1、 外文翻译 原文 Information technology trends in logistics Material Source： Logistics information management Author: Jeremy Hammant Introduction Everyone agrees that effective supply-chain management can provide a major source of competitive advantage. The goal of a supply chain manager must therefore be t
2、o link the end customers, the channels of distribution, the production processes and the procurement activity in such a way that customers service expectations are exceeded and yet at a lower total cost than the competition. One of the enabling factors for the achievement of this goal is the effecti
3、ve use of information technology (IT). In this article I will highlight a number of IT trends which can be grouped together as four key themes. These four key themes affect the way in which technology is used to support logistics operations in order to deliver competitive advantage. I will show how
4、some of these themes have been developed and utilized to provide an in-cab computing system which delivers competitive advantage to Excel Logistics. Finally, I will attempt to show how the four themes will support future trends in logistics. Four key themes There are a variety of technological trend
5、s and innovations which have an impact on the use of information technology in logistics. However, I believe that the major trends can be grouped into four key themes. These themes are important to the current and future use of information technology to support logistics operations across all indust
6、ry sectors. The four key themes are concerned with: (1) Integration and flexibility; (2) EDI; (3) Hardware; and (4) Communications technology. Integration and flexibility The first theme looks at some current trends in supply chain software.The successful integration of information within an organiz
7、ation is a powerful enabler for: 1 reduced costs; 2 increased productivity; and 3 improved customer service. Advanced transaction processing systems which address the needs of an entire organization are now commonplace. These systems enable management to monitor inventory at all locations throughout
8、 the organization, which may include multiple warehouses in multiple countries. Integrated systems are now available which provide real time visibility of demand forecast information, inventory levels and production schedules. Once these systems have been linked successfully to sophisticated decisio
9、n support systems then supply chain managers will have the ability to manage the traditional supply chain tradeoffs in a dynamic way. At the same time as supply chain systems have been developing to support intra-company integration, so developments in EDI and communications technologies have helped
10、 to facilitate inter-company integration without the need for full vertical integration. Not so very long ago vertical integration was seen as a low risk strategy for gaining control of the supply chain. Moving backwards along the supply chain to sources of supply and forwards towards the ultimate c
11、ustomer, via acquisition or internal development, enabled a company to capitalize on its industry experience. However, pursuing a strategy of full vertical integration serves lower costs better than it serves product differentiation. There are now many examples, especially in the retail sector, wher
12、e organizations have used IT to facilitate gaining control of their supply chains without recourse to full vertical integration. The need for flexibility is a continuing theme whenever information systems are being considered. Supply chain systems must be capable of being adapted to meet changing de
