The Digital Transformation of Logistics: Demystifying Impacts of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IEEE Press Series on Technology Management, Innovation, and Leadership) - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1119646391 ISBN 13: 9781119646396

Publisher: Wiley-IEEE Press, 2021

Synopsis

From the shoes on your feet to the device you are reading this on, goods are being transported around the world by an often invisible global logistics network. Over centuries, complex supply chains have grown to include today the farthest corners of the globe and have created an industry that accounts for 10% of the global GDP.

The digital transformation is holistically hanging business and operating models as technological advancements are poised to disrupt the current status quo. With ubiquitous information available, supply chains could become more reliable, agile, and effective, however, the profile of logistics has remained a backroom and often overlooked component of international business. With the rise of e-commerce amid the COVID-19epidemic, the news is full of hype and buzzwords regarding the intersection between digital transformation and supply chain. The industry needs a practical guide to help eschew in the dawn of a more sophisticated and higher profile logistics workforce.

Sullivan and Kern decided to work with industry experts and academics to demystify the cloud of hype and an abundance of information regarding the role of technology to address what are the realities in the Logistics industry. As the world is being shaken by the collision of supply chain re-balancing, changing consumer demands, and clashing powers of established players and new venture-backed entrants, it's easy to feel trapped when trekking into the unknown. This book aims to lay out the key technologies, platforms, vocabulary and skills necessary for a friction-less industry transition. With contributions from more than 30 industry leaders in both practice and academia, Sullivan and Kern are taking readers on a journey to see both what has happened to get us to this point, what is happening currently, and what to expect in the near future.

This book analyzes Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies in a logistics context, the topics range from artificial intelligence, robotic process automation, Blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT),Enterprise Resource Planning systems (ERPs), Digital Marketplaces to Change Management Strategies to deal with the onset of a new set of challenges. Real experiences in dealing with the effects of technology on jobs in the logistics industry translate into transferrable learning points.

The book gives its readers the fundamentals necessary to hold a conversation with their employers, customers, investors, and suppliers about how they can prepare for the disruptive forces shaping the industry.

About this title

About the Author

We are proud to have assembled a stellar lineup of some 30 contributors from practice and academia, representing more than ten countries, sharing their multi-faceted perspectives on this crucial topic.

They are (in alphabetical order):
Alex von Stempel (Freshwater Logistics Ltd), Andre Wheeler(Asia Pacific Connex), Andrea Margheri (Accenture), Axel Neher (Bosch Rexroth), Ayush Pandey (Amazon), Bill Tran (Texas Christian University), Cameron Johnson (Tidal Wave Solutions), Colin Cobb (nuLOOM/RUGSUSA.com), Cory Margand (SimpliShip), Dennis Wong (Flexport), Duoqi Xu (Fudan University), Dyci Sfregola (Myrtle Consulting Group), Ira Breskin (SUNY Maritime College), JiaoXu (Flexport), Jiayu Sun (Bosch), Johannes Kern (Xiezhi Consulting / Tongji University), John Berry (JUSDA Supply Chain Management), Lionel Willems (Odoo), Mac Sullivan (NNR), Matías Aránguiz (Catholic University of Chile), Michael Babilon-Teubenbacher (CPC AG), Nicolas Krapels (DarcMatter China), Robert Mostert (Toll), Ruben Huber (OceanX), Samuel Heuck (Atlas Sourcing Partners), Scott Wang (UPS), Simon de Raadt (HyperSKU), Walter Simpson (NNR), Wesley Li (Konica Minolta), Zheyuan Tang (NNR)

From the Back Cover

Praise for Digital Transformation of Logistics

"Identifying the value and opportunities of digitalization within the logistics industry is the key to enable organizations to transform. A must-have in every logistics manager's bookshelf, this book gives supply chain professionals insights to lead the transformation."
―Benedikt Birner, Senior Director of Logistics at The Schaeffler Group

"Breaking down the complexities of new technologies that are in the world today and providing contextualized examples in a rapidly-changing industry are exactly what companies need. Sullivan and Kern provide a great overview of the challenges and opportunities that logistics companies are currently being faced with."
―Thomas Knudsen, Managing Director at Toll Group

"As moving goods around the world increasingly depends on the right way to move bits and bytes, Sullivan and Kern have aggregated a phenomenal overview of some of the most critical trends shaping global logistics today....and tomorrow."
―Eytan Buchman, Chief Marketing Officer at Freightos

Editors Mac Sullivan and Johannes Kern have assembled a stellar lineup of 30 contributors from practice and academia, representing more than ten countries, sharing their multi-faceted perspectives on this crucial topic.

From the Inside Flap

The digital transformation is in full swing and fundamentally changes how we live, work, and communicate with each other. From retail to finance, many industries see an inflow of new technologies, disruption through innovative platform business models, and employees struggling to cope with the significant shifts occurring. This Fourth Industrial Revolution is predicted to also transform Logistics and Supply Chain Management, with delivery systems becoming automated, smart networks created everywhere, and data being collected and analyzed universally. The Digital Transformation of Logistics: Demystifying Impacts of the Fourth Industrial Revolution provides a holistic overview of this vital subject clouded by buzz, hype, and misinformation.

The book is divided into three sections:

Technologies such as self-driving cars or virtual reality are not only electrifying science fiction lovers anymore, but are also increasingly presented as cure-all remedies to supply chain challenges. In The Digital Transformation of Logistics: Demystifying Impacts of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the authors peel back the layers of excitement that have grown around new technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), 3D printing, Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Blockchain or Cloud computing, and show use cases that give a glimpse about the fascinating future we can expect.

Platforms that allow businesses to centrally acquire and manage their Logistics services disrupt an industry that has been relationship-based for centuries. The authors discuss smart contracts, which are one of the most exciting applications of Blockchain, Software as a Service (SaaS) offerings for freight procurement, where numerous data sources can be integrated and decision-making processes automated, and marine terminal operating systems as an integral node for shipments. In The Digital Transformation of Logistics: Demystifying Impacts of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, insights are shared into the cold chain industry where companies respond to increasing quality demands, and how European governments are innovatively responding to challenges of cross-border eCommerce.

People are a vital element of the digital transformation and must be on board to drive change. The Digital Transformation of Logistics: Demystifying Impacts of the Fourth Industrial Revolution explains how executives can create sustainable impact and how competencies can be managed in the digital age - especially for sales executives who require urgent upskilling to remain relevant. Best practices are shared for organizational culture change, drawing on studies among senior leaders from the US, Singapore, Thailand, and Australia, and for managing strategic alliances with logistics service providers to offset risks and create cross-functional, cross-company transparency.


The Digital Transformation of Logistics: Demystifying Impacts of the Fourth Industrial Revolution provides realistic insights, a ready-to-use knowledge base, and a working vocabulary about current activities and emerging trends of the Logistics industry. Intended readers are supply chain professionals working for manufacturing, trading, and freight forwarding companies as well as students and all interested parties.

Edition details

• Publisher: Wiley-IEEE Press
• Publication date: 2021
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1119646391
• ISBN 13: 9781119646396
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 480
• Editor: Sullivan Mac, Kern Johannes