毕业设计论文外文文献翻译电子商务专业引入第三方物流企业的以代理人为基础的电子商务系统模型中英文对照
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我国第三方物流中存在的问题、原因及战略选择【摘要】我国物流业发展刚刚起步,第三方物流的理论和实践等方面都比较薄弱。
本文指出我国第三方物流存在的问题在于国内外第三方物流企业差距、物流效率不高、缺乏系统性管理、物流平台构筑滞后、物流管理观念落后等。
分析了产生上述问题的原因,并提出了精益物流、中小型第三方物流企业价值链联盟、大型第三方物流企业虚拟化战略等三种可供选择的第三方物流企业发展战略。
【关键词】第三方物流;精益物流战略;价值链联盟;虚拟化战略1引言长期以来,我国国内企业对采购、运输、仓储、代理、包装、加工、配送等环节控制能力不强,在“采购黑洞”、“物流陷井”中造成的损失浪费难以计算。
因此,对第三方物流的研究,对于促进我国经济整体效益的提高有着非常重要的理论和实践意义。
本文试图对我国策三方物流存在的问题及原因进行分析探讨,并提出第三方物流几种可行的战略选择。
物流的定义在完成商业交易之后,物流将以最低成本和最高效益的方式执行将商品从供应商(卖方)流转到顾客(买方)的过程。
这就是物流的定义。
在物流过程中,既需要诸如物流设施和设备(物流运输工具等)的硬件,也需要对物流实施信息化管理进行物流标准化。
此外,政府和物流组织的支持也不可或缺。
物流的三大主要功能(1)创造时间价值:同种商品因所处时间的不同而有着不同的价值。
在商品流转过程中,往往会处于某种停滞的状态,物流的专业术语就称之为储存。
储存创造了商品的时间价值。
(2)创造场所价值: 同种商品因所处位置的不同而有着不同的价值。
这种因商品流转过程中而产生的附加增值称之为物流的场所价值。
(3) 同配送加工价值:有时,物流活动也能创造配送加工价值,这种物流加工主要改变商品的长度、厚度和包装形态。
物流中经常提到的“分割成更小的部分”就是配送加工中最为常见的形式。
大多数物流加工都能创造商品的附加价值。
2.物流作为新兴的商务领域,经历了从传统物流向现代物流发展的两个阶段。
广东工业大学华立学院本科毕业设计(论文)外文参考文献译文及原文系部机械电气学部专业电子信息工程年级 2006级班级名称 06本电子信息工程1班学号 3103000651学生姓名陈杰栋指导教师樊晶明2011 年5 月Increased competitiveness in all industrial sectors sharpened by globalization and fall of global supply is forcing companies towards optimization of their business processes and new ways of mergers or partnerships with direct results in decreased business costs. With these strategic alliances new management strategies are formed as Clusters, Supply Chain Management (SCM), E-logistics, etc. Some authors are making references that logistic are “worth” 10% to 12% of GDP (Sahay, 2003). According to AMR research (Challenger, 2001), E-logistics has a potential of lowering costs by 10 %. On basics of these two references we can conclude that E-logistics can save our money for as much as 1.2% of GDP. Therefore it is not surprised that in last few years in high effective companies as Hewlett-Packard, Compaq, Digital Equipment Corporation, Xerox, Dell and Benetton Group top management is favorable to Supply Chain and therefore E-logistics (Romano, 2003).There is collection of literature indicating the importance of clusters and networks not only between firms, but along the value chain and across industries. The networks inherent in these clusters are integral for knowledge generation and diffusion, for technology transfer, for sharing risk and costs, for allowing firms to access new markets and opportunities and, finally, for building comparative advantage in the global market.Porter (Porter, 1990) defines clusters as geographic concentrations of interconnected companies, specialized suppliers, service providers, firms in related industries, and associated institutions. He proposed a model that provides conditions that have to be met for a firm to be internationally competitive and successful. This model focuses on four primary conditions which he arranged in a diamond-shaped diagram: factor conditions, demand conditions, structures of firms and rivalry and related and supporting industries. The "Related and Supporting Industries" feature of the diamond denotes the importance of clustering in developing international competitive advantage incorporating two features of a healthy cluster: the presence of vertical support through internationally competitive supplier industries which ensure cost-effective and speedy deliveries; and the presence of horizontal support in internationally competitive related industries to co-ordinate and share activities with and to stimulate local competition.In the article informatization of STLC will be presented through the project Modeling, Analyzing and Renovation, Standardization and Informatization of business processes of the Slovenian Transport Logistics Cluster which is performed by Business Informatics Institute in Faculty of Economics, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia. With informatization have logistic companies’ not just better connectivity with their customers and suppliers but also better performance and faster responds. To achieve appropriate level of informatization STLC must invest in modern information technologies. One of possible solutions is use of internet with his costless policy and in last years high security as the most appropriate communication channel.For all logistic companies it is assumed to control global logistic chain of their customers and therefore are dependent on successful implementation of informatization technologies which leads to decrease of inventory costs, better customer retention, asset management, etc.增加对全球化和全球供应下降削尖所有工业部门的竞争力,迫使他们对优化业务流程和兼并或在降低经营成本的直接成果的伙伴关系的新途径公司。
电子商务环境第三方物流企业策略论文随着现代企业生产经营方式的变革和市场外部环境的变化, 电子商务下第三方物流的发展引起了越来越多的重视,在电子商务应用中所占的份额也越来越多。
下面是店铺为大家整理的电子商务环境第三方物流企业策略论文,供大家参考。
电子商务第三方物流企业策略论文范文一:电子商务下第三方物流的发展策略【摘要】人们生活方式的改变,使得电子商务和第三方物流的发展非常迅速。
电子商务的实现需要现代物流作为后盾,在电子商务活动中,第三方物流业的建立与完善,影响有形商品的网上商务活动。
因为顾客在下单之后,希望尽快得到所购买点产品,而在这一过程中,对产品的分拣、备货、运输、配送、搬运都是物流的任务,如何来缩短各个环节中的时间,因此显得尤为重要。
通过对电子商务环境下第三方物流发展存在的问题,以及第三方物流发展的策略分析。
【关键词】电子商务;第三方物流企业;发展对策一、第三方物流与电子商务概述第三方物流(3PL)是指为公司提供全部或部分物流服务的外部供应商。
3PL供应商提供的物流服务包括运输、仓储管理、配送等。
从生产到销售的整个物流过程中进行服务。
电子商务的运作模式已广泛运用于各个企业之间,对第三方物流的发展起了巨大的推动作用。
电子商务采用现代信息技术手段,从而实现了商品交易以及交易管理等活动的全过程无纸化,企业获得订单、将货物及时地从仓库发送到顾客的手中、及时更新价目单、及时获取结算信息以及正确处理顾客的订单。
要求物流企业之间相互联合起来,以实现物流供应链的高效化、合理化、系统化。
二、第三方物流企业的现状分析第三方物流供应商大部分是港口、铁路部门中的货运代理部门,而大多数工商企业在供应链意义上所需要的第三方物流供应商,则应有适应我国目前市场环境的企业组织和功能。
?绝大多数企业仍然保留着“大而全”“小而全”的经营方式,习惯于自己干物流,忽视供应链管理的模式。
有关专家认为,由于对现代物流缺乏深刻认识及其他多种原因,大多数工商企业使用第三方物流服务的意识和意愿不强。
摘要:随着我国电子商务的不时开展,促使第三方物流企业也随之开展起来。
很多企业原本的物流资本曾经远远不能满足以后的需求,因此,第三方物流企业成了电子商务的肯定选择。
关键词:第三方物流;物流资本;肯定选择1、电子商务与第三方物流的概述1.电子商务的概述电子商务指的是活着界各个地区的贸易贸易范围内,在因特网开放的收集情况之下,在应用效劳器的基础之上,生意的双方在不会晤的状况下展开各种各样的贸易生意活动,完成买家和卖家经过在线咨询、在线支付的收集平台停止公允生意和其他相似贸易活动的新型贸易运转形式,是经过收集通信技巧、远程通信技巧和计算机技巧手腕完成的商务高效便捷活动。
2.第三方物流的运转电子商务的隆盛同时也带动了第三方物流的开展,也就是快递行业,就是由除拜托方,以合同为基础,到达对物流全程办理保持可控形状,终究完成第一方与第二方之间的物质交换。
作为生意双方之间的序言者就是第三方。
第三方物流表现了物流社会化的开展趋势,也是物流企业现代化的提现。
2、电子商务开展现况进入21世纪以后,电子商务掉掉落了极大年夜的开展,构成了优胜的形势。
比拟传统企业生意形式,电子商务具有低成本、高效力等优势,打破了抱负社会中各种的束缚条件与弊病,在不背犯收集规矩的基础上,每个参与电子商务行业的企业和卖家之间都能停止公允的竞争,展开分歧的贸易活动。
同时,当局在电子商务行业也是加大年夜了搀扶力度,支撑并鼓舞将新鲜的电子商务与传统运转形式相联合,促进全部社会经济蓬勃开展。
电子商务主要存在于供应和需求的关系情况,只需求办理好供求关系便可以了,而在网下的情况中,除要梳理好供求关系以外,还有很多扑朔迷离的社会关系。
其余,在这类优胜的情况下,各大年夜企业都应建立属于自己的网站并保持与客户的联系,第一时间跟进了解客户应用体验随时反应到客户中间,采取响应办法,改良自身缺少,提高客户应用温馨度。
3、联系严密的电子商务与第三方物风行业在社会全部信息化数据化的大年夜开展潮流中,电子商务随之开展起来。
电子商务与现代物流中英文对照外文翻译文献(文档含英文原文和中文翻译)Electronic commerce and physical distribution relations First, under the electronic commerce environment physical distribution pattern1. The use of EMS services in the logistics model.The enterprise either the business obtains information and so on consumer's shopping list and home address from the website or the hypothesized website, then goes through the special delivery formalities to the nearby post office to mail out the cargo, the customer receives the post office to take the goods notice, brings back to the locus post office the cargo, or delivers directly by the mailman the cargo in the customer hand. The use of EMS services with a convenient, fast characteristics. But, High fees, and very difficult to ensure that consumer receives goods within the time expecting that2. Corporate self-distribution logistics model station.The enterprise establishes own cargo allocation spot in the land's the customer crowded area, after obtaining the shopping information, delivers goods to the doorstep by an allocation personnel. This kind of physical distribution pattern may satisfy the customer “namely to buy namely results in” the shopping psychology demand. But it also has following problem: An allocation layout, the population equipment, the commodity reserve and so on determined reasonably very difficultly.3. draws support from the third party physical distribution enterprise's pattern. The third party physical distribution is the enterprise completes part or the complete physical distribution activity request for other specialized physical distribution company. The physical distribution company itself does not have the commodity, but forms the cooperation alliance with the enterprise, provides the service for the customer. Selects this physical distribution method, the service is the specialization, multi-purpose and omni-directional. But if the delivering goods quantity is too small, the delivery expense must be higher than generally other form service expense.Second, under the electronic commerce environment physical distributionexistence's question the1. The theoretical study of the logistics system and in-depth enough .Our country physical distribution management's researcher just contacted these new theories, waits for in further digests and absorbs.2. Lack of infrastructure, backward technology and equipment, the logistics industry is relatively backward.Our country Enterprise in the physical distribution aspect's Information technology, the integrated management and the computer applied technology level is generally low. Transport capacity can not meet the needs of industry, the