In the process of building logistics models, information technology plays an important role associated with improving the quality of the organizational and managerial infrastructure of the enterprise. In practice, they allow more efficient development of alternative planning schemes, as well as expanding the understanding of the possibilities of existing solutions. The advantages of information technology in logistics do not end there, but it is worthwhile to understand more with other features of using this concept.
The concepts of information and information flow in logistics
In order to increase the efficiency of the logistics schemes, information tools are used, which include hardware, equipment, devices for processing and storing data. The task of the developers of the design solution for the integration of information technology is to provide the consumer with the opportunity to systematically obtain accurate, affordable, reliable and timely information. For the convenience of modeling, the concept of information flow is used in technical tasks, which reflects the concept of using information technology in logistics. Briefly, this term can be expressed as a message flow corresponding to material or service channels in the considered logistic model. We can say that this is an information network superimposed or simultaneously developed for a specific logistics project, which is designed to carry out management actions.
As for the form of messages in the information stream, its form depends on the specific conditions of use. Both traditional paper and electronic presentation can be used. Of course, for a more flexible use of stream data, information technologies are implemented in logistics on a digital basis, which is more convenient from the point of view of processing and storage of large data arrays. Moreover, it is far from always possible to fully electronize network flows due to the low level of information support, therefore paper invoices, telephone messages, physical circuits, etc. are still used. In any case, the content of the information stream is much more significant. In general, what is the information in the logistic model in principle? Even a small enterprise can work with huge amounts of information, including data on suppliers, production capacities, assortments, warehouse parameters, market dynamics, financial costs, regulatory requirements, etc.
Information flow characteristics
Information support, subject to stable functioning, does not in itself necessarily increase the efficiency of enterprises. The same information in the flows that are created, stored and circulated through the logistics network can be beneficial only if this information is really integrated and used in the supply chain processes. But the fact of its relevance for production is not enough to recognize the model as useful, since the positive factors of its application may not correspond to the investments and resources spent on supporting the work of information flows. Evaluating the effectiveness and justification for the use of a specific information technology system in logistics can be based on the following characteristics:
- Reliability and reliability of data sources.
- The degree of security of message channels with relevant information.
- Message rate.
- Channel bandwidth (the amount of information passing and processed per unit time).
- Energy efficiency of common infrastructure. In this case, we can talk about the rationality of the schemes of information flows, taking into account the possibilities of their optimization to accelerate the circulation of messages and reduce resources spent on maintaining the network.
For the successful implementation of the logistics management model with information support, the following prerequisites and factors are also required:
- Adequacy of formalization and systematization of the management process.
- The presence of sufficient information and organizational parameters for the stable maintenance of the process.
- Initially developed an effective methodology for managing the logistics of the enterprise outside the function of information support.
- It is possible to reduce the time for feedback in critical situations - including the use of redundant communication channels.
Information technology in the logistics structure
In any logistics model, a wide group of links is provided that form the existing structure, which provides part of the control functions in a particular production. As such links can be considered the employee’s workplace, staff unit or production procedure. What place in this design will take information technology? In logistics, these are directly means of communication, which in practice are organized in the following technical means:
- Computerization of management processes. At the basic level, equipping the same workplaces or dispatch (operator) consoles with computers.
- Software. Applied software systems are introduced, through which databases are maintained, goods are tracked, and decision-making, planning, monitoring and forecasting processes are automated.
- Implementation or modernization of data transmission facilities. First of all, standards are developed and requirements for the same information flows are formulated, after which a set of means is determined by which the network will function.
Subject to the implementation of the above items, information technology in the logistics of a particular enterprise will provide the ability to control all stages of production with the movement of raw materials and products. As practice shows, for the first time after the informatization of production processes, managing personnel manage to identify errors and losses in the material flows that worked according to the old schemes.
Principles of building a logistic information model
The conditions for the effective functioning of the information system are laid at the stage of setting the task and developing a project for computerization of the enterprise. In both cases, when planning, it is necessary to focus on the following principles:
- Redundancy. Maintaining the possibility of expanding the range of tasks in the future on the current information support platform.
- Hierarchy. The system should be at different levels strictly subordinate to a certain range of tasks, taking into account the specific expenditure of resources to achieve them.
- Aggregation of data. Possibility of multilevel accounting of requests.
- Optimization and rationalization. The implemented information technology system in the logistics of the management structure should be carefully calculated in terms of energy efficiency and profitability.
- Coherence. A special indicator system is being developed that excludes the possibility of displaying incorrect data or inconsistent actions.
- The openness of the system. Required to replenish the source information.
- Adaptability to changing working conditions and new requests.
The significance of different principles may vary depending on the conditions of application of the logistic model. In one case, the requirements for reliability and security may come to the fore, in the other to optimization and consistency, and in the third to interactivity and functionality.
