Closing the loop: Providing Web service solutions enabling e-logistics integration

In the context of today's business world, collaboration is becoming increasingly important to companies in their attempt to achieve competitive advantage, not least in becoming flexible to meet the constantly changing demands placed on organisations to excel in their sector and achieve growth in the most cost effective manner. The implementation of distributed computing technology is thus an essential element of business strategy. Web services enable the development of remote, distributed enterprise applications. Lower costs of integration may also allow businesses to create new business value by improving data exchange in corporations, with business partners and even competitors. This research focuses on investigating Web services as an integration technology in the context of service logistics and in particular on-line service logistics software delivery through an Application Service Provider (ASP) model. The research serves to outline some of the key considerations necessary for Web services technology to be utilised in the development of robust, useful and cost effective solutions for service organisations. The research considers the case of a service logistics software development organisation that has implemented Web service-based e-integration projects for customers. Key employees in customer organisations provide input to the research findings. A primary objective is to develop insights into the areas where Web service technology can be applied to improve the software solutions provided to these customers.