Published on Ship2Shore.it magazine.

Original ICT logistics stories in Bremen…

The Third European Conference on ICT for Transport Logistics was full of inspiration and case-studies to think about

Thanks to the efficient organization by the Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences and the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics in Bremen, as well as delicious food provided during the coffee breaks, an informal and relaxed mood permeated the Third European Conference on Information Technology for Transport Logistics, held in Bremen on november 4-5, fostering free association and discussion, à la brainstorming/networking event. Noted the close relationship between European Commission officers and stakeholders in a pure “lobbying-mode”, private companies such as Procter & Gamble and Unilever have warmed conversation on several topics, from a broader significance of the Carbon Footprint definition, which should also include C02 emissions from cars used by companies employees on the home-work route, to the radicalization of the Just-In-Time concept, involving paradoxes “as the one for which – claims Sergio Barbarino of Procter & Gamble – if a customer were to order stocks of Pampers to be sent two months from now an operator should hold a post-it on the PC monitor as a reminder, because information systems are not designed to manage orders so far ahead in time, having a handling capacity of 48 hours.” Obviously not anybody in the Bremen Town hall wanted to let go ideas informally. Questioned for a brief comment about the Italian branch offices and growth plans for Italy of the group, Robert Bommers, of BLG Automotive Logistics, chose to show a spectrum of answers ranging from “business-sensitive” and “we’re doing what other companies are doing too.” read more »