Case Studies > Google Data Center Logistics powered by Everstream Analytics

Google Data Center Logistics powered by Everstream Analytics

Technology Category

Analytics & Modeling - Machine Learning
Sensors - GPS

Applicable Industries

Cement
Transportation

Applicable Functions

Human Resources
Logistics & Transportation

Use Cases

Supply Chain Visibility
Transportation Simulation

Services

System Integration

About The Customer

Google is a multinational technology company that specializes in Internet-related services and products. These include search engines, online advertising technologies, cloud computing, software, and hardware. Google is known for its sophisticated information services, which require a formidable amount of hardware. To meet this demand, Google operates a network of hundreds of facilities, from giant data centers to smaller end-point installations at strategic locations around the world. Google is also known for designing and assembling much of the equipment used in its complex data centers in-house, which necessitates a complex physical supply chain.

The Challenge

Google operates a vast network of facilities, including hyperscale data centers and smaller installations, to provide its sophisticated information services. The company designs and assembles much of the equipment used in these data centers in-house, which necessitates a complex physical supply chain. This supply chain handles everything from complete servers to components, racks, and networking equipment. Google manages hundreds of thousands of shipments annually between thousands of origin destinations. The cargo is often high-value, proprietary, and time-critical. The loss or delay of a single item can throw a build project off schedule and risk exposing sensitive intellectual property. Therefore, Google needed a solution to identify supply chain risks before they impact the in-transit supply chain.

The Solution

To achieve real-time visibility and predictive exception processing, Google's logistics division implemented a portfolio of technical and infrastructure solutions. One such initiative is a network of command and control centers around the world, with their hub in the United States. The digital backbone of this visibility and control infrastructure is Everstream Analytics, a predictive supply chain risk analytics platform. Google's logistics division, in collaboration with Everstream Analytics, built a complete model of its transportation network in the system and integrated network data from several existing legacy systems. This provides risk assessment and analytics of all shipments across its network. Everstream Analytics overlays Google's transportation network and in-transit inventory over its platform, which is linked to data feeds from millions of external sources. These sources provide near real-time information on situations and incidents that could affect transport operations. The platform also uses IoT technologies to provide precise information on the location of transportation assets and specific items.

Operational Impact

The introduction of Everstream Analytics in its command centers has allowed Google logistics to become much more proactive in its management of supply chain in-transit issues. Since the platform went live with their command centers in the final quarter of 2017, the new platform has already demonstrated its value on numerous occasions. Google and Everstream Analytics are now working together on the next phase of the platform implementation, which will include the introduction of a mobile application. This will allow logistics personnel and internal stakeholders to access real time alerts and situation updates while on the move anywhere in the world. This has resulted in faster, more timely, and more accurate information flow for logistics personnel, carriers, and internal customers.

Quantitative Benefit

On time delivery increase in the first quarter of operation.
Three major incidents over two months at a critical logistics hub managed without disruption to wider operations.