reference model

Logistics is one of the biggest trade volume industry sectors in Germany. External factors of influence are pushing the logistics sector to redesign its processes and operating activities environmentally. In the practical experience methodical tools are missing which help to identify environmental potential for optimization, to evaluate it and to document quantitatively the realized improvement. One possibility to combine the environmental and the financial point of view in intralogistics is demonstrating a novel reference model. With this model weaknesses can be identified and appropriate goals and activities can be defined to improve them. The combination of the reference model with a data base system affords to simulate and to review the effects of the activities just before their operational realization. The application of the reference model and its benefits for the contract logistics enterprises will be characterized in this article.

In building their IT environment, manufacturing companies usually confine themselves to the selection of isolated systems, for example an ERP system, neglecting the fact that the interaction of multiple IT systems is required to achieve an optimal IT organization. Especially small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME) often lack up-to-date knowledge in designing an IT environment aligned with the needs of the order fulfillment process. The European research project „SIMCET-TailorICT“, managed by the Fraunhofer IPA, has developed a reference model aimed at supporting SMEs in the design of a tailored system landscape in a systematic and standardized way. The objective is to strengthen the SMEs’ competitiveness.

The necessary work steps for the development of an automotive are distributed more and more across boarders of divisions, locations and enterprises. Both the technical complexity of products and the organizational complexity regarding the degree of integration are increasing. In order to understand, plan, logically map, and successfully manage the very complex product structure and the highly networked product development-process, commonly accepted structure or process models are used. The creation of these models can be supported by reference-models. In this article a field tested approach for modelling reference-process-models and application of different reference models in a multi-level-model will be shown.

An approach to the creation of interoperability in dynamically changing supply chains is presented applying the example of transnational hazardous waste logistics. By an integral consideration of business models the integration and adaptation of the IT infrastructure is advanced.