Research projects and developments of optimal solutions of Logistics Information Systems

The logistics is an important structure member of costs. Having exhausted the potential of optimization of the internal logistics (intralogistics) for last years, many enterprises come to the decision to look for additional opportunities by implementation of the new information technologies (IT) in processes of logistics. But there is a question: by what criteria it is necessary to be guided when choosing logistic IT systems that they conformed to modern requirements of complex logistics and quickly changing business processes? The high cost of marketing researches, complexity of comparison of products and the huge market of suppliers do not allow many interested enterprises to answer this question. Let's consider ten essential acceptance criterions of the solution.

1. Intralogistics trends

The one who wants that its investments conformed to requirements of tomorrow should have an idea of the existing trends of development of the situation and its driving forces. In the research "Future of Intralogistics 2020+" of Research society on intralogistics, the hoisting-and-transport equipment and logistics systems (IFL) three global trends which can have significant effect on the future of intralogistics were revealed:

• globalization,
• increase in efficiency of use of resources,
• development and implementation of innovations.

These three trends serve as a starting point of the choice as suitable and, first of all, a perspective IT system: it should stimulate the innovation activity of the enterprise and promote development of business processes or, at least, give them support. It should provide optimal, economic use of the available resources. Also system integration – through borders and continents is important for the global enterprises. In other words, capability to integration, flexibility and efficiency are at the moment defining when choosing modern logistic software.

2. Standard software with properties of an individual system

Considering the expenditure budget and terms of implementation, the individual systems ceased to conform to requirements of time long ago. Software for intralogistics, as well as logistic processes, remains the individual solution, however it is under construction on the basis of the standard products having modular structure. Within the opportunities modules of this standard system are combined according to user requirements and due to parametrization and scaling are configured on specific processes.

The software of the class Premium to which also IT systems of PSI Logistics company belong allows to perform besides integration, display and management of the special processes which are beyond widespread conventional processes. The PSI Logistics company developed for this purpose the special automated procedure of tests and special project management with use, so-called, flexible modeling. Reduction of terms of accomplishment and expenses on developmental works, high flexibility and quality of systems became result. Besides, there was an opportunity to expand functionality of the developed software even after completion of design.

3. Architecture

The flexibility of software should be put already in foundation architecture. The aspect focused (service-oriented) architecture (SOA) represents a modern basis for this purpose. In it the fact that concepts and the systems of modern complex logistics cover more and more new, more difficult processes is considered, and the software, in turn, constantly expands a range of the functionality. The PSI Logistics company improved this modern approach on the basis of SOA, having created service - the focused architecture based on Java (SOJA). Thanks to SOJA diverse IT infrastructures purchase capability to integration and the loudspeaker. Architecture of SOJA ensure the coordinated work of diverse IT systems and use of single solutions in the field of monitoring in the form of different, specific to the industry and/or functions of the software products connected with each other similar to network with a bus architecture. It allows the different systems to work with a row and jointly with each other and simplifies solution of the problem of interfaces.

4. Interfaces

Distinctive feature of projects of intralogistics is that numerous components (from racks, the hoisting-and-transport equipment and rack pilers to management systems and managing computers), producers and subcontractors should work in coordination. Besides, development of interfaces for operational and economic IT systems often is required.

If processes are beyond the separate enterprise, still requirements of information exchange in more complex networks with heterogeneous system landscapes are added to it. In the future as a result of an interdepartmental categorization there will be an opportunity as usual to connect the equipment to certain interfaces, to expand or (when changing technology) to upgrade it in separate parts, like building block systems. SOJA is perspective foundation architecture for implementation of this purpose.

5. Total costs on IT

It agrees carried out by researches, at investments into a warehouse management system of the 6-unit amounts of euro, only 15% of total costs (TCO – Total Cost of Ownership) are the share of initial investments. Considering equipment costs and networks, auxiliary and operating costs and cost of services initial investments are equated almost to 40% of the total project costs of IT solutions. About 60% of costs leave on further providing lifecycle.

