Boosting Container Yard Efficiency by 86% with CipherLab’s RS38 and Pic 'n Fill OCR Solution

One of the world's largest container shipping and logistics companies—operating in over 130 countries with a workforce exceeding 100,000 employees and a fleet of more than 700 container vessels—has been leveraging CipherLab's RS38 touch mobile computer and Pic'n Fill™ OCR solution to transform their container yard operations in Thailand.

This global logistics leader provides comprehensive end-to-end services, including ocean freight, land transportation, warehousing, and customs clearance. Given the scale and complexity of their operations, efficiency and accuracy in container handling are mission-critical.

In their Thailand container yards, one of the key operational steps is capturing container data during the loading and unloading of trucks, both inbound and outbound. Previously, field staff used consumer-grade smartphones to manually read and key in data from container surfaces, such as container number, ISO code, weight, and other details, into their WMS. This process relied heavily on visual inspection and manual typing, taking an average of 37 seconds per container, with a high risk of human error.

By deploying CipherLab's RS38 rugged Android mobile computer integrated with Pic'n Fill™ OCR solution, the company has seen a dramatic leap in productivity and accuracy. Powered by edge AI technology, the Pic'n Fill™ OCR runs directly on the RS38 device, automatically capturing printed container information and mapping it to the designated fields in the WMS interface. This allows the data entry process to be completed in just 5 seconds—an 86% improvement in speed—with no need for cloud connectivity or server-side processing.

Additionally, Pic'n Fill™ OCR can also capture GPS coordinates, enabling container yard patrol operations to identify the real-time location of containers through GPS positioning—further enhancing operational visibility.
During the site testing phase, a specific challenge was encountered. One input field in the application needed to be skipped, but the extracted data was initially being filled sequentially without accounting for the unused field. Since modifying the WMS application was not feasible for the user, CipherLab responded quickly by developing a custom plugin within one week. This plugin introduced field mapping logic that allowed the system to automatically skip the unnecessary field and correctly assign each data point to its intended location, ensuring seamless integration and eliminating the need to alter the existing application.

From an IT management perspective, the RS38 devices support mass deployment via a JSON configuration file—a lightweight, text-based format used to store and exchange structured data. This simplifies setup across large fleets and ensures consistent performance in the field. Additionally, the solution supports CSV export, allowing for easy data sharing and backup. The devices are connected via 5G WWAN, ensuring fast and stable data transmission in real time.

The company chose CipherLab not only because of strong recommendations from industry peers but also due to CipherLab's responsive and agile support. The fast turnaround time and the flexibility to adapt to specific workflow needs were key factors in the decision.

Since implementing this solution, the logistics giant has significantly optimized their container data processing, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing errors. The successful deployment demonstrates how rugged mobility and intelligent edge AI technology can drive tangible benefits in high-volume, time-sensitive logistics environments.

Please contact CipherLab for a demo.