LOBRA – Promoting digital and data capabilities in the logistics sector

LOBRA is a collaborative project involving six different organizations, with TIEKE focusing on mapping, developing, and supporting continuous learning in digital and data maturity* within logistics. The aim is to produce training plans and materials to enhance digital and data skills in logistics, and to develop three training packages focused on digitalization and data utilization.

The project aims to bring smaller operators together more comprehensively and to promote the integration of companies into international RDI (research, development, innovation) activities. The project also addresses structural changes in logistics jobs and aims to solve labor shortages. New skills and operational models are urgently needed to ensure operational reliability and enhance business competitiveness. The LOBRA project aims to promote learning and innovation environments in logistics that meet the needs of competence development.

What changed and added value does the LOBRA project bring?

Finland lacks a logistics training and testing environment of international scale, which LOBRA aims to provide. The project introduces a collaborative model that enables SMEs to create and develop innovative environments. LOBRA focuses on enabling product and process innovations in logistics through learning and innovation environments where development work can be carried out systematically. It allows for piloting and testing phases without the need to acquire and implement all equipment in production environments from the start.

The project’s novelty lies in the development of logistics laboratories tailored to future needs, either within educational institutions or to meet business demands. These labs will generate knowledge that is shared within the collaborative project. LOBRA clarifies the roles of different actors and connects them to key EU innovation programs. Additionally, the project offers environments that can be flexibly relocated as needed, promoting efficient and sensible use of resources. Examples of added value from subprojects include LIMOWA’s demo center, TIEKE’s digital capability initiatives, Vantaa’s logistics cluster, CaaS Nordic’s transport system models, LUT’s virtual lab for sustainable manufacturing, and XAMK’s logistics hub.

LOBRA supports SMEs innovation

Here are some keyways the project supports innovation in SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises):

Creating innovative environments: provides SMEs with opportunities to practice, develop, test, and display their technologies in realistic settings. This grants access to RDI infrastructure and collaboration with other stakeholders.

Enhancing digital capability. develops tools and methods to test and support continuous learning in digital and data capabilities. This helps SMEs improve their digital maturity and adopt advanced technologies.

Training and materials: produces training plans and materials to develop digital and data skills in logistics. Three training packages are being developed to support digitalization and data utilization. Piloting and feedback collection help SMEs improve their expertise and adopt new technologies.

Collaboration and networking: connects smaller actors more comprehensively and promotes their participation in international RDI activities. This enables broader collaboration and networking opportunities for SMEs.

Diverse perspectives: supports the development of various learning, innovation, and testing environments across the transport and warehousing sectors. This allows SMEs to gain diverse insights and achieve the best outcomes.

*Digital and data maturity refers to an organization’s ability to utilize digital and data-driven solutions effectively and purposefully. It describes how far an organization has progressed in using digital tools, processes, and data in its operations. Digital and data maturity can be divided into several areas, such as technology usage, data management, staff competence, and the organization’s ability to adapt to digital changes.