Many biomanufacturers use a network of logistics service providers (LSPs) to deliver warehousing, transport and distribution services. Typically linked using customized, electronic, point-to-point connections. These connections can be expensive and slow to set-up and expensive to update in response to changing market demands. There is no dominant technical solution that monitors the condition and location of shipments, and that enables companies to adopt different solutions for different regions and partners. There is a need to raise the awareness of software vendors of this unmet need and the real interest of many industry stakeholders if a suitable LSP integration solution was available.
This paper provides an overview of the current needs of manufacturers and their technical integration with their network of LSPs. It contains a high-level requirements specification for a common, cloud-based, integration platform, that would reduce customization and multiple point-to-point solutions. The specification is designed to help technology companies develop this services. Informal benchmarking across member companies indicates that ‘collaboration hub’ use would deliver a 50–70% saving in time and cost when linking to a new partner. These benefits would be realized by both partners making the new connection.
