Analysis on Cloud Computing-based Logistics Information Network Mode

Analysis on Cloud computing-based Logistics Information Network Mode Xing Wang Management of Departmeng,City College of Dongguan University of Technology,Dongguan, China 54652613@qq.com Abstract:Logistics information network is of great importance for logistics enterprises to improve their operation efficiency a nd reduce their operation cost. By applying SaaS,PaaS and IaaS, logistics information network which is based on cloud co mputing will be a great driving force for the development of lo gistics market. This paper analyzes the frame of the logistics information network and the application mode of cloud computing in logistics information network so as to the investigate model of the logistics information network which based on the cloud computing. Keywords: Logistics Informaition Network;Cloud Computing; Mode I. INTRODUCTION Information transmission and information sharing are two of the most important pre-conditions in today’s efficient logistic operations.They are also throughout every aspect of logistic activities. Accurate and timely information of supply, demand and control is needed for cargo flow management. They also save cost, improve efficiency and benefit for companies[1]. Nowadays market competition is getting challenging, more and more enterprises realised that the importance of information management. Efficient information sharing to each member on whole supply chain can reduce cost, and improve logistic service level. Information networking technologies provided a solid platform for today’s logistic development. It based on the logistic information system of each individual company, by collecting common data to provide basic support information to the collaboration companies, It is helpful to meet requirements of basic common data sharing and contribute to support various function of information system. In order to achieve the target of both physical and virtual logistic information resources optimization, using information technology to provide logistic resources sharing is the trend in current information networking environment. Therefore, the combination of modern communication technology and computer data processing technology has created an interconnected network information system. By connecting each logistic subsystem will improve overall advantages, it will shorten lead time of logistic information flow, reduce transportation time, coordinate transportation channels,enhance transparency,improve performance, thus optimize the network logistic management system.It is a perfect solution for overall network logistic operation[2]. II. DEFINITION OF CLOUD COMPUTING AND IMPACT TO LOGISTIC INFORMATION NETWORKS 2.1 The meaning of cloud computing Cloud computing is an innovative service model in information technology territory, it has been considered as the core for next generation information technology revolution and business application model innovation. Recently,cloud computing has created enormous attentions by government departments and corporations, some new policies and technologies have boosted its research and development. Cloud computing allocates huge amounts of computing task to a resource Pool made up by hundreds of computers, each application will be able to obtain required processing capacity, network storage and other software services. Overall, cloud computing is a new data processing model that based on the Internet and network sharing resources simulation; It is a result of combination of parallel computing, distributed computing, technology development and business innovation. Cloud computing representing the network and service oriented technology trend. Depending on the needs of each individual user, it dynamically provides consideration and allocates resources such as storage, network bandwidths, software and etc. It has advantages in dynamically expandable, low operational cost, easy manage and resource-friendly[3]. As a new processing model based on the internet information sharing simulation, cloud computing provides virtual resource storage and superior abilities in data processing, data storage and management, users can enjoy the benefits in cost reduction, better efficient and data sharing and thus obtain and use information easily. 2.2 Framework of Logistic Information Network Logistic Information Network is a logistic company’s database that stors customer information, market information and business information for company’s internal data sharing. It relies on transport nodes between different information networks that builded up by up-to-date networking technologies. Its duty is to integrate different manufacturers, suppliers, cargo owners, system users, transportation systems and government departments. Build up a large scale of Logistics information platform and information exchange centre network. Use tools like RFID, 2011 Seventh International Conference on Computational Intelligence and Security 978-0-7695-4584-4/11 $26.00 © 2011 IEEE DOI 10.1109/CIS.2011.285 1286 EDI and GPS to provide logistics information management, information sharing and logistics online tracking and maintenance. There are four layers in a logistics information network, base layer, support layer, service layer and business layer. See Figure 1. The first layer is base layer, it includes information system hardware facilities (telecommunication network, network equipment, computer hardware, logistics facilities), logistics information standards (product electronic code, EDI standards) establishment and application, and logistics political environment and personnel development. The second layer is support layer, It is a logistics information platform covering the entire supply chain, exchange and share various logistics links and nodes of information,Its main features include public database ,certification and