Therefore, initial investments should be aimed not just at finding the most profitable software supplier. First of all it is necessary to consider such aspects as operation models, contractual providing a guarantee of readiness and additional opportunities thanks to which the software can not only support modern business processes, but also it is easy to be integrated into future entrepreneurial and/or technology development.

6. Trends and technologies

Modern logistic IT systems offer not only multifunction opportunities. Distinguishers of perspective IT systems are their flexibility and capability to integration. Flexibility – in terms of usefulness of these systems in the changing, dynamic business processes. Integration is meant as integration into modern IT infrastructures, integration of the processes which are beyond one enterprise, and modern technologies (for example, RFID). All this becomes possible, thanks to developing, capable to updating and the common software configured on individual requirements.

7. User interface

The user interface is an important element of performance improvement and perception of a system by users. The slogan "the more brightly, the better", remained in the past. The most important are other aspects. Demographic changes mean emergence of bigger number of the users speaking a foreign language. The shortage of specialists requires big flexibility in models and structures of working time. Fast change of work locations does necessary development of the intuitive, easily mastered interfaces for work with a system. For performance improvement each user should have an opportunity to organize the workplace according to the tasks.

All this proves high requirements to the concept of the operator interface in modern logistic software. The logistics is characterized by information and mobility. With respect thereto more and more functions of IT systems in logistics will be used mobile. They will be beyond a far classical management system for pilers and paperless commissioning. IPhones and IPad of Apple company can be examples.

Based on experience of participation in numerous research projects, including international, the PSI Logistics company advances the growing requirements implementation of the most modern technologies of the operator interface, development of the multilingual systems and new, ergonomic design.

8. Networks between the enterprises

At the same time the enterprises will be exposed to more and more strong pressure from the global competition, price increase and the growing quality requirements and to service in new economic space. Transport chains will need to be arranged under the changing conditions. It means serious effects for logistic software. For example, in terms of perspective functionality centralized systems, modeling of costs for transportations and an opportunity to plan, to vary by modeling and to optimum organize chains of value creation and network worldwide will become strategic instruments of the global competition.

The software of PSI Logistics company to which the warehouse management system PSIwms, a management system for transportations of PSItms and schedule system belong and managements of logistic networks PSIglobal, has a possibility of vertical and horizontal integration of various processes, their communications and associations in network, if necessary already today – with an exit for a framework of one enterprise and one continent.

9. Updates and support worldwide

In spite of the fact that obtaining the operational reference in modern IT systems is not a problem any more today, users need a reliable onsite assistance worldwide during the planning, creation, setup and commissioning of their systems. If over it the software developer has representations and own employees residing in other parts of the planet, it promotes the solution not only problems of rendering timely support, but also reveals and eliminates the numerous reefs connected with maintenance of systems.

Having about 60 qualified employees in only one Russia, PSI cares for that users in the developing economic regions could address on site the competent consultant in the field of logistic software. The possibility of upgrade and updating of versions emphasizes prospects of systems in terms of support of business processes.

10. Perspective software supplier

And at last, the last, but not on value criterion. What advantage of software which well works today if already in a couple of years his supplier disappears from the market, and cannot changes in business processes be reflected in the integrated system?

Thanks to the participation in real research projects, the PSI Logistics company can offer clients not only product development at the most modern level of development of the equipment. Technology transfer and support of the concern which is quoted at the exchange with representations turn PSI Logistics into the competent leader in the field of technologies and innovations in the market of logistics worldwide and guarantee to clients, except other, reliability of investments and the highest quality of a product.

Briefly we will sum up the results

At a right choice of program systems it is not just about a set of functionality. Perspective investments are distinguished by flexibility and capability to integration, modern system architecture and confidence in long-term successful cooperation of the producer with the consumer. Her own IT specialists should be involved in decision making process in firm already at an early stage. The management needs a solid data. Commercial services look for the inexpensive supplier, and IT specialists estimate a system. Their professional opinion needs to be considered at determination of the purpose and the choice of suitable program system.