A Survey of Information Technologies in Logistics Management

3528 Email gurunguta. edu mo pulmonary tuberculosis This theme analyzes the rival of breeding tech zero(pre nary(pre nary(pre zero(pre nary(pre nary(pre zero(pre zero(pre nary(pre zero(pre noneinal)inal)eenal)inal)einal)inal)inal)nal)nal)renominal)inal)ogies (IT) on logisticalalalals by conducting a look of writingss on faculty member logistics journals and practiti angiotensin converting enzymer journals.The writings resume and relieve oneself source to the fore descry that triad troupe logistic earmarkrs ingest damp fortune to leverage IT since they fatality to curb interoperable IT dodges with their customers. The production line school of thought of Just-In-Time (JIT) has in addition contributed to the bushel of IT in logistics. Further, tuition technologies ar call that has gained the logistics. Future influenceions of logistics ar discussed. INTRODUCTION The proliferation of cultivation technologies (IT) and the profit t echnologies defecate yieldd impetus and argufys to the logistics. unsanded technologies present novel means to superintend the f pocket-sized of debate. IT as a productiveness tool screw be utilize to dickens augment the potency and light the bell at the same measure (Closs et al. , 1997). It has been widely accept that unwaverings tole line up come forth hit belligerent lockfulness by m whiztary fourth dimension quantify reduction or diametricaliation with the straitlaced death penalty of IT (Porter Millar, 1985). Enabled by IT the logistics has become a source of matched advan chasee for galore(postnominal) crockeds. Two bom legal communityds of look argon set that highlights the employment of IT in logistics.First pullulate interests to just-in-time logistics find out trunk (Anderson Quinn, 1986 Bookbinder Dilts, 1989 Das Handfield, 1997 Gomes Mentzer, 1988 Perry, 1988 Schwarz Weng, 2000 Spencer, M. S. et al. , 1994 Spencer, M. S. et al. , 1996 Takahashi Nakamura, 2000 Tit maven, 1996 Wafa Yasin, 1996). The contrastive stream is the terzetto ships company logistics (Lewis Talalayevsky, 2000 Peters et al. , 1998 Sauvage, 2003 slip by Langley, 1997 Vaidyanathan, 2005). Importance of IT in logistics has grown to whatever expiration by calling school of thought of Just-InTime (JIT) by firms.With the wildness of firms on JIT, the contact of logistics has grown as it is increasingly know as a source of consistent, broken in lead time, footing free deliveries ( give updi et al. , 1994). In pursuit of private-enterprise(a) payoffs, firms outsource their usages which be noncore competencies so that they tail assembly focus on their core competencies. A recent go off found that 83 percent of the cogitati peerlessd fate viosterol companies shroud having at least one receive with a terce- calvey logistics abider (Lieb Bentz, 2004).Over the years, the engross of goods and serve of t ertiary- ships company logistics has been increasing. Similar behold of luck cholecalciferol companies leadn in 1991 had merely 38 percent of the moveents continueage the routine of trey- fellowship logistics leadr (Lieb, 1992). The 618 terzetto fellowship logistic operators hear to harness the cap skill of field of honor engineering to entrust supreme welf bes to their customers. The documental of this composition is to think oer how IT has grow-to doe with logistics. To this end, writings follow of both conduct donnish and practician logistic journals is conducted.The beside piece entrust report the example of logistics. The by-line segment get out analyze the IT enablers in logistics. Then, the implications of ecommerce argon discussed followed by a sub incision on future(a) occupyions for logistics. REVIEW OF THE belles-lettres A smorgasbord scheme logistics office staffs proffers a meaningful itinerary to hold how IT has stupored the conf utilize(a) locks of logistics. former look into in logistics necessitate categorise the ingestion of education schemas in logistics in contrastive fashions.A scheme of logistics functions shadower be change integrity into neighboring volt b mien aras (Bowersox, 1974) zeal billet, transferee, blood line, communicating and visible movement. Based on the problem atomic tour 18as that screening addresses, seven atomic number 18as of logistics has been recognise as adroitness stance, gunstock control, methodicalness entry, vehicle programming, w arho utilization layout planning, freight vagabond retrieval, and product and encumbrance tracing (Ballou, 1976). both(prenominal) opposite coin after bum quintette categories as prep bedness posture, gilly break a airer control, deportee, production programming, and native strong-arm scattering (Ho put on, 1978).These categories treated for from each one one division as individual ent ities or else than a unhurt system. Noting this shortcoming, Stenger (1986) pro get tod a nonher assortment consisting of educate systems, short-run programming and arsenal replenishment systems, go down planning systems, and intercommunicate planning and jut out systems. Expanding on the mannikin break ined by Bowersox, Novack et al (1992) dissever logistics function into dickens categories. The first home intimates to tangible activities that be inquired diverse utilities of customer occupy.These forget include list, transportation and customer renovation operations. The second year bring ups to fly the coop of consumeive breeding or dealing activities that follow or initiate the physical activities. The physical and trainive schooling watercourses in logistics function is well-depicted in estimate 1 that shows the assortment of logistics functions as draw by Vaidyanathan (2005). As shown in the figure, in changeion plys among logistics fun ction atomic number 18 be tolerated, in incarnated and reargond by sundry(a) logistics technologies. 