Information Systems for Freight Forwarders
Information Systems
“Information Systems of Freight Forwarders”
Introduction
Nowadays, Information systems are crucial for the core processes of freight forwarders. In this report we will address an issue of the use of a Port Community System. Freight forwarders tend to use their own information systems for communication, instead of a central platform. Freight forwarders use various information systems parallel to each other, since these in general are faster or they do not see the benefits of a system such as Portbase for example.
The purpose of this study is to understand the way in which freight forwarders collect and manage information and how these information systems handle the information flows in its day to day business. Information will be gathered through a literature review, interviews with two freight forwarders (“DHL Global Forwarding” and “Tandem logistics”) and a software supplier (“Fiton”), public data analysis of Portbase and a comparison of several global software providers. This to understand cargo handling, information systems and to understand the data exchange, the linkages and standards between the different systems.
Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Table of Contents 2
1. Background Literature 3
2. Portbase 5 2.1 Introduction to Portbase 5 2.2 Portbase and Freight forwarders 6
3. Information Systems of DHL Global Forwarding and Tandem Global Logistics 8 3.1 DHL Global Forwarding 8 3.2 Tandem Global Logistics 9
4. Information Software Providers 11 4.1 Fiton 11 4.2 Other Information Software Providers 12 4.3 Conclusion on the software providers 16
5. Global visibility 18
6. Conclusion and Recommendations 19
References 21
Appendices 23
Appendix A: Negative aspects for integrating Portbase 23
Appendix B: Scenario descriptions used for Interviews 24
Appendix C: Interview transcripts 24
1. Background Literature
A port community system (PCS) by many researchers (de Langen 2008, van Baalen
“Information Systems of Freight Forwarders”
Introduction
Nowadays, Information systems are crucial for the core processes of freight forwarders. In this report we will address an issue of the use of a Port Community System. Freight forwarders tend to use their own information systems for communication, instead of a central platform. Freight forwarders use various information systems parallel to each other, since these in general are faster or they do not see the benefits of a system such as Portbase for example.
The purpose of this study is to understand the way in which freight forwarders collect and manage information and how these information systems handle the information flows in its day to day business. Information will be gathered through a literature review, interviews with two freight forwarders (“DHL Global Forwarding” and “Tandem logistics”) and a software supplier (“Fiton”), public data analysis of Portbase and a comparison of several global software providers. This to understand cargo handling, information systems and to understand the data exchange, the linkages and standards between the different systems.
Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Table of Contents 2
1. Background Literature 3
2. Portbase 5 2.1 Introduction to Portbase 5 2.2 Portbase and Freight forwarders 6
3. Information Systems of DHL Global Forwarding and Tandem Global Logistics 8 3.1 DHL Global Forwarding 8 3.2 Tandem Global Logistics 9
4. Information Software Providers 11 4.1 Fiton 11 4.2 Other Information Software Providers 12 4.3 Conclusion on the software providers 16
5. Global visibility 18
6. Conclusion and Recommendations 19
References 21
Appendices 23
Appendix A: Negative aspects for integrating Portbase 23
Appendix B: Scenario descriptions used for Interviews 24
Appendix C: Interview transcripts 24
1. Background Literature
A port community system (PCS) by many researchers (de Langen 2008, van Baalen
References: Burckhardt, P.C., Elhence, S., Rooijen, van M.C.W. (19980,”European Freight Forwarders: Which Way to Turn?”, The McKinsey Quarterly, No.2. Hausman, W., Lee, H., Subramanians, U. (2005), “Global Logistics Indicators, Supply Chain Metrics and Bilateral Trade Partners”, World Bank Policy Research Working Paper 3773. Langen, de.P.W.(2008),” Ensuring Hinterland Access: The Role of Port Authorities”, Joint Transport Research Centre, No. 2008-11. Leonard-Barton, D., (1988), “Implementation as mutual adaptation of technology and organization, Research Policy”, Vol Murphy, P.R., Daley J.M.(1996),”International Freight Forwarder Perspectives on Electronic Data Interchange and Information Management Issues”, Journal of Business logistics Vol.17, No.1. Rodon, J., Ramis-Pujol, J.(2006), “Exploring the Intricacies of Integrating with a Port Community System”, 19th Bled Econference. Wigand, R., Markus, M.L., and Steinfield, C., (2005), “Preface to the Focus Theme Section: 'Vertical Industry Information Technology Standards and Standardization”, Electronic Markets, Vol. 15, No. 4, pp. 285-288. Other sources: Syntens and Fenex (2010), NDiV-brancheprogram: “Sneller, Slimmer en Efficienter Informatie Uitwisselen Biedt Kansen voor de Zeehavenlogistiek”.