The design of a common data model for generic synchromodal cargo-tracking in logistics using web scraping and big & open data

In logistics, questions as “Where is my container?” and “When does my container arrive?” can often not be answered, which restricts the ability of logistics service providers to be synchromodal. Since logistics is complex and multimodal, goods are rarely transported by one carrier and vehicle. To increase efficiency and save costs in the supply chain, both communication between the different parties in the supply chain and the usage of real-time data must be increased. Currently, communication is limited and the usage of real-time data is inefficient. Logistics service providers use real-time data a-modal meaning that real-time data is mainly used to track the progress of a specific part of the shipment. The data is retrieved manually from a number of websites and sharing this data with other actors in the supply chain is limited. This leads to no end-to-end visibility for the whole supply chain. This research proposes a common data model for an integration platform that increases the ability of logistics service providers to be synchromodal and data sharing among the supply chain. The common data model is designed via a bottom-up approach using results of interviews, observations at different logistics service providers, analyzes of open data on websites and the impact of the integration platform on both business processes and the IT architecture. It is validated against their order definitions, industry standards and identified websites and is tested for four weeks in an operational setting at Schiphol. Based on the designed prototype, the integration platform has great potential to enable logistics service providers to be more synchromodal, increase data sharing among the supply chain and save costs.