main transport corridors are still prominent contradiction between supply and demand.3. Related the logistics of e-commerce environment laws and regulations remain to be improved.4. The logistics industry and logistics management training should be strengthened .The physical distribution talented person and the Information technology are realize the physical distribution modernization basic condition, the physical distribution talented person lack seriously, are unable to provide the enough intellectual support for the new physical distribution system's establishment.Third, physical distribution under electronic commerce environmental effect trend of development more than1. Multi-faceted - the direction of development of the logistics industry .In electronic commerce time, when the physical distribution develops the intensified stage, the integrated allocation center not only provides the warehousing and the transportation service, but must develop distributes orders, the allocation and so on each kind to enhance the added value the circulation processing service items. The modern supply chain management, through from supplies the chain to enable the physical distribution to consumer's synthesis operation to achieve the optimization. The enterprise pursues the comprehensive system's comprehensive effect more and more, from this kind of strategic angle embarking, physical distribution many are the logistics development direction.2. First-class services - the pursuit of logistics enterprises. Under the electroniccommerce influence, the logistics is situated between the suppliers and buys between the supplier the third party, is take serves as the objective. The physical distribution enterprise not only needs to serve for this area, must carry on the long distance service, not only because the customer the hope obtains the good service, moreover the hope service point is not, but are many places. Therefore, how to provide the high grade service then to become the physical distribution business management and the development core topic. Also only then has the first-class service physical distribution enterprise, can impel the electronic commerce truly the development.3. Information technology- the only way to modern logistics industry .In the electronic commerce time, must provide the best service, the physical distribution system must have the good information processing and the transmission system. When the cargo transports from the world, the customer then may place information and so on obtain the arrival time, receipt, so that the warehousing, the Transport company can prepare for, causes the commodity, in does not pause nearly in situation fast flowing, thus raises the service level greatly, reduces the cost, enhances the competitive power, also manifests the electronic commerce to depend on the convenience which well the network platform brings to be quick .electronic commerce and the physical distribution take the modern circulation two big methods, has the close relation. Electronic commerce takes the network time one kind of brand-new transaction pattern, is opposite in the tradition trading mode is a revolution. But, electronic commerce must have the modernized physical distribution technology support, can manifest its incomparable sophistication and the superiority. Only then develops the modernized physical distribution vigorously, electronic commerce can a better development. Along with the 21st century Information technology, the network development, will certainly to promote the electronic commerce and the physical distribution organic synthesis, the modernized physical distribution computerization will become the populace to live the indispensable important part.Fourth, e-commerce model of logisticsUnder electronic commerce the physical distribution and the allocation, are the Information technology, modernized, the socialized physical distribution and theallocation. Refers to the logistics and distribution network of enterprise computer technology and modern hardware devices, software systems and advanced management tools for social needs, strictly, keep the land in accordance with the user's order request, to conduct a series of classification, allocation, sorting , division of labor and distribution of work, such as cargo handling, timing, fixed-point, there is no quantitative way to limit the scope of the various types of users, to meet their demand for goods. We can see that this new type of logistics and distribution is based on a new look, becoming the vanguard of innovation in circulation Basin, on behalf of the modern marketing of the main direction. New type of logistics and distribution will enable the circulation of commodities in a more traditional way of logistics and distribution of information more easily, automation, modernization, social, intelligence, rationalization, simplification, which reduces the production of inventory, speed up cash flow and improve logistics efficiency and reduce logistics costs, also stimulated the social needs of society as a whole is conducive to macro-transfer space, but also to enhance the economic benefits of the whole society, and promote the healthy development of market economy. Traditional logistics and distribution centers can be divided into the following types: the main manufacturers in the distribution center to wholesalers as the main distribution center to retail distribution centers as the main body to the main storage for the transport of the distribution center. The traditional distribution model can be divided into the following: Set-based distribution model of cargo, bulk-type mixed distribution model and distribution model. Finally, this model combines the two types of distribution patterns of the previous advantages, can the flow of goods to carry out effective control of the entire process. Finally, this model combines the two types of distribution patterns in front of the merits of, may carry on the active control to the commodity circulation entire process. Uses this kind of allocation pattern the circulation enterprise, like regional physical distribution allocation center. This kind of operation pattern comparison meets the new physical distribution allocation requirement (Especially e-commerce logistics and distribution under).20th century 80's, the Western developed countries, such as the United States,France and Germany put forward a theory of modern logistics integration, application and guide the development of its logistics achieved significant results. Logistics is the logistics system integration as the core business from production through logistics, marketing companies, until the whole supply chain, consumers and systematic.Logistics integration is the development of logistics industry form, it must be fully developed third-party logistics and perfecting basis. Logistics integrated logistics management is a real problem, that is, specialization in logistics management and technical staff make full use of specialized logistics equipment, facilities, play a specialized logistics management experience, in order to obtain the best overall results. At the same time, Trends in the logistics integration has provided the good development environment and the giant market demand for the third party physical distribution's development.Fifth, the development of e-commerce can not be separated from objects of modern logisticsThis has become the people's consensus, that is why so many e-commerce company after years of exploration and the conclusions arrived at after. Today in e-commerce in full swing, many companies are still not solve the problem of logistics, freight service is still the bottleneck of the development of e-commerce. Claiming to solve the problem of a small number of logistics companies, but also made use of the national postal system, post office, city Express system, the delivery of books, audio-visual products such as small items. The more electronic commerce company adopted has requested the way which the factory, the business delivered goods to complete the customer.Sixth, e-commerce and modern logistics difficult to matchE-commerce enterprises to establish a match with the modern logistics enterprises is not an easy task, first of all, business investment as a result of a huge logistics, land, warehouse, loading and unloading, sorting, distribution, and management need to invest a lot of money. China's logistics enterprises in most of the existing facilities behind the shortage of funds, a heavy burden, unable to transform quickly and e-commerce, security, reliable fall far short of the requirements. Secondly, the segmentation of logistics enterprises in the industry seriously, there is no unifiedlogistics logistic management policies and practices. The transport sector ministries belong to different managements, warehousing sectors belong to different