Nowadays the development of electronic information and communication technologies
affects all spheres of life. Naturally, it influences significantly economic
life, including logistics. As a result, nowadays it is possible to speak about
electronic logistics as extremely perspective field for further development.
On researching the problem of electronic logistics, it is primarily necessary
to dwell upon the methods that are traditionally used in the related researches.
Basically, it is possible to use phone inquiry, face-to-face interviews with
companies implementing electronic logistics in their business. Also it is possible
to interview management consultants and IT suppliers.
Obviously, nowadays electronic information and communication technologies are
widely used in the field of logistics. As a rule, it is widely used in buying
and selling transactions, as well as material follow transactions. It is necessary
to point out that logistics services providers use electronic logistics wider
than companies operating in the field of manufacturing and trade.
In the current a situation, the advantages of electronic logistics are evident
since it creates new operating models that provides a company with a competitive
advantage compared to the companies using conventional logistics. It also permits
to develop efficient management of larger entities and correct information in
constantly changing market situation.
Nonetheless, it is necessary to emphasize that electronic logistics is a relatively
new field and it makes its first steps in the contemporary business. In such
a situation, certain obstacles and challenges, the companies implementing electronic
logistics face, are quite natural. Among these obstacles and challenges may
be singled out the following: scarce financial resources for investments, lack
of capabilities of network parties, lack of standards, challenges in integrating
inter-company information systems.
However, electronic logistics is still quite popular due to the perspective
of business process re-engineering skills, since it provides the possibility
to use technologies to support business processes.
Thus, electronic logistics is a very perspective field that needs further research
in order to provide better opportunities to its proper implementing and wide
use.
