After having examined and analysed a multitude of diverse systems, ranging from large complete solution packages like ERP and SCMS over solution packages for section with in the domain like TMS and WMS to dedicated solutions for individual special solutions, their assignment to the framework of this analysis follows next.
As has been explained earlier, the FInest project employs a process-focused approach for documenting particular domain activities and segments a logistics process into four distinct activities, i.e. sales and marketing, planning, execution and completion of the service.
Moreover, the generic requirements identified and elaborated in Deliverable D1.3 refer to the following four topics: planning, resource management, monitoring and visibility and collaboration.
In the following, the examined solutions are to be assigned to the four phases and to the four major generic requirements of the transport and logistics domain.
Figure 9: Assignment of existing ICT solutions to the framework of the analysis
In the requirement category of planning, TMS are assigned to the phases of planning, execution and completion due to the systems’ coverage of functionalities in these three phases, ranging from transport planning issues over execution monitoring to KPI measurement and analysis after the transport processes.
Contrarily, systems for handling embargo goods are situated as part of both the marketing and the planning phase since it necessary to clarify all regulations and requirements prior to a safe, secure, smooth and error-free actual shipment of goods.
In the same category, systems for the handling of customs and trade affairs are assigned to the phases of planning and execution as they are part of the transport planning process and need to be monitored and addressed during the real transport process as well.
Tender management systems are used for the attraction of businesses and therefore classified as part of the marketing phase.
With regard to the category of resource management, TMS and WMS as well as terminal software for ports and airports aim at the efficient provision and utilization of resources. These steps need to be planned to the actual use and to be monitored during execution. Merely, the resources managed in the different systems may vary, the goals, however, strongly resemble each other.
Concerning the requirement category of monitoring & visibility, data from Business Intelligence and Data Warehousing solutions can be used in each of the phases for the purpose of monitoring and control. For instance, data can be retrieved from large data warehouses for the well-directed selection of partners, the careful planning of resources and capacities, the on-time monitoring of possible deviations from a given plan and the analysis and evaluation of significant KPIs in the aftermath of the actual process.
Diagnostic systems are used in the phases of planning and execution of processes as they often provide a measurable goal and measure the actual result for a later comparison with the predetermined goal. Especially, the measurement of KPIs and the diagnosis of problems and optimization of concerned areas belong to the range of such systems.
Similarly, security-related ICT systems are allotted to the phases of planning, execution, and completion as they address issues which need to be considered in the planning of a supply chain, to be monitored during the real transport and kept track of for documentation and re-traceability reasons.
The requirement category of collaboration contains middleware platforms for standardized data exchange as they connect backend sensors and other devices with superordinate systems which are to integrate and utilize the data from these systems in their very own processes. By this, different parties can contribute different pieces of data for a better end-to-end supply chain visibility, for example.
Likewise, tender management systems serve the goal of collaboration in the phase of marketing and sales because they connect different parties and match supply and demand in this way.
Moreover, the core and additional functionalities of both WMS and TMS aim at collaboration in the phases of planning, execution, and completion as they interconnect different parties of a supply chain by requiring input data for own processes from other parties and passing on output data to other parties for further processing.
All four categories, i.e. planning, resource management, monitoring & visibility and
collaboration, are covered by the following three types of systems: ERP systems, SCMS
and B2B platforms.
ERP do not only play a vital role in the planning activities of a company and of a supply chain, but – as the name says – also in the resource management issues. Due to its increasing range of functionality, it also supports features that address the requirement categories of monitoring & visibility and collaboration.
ERP solutions are assigned to three of the four phases, but have increasingly started to cover the phase of marketing and sales by means of solutions like CRM.
Due to its holistic character, Supply Chain Management Systems are said to cover all categories of generic requirements and stretch over the four phases of marketing, planning, execution and completion.
Due to its heterogeneous character, any of the four phases of a transport process can be supported by B2B online platforms which thus are also assigned to the categories of collaboration, planning, and monitoring & visibility.
To draw a conclusion, a mapping of the existing solutions in the framework of the analysis, i.e. in accordance with the four phases of a transport process and with the generic requirements of the domain, has been presented.
It shows a wide variety of heterogeneous solutions which cover very different phases of the process and serve diverse requirements and goals.
However, to comprehend the meaning of the assignment of solutions to the framework of the analysis fully, the trends currently characterizing both the ICT world and the transport and logistics domain have to be considered as well.