ministries and local. Circulation of documents caused by non-standard, non-uniform, non-GM, turbulent flow of goods, road toll stations, and charges a large amount of smooth flow of goods can not. Therefore, in order to make China's e-commerce to become new economic growth point and an important pillar of the national economy, the state and enterprises must pay great attention to the development of modern logistics and construction companies. In a sense said that the physical distribution facility's quality and physical distribution unobstructed, is a national comprehensive national strength and the economic development symbol.Seventh, electronic commerce and the modern physical distribution difficult to match solutionThe construction of modern logistics facilities, it is necessary to the actual situation in our country. States should establish the authority of the logistics management agencies, logistics development of China's future direction, speed, policies, facilities, systems, etc.; co-ordination to resolve ports and terminals, railways, highways, waterways, aviation sites, the hub of the sector issues and policy division ; the implementation of the work of the standardization of logistics; the logistics industry as the basic industry of the national economy, by providing loans, taxation, the introduction of such preferential treatment. And medium-sized cities should be planning the construction of an integrated logistics center to reduce the storage and transportation enterprises scattered phenomena. At the same time, the basis of logistics enterprises in China's poor, can not copy the developed countries of modern logistics equipment and mode of business. Attention should be paid to the existing storage area and the existing organization and integration of transport, logistics enterprises to mobilize existing positive factors and multi-channel transformation of the existing logistics facilities funding.E-commerce and modern logistics as the two major means of circulation, between closely related. E-commerce and logistics between the "actual situation accordingly," the relationship between the status of the logistics industry will greatlyenhance the supply chain will be a short circuit, and third-party logistics e-business environment will become the main form of logistics, procurement will be more convenient, the price will be lower, as a business flow, information flow and pooling of logistics centers, the implementation of centralized inventory, transport is divided into a transport and secondary transport, more convenient, "multimodal transport services" has been widely available, open-loop flow Information has become the main basis for logistics. However, e-commerce must have a modern logistics technology, it has to reflect the nature and the incomparable superiority to the maximum extent possible so that the two sides has been to facilitate transactions, access to benefits.电子商务与物流的关系一、电子商务环境下物流模式1、采用邮政特快专递服务的物流模式。
电子商务与现代物流中英文对照外文翻译文献In this model。
the XXX its own logistics system。
the enterprise can control the entire process of delivery。
XXX。
this model requires a XXX.3.Third-party logistics model.XXX ns to a third-party logistics provider。
The third-party logistics provider handles the entire logistics process。
XXX。
the enterprise may lose some control over the logistics process and may have to pay higher fees for the services provided.Second。
the impact of electronic commerce on physical n1.Shortening of the n chain.XXX intermediaries in the n process。
such as XXX.2.Increased demand for logistics services.As more consumers shop online。
XXX.3.XXX.Electronic commerce has led to the XXX logistics models。
XXX connect consumers with individuals who XXX.Overall。
electronic commerce has had a significant impacton physical n。
目录摘要 (2)第一章电子商务的发展带来第三方物流需求 (3)第二章第三方物流的主要特征 (4)2.1信息化 (4)2.2网络化 (4)2.3自动化 (4)2.4智能化 (4)2.5柔性化 (4)第三章第三方物流在国内的发展现状 (5)3.1国内第三方物流发展的主要瓶颈 (5)3.2国内第三方物流与电子商务的整合模式 (5)3.3外国物流企业纷纷抢滩登陆 (6)3.4改善我国第三方物流的主要途径 (7)结束语 (8)参考文献 (11)电子商务的第三方物流问题研究摘要:信息流、资金流和物流是实现B to C电子商务的三个重要条件,其中物流问题是困扰电子商务发展的最大瓶颈。
当今网上购物的物流方式大体是EMS及普通邮寄,其次是同城快递。
这些邮政和快递公司进行物流的操作,一般是为了送货而进行送货,不能为顾客提供各种附加服务,而且网络公司也不能在货到后第一时间与顾客取得联系,并且他们都有一个致命的弱点,即费用较高。
而真正意义上的物流是指商品流通过程中的实物流动,包括运输,装卸,搬运,包装,储存,信息管理等环节。
而物流作为一个产业,理所应当由一个专门从事的公司代为进行,即第三方物流。
电子商务的发展带来第三方物流需求,电子商务与第三方物流关系密切,BtoB、BtoC、CtoC三种电子商务形式与第三方物流关系各有侧重,提出了第三方物流与电子商务的整合模式,有综合物流代理、邮政物流、第三方支付平台与第三方物流结合、共享信息平台等五种模式从国内外情况看我国电子商务的发展状况看,近年来,我国的第三方物流得到了长足的发展,解决策略也得到了相应的处理。
关键词:第三方物流电子商务发展策略整合模式第一章电子商务的发展带来第三方物流需求在商流活动中,商品所有权在购销合同签就的那一刻,便由供方转移到需方,而商品实体并没有因此而移动。
除了非实物交割的期货交易,一般的商流都必须伴随相应的物流过程,即按照需方(购方)的需要将商品实体由供方(卖方)以适当方式、途径向需方转移。
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附录1:英语3PL primer for business successWhat is 3PL?More and more organizations worldwide want to develop products for global markets. At the same time , they need to sourcematerials globally to be competitive. One of today’s trends to solve thisproblem is outsourcing logistics or using third-party- logistics (3PL)to manage complex distribution requirement.Outsourcing of logistics tasks and supply chain responsibilities is a dynamic model. The most interesting aspect is that companies-manufacturers,retailer,wholesalers, and distributors-are turning over parts of their supply chain to firms thathave their roots as commodity service providers. Firms that know ocean shipping,forwarding, warehousing, or trucking are now handling and, in some cases, managingbroad domestic and international logistics activities.3PLs, regardless of how experienced in outsourcing, face common challenges to prime their market and keep it primed. These include:Define yourself. How do you see yourself and your company? This is an important question. It frames who you are and how you present and position yourself in the market.Are you an ocean carrier with a 3PL service option? Are you a warehouse with a 3PLservice? Or are you a logistics service provider with a strong shipping, transport,warehouse or forwarding capability? There is substantial difference between these twoviews, a difference that affects how you position yourself and how you are perceived inthe market.g the same or similar activities better than competitors. Management tools--such as benchmarking, partnering,reengineering and change management, for example--are means that let companiesreduce costs and achieve performance improvements. They are necessary to sustainingcompetitiveness. But they can also be temporary achievements, as competitors work tomimic programs that work.Strategy is how you differentiate your company in the marketplace. It is what makes you unique and separates you from the competition. Positioning can reflect thecustomers you target, the type of service you provide or a blend of customers and service.For example, a strategy can be based on all importers and providing one-stop shopping.A strategy can be sliced for importers who bring in less than 500 containers per year; thisis a different segment than the broad approach of targeting all importers or even all largeimporters. Or a different strategy is focus on importers of less than 500 containers whoare distributors/ wholesalers to mass merchandisers and large retailers. With the strategy,you can assemble the resources and approaches needed for the market that you haveselected.Have outstanding management. Management is often what separates outstanding companies from the also-rans. It requires a leadership who has a sustainable vision, itsprocesses, goals and methodology. They have an entrepreneurial mindset. These peopleare proactive, not reactive. These leaders see the logistics service, not the freight,warehouse or other assets employed. They see the supply chain process, not thetransactions. All this separates them from executive caretakers who can flip-flop withmanagement de jour approaches, indifference or quick fixes to growth, positioning andprofits. Investors realize how critical outstanding management is to a company's success and so should the 3PL. These executives can break the company from its commodity service origins into being a value service provider.Research the market. For your marketing plan, you need to understand your market. Depending on your market position you may be looking for general or specific information as to opportunities or issues, with the market or with you. Define the market; define your customer. Look at the market you compete in. See its composition, size, trends and needs. Use internal and external data and additional research as needed. Find customers; who are they; who makes decisions; what decisions are made; how are they made, why are they made, what external factors exist for customers; and how are you perceived as compared to competitors. Learn if you are visible in this market. And remember, customers are both new and existing, with changing needs.Assess your capabilities. This is a moment of truth. You