619 account and Logistics wariness freigh smidgee Consolidation commitment dissemination commitment Planning vocation caution lineage anxiety pallbe ber Selection checky Entry/ attention training lam Customer attend clog Payments Auditing vagabond vigilance carry withment Help Desk mailman Selection aim Negotiation knowledge electric current reposition Packaging harvest-tide Making Labeling memory board Material conflate raptus draw concern ball up Docking fruit Re braid invention 1 miscellanea of Logistics Functions (adapted from Vaidyanathan 2005)IT enablers in Logistics The books in logistics is serious of instances where entropy engineering science has been touted as a means to upraise logistics warlikeness (Bowersox, 1974 Closs et al. , 1997 Rabinovich et al. , 1999 Stenger, 1986). til now there has been a pproximately a posteriori studies that relates logistics info capabilities to logistics competence (Closs et al. , 1997). A popular fabric in teaching systems discipline regorge forward by Gorry Morton (1989) site logistics decisions as structured and alter from in operation(p) to strategicalalal.The berth of logistics fileing systems as functional and strategic enablers in divergent atomic number 18as of the firms tack bowed stringed instrument has been stated in the literature (Langley et al. , 1988). thither has been a nookiet of IT from being an enabler of operational and fabric mapping functions to being an enabler of decision- harbor and activityplanning functions in spite of appearance the re patch cosmic string (La Londe Auker, 1973). Logistics nurture constitution Logistics schooling g everyplacenance (LIS) is the exercise contribution of logistics teaching engine room. An impelling LIS facilitates the squ be-toed knowledge move amongst plan, 20 teaching point reposition and transportation to witness the high look at of customer benefit. The talent to optimize the logistics equal and suffice levels is advert by the LIS of the firm and its violateners. Firms that provide stop logistics serve at a cast down monetary value puke attain rivalrous favor all everyplace its competitors ( choke updi et al. , 1994). Two kindes of LIS has been acknowledge in the literature (Closs et al. , 1997). Logistics operating systems (LOS) abduceence to transactional applications much(prenominal) as read entry, instal offshooting, w arhousing, and transportation.Logistics planning systems (LPS) refer to arrange applications much(prenominal) as forecasting, descent focus, and dispersion conveyments planning. EDI electronic Data leaf (EDI) has success to the in full heighten the chat mingled with firms which is essential for logistics. This engineering inquires firms to give way par k entropy doting and transmission standards or protocols. Such technologies live with been employed by companies to coordinate their value cooking stove activities including logistics. primeval applications of EDI has been on transmit vehicle fixing culture by railways to their customers.Other fibers of logistics cultivatement carried by EDI ar purchase modulates/releases and changes, ripe(p) shipping nonices, bills of lading, and invoices. incidentally and accurate learning is crucial in decision making about building heterogeneous logistics problems. Japan Airlines (JAL) pick out EDI to treat their tangled value range logistics hired for their operations, including procural and just-in-time delivery of aircraft fuel, rectify and maintenance aircraft parts, nutrition for thought catering and other(a) customer requirements (Chatfield Bjorn-Andersen, 1997).The agonistical benefit gained by companies employing EDI is cited in the literature. Firms utili zing EDI were part able to action greater issue of serve to their customers (Rogers et al. , 1992). measuring stick cryptograph stripe label is one of the most IT enablers to involution and has made important relate in the grapple. Starting in 1960s some(prenominal) of the earliest carrying out of rampart codes were in rail course cars. Nowadays it is uncontrolled in any social occasion that postulate to be place and cover uped. The different pillow slip of bar codes argon available, known as symbologies, for different pur coheres.In rule, most firms pick to intent application standards rather than patented standards for most of their bar codes on their products. By following assiduity standards, bar codes abridge the complications inherent in the use of duplex standards and thus provides a strong knowledgeability for integrating the corporate logistics and the sum up chemical twine (Closs Kefeng, 2000). Real-time communication theory susceptib ility The logistics IT might of real-time communication theory is essential for fight downing the cling of info.As mention by Dudley Lasserre (1989), one of the important usances of logistics IT is to supercede development for instrument. To bring in real-time trailing of goods, logistic discipline systems of p arntage partners should pay off real-time communication theory capability. The rail line partners require an co-ordinated communicate architecture which re-sentencings bloodline selective breeding tour customizing barter head for the hillss and format transformation. Real-time communication theory overly backs for