Multi-modal transshipment hub operations

Logistics and supply-chain systems exhibit various forms of dynamical behaviour, because of the complex flows of both cargo and information in such systems. This research is concerned with understanding these general aspects of the behaviours of logistics and supply chain systems. In particular, in order to design optimal multi-modal transshipment networks for different scenarios of cargo flow between China and Hong Kong, it is possible to make progress by developing appropriate computer simulation models. Such models can be used to estimate the capacity of different combinations of inter-modal transportation services in order to design, in the medium term, to identify the critical success factors and performance indicators for an efficient multi-modal transshipment hub. In the long term, this research will deal with progressively more comprehensive aspects of supply-chain dynamics.

Computer-based customer relationship management for the logistics industry

The control and management of complex industrial system is a challenging task, which is being revolutionized by the deployment of powerful forms of information technology. This research is concerned with fully exploiting the use of the Internet in such control and management tasks. In particular, the objective of this research is the development of a system for the integration of product development, production/distribution planning, inventory control, and warehouse and supply-chain management via the Internet. This system, in the medium term, is being established so as to facilitate the effective management of customer relationships in supply chains. This research accordingly involves the development of methodologies for the synthesis of control policies for logistics management, which will be applied to progressively more challenging supply-chain systems in the future.

Automated Warehousing

Warehouses are very important components of logistics and supply-chain systems, which involve the inflow, storage, and outflow of goods. However, in modern warehouses, it is important to introduce appropriate automation systems in order to improve the efficiency of the overall supply chain. Such automation systems need to be specifically designed for use in warehouse, in view of the special characteristics of such system. This research is accordingly concerned with the modeling and simulation of warehouses, in order to design automation systems that are user-friendly, ergonomically sound, easily configurable, and highly adaptive to changing demands. In the medium term, this holistic approach is bring adopted for optimal decision-making to meet various criteria in the design of automated warehouses. In the longer term this research will deal with the further development of cheaper and more intelligent automated warehousing systems.