I. Smart logistics is an inevitable path for digital development.
In terms of smart transportation, we will continue to strengthen the construction of the China Storage & Transportation Smart Transportation Platform, and establish an intelligent dispatch system combining AI terminals and a smart hub to help drivers better plan transportation routes and improve transportation efficiency and return trip efficiency. We will also build a multimodal transport service platform that integrates different modes of transportation such as road, air, water, and rail, and recommend the optimal solution through resource integration and algorithm matching.
In terms of supply chain integration services, we will promote the deep integration of digital technology and industry, strengthen demand perception, inventory planning, intelligent execution, and traceability, and use supply chain orchestration technology and process mining to optimize supply chain strategies, networks, and resources, so as to achieve end-to-end full-process visibility and intelligent management and control of the supply chain.
In terms of cross-border logistics, we will achieve data connection between the cross-border logistics service digital platform and the customs and commodity inspection systems of major countries, and interconnection with major international airlines, shipping companies and railway freight companies to create a safer and more efficient overseas digital network node.
In terms of green logistics, we will focus on the "dual carbon" target requirements, promote the group's dual transformation of digitalization and greening, strengthen the construction of "green power" infrastructure such as distributed photovoltaic and energy storage equipment, enhance the application of green logistics equipment such as new energy trucks and electric forklifts, and build a digital twin design and recycling platform for logistics packaging.
In terms of smart logistics services, we are actively building a smart logistics platform, strengthening the development of technologies such as artificial intelligence and privacy computing, and providing functions such as logistics monitoring, resource sharing, logistics transactions, and value-added services. This will enable the online access of resources on the supply side, demand side, and service side, empowering social logistics to improve quality, reduce costs, and increase efficiency, and promoting the strengthening and supplementation of the industrial chain and supply chain.
In terms of data empowerment, research will be conducted to establish relevant logistics data standards, promote the aggregation, analysis, and application of social logistics resources and business data, and build a data sharing and digital credit system involving multiple stakeholders across the upstream and downstream of the industrial and supply chains. Simultaneously, the assetization, capitalization, and securitization of logistics data will be explored, and active participation in data element market transactions will be encouraged.
II. Four Key Technologies for Smart Logistics
1. Barcode and Automatic Identification Technology
A barcode is a set of bars and spaces arranged according to certain encoding rules to represent specific information. A barcode system is an automatic identification system consisting of barcode symbol design, production, and scanning/reading. This technology is already familiar to Amazon; every item in its warehouse has a unique number, as does every shelf. Items and shelves exist in a database in the form of codes, and every movement automatically updates the database. This allows warehouse staff to have a clear understanding of inventory status.
2. Logistics automation technology
Automation of logistics operations is an important way and means to improve logistics efficiency and a significant trend in the development of the logistics industry. International experience shows that the realization of logistics automation is not merely about the application of various logistics machinery and equipment, but is linked to the application of a large amount of information technology. Currently, the level of automation in China's logistics operations is relatively low. Manual operation still dominates many aspects of logistics operations, such as handling, inventory counting, packaging, sorting, order processing, and data processing.
3. POS System and Logistics EDI Technology
POS, or Point-of-Sale Information System, ensures that dynamic sales data is transmitted promptly to production, procurement, and supply chains. POS machines automatically read this data through cash registers, enabling real-time data sharing across the entire supply chain. This significantly improves operational efficiency at the checkout counter, leading to increased customer satisfaction. When discussing POS systems, EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) technology is essential. EDI technology is characterized by two main features: firstly, it replaces the traditional mailing and delivery of paper documents with electronic transmission, thus improving transmission efficiency; secondly, it replaces manual data processing with computer processing, reducing errors and delays. Facing a series of complex logistics operations, Amazon leverages EDI technology to provide clients with transparency and visibility into the flow of goods, information, and funds, allowing sellers to truly strategize and achieve success.
4. GIS technology, GPS technology
Simply put, a GIS (Geographic Information System) is a technological system that comprehensively processes and analyzes geospatial data.
GPS, also known as the Global Positioning System, consists of three main parts: the space segment—the GPS satellite constellation; the ground control segment—the ground monitoring system; and the user equipment segment—GPS signal receivers.