13、mands quickly and cost-effectively. Most supply chain systems have been based on modular solutions offering the ability to add and amend modules as required. Usually such packages are made up of a dozen or so modules at most. This means that because of the size and scopes of individual modules this
14、approach to software design may not always provide the level of flexibility required. Individual modules need to be as small as possible if maximum flexibility is to be achieved. Increasingly, supply chain software packages are being developed, taking full advantage of object-oriented technology. So
15、ftware packages are now being structured from hundreds of modules, each of which can be amended as required. This enhanced level of flexibility enables organizations to modify and enhance their supply chain systems as their business needs change. The objective is to eliminate the need for full-scale
16、 systems replacement or applications redevelopment. Electronic data interchange Everyone has heard about electronic data interchange. A widely accepted definition of EDI is:The computer-to-computer exchange of inter- and intracompany business and technical data, based upon the use of agreed standard
17、s. The key point to note from this definition is that the information passed between the computers is structured so as to conform to an agreed standard. Despite the fact that EDI has been around for a long time, recent surveys are still showing that, while a majority of British managers have heard a
18、bout it, only a small minority are aware of the strategic benefits that EDI can enable. Before discussing the potential benefits of EDI, I would first like to look at some of the ways in which EDI is used currently. EDI transactions can be categorized into four main areas: (1) interactive, query-res
19、ponse transactions; (2) trade data interchange; (3) electronic funds transfer; and (4) technical data interchange. The first category covers transactions such as order status checks and airline ticket reservations. The airline industry was one of the first areas where EDI was implemented. The second
20、 category is the one which is the most pertinent to supply-chain management as it covers transactions such as purchase orders, delivery notifications and invoices. Unfortunately within this category a number of different industries initially developed their own standards. Examples include: 1 DISH, a
21、 standard used in international shipping; and 2 ODETTE, a standard used in the automotive industry. This is not too much of a problem unless, like Excel Logistics, you need to do business with organizations in different industry sectors. Fortunately, the trend is to standardize trade data interchang
22、e requirements on the EDIFACT (EDI for administration, commerce and transport) standard. A common standard across all industry sectors is now an achievable goal. The third category, electronic funds transfer, encompasses payment against invoices, EFTPoS and clearing systems transactions. The final c
23、ategory of transactions is concerned with the movement of computer-aided design manufacturing and engineering performance data. With all of these EDI links in place between suppliers, manufacturers, retailers, customers and the banks a totally paperless supply chain is now possible. This is the key
24、strategic benefit of EDI as an enabler for closer supply chain relationships. Using EDI links organizations along the supply chain so they can work more closely together to their mutual benefit. Planning, production and communications are co-ordinated into a form of vertical integration but without
25、the classic vertical integration problems already highlighted. The other, and most often cited, set of benefits associated with EDI consists of improved internal effectiveness and efficiency and the consequential reductio n in administrative costs. The savings in time and resources from the use of E
