'Smart' software for the logistics industry

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özgür Özpeynirci, Head of Department of Logistics Management, Izmir University of Economics (IUE), established an "intelligent support system" called "LTLZone" by developing a special software for logistics companies that transport to different parts of the world. The project, which was carried out with 500 thousand TL TUBITAK support, offers logistics companies the opportunity to provide services in a short time safely and with less cost.

The company representative, who is a member of the LTLZone.com website, records the country and city information, to which the cargo will be delivered, to the system. Then, the system automatically determines how many 18-wheelers or trucks, and which loads should be placed by identifying nearby locations within seconds. Thanks to the 'LTLZone', which also screens the type of transported products, companies avoid travelling far and prevent their vehicles travelling with low capacity.

IT WILL MEET A NEED

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özgür Özpeynirci from IUE Faculty of Business said that the project was completed in 3 years. Stating that the 'LTLZone.com' site has started to be used by some logistics companies, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özpeynirci said, “The decision support system we developed for logistics companies was among the basic needs of the industry. For example, you have a load of 100 pieces that you need to transport to different destinations in Europe. However, at this point, many criteria such as distance, road or Ro-Ro preferences, the carrying capacity of the vehicle and transferring the load to the intermediate warehouses come into play. When we do not have the system we have created, all these calculations are usually done without computer support, with experience. Therefore, companies can suffer losses in terms of productivity, cost, and workforce. Even the fact that only one less truck on a trip means saving thousands of liras for the company.”

THE PROJECT IS COMPLETELY READY

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özpeynirci continued as follows: “We had an intense period of preparation for the realization of the project. I put a lot of effort not only in planning, but also in software. We solve the planning problem of partial loads, which are called partial, groupage, dispatch or dispo preparation in the industry, with special algorithms. The project received support of approximately 500 thousand liras from TUBITAK in 3 separate stages. Currently, the program is completely ready and available on the 'LTLZone.com' site. We started to receive offers from companies. The interest of the sector is proof that we made the right move. I am also preparing for a new project for the logistics industry."