Logistics 4.0 and the revalidation of logistics concepts and strategies

Abstract

The paper describes the terms Industry 4.0 and Logistics 4.0 as two of the most important trends in production and logistics. Industry 4.0 is a synonym for the fourth industrial revolution. It is connected with the common trend of digitalization, virtualization and networking of data and information. The term Logistics 4.0 brands the specific application of Industry 4.0 in the area of logistics. Industry 4.0 and Logistics 4.0 create new business processes. The question is, how will they change the traditional logistics concepts and strategies? The paper answers the following research questions: What are solutions of Logistics 4.0? Are there any successful realized solutions, which optimize logistics at a whole? Which requirements on logistics management will exist according to the criteria of Industry 4.0/Logistics 4.0? Are the classic logistics strategies still valid according to the digital transformation process? KEYWORDS Industry 4.0, Logistics 4.0, logistics concepts, logistics strategies 1. INDUSTRY 4.0 AND LOGISTICS 4.0 The term "Industry 4.0" was first used in a high-tech-strategy project of the German government. (Compare [1] [2]) The term is based on the nomenclature of software and is used as a synonym for the fourth industrial revolution. Basics of Industry 4.0 (Compare [3]) are the availability of relevant information in real-time by networking of all elements which are involved in the creation of value, the ability to deduce optimal value-added processes from the information and data at any time and the realization of an information-integrated value-added process. The use of cyber-physical systems (CPS) best describes Industry 4.0. This means the integration of computation, networking and real, physical things, which provide the base for new business models and business solutions. The term Logistics 4.0 brands the specific application of Industry 4.0 in the area of logistics. Logistics means the management of the flow of people, animals and things between an origin and the point of consumption to fulfil the requirements of the customer. Relevant technologies of Logistics 4.0 are, e. g. identification, mobile