must honestly assess your strengths and weaknesses, your capabilities and limitations. This applies to all parts of your company, regardless of whether corporate office, division or field locations or partners/alliances and regardless whether domestic or international. The checklist of topics includes:Organization. Look at your structure as to vertical, horizontal or matrix. It should reflect the usual organization reporting arrangement. And, more importantly, it should support the means to providing a dynamic, ongoing logistics service with successful results.Skill sets. You want to establish yourself as a supply chain service solution provider, someone who will develop a tailored logistics program to fit the specific needs of each customer. Solution providers see the container-and more. They see pallets of product-and more. They know it is about the process, not the container or pallet.3PLs initially focus on investing in assets, warehouses and technology, without knowing how these fit into 3PL solutions. This approach3PL primer for business successconstructs answers without knowing the questions. Rather, the successful 3PL sells, design and manages customized logistics in an international or domestic venue. The issue then becomes whether existing personnel are capable of selling logistics and supply chain solutions.A holistic sales approach is needed for 3PLs than for commodity service providers. Commodity sales personnel often deal with the customer perspective of the need to manage costs. Yet the customer has additional accountabilities. 3PL sales personnel need to address the customer's supply chain accountability scope. The accountability scope is 90% of the customer attention span as compared to the 10-25% that freight or warehousing cost is. 3PLs must focus on the 90%, not the 10-25%, to gain business.Firms need training to facilitate these skills. Staffing is often built with existing personnel who have sales and operations experience with the commodity service parent company. 3PLs, not surprisingly, find that even with training, and with continuous performance monitoring afterward, less than 10% of the sales force can make the mindset change to sell logistics. As a result, they may employ non-shipping people to do logistics selling. They draw on outside firms with people who have real world supply chain knowledge and experience to sell and assist with designing and managing integrated logistics programs.Other. There are other points to recognize as to process design capability, people, technology, budget, sales targets and advertising. The overseas network, where applicable for international 3PLs, is a key factor.Conclusion. The ongoing challenge for 3PLs is to successfully design, sell and manage a logistics solution with easily monitored metrics and accountability. Consider the high rate of outsourcing failures. Causes ranging from a rush to procure business and not understanding the process and requirements to some 3PLs converting back into a commodity service. This conversion defeats the very purpose of the 3PL. Outsource service providers seek competitive advantage; they know that preserving competitive advantage is an ongoing challenge.附录2:中文第三方物流企业成功之处什么是第三方物流?愈来愈多的世界国际组织想要建立全球的产品市场,与此同时,他们在竞争中需要全球的资源来源。
文献出处:Delfmann W, Albers S, Gehring M. The impact of electronic commerce on logistics service providers [J]. International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, 2013, 32(3): 203-222.译文字数:5300字年份:2013年文献原文The impact of electronic commerce onlogistics service providersWerner Delfmann, Sascha Albers, Martin Gehring,Business Policy and Logistics, University of Cologne, GermanyAbstract The impact of e-commerce on the business environment is often praised but seldom analyzed with scrutiny. In this paper we try to depict the underlying logistically relevant aspects of e-commerce and their impacts on logistics service providers. This seems to be of considerable importance, as logistics is seen as the back-bone of e-commerce operations. However, the firms specializing in this field are commonly neglected. We argue that the logistical implications of e-commerce can be differentiated into two main categories: the rise of e-marketplaces; and the elimination of supply chain elements (disintermediation). By analyzing these two categories and their major logistical implications in detail we deduct strategic consequences for logistics service providers.Keywords :Internet, logistics, strategyIntroductionE-commerce has been one of the buzzwords of the last years. Analysts as well as researchers predicted enormous changes in the competitive landscape of whole industries, causing an as yet unwitnessed surge in s tock prices of companies in the “new” economy. However, this was almost two years ago. Today, the dust has settled and many of the promising new e-commerce companieshave failed or are struggling for economical survival. The failure of so many companies in e-commerce can be in part accounted for by the neglect of logistics as a key factor of success, implying a prominent role for companies specializing in the logistics segment (Bretzke, 2000). Logistics service providers (LSPs) are thus confronted with changes in their respective market environments. It is therefore surprising that little attention has been paid to an assessment of these changes and their direct as well as indirect implications for LSPs. (In contrast, e-commerce applications for logistics companies have stimulated a broader echo, e.g. Pfohl and Koldau, 1999.) This paper tries to bridge the gap. It is divided into three main sections. The first part deals with a specification and classification of logistics service providers. In the second part a clarification of the term e-commerce is provided and prominent business models of e-commerce firms are depicted as well as modifications in the configuration of logistics chains illustrated. Finally, we focus on the implications of these modifications and trends for LSPs.LSPsLSPs have grown in importance since more and more companies outsource their logistics functions (Sheffi, 1990). Generally speaking, logistics service providers are companies which perform logistics activities on behalf of others. Additional popular terms for these companies are third-party logistic firm, or contract logistics firm (Razzaque and Sheng, 1998; Sink et al., 1996). “Whatever label is chosen, it denotes external suppliers that perform(s) all or part of a company’s logis tics functions” (Coyle et al., 1996; Ihde, 1991). However, definitions of this kind only give an institutional characterization of LSPs, leaving the functional scope of these providers unanswered.It appears reasonable to assess the functions of LSPs by referring to a definition of the underlying domain, that is logistics and logistics management. With reference to the predominant logistics definition provided by the Council of Logistics Management (2001), logistics functions include the planning, implementation and control of the flow of goods, services and related information.LSPs differ among the palette of services they provide to their customers as well as with regard to other criteria. Although a commonly accepted typology for LSPs is still missing, some propositions exist on this matter, e.g. types of services (Muller, 1993a, b; Africk and Calkins, 1994), geographical scope of operations and type of goods handled (Niebuer, 1996). With regardto their contribution for the explanation of changes in the supply chain induced by e-commerce, we will pursue a characterization employing two criteria here, which are, however, closely related. We will focus on functions and the degree of customization, as the combination of these criteria allows a comprehensive clustering of LSPs.An overview of functions LSPs typically perform, based on a survey among buyers of logistics services, is provided by Sink.A more conceptual approach was taken by Engelsleben (1999), who clustered these functions into two broad groups: services which are directly related to the physical flow of goods, and services which are not directly related to the physical goods flow.However, these functions and types of services can be grouped with regard to the degree of customization as well. A clustering of LSPs according to this dimension was conducted by Niebuer (1996), who divides LSPs into three major groups. The first group consists of service providers, which only offer standardized and isolated logistics services or distribution functions, e.g. transportation and warehousing. The services they fulfil for their customers are standardized, resulting in highly interchangeable services among this type of LSPs. These companies are highly specialized in their field and do not take over coordinational or administrative functions for their customers. They mostly handle homogeneous objects and optimize their whole