LOGICAL — Development of cloud computing platforms and tools for logistics hubs and communities

Logistics service providers (LSP) are facing an increasing complexity of the logistics sector, i.e. growing levels of process fragmentation plus increasing speed, customization and service demands of logistics clients. Adequate powerful, integrated ICT infrastructure and tools are a prerequisite for keeping pace with the ever increasing service level demands within international logistics. The Cloud Computing technology offers significant advantages for data, process and service management and integration. To cope with the related innovation and migration needs, the Central Europe project LOGICAL focuses on the development and implementation of innovative cloud computing technologies. Special attention is devoted to international cooperation of SME-size LSPs. This paper introduces the conceptual basics of LOGICAL, basic use cases requested by the LSPs, and the addressed target groups of LOGICAL clouds. The results of an extensive user survey and demand analysis are presented as well as the related consequences for the cloud architecture.