Center of Excellence Logistics and IT

Background

The Center of Excellence Logistics and IT consists of nine interdisciplinary research groups, which are working in four strategic perspectives:

• Perspective “Human”: In logistics, the interaction of humans and machines is an important component of today's - but also future - systems. In their cooperation, it is important to effectively combine the strengths of humans and technology.
• Perspective “Processes and Systems”: Digitization creates challenges for the execution and management of processes - at the business process level as well as at the shop-floor level.
• Perspective “Planning, Simulation and Control”: In order to ensure an efficient planning and control of logistics systems along the supply chain networks, a strong connection of logistics and IT is essential. It allows the use of computer-aided methods that enable fully informed decision making in complex systems.
• Perspective “Data”: Data is the new oil: In the age of digitalization, the role of data in the value chain of products and services is increasing.

Within the perspectives, the researchers of the Center of Excellence address future issues of logistics and information logistics and reflect on their current state of research. In doing so, research fields and questions are highlighted and future trends are identified that are emerging in the context of permanently advancing technologies as well as relevant social trends. Through the interdisciplinary research activities, the available know-how at the location in Dortmund is even better networked and sustainable cooperations are created, which further increase the attractiveness of the location.

Procedure

Within the framework of the Center of Excellence Logistics and IT the Institute of Transport Logistics (ITL) at the Technical University of Dortmund deals with challenges of the perspective of planning, simulation and control. The focus is on the use of optimization and simulation methods to improve the planning and control of logistics systems. The task is to make informed decisions in complex logistics systems in the best possible way using simulation and optimization methods in order to ensure resource-efficient operations. In addition, interdisciplinary research projects are pursued with researchers from other topic clusters. Current research topics are:

• Planning and control of delivery robots in city logistics (Perspective “Planning, Simulation and Control”)
• Analysis of research trends to develop a roadmap for logistics research (All perspectives)
• Linking simulation with machine learning methods (Perspective “Data”)
• Simulation for evaluating cognitive load in the workplace (Perspective “Human”)

Targeted results

The results of the Center of Excellence Logistics and IT are presented here.

Contact: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Uwe Clausen