40 student participants now know about these topics.
The three-day, free workshop was targeted to bachelor’s students from all over Europe. André Ludwig, Dimka Karastoyanova, and Asvin Goel are KLU professors who conduct research in the field of digital transformation. Their lectures kicked off the event and outlined different perspectives on digitalization. After they laid the theoretical foundation, it was the students’ turn to take action.
Company representatives presented real-world cases involving Lufthansa Technik Logistik Services, Kühne + Nagel, and DPD Deutschland. In groups of four to five, the students put their minds to new warehouse technologies, delivery solutions for the last mile, and an overall analysis of whether digitalization in logistics results in opportunities or risks. On the final day of the workshop, the students presented their ideas and received feedback from the practitioners.
KLU organized the boot camp for a very topical reason. “We are seeing some fundamental changes in the way businesses organize and execute their processes – caused mainly by digitalization,” said Professor Dimka Karastoyanova. “With this workshop, we wanted to introduce students to real issues and enable them to discover new ways of thinking and problem solving.”
An opportunity the participants definitely took advantage of. “It was great to have the industry perspective,” said Marie Charline Klaputek, a student of business administration. “The practical insight I gained was a great addition to the theoretical knowledge I am learning at my public university.” Ole Kühl was quite surprised by the company representatives’ executive positions. “They sent their CFO or head of digital innovation to discuss the cases with us,” the recent graduate of European business remarked.
The professors and industry representatives were also impressed. “We’ve seen some new and very creative approaches in the past three days,” Ludwig said to summarize the event. “And I think the companies that attended took one or two ideas home, too.”
After seeing that the participants, lecturers, and guest speakers were all happy with the outcome of the workshop, organizers Maria Kern and Nicole Martinetti came to one conclusion: “There will be another KLU Boot Camp in 2018!”