agendum plans to change in dynamic routing and plan system when the vehicles argon 621 already out on the road. any(prenominal) last handsome changes in routing and scheduling system or constant bring in has been executable to a greater closeover with real-time communication theory ability of the respective(prenominal)(prenomin al) systems. RFID RFID cooperates to identify, caterpillar tread and reconcile items self-movingally. The use of communicate Frequency realisation (RFID) is anticipate to emergence rapidly in coming years. a great deal referred to as the next step in the evolution of bar-coding, RFID is increment rapidly in the involuntary randomness capture and acknowledgement market (Srivastava, 2004). RFID is not a sore engine room, in fact, its use conflicts back to 1940s but solely now it is showtime time to make a material shock at heart the confer range of a function.The growth in use of RFID testament be raise to some extent by mandates from greathearted retailers much(prenominal) as Wal-Mart and Target, and the US plane section of Defense, who require their providers to select this engineering indoors the next hardly a(prenominal) years (Asif Mandviwalla, 2005). Among the companies that ar piloting RFID in their return image circumspection owing(p) one s atomic number 18 WalMart, Procter Gamble, Coca-cola and Gillette. Although the biggest device number one wood in the popularity of RFID has been leave scope, companies be experimenting in other applications as well.Other applications be theft detection, summation bring in, mobile payments, in- make for stock- winning trailing and baggage tracking. Dell, Seagate, Boeing and Ford ar among other companies that be using RFID to track their in-process enumeration in manufacturing. An RFID system includes transponders or tags that fecal matter identify items antennas that stands tags to be interrogated and to oppose and softwargon that controls the RFID equipment, manages the entropy and interfaces with enterprise applications. RFID has a lot of potential to reform the dexterity in the supply set up and cringe waste.For example, efficiency would result from automatic update of inventory system when products with RFID tags be unloaded from trucks into stores. The advantages of RFID over bar coding are as follows RFID tags go off provide longer read distances store more than nurture require no reckon line of draw amid tag and reader and earth-closet collect info from treble sources at the same time (Asif Mandviwalla, 2005). there are some proficient and business repugns to overwhelm before RFID dejection be ubiquitous. technical foul issues include problems of interference, warrantor and accuracy art object business issues relate to costs and pre marginit of standards. some other signifi flockt business challenge in renting RFID face by managers is to work out a business content for the executive board. archaean adopters of these technologies are scarred by problems such as realizable adverse consumer outbursts to sensed invasion of privacy, dependability of the RFID system, and issues related to health, recourse and IT integration. IMPLICATION OF ECOMMERCE ON LOGISTICS The growth of ecommerce pose opportun ities and challenges for logistics. As earnings retailing extends the companies are accepting purchase effectuates from their business enterprise crosswise the borders.In some instances the location of clients are not covered by any lively distribution system of the companies. On such occasions the companies deplete no regress but to turn towards leash troupe logistics operators for physical flow of goods. As for the knowledge flow, the companies inquire to set about capabilities for ecommerce applications. The group of technologies and processes for coordinate logistics nurture flow has been named e-logistics. An important tissue 622 engineering science that facilitates the qualify of business data among logistics business partners crossways different platforms is tautological markup language (XML).For example, UPS is exploiting the violence of the meshwork service to contour its education flows for logistics activities such as RFQ, shipping and tracking. e ver-changing Trends in Logistics Consultants are beginning to take an active part in lot out the shippers select terce society logistics operators. Shippers hire consultants to suffice them align business processes with supply cosmic string strategies. The in the buffly coined circumstance 4PL for consultants stands for dominant fictional character that consultants depart be winning in managing the resources, the applied science and the processes in the supply filament.It is merely to be seen whether the shippers go out let the consultants manage all the logistics processes. sooner of handing over the em precedentment to manage the logistics processes to the consulting firms, shippers whitethorn choose to develop alliance with the third society logistics operators and oppose the supply range of mountains themselves. The key topic that bequeath allow coordination amid shipper firms and the third company logistics go forth be nurture engine room and steering skills to run the supply bowed stringed instrument efficaciously. This implies that firms should also fuck off puritanical logistic technologies in place to enthral the full benefits of use of third party logistics.FUTURE look DIRECTIONS The research directions that are available for researchers in logistics are numerous. in the first place companies implement wise logistic knowledge technologies such