Service‐controlled agile logistics

Abstract

Current logistics systems are unable to react fast enough to rapidly changing environments, mainly because they are heavily focused on the goods handling processes. To compensate for this lack of flexibility, logistics services should be carried out by independently controlled logistics resources. But these resources together do have to guarantee the overall quality of services. Service‐controlled agile logistics solves the conflict that arises – independent resources working together – by strictly distinguishing between control and handling. It is based on control of logistics processes by the requested services themselves, which create their own “agents”, made responsible for realizing the service in the best possible way under changing circumstances. In order to examine the feasibility of this approach, a simulation program has been developed, and some preliminary results are presented.