26、DI to automate administrative processes are large and immediate. The initial thrust of EDI has been in achieving these one-off tactical benefits. The trend is now towards realizing the strategic benefits. Hardware There are two main trends in computer hardware which I believe have had, and will cont
27、inue to have, a significant impact on the use of IT in logistics. One of the key underlying trends in computer hardware technology may be summed up in three words: smaller, faster and cheaper. The reductions in computer memory and processor size over the last 25 years have been dramatic. In 1970, on
28、e megabyte of computer memory required a space the size of an average bathroom; by 1978 this had reduced to a space the size of a football, and now in 1995 the space the size of a small sugar-coated sweet is sufficient. This reduction in hardware size has been accompanied by a tenfold increase in pr
29、ocessing speed every ten years. Communications technology The final theme concerns some recent advances in communications technology. Until very recently in the UK communications technology was synonymous with telephones, and British Telecoms telephones at that. The UK terrestrial market is now inte
30、nsely competitive, with Mercury and new entrants such as Energis and the plethora of local television cable companies all offering services. Secure and resilient communications networks are a prerequisite for implementing EDI and achieving supply chain integration. There is much that could be said a
31、bout the growth in value added network providers and the services that they have to offer. However, I am going to concentrate on one specific area of communications technology mobile communications. The future Last year the Cranfield Centre for Logistics and Transportation led a study entitled “Logi
32、stics futures in Europe” the study was supported by a number of leading companies and combined the opinions of nearly 200 logistics experts from six countries. I have taken the main predictions which came out of the study and highlighted where the four key IT themes discussed in this article will ha
33、ve an impact: 1 Growth in time-based performance. The prediction is that this will be achieved by speeding up movement within existing supply chain structures. This will only be achieved by taking advantage of all the information technology trends we have discussed in order to transform these existi
34、ng supply chains. 2 Supply chain efficiency improvements. The panel of experts predicts that EDI will be the one of the main enablers of supply chain efficiency improvements. They predict that around 50 per cent of key logistics documents will be transmitted electronically by 2001. 3 Reduction in nu
35、mber of warehouses. The prediction is that the number of warehouse tiers will be reduced, thus leading to a reduction in the number of warehouses. One way in which this might be achieved is via investment in IT to enable greater supply chain integration and, hence, support a reduction in to tal supp
36、ly chain inventory. 4 Increase in number of transshipment warehouses. Warehouses will continue to develop away from the traditional storage function to a transshipment role. This will be facilitated by investment in advanced warehouse technologies such as fork lift truck mounted Radio Data Terminals
37、 and barcode technology, together with EDI links between the warehouse and other parts of the supply chain. 5 Growing importance of retailers. The experts predict that, with growing concentration of ownership in the retailing sector across Europe, retailers are likely to become an increasingly impor