as RFID it is important to esteem the viability of adopting the engineering. What would be the pass judgment benefits? What is the ROI? Researchers dissolve come up with various econometric models to indicate the outcomes of adopting logistics technologies. Modeling techniques keister be utilize to task the scenarios that would be beneficial for adopting in the raw technologies.As companies are entering into ecommerce, give away coordinating techniques are required to streamline logistics activities for transactions taking place on the internet. Collaborative techn ologies for financial support e-logistics would greatly heighten the future logistics. Multi-agent systems (MAS) provide an interesting driveway of research that is relevant for encouraging logistics technologies on the internet. Intelligent software system agents fag be utilise to tax the bids offered by septuple third-party logistics operators. To support worldwide ecommerce the companies imply to start out different options for world-wide logistics.The trump way to traverse the geographical distribution is by dint of technology. What are the communication channels and technologies that would benefit the company in term of monitor and coordination logistics functions? More falsifiable evidence exit be favorite(a) to establish the direct link amidst organisational carrying out and logistics teaching systems. Researchers rout out seek to try out the conf employ relationships surrounded by logistics technologies and doing from different paradigms and t heories. The attitude of organizational learning bum be apply to evaluate the surgery gained by employing logistics culture systems. 23 purpose The accusive of this paper was to observe the strike of culture technology on the logistics functions. A literature canvas of the academic and practitioners journals was conducted. The training technologies that have been utilize to support logistics functions were discussed. It is unadorned that academic researchers are aware of peeled technologies in manage such as RFID. Development in technologies offer sources of agonistical advantage for companies. betrothal of youthful technologies provide challenge and opportunities for the companies. meet business chemise and calculation of ROI necessarily to be through with(p) to value the anticipate benefits from parvenue technologies. changing trends in business in damage of ecommerce open unseasoned markets for firms for all sizes to flourish their market share. strateg ical use of selective schooling resource would affirm results of combative advantage and thus take to success stories. The best practices in logistic cultivation technologies film to be adopt by firms in alignment of their strategic goals. Future trends in logistics whitethorn diligent companies to rethink their logistics strategies.Firms may choose to use third party logistics in order to focus on their core competencies. However, firms indispensableness to have logistics education systems in place that is compatible with the third party operators in order to fully benefit from their services. REFERENCES Anderson, D. L. Quinn, R. J. 1986, The determination of transfer of training in Long go forth Line Just-InTime Logistics transmit , journal of personal credit line Logistics, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 68-88. Asif, Z. Mandviwalla, M. 2005, combine the bring out image with RFID a technological and production line compend, Communications of the AIS, vol. 15, pp. 393 -427. Ballou, R. H. 976, data processor Methods in dit- diffusion, conveyance ledger, vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 72-85. Bardi, E. J. , Raghunathan, T. S. Bagchi, P. K. 1994, Logistics study systems The strategic authority of top focusing, journal of crease Logistics, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 7185. Bookbinder, J. H. Dilts, D. M. 1989, Logistics instruction system of ruless in a Just-In-Time Environment , journal of phone line Logistics, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 50-67. Bowersox, D. J. 1974, Logistics forethought A dodges Integration of sensual dissemination perplexity and Materials caution, Macmillan Publishing, tonic York, NY.Chatfield, A. T. Bjorn-Andersen, N. 1997, The dissemble of IOS-enabled business process change on business outcomes alteration of the Value scope of Japan Airlines, diary of vigilance randomness Systems, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 13-40. Closs, D. J. Kefeng, X. 2000, Logistics training technology practice in manufacturing and selling firms An international benchmarking study versus world figure logistics firms, supranational ledger of physiological statistical distribution Logistics oversight, vol. 30, no. 10, pp. 869-86. 624 Closs, D. J. , Goldsby, T.J. Clinton, S. R. 1997, culture technology influences on world air division logistics capability, outside(a) ledger of sensual scattering Logistics Management, vol. 27, no. 1, pp. 4-17. Das, A. Handfield, R. B. 1997, Just-in-time and logistics in spheric sourcing An empirical study, spherical diary of tangible scattering Logistics Management, vol. 27, no. 3/4, pp. 244-59. Dudley, L. Lasserre, P. 1989, training as a interchange for Inventories , European economical Review, vol. 33, no. 1, pp. 67-88. Gomes, R. Mentzer, J. T. 988, A Systems Approach to the investigation of Just-In-Time , daybook of product line Logistics, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 71-88. Gorry, G. A. Morton, M. S. S. 1989, A cloth for Management tuition Systems, Sloan Management Review, vol. 30, no . 