e-logistics

Modern information technolgies are essential for efficient processes in logistics. Concepts which base intensively on IT have become known as e-logistics. This article discusses the idea of e-logistics and relates it to different concepts within services in logistics. Therefore necessary technologies to realise e-logistics are introduced. As an example the technologies and developments of tracking-and-tracing are detailed.

The emergence of internet technologies has led to a fundamental transformation of value chains. For logistics service providers in particular new revenue sources and new roles in supply chains evolve. E-logistics helps to reduce the transaction costs in supply chains and hence increases the willingness for outsourcing. The ability to integrate seamlessly into customer processes, which can be referred to as collaboration capability, is a central competitive factor in the outsourcing industry. Also in this area e-logistics plays the role of an innovation driver. This article discusses the potentials and barriers of e-logistics initiatives and collaboration for logistics service providers and their customers and structures the design parameters of collaboration through a methodology.