Semantic mapping approach for logistics services integration in 4PL

Abstract

The forth-party logistics (4PL) is a modern logistics operation mode for logistics industry. The kernel of 4PL operation is the integration and collaboration among the 4PL operator, logistics services providers and customers. Based on the analysis of integration requirements for the logistics services, which including dynamic integration, unified integration mode, integration standard supporting, semantic supporting and loosely coupled etc, this paper puts forward a semantic mapping approach for logistics services integration in 4PL. Firstly, a logistics services semantic mapping framework for 4PL based on the shared logistics ontology is provided. On the basis, the logistics services semantic mapping process based on shared logistics ontology for 4PL is formal described in detail. Finally, the semantic mapping based logistics services integration process is realized, which provides a semantic integration approach for 4PL logistics services integration. © 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.