38、tant force in shaping the design and operation of supply chains. This will inevitably lead to increasing supply chain integration and EDI links between the retailers and their suppliers. 6 Rise in prices of road transport. Road prices are forecast to rise significantly more than for other modes of t
39、ransport. This means that, in order to help offset these price rises, investment in in-cab technology is likely to increase. 7 Increase in cross-border transport. The study predicted a significant increase in cross-border transport for 2001 with implications for existing supply chain structures. Thi
40、s is likely to lead to investment in both in-cab technology and also in IT to support cross-border supply chain integration. The conclusion is therefore that the pressures to invest in technology are high and will increase. While there are business benefits for successful investment, the penalties o
41、f under investment or of poorly-thought-through investment decisions are also high. This is because competitors will also be investing in technology to improve the effectiveness of their supply chains and develop new ways of doing business in order to achieve competitive advantage. 译文 信息技术在物流中的发展趋势
42、资料来源 : 企业信息管理杂志 作者： 杰里米 简介 每个人都同意，有效的供应链管理可以提供 一个 有竞争力的 主要资源 。 一个供应链管理的目标 因此 必须 连接终端客户，渠道的分布，生产过程和采购活动 ，只有 在这样一种方式 下 ，客户服务 才能 超出预期，但 有 一个较低的总成本而 具有竞争力。其中 实现这一目标的 一个有利的因素 就 是有效利用信息技术（ IT）。 在这篇文章中我将着重介绍四个关键主题。 这四个 关键主题影响，其中技术是支持物流运作，以提供有竞争力优势 的 一个 习惯方式。我将展示如何对这些主题的一些已经开发和利用提供一个在驾驶室计算系统，以 电子表格 物流提供竞争优势
43、。最后，我将试图说明四个主题将 如何 支持物流的未来趋势 。 四个关键主题 在物流技术 中 有许多种的技术趋势和创新 ， 其中有一个 影响是 信息 的 利用。 不过，我认为主要 趋势可归纳为四个关键主题。 这些 主题 对 目前和将来使用信息技术支持物流业务 的 各行业 都是重要的 。 四个关键主题 是 ： （ 1）集成性和灵活性 ； （ 2）电子数据交换 ； （ 3）硬件 ； （ 4）通信技术。 集成性和灵活性 第一个主题 是研究供应链软件的当前趋势 。 一个 成 功的信息集成在 于拥有一个强大的推动者 组织 ： （ 1） 降低成本 ； （ 2） 提高生产率 ； （ 3） 改善客户服务。 先进
44、的交易处理系统 ，它的 地址 是 对整个组织的需要， 这 已是司空见惯 了 。这些系统使管理监控库存 在 于 整个组织内的 任何 地点， 甚至 可能 包括 了 多个国家 的 多个仓库。综合系统，现已提供实时时间能见度需求预测信息，库存水平和生产计划。一旦这些系统成功地联系在一起，供应链管理系统 就有能力将 传统的供应链管理 转变为 动态方式 。 同时，随着供应链系统 的 发展以支持公司内部整合，电子数据交换和通信技术 的发展 有助于促进公司间的整合而不完全 有 垂直整合的必要性 。 不久前纵向一体化被认为是 控制 供应链的低风险战略。 通过对 供应链的供应来源 的后移和对最终客户的 前进 ，收
45、购或内部开发，使公司利用其行业经验。 然而， 全面推行垂直整合策略服务比它提供的产品差异 更降低成本 。现在有许多例子，特别是在零售部门，机构用它来促进无追索权的获得他们 控制 供应链 的 完全垂直整合。 对灵活性的需要是一个持续的主题 ， 信息系统 无论如何都得考虑 。 供应链系统必须能够被改编 ， 以满足不断变化的需求迅速和成本效益。 大多数供应链系统都基于模块化 ，它建立在 提供解决方案的能力，添加和修改模块 的 要求 上 。 通常这样的软体 最多 是由 十多个模块 组成 。 这意味着，由于个别的规模和范围，这种方法的模块软件设计并不总是能提供水平 灵活性要求。 个别模块需要尽可能的小，
46、 从而实现 最大的灵活性。 越来越多 供应链软件正在开发中， 利用面向对象技术的全部优点。 软件包现正 在结构化 从 数以百计的模块，每个都可以修改为 要求。这种灵活性 水平的 增强使组织修改和提高其供应链作为他们的业务系统需求的变化。我们的目标是消除对全面系统需要更换或应用程序重建 。 电子数据交换 每个人都有听说过电子数据交换。一 个 被广泛接受的电子数据交换的定义是：部门间和公司内部计 算机到计算机交流 业务和技术数据，经使用基于商定的标准。 从这个定义 中知道 关键要注意 的一点是 ， 在计算机之间传递的信息是结构化使之符合商定的标准。 尽管电子数据交换已经很长时间的事实，最近的调查仍
47、显示，虽然多数的 英国经理 都 听说过，只有 少数 知道 战略利益 可以通过 电子数据交换 来实现 。 在讨论电子数据交换 的好处 ，我的 认为 首先要看看 目前使用的 其中一些电子数据交换 方法 。 EDI 交易可分为四个主要方面： （ 1）互动，查询响应交易 ； （ 2）贸易数据交换 ； （ 3）电子资金划拨 ； （ 4）交换技术数据。 第一类包括交易，如订单状态检查和航空公司机票预订。 该航空公司 业内人士在电子数据交换是一个地区实施。 第二类是一这是最中肯 的 供应链管理，它涵盖的交易如采购订单，交货通知 和发票。 不幸的是在这个类别中不同的行业数目初步制订了 自己的标准。 例子包括：
48、升盘，在国际航运使用的标准 ;和 升奥黛特，在汽车使用的标准 产业。这不是什么大问题，除非如 电子表格 物流，你需要做的与组织业务不同的工业部门。幸运的是，目前的趋势是标准化的贸易数据交换要求电子数据交换（ EDI的用于行政，商业和运输业） 标准。 一个横跨所有行业的通用标准行业现在是一 个可以实现的目标。 第三类，电子资金转移，包括对发票 的 付款，电子 转账 和清算 系统交易。最后一类的交易关注的是计算机辅助运动设计制造和工程业绩 数据。 随着这些电子数据交换中的所有供应商之间的联系的地方， 制造商，零售商，客户和银行的完全无纸的供应链成为可能。这是电子数据交换的重要战略利益 以进行更密切
49、的推动者供应链关系。 使用 EDI 环节的组织 在供应链，使他们能够更密切合作， 符合 双方的利益。 规划 生产和通信合作，成为一个协调纵向一体化的形式，但没有经典垂直整合的问题已经突出 。 另外，最经常被引用，相关利益集 与 EDI 包括 改善内部效率和在行政效率和相应减少 成本。节省时间和资源的使用 电子数据交换的自动化管理流程大 ，立竿见影。 EDI 的最初推力已在实现这些一次性战术的好处。 现在的趋势是 实现的战略利益。 硬件 有两个计算机硬件的主要趋势，我相信已经并将会继续有一个 始终 影响信息技术在物流 中的 应用。 第 一，在计算机硬件密钥的基本趋势技术可以概括为三个 词 ：小， 更快，更便宜。 计算机内存的减少 和处理器在过去 25 年来规模 很戏剧性。 1970 年，一兆字节的计算机内存需要一个空间一个普通浴室的大小 ;到 1978 年这已减少到空间中的一个足球大小，现在 1995 年是一个小空间糖衣大小 就 足够了。 这种硬件规模已减少同时增加了十倍的处理速度 每一个十年。 通信技术 最后的主题涉及最近一些 通信技术 的 进展 。直到最近，在英国通信技术 就是电话 联系 的代名词，英国电信 就是 那个
