Decentralized approach to logistics execution monitoring in multi-actor network

Abstract

To challenge dominant centralized solutions, a reference solution for transport execution monitoring was developed utilizing the messaging framework and the access point infrastructure in multi-actor network. The development required design of new standard, forwarder independent approach to logistics business information exchange, covering all transport modes and all stakeholders. The developed XML-based messaging framework and access point infrastructure enable the implementation of interoperable digital transport solutions at different stages of the transport process (booking, planning, monitoring, and completion). In the monitoring solution, notifications on the departure and arrival of shipments are received via Transport Status messages in real-time. The information transmitted can be manually input or it can come from automated identification solutions utilizing a variety of technologies like barcodes and RFID. The functional viewpoint of the monitoring application consists of two perspectives: the logistics service consumer (LSC) and the logistics service provider (LSP). Accommodating for both roles in one application offers some synergies compared to individual and dedicated solutions. Finally, the solution was tested in a business case to evaluate the benefits and weaknesses of the proposed solution comparing to predominant centralized solutions.

Keywords:

• inter-organizational information systems (IOIS)
• logistics
• tracking
• monitoring
• logistics service provider (LSP)
• supply chain management (SCM)

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the European Commission and its 7th Framework Programme for funding the e-Freight project.