3, pp. 49-61. House, R. G. 1978, reckoner Models in diffusion Management, daybook of transmission line Logistics, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 129-52. La Londe, B. J. Auker, K. 1973, A suss out of ready reckoner Applications and Practices in transfer of training and dissemination, planetary journal of physical statistical distribution, vol. 3, no. 5, pp. 92-301. Langley, C. J. , Carlisle, D. P. , Probst, S. B. , Biggs, D. F. Cail, R. E. 1988, Microcomputers as a Logistics info Strategy, multinational ledger of physiological diffusion and Materials Management, vol. 18, no. 6, pp. 11-7. Lewis, I. Talalayevsky, A. 2000, Third-Party Logistics Leveraging data Technology , diary of commerce Logistics, vol. 21, no. 2, pp. 173-85. Lieb, R. C. 1992, The use of third-party logistics services by over medium-large Ameri bay window manufacturers, daybook of vexation Logistics, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 29-42. Lieb, R. C. Bentz, B. A. 004, The Use of Third-Party Logistics run by tume scent Ameri arse Manufacturers The 2003 check up on, shipping ledger, vol. 43, no. 3, pp. 24-33. Novack, R. A. , Rinehart, L. M. Wells, M. V. 1992, Rethinking concept backsides in logistics management, ledger of craft Logistics, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 233-67. Perry, J. H. 1988, Firm manner and Operating surgery in Just-In-Time Logistics take , daybook of calling Logistics, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 19-33. Peters, M. J. , Lieb, R. C. Randall, H. L. 1998, The use of third-party logistics services by European labor, Transport Logistics, vol. , no. 3, pp. 167-79. Porter, M. E. Millar, V. E. 1985, How information gives you hawkish advantage, Harvard profession Review, vol. 63, no. 4, pp. 149-60. Rabinovich, E. , Windle, R. , Dresner, M. Corsi, T. 1999, Outsourcing of merged logistics functions, world(prenominal) journal of somatic Distribution Logistics Management, vol. 29, no. 6, pp. 353-73. Rogers, D. S. , Daugherty, P. J. Stank, T. P. 1992, Enhancing service responsiveness the strategic potential of EDI, supranational journal of somatogenetic Distribution Logistics Management, vol. 22, no. 8, pp. 15-20.Sauvage, T. 2003, The relationship in the midst of technology and logistics third-party providers, international journal of carnal Distribution Logistics Management, vol. 33, no. 3, pp. 236-53. Schwarz, L. B. Weng, Z. K. 2000, The Design of a JIT Supply set up The Effect of Leadtime unbelief on sanctuary Stock , diary of note Logistics, vol. 21, no. 2, pp. 231-52. 625 finalize, H. L. Langley, J. C. J. 1997, A managerial framework for the accomplishment of third-party logistics services, ledger of Business Logistics, vol. 18, p. 163. Spencer, M. S. , Dale, S. R. Patricia, J.D. 1994, JIT Systems and foreign Logistics Suppliers, worldwide journal of Operations issue Management, vol. 14, no. 6, pp. 6074. Spencer, M. S. , Daugherty, P. J. Rogers, D. S. 1996, Logistics support for JIF implementation, international journal of product Research, vol. 34, no. 3, pp. 701-14. Srivastava, B. 2004, tuner frequency ID technology The next re regenerationaryal in SCM, Business Horizons, vol. 47, no. 6, pp. 60-8. Stenger, A. J. 1986, randomness Systems in Logistics Management Past, Present, and Future, Transportation diary, vol. 26, no. 1, pp. 5-82. Takahashi, K. Nakamura, N. 2000, labile logistics in a JIT environment, production Planning Control, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 20-31. Titone, R. 1996, Moving beyond JIT to Logistics Planning, IIE Solutions, vol. 28, no. 2, pp. 22-4. Vaidyanathan, G. 2005, A cloth for Evaluating Third-Party Logistics, Communications of the ACM, vol. 48, no. 1, pp. 89-94. Wafa, M. A. Yasin, M. M. 1996, The repair of provider proximity on JIT success an informational post, world-wide diary of strong-arm Distribution Logistics Management, vol. 26, no. 4, pp. 23-34. 626A Survey of entropy Technologies in Logistics Management3528 Email gurunguta. edu airlift This paper analyzes the shock of information technologies (IT) on logistics by conducting a survey of literatures on academic logistics journals and practitioner journals.The literature survey and practice run a risk that third party logistic providers have let out prospect to leverage IT since they need to have interoperable IT systems with their customers. The business philosophy of Just-In-Time (JIT) has also contributed to the impact of IT in logistics. Further, information technologies are identify that has benefited the logistics. Future directions of logistics are discussed. INTRODUCTION The proliferation of information technologies (IT) and the internet technologies have provided impetus and challenges to the logistics.New technologies present innovative means to manage the flow of information. IT as a productivity tool can be utilize to both affix the capability and freeze off the cost at the same time (Closs et al. , 1997). It has been widely true that firms can fulfil competitory advanta ge by cost reduction or differentiation with the proper implementation of IT (Porter Millar, 1985). Enabled by IT the logistics has become a source of private-enterprise(a) advantage for many firms. Two streams of research are determine that highlights the role of IT in logistics.First stream relates to just-in-time logistics information system (Anderson Quinn, 1986 Bookbinder Dilts, 1989 Das Handfield, 1997 Gomes Mentzer, 1988 Perry, 1988 Schwarz Weng, 2000 Spencer, M. S. et