Since the beginning of the eighties the emerging importance of Information Systems and Telecommunications (IST) became obvious for almost all sectors of industry and for the transportation sector in particular, many initiatives have been set up to facilitate the intercompany information flow. This article focuses on logistical information and its importance to logistical control. This is done by exploring the relation between logistic organisation and its requirementsfor IST and also by looking at the possiblities improved information yields for logistic organisation. General logistic trends with shippers and transportation companies are described as well as the evolving new relations between those. It is concluded that both lead to the production of more data and to a necessity for more information about the processes of trading parties in the logistical chain. Together with the trend toward integral logistical control, the use of logistical information systems is imperative. Advantages of the use of ITS and general fields of application in logistics are given, illustrated with examples. A discussion is started about the issue of obtaining control over the trading parties' logistical processes by means of advanced EDI (Electronic Data Interchange). It is concluded that EDI mainly will be a matter of co-operation, but also of power. In particular small and medium enterprises will have to co-operate at least in the field of IST, but probably also withrespect to their core business in order to be able to compete with their more powerful counterparts. Some future research topics to stimulate further useof EDI are identified. (A).
Abstract