Schneider Electric's Beijing Logistics Center: Empowering Logistics Upgrade with Open, Software-Defined Automation
2025-09-20
In a recent media visit to Schneider Electric’s Beijing Logistics Center, industrial automation experts from Control Engineering China, along with other media representatives, had the opportunity to explore the immense potential of “software-defined automation” and its impact on modernizing logistics operations. The visit showcased Schneider Electric’s commitment to lean manufacturing practices, sustainability, and the deep integration of AI technologies in areas such as safety management and warehouse optimization. Schneider Electric’s Senior Vice President and Head of Global Supply Chain for China, Zhang Kaipeng, emphasized the significance of the Beijing Logistics Center project, stating, “Digitalization is the key to achieving supply chain efficiency and sustainability. Schneider Electric actively applies its own digital solutions for supply chain transformation, and the Beijing Logistics Center is a prime example. By leveraging the EcoStruxure architecture and platform, the center achieves 100% accurate deliveries and full-process traceability, significantly improving operational efficiency.” The Beijing Logistics Center: A Model of Digital Transformation The Beijing Logistics Center, a key project of Schneider Electric’s smart manufacturing demonstration park, spans 18,000 square meters, with 12,000 square meters dedicated to Phase II expansion. The center features seven mixed storage zones and integrates both raw material warehousing and logistics distribution functions. It manages the inbound, outbound, and storage processes for goods worth nearly 10 billion RMB annually. Li Taotao, Logistics Director for Schneider Electric (China), explained that the Beijing Logistics Center began its deployment in 2022 and phased into operation in May 2023. To achieve operational efficiency, the center adopted the EcoStruxure open automation platform (EAE). The system now covers all scenarios from S2 to S4 storage areas, cutting deployment time by 20% compared to traditional solutions. The center processes over 20,000 goods per day, achieving 100% accurate delivery and full-process traceability. With a platform uptime of 99%, maintenance efficiency has increased by 30%, laying a solid technological foundation for building a fully intelligent factory. Leveraging Open Automation for Efficient Logistics Operations Why has the EcoStruxure open automation platform (EAE) been so successful in supporting the Beijing Logistics Center? Schneider Electric’s EAE Capability Center Head, Qu Binghua, provided a detailed explanation of the platform’s logistics architecture. The EAE platform features a three-layer design: the bottom layer consists of IoT devices such as PLCs, frequency converters, and sensors; the middle layer comprises edge control systems and industrial PCs (IPCs); and the top layer connects with WMS and WCS systems. This architecture enables EAE to support order management, inventory control, equipment management, and edge computing, offering scalab...
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