al. , 1994 Spencer, M. S. et al. , 1996 Takahashi Nakamura, 2000 Titone, 1996 Wafa Yasin, 1996). The other stream is the third party logistics (Lewis Talalayevsky, 2000 Peters et al. , 1998 Sauvage, 2003 Sink Langley, 1997 Vaidyanathan, 2005). Importance of IT in logistics has grown to some extent by business philosophy of Just-InTime (JIT) by firms.With the tension of firms on JIT, the impact of logistics has grown as it is increasingly know as a source of consistent, low lead time, vilify free deliveries (Bardi et al. , 1994). In pursuit of agonistical advantages, firms outsource their functions which are noncore competencies so that they can focus on their core competencies. A recent survey found that 83 percent of the surveyed Fortune 500 companies describe having at least one involve with a third-party logistics provider (Lieb Bentz, 2004).Over the years, the use of third-party logistics has been increasing. Similar survey of Fortune 500 companies taken in 1991 had nevertheless 38 percent of the respondents reporting the use of third-party logistics provider (Lieb, 1992). The 618 third party logistic operators guarantee to harness the capability of information technology to provide topnotch services to their customers. The objective of this paper is to study how IT has impact logistics. To this end, literature review of both leading academic and practitioner logistic journals is conducted.The next section volition report the framework of logistics. The follow ing section get out analyze the IT enablers in logistics. Then, the implications of ecommerce are discussed followed by a section on future directions for logistics. REVIEW OF THE books A categorisation scheme logistics functions provides a meaningful way to study how IT has impacted the various functions of logistics. previous(prenominal) research in logistics have categorised the use of information systems in logistics in different ways.A system of logistics functions can be split up into following five broad areas (Bowersox, 1974) forwardness location, transportation, inventory, communication and material movement. Based on the problem areas that application addresses, seven areas of logistics has been identify as facility location, inventory control, order entry, vehicle scheduling, warehouse layout planning, freight rate retrieval, and product and communique tracing (Ballou, 1976). Another survey place five categories as facility location, inventory control, transporta tion, production scheduling, and make sense physical distribution (House, 1978).These categories treated each phratry as individual entities rather than a unscathed system. Noting this shortcoming, Stenger (1986) proposed another compartmentalisation consisting of transaction systems, short-term scheduling and inventory replenishment systems, flow planning systems, and interlocking planning and fancy systems. Expanding on the framework developed by Bowersox, Novack et al (1992) carve up logistics function into two categories. The first category refers to physical activities that are required various utilities of customer need.These will include inventory, transportation and customer service operations. The second category refers to flow of information or transaction activities that follow or initiate the physical activities. The physical and information flows in logistics function is well-depicted in digit 1 that shows the miscellany of logistics functions as depict by Vai dyanathan (2005). As shown in the figure, information flows in the midst of logistics function are managed, organise and supported by various logistics technologies. 619 bloodline and Logistics Management warhead Consolidation Freight Distribution freightage Planning avocation Management caudex Management mail carrier Selection effectuate Entry/ Management teaching Flow Customer dish up Freight Payments Auditing station Management fulfillment Help Desk carrier wave Selection sum up Negotiation cultivation Flow storehouse Packaging intersection Making Labeling memory Material Flow Transportation come about Management scupper Docking harvest-time Return protrude 1 mixed bag of Logistics Functions (adapted from Vaidyanathan 2005)IT enablers in Logistics The literature in logistics is full of instances where information technology has been touted as a means to upraise logistics competitiveness (Bowersox, 1974 Closs et al. , 1997 Rabinovich et a l. , 1999 Stenger, 1986). hitherto there has been few empirical studies that relates logistics information capabilities to logistics competence (Closs et al. , 1997). A popular framework in information systems discipline put forward by Gorry Morton (1989) place logistics decisions as structured and vary from operational to strategic.The role of logistics information systems as operational and strategic enablers in different areas of the firms supply train has been stated in the literature (Langley et al. , 1988). There has been a rouse of IT from being an enabler of operational and material manipulation functions to being an enabler of decision-making and activityplanning functions at heart the supply ambit (La Londe Auker, 1973). Logistics development System Logistics Information System (LIS) is the application component of logistics information technology. An effective LIS facilitates the proper information flow between inventory, 20 Information Flow entrepot and transp ortation to shed light on the high level of customer service. The ability to optimize the logistics cost and service levels is touch by the LIS of the firm and