logistics system with regard to these special logistics objects. Standardizing LSPs plan, implement and control their own logistics system according to their requirements and considerations. Examples are traditional carriers and the integrators’ original express parcel services as offered, inter alia, by UPS and FedEx. We will refer to them as standardizing LSPs.The second group consists of companies which combine selected standardized services to bundles of logistics services according to their customers’ wishes. We will thus call them bundling LSPs. The operational coordination and arrangement of these service bundles are provided by the LSP, whereas the disposition lies in the responsibility of the buying company. Frequently these bundles of services consist of a core logistics activity, like transportation, which is combined with secondary activities such as simple assembly and quality control activities, performed by traditional forwarding companies in the automobile industry. These bundles are offered undifferentiated for all potential customers and can thus not be regarded as customized services.We will call the third group customizing LSPs, as these companies design logistics servicesand logistics systems according to the preferences of their customers. These LSPs combine and modify components of logistics services especially for the needs of one specific customer. Companies of this type usually take over coordinative and administrative responsibility for their customer as well (Engelsleben, 1999). These providers also offer services which are not originally attributable to the logistics functions, but rather to financing and production activities. The core competence of customizing LSPs can thus be seen on the conceptual and coordination side, themselves outsourcing singular logistics activities to standardizing LSPs[1]. The customizing LSP takes over responsibility for the effectiveness and efficiency of the logistics system of its customer. Examples are the German WM Group and Ryder System in the USA. Illustrates the clustering of LSPs according to the customization criteria.The combination of both dimensions reveals certain basic configurations of LSPs, as the nature of the product determines its potential for customization. Standardizing LSPs offer mainly the core logistics processes, as depicted above. These processes are subject to economies of scale and therefore favour specialized providers of these services.Bundling LSPs offer ex definitione more than one standardized product. The bundle they offer will most probably consist of certain core processes and/or value added services with regard to their customers’ needs. Standardiz ed financial services, such as insurance or payment services, may as well be part of their product portfolio. However, bundling LSPs will not offer management support services or tools, as these products have to be configured with regard to one special customer. These tools are therefore the domain of customizing LSPs. This group of LSPs will mostly refrain from producing the core processes themselves, as they will be sourced from specialized (standardizing) LSPs.E-commerceTo understand the importance of logistics in many e-commerce business models, we will first propose a definition of electronic commerce. Subsequently, we will point out the relative importance of logistics for each generic e-commerce business model and describe how supply chains are affected by e-commerce.“Broadly speaking, electronic commerce includes any form of economic activity conducted via electronic connections” (Wigand, 1997). Although this is a very broad definition ofe-commerce, it highlights the two crucial elements:(1) economic activity; and(2) electronic connections.An economic activity or, more precisely, an economic transaction can generally be divided into five phases:(1) initiation;(2) agreement;(3) exchange;(4) inspection/control; and(5) adjustment/service.It is clear that the term electronic commerce combines economic transactions with electronical means. The question to be raised is: which of the five phases have to be carried out electronically to allow the term e-commerce to be applied?We will include the most fundamental transaction phase, that of agreement, at the core of the definition. Furthermore, the electronic initiation of the transaction will be considered an essential component of the term e-commerce. The initiation phase is the phase where electronic means are perceived to offer the most radical changes and improvements (Evans and Wurster, 1997, 1999; Bakos, 1997, 1998) over the physical world. The inclusion of both phases excludes the mere online search for product information followed by a visit in a traditional shop as e-commerce. By the same token, the mere advertising on the Internet without the possibility for closing the deal online will not be treated as e-commerce.We do not include the electronic exchange of goods or services as a necessary condition for e-commerce. This very narrow approach (Choi et al., 1997) would only comprise digital products, therefore reducing logistics to solely information logistics and render a further discussion of the implications of e-commerce for logistics useless. The electronic conduct of the exchange phase will thus be treated as a non-necessary condition for e-commerce. By the same token, the electronic control and adjustment/service phase are non-necessary conditions as well.The second essential element of e-commerce is the electronic connection. Electronic connections range from phone lines and telegraphic wires to fibre-optic cables and satellite communication. A definition of e-commerce using the term electronic connection wouldencompass simple phone ordering. However, this is usually not interpreted as e-commerce. For our purposes, we will focus on computer-to-computer connections via electronic data interchange (EDI) or Internet technology, encompassing the World Wide Web as well as classic EDI/V ANs connected to the Internet and using the transfer protocols of Internet technology (Unitt and Jones, 1999). The reason for the concentration on Internet technology is simple: as a two-way communication network overcoming the trade-off between reach and richness of information (Evans and Wurster, 1999) and offering significant potential for lowering transaction costs (Bakos, 1997; Wigand, 1997) the Internet appears to be the currently most promising back-bone for conducting economic transactions. We will concentrate on the Internet, as we expect it to become the only medium for electronic transactions within the next decade. We define e-commerce as the electronic conduct of at least the initiation and agreement phase of an economic transaction via electronic networks that allow the automated processing of transaction data.E-commerce following this definition can be identified in nearly every possible economic relationship.By referring to three basic groups of actors (business, administration, and consumer), five general types of e-commerce can be identified:(1) business-to-business (b2b);(2) business-to-consumer (b2c);(3) consumer-to-consumer (c2c);(4) business-to-administration (b2a); and(5) consumer-to-administration (c2a).To simplify the examination we will treat governments and other public organizations like businesses where they act as buyers. Furthermore, we will ignore transactions between consumers, thus concentrating on b2b and b2c exchanges.Within these types of transactions, three basic classes of business models can be identified:(1) portal;(2) market maker; and(3) service provider (Mahadevan, 2000).Portals offer information and search services for their customers. They serve as the entrance into the online marketspace and are among the most recognized. Their revenue streams mainlycome from advertisements and provision fees for channelling Web traffic to Web sites of product/service providers.Market makers not only build a community for customers like portals, they also enable economic transactions between them by offering mechanisms for the secure and trustworthy conduct of such transactions. Their source of income can be provision fees for every transaction on the marketplaces enabled by them or one-time charges for developing and establishing electronic marketplaces.Product/service providers, finally, are companies that sell directly via the Internet. According to our definition of e-commerce they present, market (e.g. at portals) and sell their products/service on the Web. Depending on the type of good/service, the result will be the physical or digital delivery of goods or the performance of some kind of service.Obviously, some companies span more than one of the generic business models and cover more than one segment, trying to leverage their brand name and customer base (Arthur, 1996). For the scope of our examination, portals are of minor interest, because