Multiple parallel order execution by several independent partners in the logistics network: E-mail (electronic mail) over the Internet is used for worldwide order coordination. One distribution mailbox can store all addresses of those involved in the logistics network. Informal inquiries to this mailbox as to order status — and answers — are thus immediately available to all partners in the logistics network.
Running order coordination: Transport companies supply the customer with information on the exact location of their goods (“tracking and tracing”) via the Internet and the World Wide Web. This occurs in the ideal case through self-identification of goods by means of attached transponders (e.g. the RFID technique).
Proactive service: Automobile manufacturers have access to the product and service data bank of their customers via service centers. Their own data banks then allow effective evaluation of the “life data” of the product during the user phase.
Competency to develop and produce products in manifold variants: In jeans or shoe stores, customer measurements are taken and transmitted directly to production workshops. A few days or weeks later, the customer receives the finished, made-to-order product. Or, a customer may configure a specific insurance policy directly on the web site of an insurance company. He simply types in the desired parameters, which he may then vary according to need.
Competency in reconfiguring the organization: Partners within a specific logistics network transmit order data using mutually configured software. The data are used directly to control processes (such as in machines). In the manufacture of cars or
airplanes, the partners represent their business objects in a standardized form. To this purpose, they long ago developed
special standards of EDI, among others IGES (later STEP, for engineering purposes) and EDIFACT with its variations (Odette in the automotive industry, for example) for sales order processing.