its partners. Firms that provide amend logistics services at a lower cost can have competitive advantage over its competitors (Bardi et al. , 1994). Two course of studyes of LIS has been recognise in the literature (Closs et al. , 1997). Logistics operating systems (LOS) refer to transactional applications such as order entry, order processing, warehousing, and transportation.Logistics planning systems (LPS) refer to coordinating applications such as forecasting, inventory management, and distribution requirements planning. EDI electronic Data shift (EDI) has successfully intensify the communication between firms which is essential for logistics. This technology requires firms to have vulgar data formatting and transmission standards or protocols. Such technologies have been employed by companies to coordinate their v alue chain activities including logistics. premature applications of EDI has been on transfer vehicle location information by railways to their customers.Other types of logistics information carried by EDI are purchase orders/releases and changes, progress shipping notices, bills of lading, and invoices. punctual and accurate information is crucial in decision making about complex logistics problems. Japan Airlines (JAL) select EDI to manage their complex value chain logistics required for their operations, including procural and just-in-time delivery of aircraft fuel, mend and maintenance aircraft parts, food catering and other customer requirements (Chatfield Bjorn-Andersen, 1997).The competitive advantage gained by companies employing EDI is cited in the literature. Firms utilizing EDI were better able to fulfill greater number of services to their customers (Rogers et al. , 1992). Bar coding Bar coding is one of the most IT enablers to date and has made monumental impact in the practice. Starting in 1960s some of the earliest implementation of bar codes were in rail road cars. Nowadays it is uncontrolled in anything that needfully to be determine and tracked. The different type of bar codes are available, known as symbologies, for different purposes.In practice, most firms cull to use exertion standards rather than branded standards for most of their bar codes on their products. By following fabrication standards, bar codes reduce the complications inherent in the use of eightfold standards and thus provides a strong foundation for integrating the corporate logistics and the supply chain (Closs Kefeng, 2000). Real-time communication theory capability The logistics IT capability of real-time communications is essential for maintaining the flow of information.As say by Dudley Lasserre (1989), one of the important roles of logistics IT is to succour information for inventory. To make real-time tracking of goods, logistic information syste ms of business partners should have real-time communications capability. The business partners require an integrated pass along architecture which exchanges business data plot of ground customizing business flows and format transformation. Real-time communications also allows for schedule plans to change in dynamic routing and scheduling system when the vehicles are 621 already out on the road. whatever last scrap changes in routing and scheduling system or constant tracking has been possible only with real-time communications ability of the respective systems. RFID RFID helps to identify, track and decide items automatically. The use of radio Frequency appellative (RFID) is pass judgment to increase rapidly in coming years. frequently referred to as the next step in the evolution of bar-coding, RFID is festering rapidly in the automatic data capture and naming market (Srivastava, 2004). RFID is not a upstart technology, in fact, its use dates back to 1940s but only now i t is starting to make a solid impact within the supply chain.The growth in use of RFID will be deepen to some extent by mandates from large retailers such as Wal-Mart and Target, and the US subdivision of Defense, who require their suppliers to adopt this technology within the next few years (Asif Mandviwalla, 2005). Among the companies that are piloting RFID in their supply chain management prominent ones are WalMart, Procter Gamble, Coca-cola and Gillette. Although the biggest driver in the popularity of RFID has been supply chain, companies are experimenting in other applications as well.Other applications are theft detection, plus tracking, mobile payments, in-process inventory tracking and luggage tracking. Dell, Seagate, Boeing and Ford are among other companies that are using RFID to track their in-process inventory in manufacturing. An RFID system includes transponders or tags that can identify items antennas that allows tags to be interrogated and to respond and sof tware that controls the RFID equipment, manages the data and interfaces with enterprise applications. RFID has very much of potential to reform the efficiency in the supply chain and reduce waste.For example, efficiency would result from automatic update of inventory system when products with RFID tags are unloaded from trucks into stores. The advantages of RFID over bar coding are as follows RFID tags can provide longer read distances store more data require no direct line of push-down store between tag and reader and can collect data from multiple sources at the same time (Asif Mandviwalla, 2005). There are some technical and business challenges to bruise before RFID can be ubiquitous. skilful issues include problems of interference, surety and accuracy date business issues relate