the only logistics flows they generate are information flows. Of greater relevance are the market makers and of course the product providers, because they generate logistics challenges. As we will see in the following section, some of these challenges caused by e-commerce do not differ from logistics operations and management in traditional businesses. But there are consequences of some business models in e-commerce that lead to completely new supply chain structures and therefore cause yet unknown challenges for logistics operations.Changes in supply chain configurations and the role of logistics service providers In traditional supply chains logistics service providers take a prominent role, as goods are to be shipped between suppliers and OEM producers as well as downstream through the distribution chain. The extent to which these activities are outsourced to LSPs differs among industries as well as among individual companies. The grey-shaded boxes in Figure 5 are the new elements added to a generic supply chain by e-commerce applications. They can either complement or substitute traditional supply chain structures. While the e-stores would represent the product/service provider business model described earlier, the e-marketplace could represent a market maker business model.Changes in the downstream segmentThe first and most obvious point of interference is the stage between consumer and retailer. Traditionally the products were pushed down the chain with the last mile logistics being performed by the consumer himself. In e-commerce the consumer chooses his products on his personal computer via an online store with the fulfilment being handled by the e-commerce provider. This shift has major implications, as decentralized and uncoordinated logistics activities (from individual customers) are transformed into potentially bundled goods flows, which are at least to a certain extent controlled by the supplier side, leaving room for sophisticated planning and design of effective logistics systems (as, for example, traditional home-order companies operate). The opposite is true when the retailer stage is skipped, as if producers offer their goods directly to consumers. In this case highly bundled shipments to retailers are substituted with far less bundled shipments to end consumers. Therefore, both the retailer and the producer will have to reconfigure their established logistics systems from consolidated shipments to small packages. Both effects are the result of the disintermediation phenomenon incurred by e-commerce (Hawkins et al., 1999). In the classical supply chain the retailer was the only interface with the consumer.The reasons for disintermediation are derived from the following logic. Every stage in the chain adds costs in the form of handling, shipping, profits and transaction costs (Benjamin and Wigand, 1995). A producer offering direct home delivery has to answer the question whether the additional costs related to direct home delivery are more than compensated for by the savings incurred from skipping the additional stages of the distribution chain. However, the retail stages not only add costs, they also add value.Wholesalers and retailers not only are an additional handling stage, they fulfil a vast array of functions (Müller-Hagedorn, 1993). The most important function is to offer an assortment of goods, enabling the consumer to choose between products from different producers (e.g. the consumer can choose between personal computers of at least three or four producers at a computer shop compared with only Dell’s pcs at ). However, the Internet is a medium well suited to offer this assortment function (Evans and Wurster, 1997). The most popular Internet retailer, , offers a product selection of nearly five million items, including more than four million books. This compares with 200,000 books at the largest offline book-stores. But this vast selection is not, as many analysts and shareholders may have believed, a virtual selection. Amazonhas to manage inventory, pick and pack, and ship items as well as every other offline mail order company –on a larger scale. As Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of , remarks: “ is most of all a logistics company”.Changes in the upstream segmentThe supplier in the generic supply chain (see Figure 5) does not offer goods of interest to the consumer or the retailer, thus isolating him from the downstream part of the supply chain. E-commerce for him becomes visible through electronic marketplaces, where a fraction of his products will be procured from his customers. In the classic supply chain the supplier-producer or producer-retailer relationships were characterized as stable networks of a limited number of partners interconnected via dedicated electronic data interchange (EDI) connections. The use of spot market transactions for procurement was limited to a few commodities like crude oil due to the high transaction costs for the establishment and then operation of market-based procurement platforms. Modern information technology in the form of the Internet and related protocols can reduce this transaction costs in two ways. The costs of establishing electronic market systems are reduced drastically by the high connectivity of the Internet. Furthermore, the Internet offers the potential for lowering search costs as an important part of overall transaction costs (Bakos, 1997). For the structure of the supply chain this implies more potential partners in a less stable network.These new open marketplaces create a challenge for supply chain planning, since they could introduce a change from stable, long-term relationships with suppliers towards unstable spot-market relationships with changing partners in certain industries. But these traded goods will still have to be transported to the customer; therefore the role of LSPs is –in general –not disputed. However, e-marketplaces are considering closer ties to preselected LSPs, aiming at providing their customers with higher service levels when trading in their market. In this case a selection among LSPs becomes probable. Even in those cases where the use of modern IT does not lead to the introduction of electronic marketplaces it will allow for a much higher integration of supply chain partners, which could lead to different order patterns and therefore to new challenges for LSPs.To summarize, e-commerce business models are distinct from offline business models not only because of higher interactivity and 24/7 availability. They promote the importance of logistics (Gurau et al., 2001) and, in many cases, create different logistical tasks. The logisticalsystems of many companies, especially in the retail sector, are not sufficient to manage the new challenges. In order to participate in e-commerce, companies will have to seek new logistical solutions. Pure e-commerce players will, in the worst case, have to focus on logistics as well as on marketing; offline players will have to build a second logistical structure when participating in e-commerce. This offers great opportunities for logistics service providers.译文电子商务对第三方物流的影响Werner Delfmann,Sascha Albers, Martin Gehring商务政策和物流,科隆大学,德国摘要:在商业环境,电子商务的影响经常受到赞美但很少受到分析审查。
2007 IEEE/WIC/ACM International Conference on Intelligent Agent Technalogy Introducing Commodity Flow to an Agent-Based ModelE-commerce SystemTomasz SerzyskoDepartment of Mathematics and Information Science,Warsaw University of Technology,PolandMaria Ganzha,Maciej Gawinecki,Pawel Kobzdej,Marcin PaprzyckiSystem Research Institute,Polish Academy of Sciences,PolandCostin BadicaDepartment of Computer Science,University of Craiova,Romania AbstractIn our model agent-based e-commerce system [2] we have assumed that a certain number of items of a given product is available for sale. In this note we introduce a model logistics subsystem and discuss how it will be integrated with the system. Keywords: e-commerce;logistics system;agent1.IntroductionCurrently, we are developing and implementing a model agent-based e-commerce system (see [2] and references collected there). In this system multiple buyer agents attempt at making purchase by participating in price negotiations in e-stores and selecting the best offer, while e-stores attempt at maximizing profit resulting from product sales.Thus far our attention was focused on buyer-seller interactions. By assuming that products are in the warehouse we have omitted the question where do they come from. The aim of this work is to describe how our system can be extended to include product restocking processes.Before proceeding let us make a few observations. First, the proposed logistics subsystem is not ―stand alone‖(e.g. similar to that considered in [3, 1, 6]). Instead, it has been created within the context of our e-commerce system, which has directlyinfluenced its design. Second, while somewhat