data exchange. The third layer is the logistics information services layer,It includes the operation of logistics information platform, the development platform, and service Platform. The fourth layer is the logistics information business layer. It is constituted by warehouse management system,transportation management system,customs system,order management system,etc. which fulfils business functions、knowledge management and database developing to implement task of high-level information processing and handling . Figure 1 : Framework of Logistics Information Network III. THE LEVEL OF CLOUD COMPUTING AND SERVICE MODULE ANALYSIS 3.1 The Service level of cloud computing According to service type, cloud computing service is divided into four levels:Application layer,Platform layer,Infrastructure layer and Virtualization layer. Each layer corresponds to a subset of services. Figure 2: Level of cloud computing services The level of cloud computing system can be divided, and each level can complete user's request seperately. 3.2 The application modules of cloud computing in the logistics information network Cloud computing performance of a variety of forms, their applications are very extensive. For logistics companies, Mainly used in the following areas. 3.2.1 Software-as-a-Service The current logistics enterprises in the information construction process,mostly develope the software by their own IT section. Current logistics enterprises mostly have their IT departments responsible for soft development in their process informationization,but the cost is high. And also some enterprises turn to professional software providers for technical support; hovever, the purchased information networks are seldom compatible with their needs. In SaaS, all the logistics software providers can arrange the applicable softwares such as TMS, WMS with servers or intranets, and meet customers’ needs for logistcis softwares via Internet. Customers can use web-based softwares to manage logistics activities by renting. According to this mode, small and medium-size logistics enterprises can make use of relevent hardwares, softwares and maintenance services and have the right to use them and have them upgraded by paying some charges in renting via Internet wherever and whenever it is available. 3.2.2 Platform as a Seivice Platform as a Seivice is to provide customers with development environment, server platform, applicable software development, databases, applicable servers, and experimentation. PaaS integrates existing businesses, which can be classified into applicable servers, business access, business engin, open business platforms.PaaS estimates the capability of basic service according to the need of business and offers business manipulation services, monitoring all the resources on the platform and making them accessible to SaaS users. By exploring its immense power of calculating,we can improve PaaS’ ability of data-processing Application layer Platform layer Infrastructure layer Virtualization layer SaaS PaaS IaaS HaaS The models of Cloud computing The Sub Service of Cloud computing 1287 and, find out its relevance rules to make intensive and in-depth utilization, so as to work out more inclusive and accurate data. 3.2.3 Infrastructure as a Service IaaS renders basic computing equipments in the form of service, as the most deep-rooted and fundamental service. It rents basic equipments(computer resources and storage) as services, such as processor, storage, networks and other forms of computing resources. Users will not manage or control equipments, but can manipulate the choice of system, storing space, deployment, and are likely to have control of restricted network gadgets The current hardware environment mode of logistics enterprises is that enterprises spend much in purchasing network products, creat network environment, appoint specialized personnel for maintenance.The mode of investment costs much and along with constant upgrading of products is the frequent input of personnel. As a result, many domestic logistics enterprises,small and medium-sized ones in particula, are out-of-date in informationization. The IaaS-based new mode is to, in accordance with the needs of enterprises,“rent products”and “purchase service” from service providers. By this mode, they can get sound hardware environment with less rents and without considering upgrading of the products. This is of positive significance to pushing up information network construction for domestic small and medium-sized logistics enterprises. IV. CLOUD COMPUTING-BASED LOGISTICS INFORMATION NETWORK CONSTRUCTION Abundant information including data, fly sheet, materials, and documents, is circulating on the logistics information network platform. This has called for great demand for both software service and hardware facilities. The construction of cloud computing-based logistics information network provides ideal environment for the growth of logistics enterprises. 1. To speed up the construction of logistics enterprises informationization Logistics enterprises should highly value logistics information network construction by choosing appropriate channels of construction in consistence with their own size, development goal and demand. During the course of construction,they should not only consider meeting the need of current development, but also considering the strategy of the enterprise development in order to accommodate the future market and the need of enterprise development. The enterprise should pay close attention to the new trend of informationization technology and adopt the international standard or industry standard, especially for the interface, in order to lay good technological foundation for the update of information platform and expansion. The government should increase research and development of logistics information technology, esp. logistics information technolo- gy, take effective measures to encourage logistics technology innovation and support enterprises to improve logistics management and operation by adopting information technology, support the network construction and management innovation by way of information exchange and information sharing. 