Project Number:
08-11
Research Project:
XML based supply chain integration at the Los Angeles and Long Beach Ports
P.I. Name & Address:
Burkhard Englert
California State University at Long Beach
Department of Computer Engineering and Computer Science
Long Beach, CA 90840
Email: benglert@csulb.edu
Website: http://www.cecs.csulb.edu/~englert/
Phone: (562) 985-7987
Fax: (562) 985-7823
Co-P.I.
Bei Lu
California State University at Long Beach
Department of Computer Engineering and Computer Science
Long Beach, CA 90840
Email: lam@csulb.edu
Website: http://www.csulb.edu/colleges/coe/cecs/views/personnel/fulltime/lam.shtml
Phone: (562) 985-1552
Fax: (562) 985-7823
Project Objective:
In recent years internet related technologies such as XML have created new opportunities for electronic communication between different companies. At the same time many companies have changed their business operations in ways that could benefit greatly from increased communication opportunities. However, for historical and other reasons the use of these technologies for communication has been limited at the Los Angeles and Long Beach Ports. Like many other companies terminal operators at the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports generally use EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) to communicate electronically with other companies. While EDI is compact, it is difficult to maintain and extend and generally only allows computer to computer communication. Moreover it requires large financial investments in proprietary systems and software. As a result its use is often confined to larger companies. At the ports, for example, EDI communications usually do not include smaller customers of terminal operators or truck drivers limiting their usefulness.
XML based communications on the other hand are accessible through any web browser and do not require large financial investments. A lack of interoperability, however, remains a drawback of an electronic communication system that is solely based on XML. The recently developed Meta language M on the other hand removes this obstacle from XML. While it is not realistic to expect companies to switch from EDI to XML in the immediate future there are tools available or can be designed that allow to translate between EDI and XML and between XML and EDI efficiently. In this project we propose to perform a cost/benefit analysis of XML (on top of EDI) based between shipping lines, terminal operators, customs service, trucking companies, rail lines and other agents at the Los Angels and Long Beach ports.
We will analyze the potential cost and limitations of such an implementation and its benefits at the concrete example of one terminal operator and then generalize our findings. In a second step we will analyze the cost / benefit of using the language M to implement this communication. This study will also consider factors such as how and at what cost it is possible to provide secure Internet access at the ports. Moreover we will determine how these new models of communication can increase the transparency and connectivity at the ports. The results of this study will provide all parties with verifiable input on how to best proceed in a manner that will help to reduce congestion at the ports and hence improve the efficiency of goods movements. We believe the improvements will not only have an impact on economic growth but also contribute to a decrease in pollution in the area.
Task Descriptions
The project will be executed in three phases.
Phase 1: Interview terminal operators.
Determine collaboration needs and a model of the current communication infrastructure.
January 2008 – March 2008
Phase 2: Based on needs and current infrastructure develop and determine future collaboration model that is most realistic and cost effective.
April 2008 – June 2008
Phase 3: Determine best possible – minimum cost, maximum benefit implementation of collaboration on a case–by–case basis.
July 2008 – December 2008
Final report 11/30/08
We will provide quarterly reports and a final report. We also plan to publish our findings at an appropriate conference.
Milestones, Dates:
January 1, 2008 – December 31, 2008
Total Budget:
$89,984
Student Involvement:
One student at 25% effort for 10 months
One student at 75% effort for 10 months
Relationship to Other Research Projects:
Related to 08-04; part of the goods movement focus area
Technology Transfer Activities:
Project report will be posted soon
Potential Benefits of the Project:
This research will explore the possibilities of internet-related technologies such as XML to reduce congestion and decrease air pollution at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
TRB Keywords:
XML, EDI, Communication, Supply Chain, Goods Movement, Port of Los Angeles, Port of Long Beach