Logistic planning using information technology
Without planning on the basis of the full amount of input data, it is impossible to implement information support for the logistics of the enterprise. Moreover, the mistakes made during the development of the plan, even in the form of minor inaccuracies, can lead to production failures, its delays and violations in individual processes. This is due to the increasing dependence between the links of work chains. For this reason, new technological programs are being introduced specifically for planning this area. For example, the information technologies that logistics deals with in the preparation of plans for the consumption of resource materials for production are based on the MRP (Material Requirements Plan) concept. This is a system for developing a production and procurement plan necessary for the manufacture and further release of products. The MRP documentation defines the scope, characteristics, application and other nomenclature indicators of materials and parts required at a particular production stage.
More advanced schemes also use the concept of DRP planning (Distribution Requirements Planning), in accordance with which the internal scheme of resource and distribution of goods is formed. In distribution logistics, DRP-based information technologies are also used to organize more efficient inventory control, taking into account order points, transportation arrangements, production relationships, distribution channels, etc. Companies that use strategies to gradually increase production capacities, based on DRP, implement and principles of universal product quality management.
Features of operational planning
Not only production indicators are improved due to the introduction of logistic models, but also the efficiency of the planning process itself. Recently, many enterprises have moved from traditional boards with plans and network diagrams to the technologies of computer-aided design of control systems and resource and capacity management. With regard to logistics information support, it is worth highlighting the method of synchronous operational planning of technological processes, which focuses on the introduction of links with supply chains, taking into account the limitations and characteristics of a particular production.
What is the fundamental difference between the new planning tools? Firstly, the flexibility of the application of logistics in each case increases. That is, there is a rejection of the same simple models of the same movement of raw materials or products, for example, from the conveyor to the warehouse. The vision of the task is expanded by the inclusion of indirect factors due to the nuances and specifics of the release of a particular product. Secondly, the use of information technology in logistics with operational planning methods provides for the observance of the principle of synchronization of various production processes and parameters. This means that, for example, when making purchases or loading conveyors, resource and capacity limitations, respectively, are taken into account. This feature just increases the degree of production optimization without reducing its nominal efficiency. In the most advanced synchronous planning algorithms, the separation of production and supply schemes with the models for dispatching technological processes as a whole occurs structurally.
Logistics Modeling
Informatization today rarely does without simulation, which allows you to solve important problems of effective resource planning, project control and forecasting of the enterprise. The practice of applying information technology in logistics today demonstrates the successful development of two concepts of simulation modeling:
- Isomorphic. In this case, the model is developed taking into account all the parameters and characteristics of the target object, which can be understood as information flows, as well as goods with personnel and production sites. The wider and deeper the layer of input data, the more accurate the model.
- Homomorphic. Models of this type are based on partial information about the logistics facility. The limited use of the source information may be due to the lack of physical ability to obtain it or the inability to simulate specific properties and characteristics.
The next step is to build specific models. Again, the information technologies that are used in logistics primarily involve digital and computerized tools, but the physical creation of material simulation objects is not ruled out. These modeling categories include reduced layouts. The most promising areas can be considered the development of systems that combine the principles of analytics and mathematical calculation with reflection in virtual reality - this is how, in particular, the modern e-Manufacturing concept works.
Modern information technology in logistics
The main trend, which as a whole would reflect the evolutionary features of modern logistics in the context of the implementation of information systems, is the combination of the capabilities of computer calculation, design and modeling with reality. The most promising area of research in this direction is augmented reality (AR concept), that is, a model fully generated by a computer, but reflecting certain processes of reality. In production logistics, AR-based information technologies are used to solve positioning and reflection problems. The implemented system allows you to track an object in three-dimensional graphics, real-time recording its movements with a full list of characteristics that reflect its current state.
An equally popular area in the development of information systems to ensure logistics tasks is the formation of accounting software systems. These are powerful computing platforms capable of processing hundreds and thousands of production indicators, taking into account the influence of dynamic links between individual parameters. In logistics, modern information technologies of this group are oriented towards optimization and generalization of key indicators. At the same time, processing is carried out in relation to a large amount of information, which also includes the production schedule, service schedules, production dates, etc. Of fundamental importance is the possibility of diagnostics with the correction of calculation algorithms in full automation mode without involving the operator.
The importance of information technology in logistics
Even at the initial technological level of introducing elements of informatization into logistics, the quality of processes for managing various kinds of flows at the enterprise increases. Moreover, in addition to improving individual indicators, fundamentally new features are added:
- Online remote transfer of information for various purposes.
- Automation of processes for tracking product distribution and production indicators.
- Integrated or partial monitoring of flows in real time.
- Operational processing of information both about the internal working processes of the enterprise, and about the state of the market.
- The use of "paperless" technologies, including electronic signature, electronic payments, digital document management, etc.
- Transition to e-commerce systems.
Ultimately, the role of information technology in logistics is reflected in the goals of companies that apply such methods in practice:
- Ensuring survival in today's competitive environment.
- Providing enterprise employees with operational information, which increases the efficiency of their work.
- Improving accuracy in the design of logistics models, which reduces production costs.
- Extension of the functions of the organizational and managerial complex.
- Flexibility in rebuilding production tactics in a dynamic market.
Conclusion
Effectively working logistics is one of the key components of the success of modern companies. Even with perfectly built models for conducting business operations, a low level of management and control of product distribution will not allow the company to be capable of operating in the conditions of fierce competition. , , , - . :
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