IT/IS solutions for logistics service providers. Research results

The aim of the research was to gather information about the activities and use of information systems by logistics service providers. This was to lead to revision of four guesses.
1. the first one was that the current offer of manufacturers and distributors of integrated information systems meets the needs of logistics operators, and even surpasses/anticipates these needs,
2. the second one was that the offer of manufacturers and distributors of specialized information systems meets the needs of operators and other logistics service providers,
3. the third one was that there is a group of missed information systems, enjoying little or very limited interest from logistics operators,
4. the four one was that offers of domestic producers in the field of computer applications do not differ significantly from the proposals of the foreign producers.
An attempt to determine the pathways of these solutions has also been taken (forecast). The study assumes (results from the analysis of material from secondary sources) that the logistics information systems and solutions used by logistics service providers are largely associated with using of the systemic approach and analysis of processes, regardless of the type of industry. This assumption made possible searching and identifying the characteristics of solutions that may be adopted as standard patterns. As it is clear from the analyzed content they are both: tools related to creating value for the customers of the service providers and for the service providers. This value is associated primarily with the full application of system approach, integration and coordination activities within supply chains and thus involves the ability to optimize operations, reduce costs and allows for implementation of the principles of quick response. It also helps with monitoring logistics activities in terms of customer’s orders. This statement can be connected in details with optimizing transportation costs (due to better planning, consolidation of sup-ply, transportation related to the exchange of goods on the Commodity Exchange and/or Transportation Exchange), the costs of maintaining inventories (inventory optimization through the use of automatic identification, tracking shipments, the exchange of information between entities within supply chain - based on computing platforms).