2. To enforce the facilities construction of cloud computing Although mature cloud computing can provide logistics operation with software service, platform service or equipment service, and can be a great driving force for the operation of logistics enterprises and the development of logistics, cloud computing is still in its infancy in China. Therefore, the current facilities is far from meeting the demand of the development of cloud computing. Fast and stable internet, instant data delivery and channels, large-scale and stable data processing centers are all the necessities for normal cloud computing. Therefore, in the development of Internet, the Internet bandwidth and stability should be further assessed according to the requirement of cloud computing development, attempting to satisfying the cloud computing development when laying the facilities, and in the meantime, benefits the perfection of logistics information network. 3. To value key technology development of cloud computing The key technology of cloud computing should be researched and developed according to the industrial foundation, technology development trend, and demand of application by making full use of all sources from production, colleges and research institutions. The technical nature of cloud computing is the virtualization of IT software and hardware, including computing, storage, servers, and internet applications. Key science and technology development fund and industrial development fund can be used to increase investment in key fundamental technology and common technology research and development. Meanwhile, national labs and industrial technology public service platforms can be set up. Enterprises can be encouraged to import, digest and absorb cloud computing technology by strengthening their international exchange and cooperation. The key technology of cloud computing can be mastered on the basis of commercial application, to realize technology innovation and service mode innovation simultaneously, to achieve integration and scientific layout, avoiding following suit and repeated construction. The sound and rational development of cloud computing can be driven in this way[4]. 4. Logistics information resource pooling Because a large number of logistics enterprises in China have small sizes, poor data processing and information delivery, poor internal coordination, poorly-coordinated functional departments, well-coordinat- ed value chain among production, supply and marketing cannot be shaped, which causes the poor application and the holistic optimization cannot be achieved. Although some 1288 logistics enterprises have achieved a certain amount of achievement, most of them only have internal service. Effective resource integration, process optimization and improvement of management have not been achieved. The key of logistics information resource integration is to build information sharing platform, to connect limited logistics resources from the enterprises and disperse resources from the society, to form resource pool on the cloud computing platform. In this way, advantageous resources can be better integrated to provide customers with high-quality and rapid logistics service. 5. Foster the application of cloud computing based logistics information network in the market Cloud computing has great potential for wide application in China. Nevertheless, it is still in its infancy. In logistics enterprises, application of cloud computing is mainly limited in express delivery and dispatching. Its advantage in scale efficiency,intensification, standardizatio- n in supply chain has not been exerted. It is very difficult to pull the development of cloud computing only by the force of logistics markets. Therefore, government can play a role in the following areas: planning cloud computing development, optimizing cloud computing industrial layout, setting up ideal market context and cloud computing industrial standard and key product technical standard system, exerting the fundamental role of markets, motivating the enterprises to engage in technology innovation, fostering market, regulating the market order, creating a fair and ideal environment for the sound development of logistics enterprises. V. CONCLUSIONS The cloud computing-based logistic information network offers a brand-new mode in hardware environment construction, software development, network platform management, and can speed up the informationization of small and medium-sized logistics enterprises by lowering by large margin investment in initial phases. So enterprises have only to pay for services actually used and can obtain immense amount of data in cloud computing and software and platform services, and realize rapid expansion of business. With the deepening of research on cloud computing, it is exerting a even greater impact on logistics and is condusive to rapid development of logistics industy. VI. REFERENCES [1] Jie Xu. A connotative Analysis on MF Network. Journal of Beijing jiaotong University(Social Science Edition), 2005, 6: 22-26. [2] Aleksandra Mojsilovic; Bonnie Ray; Ssmer Takriti. A logistic regression framework for information technology outsourcing lifecycle management. Computers & Operations Research. 2007, 34(12). [3] Pallis,George . Cloud Computering:The New Frontier of Internet Computing ,IEEE internet computing ,2010,14:87-95 [4] Ning Lin. China Cloud Computing Standardization and Suggestion Information Technology & Standardization. Information Technology & Standardization, 2010, 12: 34-37. 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