Harry K. H. Chow

Design of a RFID-based resource management system for warehouse operation

In the past, the selection of resource to execute various warehouse operation services was done by solely human experts. In this paper, a RFlD-based resource management system (RFID-RMS) is designed in helping users to select the most suitable resource usage package for handling warehouse operation order by retrieving and analyzing useful knowledge from a case based data warehouse for solutions in both time saving and cost effective manner. The proposed system, which is suitable for usage in warehouse operating environment, enhances the effectiveness in formulating resource usage package by integrating the case-based reasoning techniques and automatic data collection technique, namely, radio frequency identification (RFID) through applying RFID-RMS in GENCO distribution system, one of the largest international distributions and logistics based company. The utilization of warehouse resource is maximized while work efficiency is greatly enhanced.

A RFID case-based logistics resource management system for managing order-picking operations in warehouses

In the supply chain, a warehouse is an essential component for linking the chain partners. It is necessary to allocate warehouse resources efficiently and effectively to enhance the productivity and reduce the operation costs of the warehouse. Therefore, warehouse management systems (WMSs) have been developed for handling warehouse resources and monitoring warehouse operations. However, it is difficult to update daily operations of inventory level, locations of forklifts and stock keeping units (SKUs) in real-time by using the bar-code-based or manual-based warehouse management systems. In this paper, RFID technology is adopted to facilitate the collection and sharing of data in a warehouse. Tests are performed for evaluating the reading performance of both the active and passive RFID apparatus. With the help of the testing results, the efficient radio frequency cover ranges of the readers are examined for formulating a radio frequency identification case-based logistics resource management system (R-LRMS). The capabilities of R-LRMS are demonstrated in GSL Limited. Three objectives are achieved: (i) a simplification of RFID adoption procedure, (ii) an improvement in the visibility of warehouse operations and (iii) an enhancement of the productivity of the warehouse. The successful case example proved the feasibility of R-LRMS in real working practice.

Design of a knowledge-based logistics strategy system

Traditionally, the formulation of logistics strategies to execute various logistics services is done by human experts. In this paper, a knowledge-based logistics strategy system (KLSS) is designed in helping them to support the logistics strategy development stage by retrieving and analyzing useful knowledge and solutions in a timely and cost effective manner. The proposed knowledge-based system, which is suitable for usage in Hong Kong/Pearl River Delta region, enhances the effectiveness in formulating logistics strategies by integrating techniques like data warehouse, on-line analytical processing, multi-dimensional database management system and case-based reasoning. Through applying KLSS in Eastern Worldwide Company (EWW), resource utilization is maximized and work efficiency is greatly reduced.

Leveraging the supply chain flexibility of third party logistics - Hybrid knowledge-based system approach

Nowadays, intensified globalization and consequent competitive pressures have reemphasized the importance of third party logistics (3PL) in managing logistics processes as well as customer and supplier relationships within the supply chain management (SCM). However, 3PL providers and their upstream and downstream parties within the whole chain have usually interacted as disconnected entities in the logistics performance management process. Despite the increased interest in using and improving logistics information systems, the number of researchers investigating the design and implementation of this process in close detail is still very small. This paper proposes an intelligent performance measurement system (K-LPMS) for measuring the performance of 3PL providers and their upstream and downstream supply chain partners. With the help of K-LPMS, 3PL providers are capable to fulfil different customers supply chain service requirement through accessing the capability of each SC partners and reconfigure SC network. This paper describes the structure of K-LPMS and its features. The results of testing and applying the tool in companies are presented. This paper concludes by discussing the implications of this research for managers, and identifying directions for future research.

Knowledge management approach in build‐to‐order supply chains

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to survey knowledge management (KM) practices and to examine the applications and technologies adopted when developing the knowledge management system (KMS) in build‐to‐order supply chains (BOSC).Design/methodology/approach – This paper uses a literature review of research articles from 1996 to 2007 with keyword indexes to survey the KM practice, KMS technology and its application in BOSC. Such keyword indexes include: BOSC, SCM, KM, KMS, expert system, knowledge‐based system and information system on the Elsevier online database, ScienceDirect, EBSCO, Proquest, Emerald, DOAJ, and Wiley Inter Science. A total of 1,500 articles were found but only 149 articles related to the keywords of KMS application and KM practices within SCM and BOSC.Findings – The important findings indicate that the KMS application is solely focused on single knowledge problem for enabling individual SC members to attain operational excellence. There is a need for further research into the deve...