similar, processes involved in e-store restocking a warehouse differ from client making a purchase in an e-store (e.g. in product demand prediction, interactions with wholesalers, methods of price negotiations that involve more ―cond itions,‖ offer selection criteria, etc.) Therefore we have created a separate logistics subsystem (instead of reusing already modeled functions; e.g. price negotiations). Third, this note is devoted to the agent structure and agent interactions and, due to the space limitations, we omit important topics like:forecasts derivation, offer evaluation etc.However, these functions can be encapsulated into modules that can become a part of an appropriate agent. Therefore readers should envision that, for instance, when we write that ―rece ived offers are evaluated,‖then their favorite method of offer evaluation has been utilized.To proceed, first, we briefly describe our e-commerce system.We follow with assumptions that underline the logistics subsystem and description of new agents that were introduced. Finally, we present the sequence diagram of restocking and use it to discuss in detail how this process will take place in our system.2. System DescriptionOur system is a distributed marketplace in which software agents perform e-commerce functions (see [2] for details, the Use Case diagram in particular). User-Client is represented by the Client Agent (CA). The CA is autonomous and when a purchase order is communicated by the User-Client, it works until either it is completed, or purchase is abandoned. The CA communicates with the Client Information Center (CIC), which facilitates information which e-stores sell which products (yellow-page matchmaking).For each store that sells the requested product, the CA delegates a Buyer Agent (BA) to participate in price negotiations and if successful, possibly attempt at making a pur- chase (successful price negotiations result in a product reservation for a specific time; after which products that have not been purchased are available for sale again).Since multiple BAs representing the same CA can win price negotiations the CA makes the decision if either of available offers is good enough to make a purchase. Buyer Agents can participate in negotiations only if the Gatekeeper Agent (GA) admits them (if they are trusted; e.g. BAs that win price negotiations but do not make a purchase may be barred from subsequent negotiations). The GA represents a given e-store and is created by the Shop Agent (SA). The SA is the central manager and facilitating the selling process it utilizes the GA, and a set of Seller Agents (SeA) thatnegotiate price with incoming BAs, as well as a Warehouse Agent (WA) that is responsible for inventory and reservation management. Thus far, the WA was responsible for managing product reservations and the inventory. Specifically, (1) before a new price negotiation the WA ―re served‖ a given product—so that if negotiation ended successfully there was an item that could be sold; (2) when a reservation ended in purchase, it adjusted product counters; and (3) when a reservation expired it also adjusted products counters. However, the WA was always envisioned as the ―gat eway‖between the store and suppliers, which is one of the foci of this note.3. Assumptions behind the logistics systemLet us now specify assumptions that underline design of the logistics subsystem:1.Nowadays, except of largest store-chains (e.g. TESCO, WalMart), companies outsource transportation activities (considered non-core business activities) to specialists (e.g. UPS, Mayflower). However, we assume here that suppliers are still re sponsible for facilitating transportation. Therefore, we omit transportation related processes and focus only in interactions between e-stores and suppliers2. As a result of (1), transportation costs are assumed to be paid by the supplier and included directly in product price (e.g. discount on delivery costs, will manifest itself in the total price).3. While in the original system auction-based price negotiations were used, here we opted for the simplicity of the FIPA Contract Net Protocol [4]. Therefore, in the logistics subsystem, a single round of negotiations consisting of a call for proposals and evaluation of responses, is used.4. New functions and agentsIn order to perform logistics-related tasks, several new roles were introduced; some of them have been delegated to agents existing in the system, while others warranted adding new agents. Specifically:•demand estimation—to draw information from sales data and/or external premises to predict future sales of products,•warehouse monitoring—to observe supply levels and react in case of a risk ofdropping below values considered sufficient to satisfy estimated demand,•order management—to coordinate issuing orders for goods, to assist inevaluating received offers,•ordering goods—to contact suppliers for their of- fers and to select the best offer,•selling goods—in the system suppliers were also modeled; while goods areacquired without extensive price negotiations, ―someone‖ has to deliver proposals to ordering components,•logistics yellow pages—the role of the ―l og istics CIC‖is very similar to the original CIC ([2]); it has to provide lists of potential suppliers of products; obviously, it is possible for a shop to become a sup- plier for another shop and to suggest that the two CIC s could be joined, but we decided to clearly separate the client-side from the shop and from the supply-side. Another reason for this separation was that while some shops may not be interested in becoming wholesaler, we would have to make changes to the original CIC data structure (e.g. wholesaler—yes/no). Finally, since the logistics subsystem does not involve auctions, the separation is even more warranted.Let us now see how these tasks/roles could be placed in our system. The demand estimation role was attributed to the existing Shop Decision Agent (SDA), responsible for the ―kn owledge managemen t‖functions (e.g. trust management, sales trend data mining, etc.) in the shop.The warehouse monitoring role is already a part of the existing WA. The difference is that now WA becomes a proactive manager of supplies; acting on predictions supplied by the SDA.Fulfillment of the order management role required introduction of the Logistics Agent (LA), which became the ―centra l manager‖ of the logistics subsystem. It is responsible for contacting the logistics CIC for the list of potential suppliers and managing a pool of agents responsible for ordering goods from ―wholesalers.‖ Finally, it collects and manages data related to supplier reliability. This data, in turn, will be one of factors in selecting the supplier.The ordering goods process is facilitated by the Ordering Agent (OA), which is also a new agent. Its task is to issue a call for proposals, collect responses and select the best offer taking into account factors such as: price, delivery time, reliability etc. Let us recall that due to the modularity of agent design ([2]), our system is flexible enough so that any method of selecting an offer can be applied (it can be encapsulated in a module and plugged into the OA).The selling goods role is realized by a very simple Wholesale Agent (WhA). Its role is to respond to CFP’s incoming from OA s.Currently we assume that WhA s receive instructions in what way to generate a stream of responses to the CFPs.Finally, logistics yellow pages are facilitated by the logistics CIC Agent. Its role is tostore a complete list of suppliers and products that they sell. Obviously, the logistics CIC uses the original product ontology ([2]), extended by the logistics ontology. When the system is initialized, each WhA registers with the logistics CIC and provides it with a list of products for sale.What was described thus far is summarized in an UML use case diagram presented in Figure 1.Figure 1. Use Case of the logistics subsystem5. Typical Product Restocking ProcessLet us now describe the processes involved in restocking the warehouse. Here, we skip the description of system initialization, and start with the Shop Decision Agent sending a forecast to the Warehouse Agent. The sequence of actions resulting form such a forecast is depicted, as a UML sequence diagram in Figure 2.The SDA communicates the forecast to the WA by sending a FIPA Inform message containing the PredictionDescription (which contains all necessary data such as: product ID, amount of predicted sales, standard deviation of sales, expected purchase price, period for which this forecast is valid, etc.). We assume that the SDA forecasts are of the type: until a new fore- cast, weekly sales are expected to be 45 items of a given product. Forecasts can be issued at specific times (e.g. once a week or once a month) and their frequency de- pends on the information found in data analyzed by the SDA to derive