Z. J. DONG
Open Access
exchange and deal with data which are formatted among their
computer systems through the computer communication net-
work. As an outcome of the combination of modern high-tech
and trade, EDI changes the traditional logistics management
greatly. It makes the whole process of logistics information
handled by a computer automatic processing and need not to
use the traditional paper-based documents any more. From this,
EDI is also called paperless trading. Through some advanced
technological means, the automatic equipment identification
technology could realize the automatic identification and man-
agement of all kinds of objects or facilities (people, materials)
under the different status (dynamic, static or severe environ-
ment). The automatic equipment identification technology cov-
ers the technologies of commodity code, the application of bar
code, radio frequency and so on. Bar code technology is a sig-
nificant means and method of entering data into computer au-
tomatically. The economic benefit of the whole logistics sys-
tem will be improved by collecting, transmitting logistics bar
code information and feedback (Hu, L., 2011).
The second part is material information control system. The
advanced logistics information management system could mon-
itor the spatial-time location of goods in real time. For example,
it can query the geographic location (longitude, latitude and
velocity) of transportation at any time through issuing instruc-
tions, and could be displayed intuitively on the electronic map.
Besides, people could know and control the accuracy of trans-
port operation via global positioning system (GPS). Dynamic
scheduling function allows schedulers to send the dispatching
instructions at any time through control center and then to get
the confirmation messages. The function of storing and analyz-
ing data will make a plan on the transport routes in advance and
record the information in the database for reference and analy-
sis in the future. So, it could achieve the route planning and
optimization. Licensed users could access the information what
they need in any other place easily. Modern information tech-
nology is the technological pillar of modern logistics system.
The third part is the network technique system. The speed-up,
dynamic and interconnected information network is a necessary
condition of guaranteeing the function of modern logistics en-
terprises coordinated, achieving the alliances with other com-
panies and making the logistics service integrated. Many com-
panies make use of the internet platform for dynamic monitor-
ing and managing the logistics commodities. Reasonable inte-
grated logistics network could not only supply the costs effec-
tively which incurs in every logistics link, but also improve the
information management level and customer service drastically.
By this taken, modern logistics is far from a simple combina-
tion of warehousing, transportation, handling, loading and un-
loading, packaging and other hardware facilities, but a pro-
fessional management information system which is based on
information technology. In our country, the hardware facilities
of many logistics companies have reached a considerable level,
but there is still a significant gap between our country and over-
seas in terms of software construction.
Standardization as the Permits of Modern
Logistics Enterprises
Standardization is an important component of modern eco-
nomic, technical and scientific system. It is also an important
technique of modern logistics management. Logistics stan-
dardizations are the momentous methods and necessary condi-
tions to achieve the modernization of logistics management.
The modern logistics and its activities could not be organized
and managed well without the standardization. And we could
reach the highly harmonization of the whole logistics system
and raise the system management level.
Scholars in logistics industry generally consider that the de-
finition of logistics standardization is taking logistics for the
system, setting the technical standards of various subsystems
which include systematic internal facilities, mechanical equip-
ments, special tools and so on, and reaching the results that the
technical standards could match up with working standards
through researching the various subsystems. However, the au-
thor thinks that the issue of logistics standardization is not only
the standardization of internal logistics system, but the stan-
dardization of the whole materials circulation system which
involves the circulation ranging from supplies, manufacturers,
logistics providers, wholesales to retailers. And the essential
question is the standardization of internal logistics system. Lo-
gistics standards are divided into software standards and hard-
ware standards. The software standards include the uniformity
of logistics language, the standardization of unit, receipt, the
application of bar code and the package size. And the hardware
standards include the pallet standardization, container, forklift
standardization, trailer load standardization, standardized cus-
tody facility and other logistics equipments standardization.
The logistics industry is an integrated industry which in-
volves various aspects, such as transportation, packaging, ware-
housing, handling, loading and unloading, distribution process-
ing, delivery and information. The standardization of logistics
is a key way to increase logistics efficiency. The development
of modern logistics industry in our country is based on the tra-
ditional industry. The reasons why logistics is ine f f icient are
that the traditional logistics is divided artificially into several
stages which could not link and coordinate well, and the infor-
mation is unable to be shared with each other. It’s particularly
apparent in many small logistics enterprises. Many logistics
standard systems and important national standards have been
established in our country, such as the Classification and Code
of National Industrial and Agricultural Products (commodities,
supplies), Bar Code in Dispatch Unit, Logistics Unit Bar Code
and so on. But in general, the establishment of our country’s
logistics standardization has shown several lags. So, strength-
ening the establishment of logistics standardization has a great
significance to standardize the management and improve the
international competitiveness of logistics enterprises. However,
we must realize that the establishment of logistics standard
system should depend on the power of government. According
to the standard formulation in our country, the National Profes-
sional Standardization Technical Committee is a technical
working organization which is engaged in the national stan-
dardization working, responsible for the standard technical
focal point work in professional technical areas, and authorize
to be established by Standardization Administration of China
(SAC). With the rapid growth of our logistics industry, it is
imperative to set up a comprehensive national Logistics Stan-
dardization Technical Committee, designate the technology of
logistics enterprises uniformly and promote the coordinated
development of logistics standardization.
In conclusion, modern logistics synthesizes the technologies
of information processing and management like the transporta-
tion, delivery, packaging and many other aspects of commodi-