Development of performance measurement system in managing supplier relationship for maintenance logistics providers

Purpose – To develop a performance measurement system (PMS) in the application of supplier relationship management operated under a supply chain benchmarking framework. Acting as a monitoring tool for evaluating the performance of maintenance logistics providers against the defined performance levels stated in the contract, and facilitating the application of benchmarking approach in maintenance logistics activities.Design/methodology/approach – A six tiers collaborative management model is designed in building the PMS, by which information sharing of performance history of suppliers is made possible. By following the work flow of the PMS, performance of suppliers is benchmarked with the best‐in‐class supplier, resulting in the identification of the most appropriate supplier for the particular requirement.Findings – PMS helps a company and its suppliers to understand the performance gap between its service levels with the best‐in‐class practice. The resulting performance gap provides valuable information ...

A strategic knowledge-based planning system for freight forwarding industry

In recent years, over half of the Hong Kong freight forwarding firms experienced a decline in business volume due to the growing challenge from the neighbour ports of Yantian and Shekou in Shenzhen, China, which operated in a much cheaper mode. In order to remain competitive, local freight forwarders in Hong Kong must establish a long-term union relationship with their customers such as the provision of customized logistics services. One of the ways is through the use of a co-loading shipment plan, which is a knowledge intensive and complex process involving multiple knowledge source and decision rules. This paper presents hybrid knowledge and model system, which integrates mathematical models with knowledge rules, in the formulation of such co-loading shipment plans. A strategic knowledge-based planning system, (SKPS) integrates knowledge rules with mathematical model for solving problems of co-loading shipment plans formulation and market constriction prevention, is proposed. The system was implemented in Elite World Logistics Service Limited (EW), a local freight forwarding company, for supporting the planning process of a co-loading shipping plan. The result reveals that both customer retention rate and resource utilization has increased significantly.

A real-time warehouse operations planning system for small batch replenishment problems in production environment

A factory consists of numerous production workstations, multiple production lines and many production floors. Due to the characteristics of just-in-time and make-to-order mode manufacturing, small batches of production materials are required for production lines within a short period of time in order to facilitate daily production operations. In this paper, a real-time warehouse operation planning system (R-WOPS) for solving small batch replenishment problems is described. Through using R-WOPS, real-time production and warehouse operations are monitored by radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, and a genetic algorithm (GA) technique is applied to formulate feasible small batch replenishment solutions. Simulation tests show that R-WOPS generates pick-up and delivery route plans for small batch replenishment orders very efficiently.

Cross-dock job assignment problem in space-constrained industrial logistics distribution hubs with a single docking zone

This paper addresses a cross-dock operations problem in space-constrained industrial logistics distribution hubs. In these hubs, the number of incoming trucks exceeds the number of docks available, and inbound trucks and orders arrive at random. The solution lies in minimising the waiting time of trucks by coordinating the pick up/delivery sequences of inbound and outbound orders in the storage zones. A mathematical model and a meta-heuristics algorithm, which is based on a genetic algorithm, are developed to address the problem. This research is innovative because the proposed algorithm allows the insertion of inbound orders that arrive at random into the schedule, without causing any significant disturbance to the original outbound order schedule. Computational experiments are conducted to examine the performance of the algorithm under heavy and normal cross-dock conditions. Results show that the algorithm reduces the total makespan of storage operations by 10% to 20% under heavy and normal conditions. The research study benefits manufacturers by increasing cross-docking efficiency in industrial logistics systems characterised by limited temporary storage capacity and the random arrival of inbound trucks.

An argumentation-oriented multi-agent system for automating the freight planning process

This paper advocates the use of multi-agent systems in the freight forwarding industry. We propose an intelligent mobile agent system to cope with a dynamic freight forwarding environment where up-to-date information is crucial but time-consuming to obtain. A key component of our system is an agent argumentation mechanism that allows decision support agents to discuss, argue, and come to a compromise in order to derive well-explained freight planning solutions. A number of artificial intelligence mechanisms are implemented, namely: (1) a mobile-agent-based automated information gathering mechanism, where designated mobile agents access various websites automatically to gather information (e.g., weather conditions on a candidate route) critical for cargo consolidation and route planning, (2) a fuzzy logics engine for risk evaluation, and (3) a simulated annealing engine for optimizing cargo consolidation. A system prototype is developed and the feasibility of our approach is demonstrated in a case study. A series of experiments are also conducted to evaluate the systems performance.