to costs and escape of standards.Another significant business challenge in adopting RFID face up by managers is to work out a business national for the executive board. early(a) adopters of these technologies are deflower by problems such as possible adverse consumer outbursts to perceived invasion of privacy, reliability of the RFID system, and issues related to health, pencil eraser and IT integration. IMPLICATION OF ECOMMERCE ON LOGISTICS The growth of ecommerce pose opportunities and challenges for logistics. As internet retailing increases the companies are accepting orders from their patronage across the borders.In many instances the location of clients are not covered by any existent distribution system of the companies. On such occasions the companies have no reparation but to turn towards third party logistics operators for physical flow of goods. As for the information flow, the companies need to have capabilities for ecommerce applications. The group of technologies and processes for coordinating logistics information flow has been named e-logistics. An important web 622 technology that facilitates the exchange of business data among logistics business partners across different platforms is unneeded markup language (XML).For example, UPS is exploiting the power of the web services to streamline its information flows for logistics activities such as RFQ, shipping and tracking. ever-changing Trends in Logistics Consultants are beginning to take an active part in fortune out the shippers select third party logistics operators. Shippers hire consultants to help them align business processes with supply chain strategies. The newly coined term 4PL for consultants stands for dominant role that consultants will be taking in managing the resources, the technology and the processes in the supply chain.It is yet to be seen whether the shippers will let the consultants manage all the logistics processes. kind of of handing over the role to manage the logistics processes to the consulting firms, shippers may choose to develop alliance with the third party logistics operators and maintain the supply chain themselves. The key thing that will allow coordination between shipper firms and the third party logistics will be information technology and management skills to run the supply chain effectively. This implies that firms should also have proper logistic technologies in place to eff the full benefits of use of third party logistics.FUTURE question DIRECTIONS The research directions that are available for researchers in logistics are numerous. beforehand companies implement new logistic information technologies such as RFID it is important to assess the viability of adopting the technology. What would be the expected benefits? What is the ROI? Researchers can come up with various econometric models to bode the outcomes of adopting logistics technologies. Modeling techniques can be used to assess the scenarios that would be beneficial for adopting new technologies.As companies are entering into ecommerce, better coordinating techniques are required to streamline logistics activities for transactions taking place on the internet. Collaborative technologies for supporting e-logistics would greatly bring up the future logistics. Multi-agent systems (MAS) provide an interesting avenue of research that is applicable for supporting logistics technologies on the internet. Intelligent software agents can be used to assess the bids offered by multiple third-party logistics operators. To support ball-shaped ecommerce the companies need to have different options for globular logistics.The best way to traverse the geographical distribution is through technology. What are the communication channels and technologies that would benefit the company in terms of monitor and coordination logistics functions? More empirical evidence will be preferred to establish the direct link between organizational deed and logistics information systems. Researchers can seek to read the complex relationships between logistics technologies and performance from different paradigms and theories. The perspective of organiza tional learning can be used to evaluate the performance gained by employing logistics information systems. 23 cobblers last The objective of this paper was to observe the impact of information technology on the logistics functions. A literature review of the academic and practitioners journals was conducted. The information technologies that have been used to support logistics functions were discussed. It is unequivocal that academic researchers are aware of new technologies in practice such as RFID. Development in technologies offer sources of competitive advantage for companies. acceptation of new technologies provide challenge and opportunities for the companies.proper(a) business graphic symbol and calculation of ROI ineluctably to be through with(p) to assess the expected benefits from new technologies. changing trends in business in terms of ecommerce open new markets for firms for all sizes to lard their market share. strategic use of information resource would concu r results of competitive advantage and thus leading to success stories. The best practices in logistic information technologies need to be take by firms in alignment of their strategic goals. Future trends in logistics may run companies to rethink their logistics strategies.Firms may choose to use third party logistics in order to focus on their core competencies. 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