forecast(s).The WA starts by examining current stock of a given product, and if current supplies are sufficient, it sets up to check their levels at the end of the time unit specified in the forecast (i.e. forecasts specified on weekly basis are checked once aweek). If stocks are insufficient, the WA utilizes the FIPA Request Protocol (FIPA specification SC00026) and FIPA SL language [4] (used in all agent interactions), to com- municate with the Logistics Agent. The initial message from the WA is the FIPA Request message sent to the LA and it contains OrderRequest action with the Or- derRequestDescription. The OrderRequestDescription contains the necessary information specifying the order to be made: product ID, preferred delivery time, amount and maximum price. Delivery time and amount are computed based on the current product level, predicted delivery time and an overall inventory strategy.Upon receiving the request, the LA dispatches a query to the logistics CIC to obtain a list of suppliers of a given product. Ensuing conversation conforms to the FIPA Query Protocol, starting with the FIPA Query-Ref message containing the CICQuery action with the Product ID. The logistics CIC responds with the FIPA Inform-Ref message containing the CICResponse with a list (possibly empty) of suppliers. Empty list results in a FIPA Failure message (with OrderRequestResult set to failure) send by the LA to the WA. Similar response is sent when the logistics CIC cannot be contacted.When the non-empty list was received, the LA removes these suppliers that have their reliability value below a certain threshold. Then the LAAgentDescriptions list is formed by supplementing each CICAgentDescription received from the logistics CIC with the reliability information. If a given WhA’s is not known a default trust value is used.After preparing the list, the LA utilizes the FIPA Request Protocol to find a free OA. Busy agents will re- spond with FIPA Refuse messages. If all agents respond in such a way, this process may need to be repeated un- til a free OA is found and responds with the FIPA Agree message. The LA then sends the ordering request to the selected OA and awaits for the result of the ordering pro- cess. LA’s message contains the IssueOrder action with the OrderDescription and the LAAgentDescriptions.After obtaining the request from the LA, the OA engages in the FIPA ContractNet Protocol interactions with WhAs from the list. It sends the FIPA CallForProposal message, containing CFPRequest with OrderDescription to the WhAs. WhAs evaluate the CFP and submit their offers by sending FIPA Propose messages containing the CFP Response actionwith OfferDescription or, if terms contained in the CFP are unacceptable/not interesting, respond using the FIPA Refuse message.Responses must arrive within a timeframe speci- fied by the OA, after which the OA proceeds to evalu- ate them. First, it filters unacceptable offers. Note that it is possible thatsome WhAs may respond knowingly with proposals that violate some of the conditionsand in special circumstances when no better offers were found the OA may need to accept such offers. In the next step, offers are ranked and the winner is determined. Winner issent a FIPA AcceptProposal message containing the ConfirmationRequest action with its offer quoted. The winning WhA must in turn reply with the FIPA Inform message containing Confirmation Response action with the OrderConfirmation which has unique orderID generated by the supplier. This successfully completes the ordering process. The winner can also withdraw the offer by sending a FIPA Failure message. In this case,runner-ups are contacted in an iterative manner. In case when there are no more offers left or there were no offers to begin with, the OA sends a FIPA Failure message to the LA,which, in turn, forwards it to the WA. When the winner confirms the order, the OA sends to the LA a FIPA Inform message containing the InformResult action with the WhA-received Or der Confirmation, thus completing the protocol. At this time the LA sends information to the WA, inside a message of the FIPA Agree type. This performative is used in compliance with the protocol to indicate that the LA is performing the desired task (ordering), but its efforts do not guarantee success (ordering success order success), and thus sending the final response (FIPA Inform) is inappropriate at this stage. Meanwhile the OA returns to the pool of available Ordering Agents.Now the purchase enters the delivery monitoring stage. Here, the LA waits for the delivery from the WhA to be registered with the WA. When a delivery arrives the WA sends (to the LA) a plain FIPA Inform message containing the WADelivery action with the DeliveryDescription, which has supplier’s AgentID and the already mentioned orderId. The LA does not need to respond to this message, but it checks the messages to see if it is currently awaiting a delivery with the given orderId coming from a supplier AgentID. If it finds a match, the ordering process is completed. As a result, the reliability value of supplied AgentID is increased. If a delivery notification does not come within time agreed in the OrderConfirm, actions must be undertaken (recall, that receiving supplies is vital to the e-Shop as its warehouse is likely to run out of stock Those actions are: (1) retry the ordering (sending reminder to the WhA / choosing new WhA), if there is still time, and (2) marking that a retry has been made.If there is still time before the deadline (established by the WA), then order can be retried. If it is the first time an attempt to retry the order is made, a reminder is sent to theWhA. To this end, LA contacts a free OA with a FIPA Request Protocol message with a Reminder action containing AgentID of the WhA and the orderId. The OA accepts the job (the FIPA Agree) and contacts the WhA (also using FIPA Request Protocol), sending it the exact same action. The WhA is expected to reply within a timeframe using either a FIPA Failure (offer is withdrawn) or a FIPA Inform providing new Order Confirmation with a new delivery time, which is forwarded to the LA unchanged. In the case of an agreement, the LA returns to awaiting delivery, in the case of failure, the LA removes this WhA from the LA Agent Description list and locates an OA to perform entirely new search for a supplier. New search is also ordered if a reminder to the supplier whose delivery we were waiting resulted in a failure. The monitoring stage ends when: (1) delivery is received, or (2) reminder to the supplier was made, but it was refused, while deadline has already passed. Note that we assume that the actual order failure occurs only when the delivery deadline has passed and the reminder failed.This is because it is possible that there is an order delay and goods may arrive late. This information can be obtained from the WhA, and thus the need for the reminder.Figure 2. Restocking process: sequence diagramWhen the monitoring stage ends, the WA is notified about the result by the FIPA Inform or the FIPA Failure message to complete the FIPA Request protocol. The message will contain the OrderRequest action with the OrderRequestResult set appropriately. Furthermore, at this stage the reliability bonuses and/or penalties are calculated and applied. Finally, in the case of a successful order, the WA sends to the SDA a FIPA In- form message containing status information about the re-stocking of the warehouse.6. Concluding remarksIn this note we have discussed the way in which the logistics subsystem is being introduced into our model agent-based e-commerce system. We have presented used UML’s use case and sequence diagrams to formally depict and discuss the most important features of our approach. Due to the lack of space, we have focused our attention on agents and their interactions. The proposed system has been implemented and is in the final testing phase.References[1]AgentisSoftware,2007./[2] C. Bádicá, A. Báditá, M. Ganzha, M. Paprzycki, Developing a Model Agent-based E-commerce System. In: Jie Lu et. al. (eds.) E-Service Intelligence—Methodologies, Technologies and Applications, Springer, Berlin, 2007,555–578[3] C. A. Butler and J. T. Eanes. Software agent technology for large scale, real-time logistics decision support. US Army Research Report ADA392670, 2001. 23 pages.[4] FIPA: Foundation for Physical Agents.[5] JADE: Java Agent Development Framework.http://jade.cselt.it[6]W.Ying and S.Dayong. Multi-agent framework for third party logistics in e-commercestar. Expert Systems with Applications, 29(2):431–436, August 2005.International Conference on Intelligent Agent Technalogy,2007, 78(7):294-298引入第三方物流企业的以代理人为基础的电子商务系统模型Tomasz Serzysko数学信息科学部门,波兰华沙工业大学Maria Ganzha,Maciej Gawinecki,Pawel Kobzdej,Marcin Paprzycki波兰研究院Costin Badica罗马尼亚大学计算机科学部门摘要在我们的模型以代理人为基础的电子商务系统[2]的基础上,我们假定一定数量的物品的某一特定的产品是适合出售的。