COMCIS - Collaborative Information Services for Container Management
Overview
Background & policy context:
The project was about the interoperability between e-freight systems that had been developed in previous EU projects as well as in those developed in commercial undertakings.
Objectives:
It showed how the following e-freight systems would be integrated: Logit 4SEE (resulting from Freightwise), Smart-CM Neutral Layer and ICS-SEAP (from Smart-CM), SICIS (from Integrity), Port Community Systems (e. g. from Descartes) and commercial platforms (e. g. from DHL).
Based on this interoperable set of e-freight systems, shippers, beneficial cargo owners, LSPs as well as customs authorities were offered information that was to make logistics chains have shorter lead times and higher reliability. The project was to unlock valuable information that was available somewhere throughout the logistics chain. There were many data sources available which were aggregated: data from container security devices, port communities, logistics network, terminal operators, etc.
Methodology:
To support decision processes in the logistics chain, the project combined data sources and consolidated these data to valuable information. Having common project members, here COMCIS will use the approach developed earlier in the Freightwise project.
Interoperability between systems is only useful if it leads to improved processes. COMCIS therefore focused on better integration of customs processes, better interfaces between sea and hinterland, as well as better controls on the hinterland part of the logistics chain, which has often been the largest cause of variability.
For communication between the above mentioned e-freight systems, the common framework was used which was developed in cooperation amongst EU projects (Freightwise, e-Freight, Smart-CM, Integrity, Euridice, etc. ) as well as industry driven initiatives like LIM of GS-1. Demonstrations took place in 3 business cases through ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam.
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