1. e-Thematic Thematic Network on e-Fulfilment
Jacob Bangsgaard
International Cooperation Manager
ERTICO, Brussels

2. Defining e-fulfilment
e-Fulfilment is in very brief terms the delivery of the product promised by the e-business or
“e-Fulfilment defines that part of e-business which aims at efficiently and effectively integrating a company’s back-office processes, activities and functions arising from order capture through to final delivery to the customer.”

3. Challenges in e-fulfilment
RTD
To define research/good practice focused on the obstacles and challenges for fully integrated e-fulfilment applications.
Logistics
Providing the right product, at the right place at the right time;
To distribute small quantities to consumers in their home location;
Interaction with traditional transport related bottlenecks.

4. Benefits from Integrating the supply chain
Area
Improvement
Delivery performance
16-28%
Inventory reduction
25-60%
Fulfilment cycle time
30-50%
Forecast accuracy
25-80%
Overall productivity
10-16%
Lower supply chain costs
25-50%
Fill rates
20-30%
Improved capacity realisation
10-20%

5. Why e-Thematic
To support the European industry in optimising business opportunity through improved customer satisfaction;
To make recommendations on future research priorities;
To promote the networking of stakeholders.

6. Networking activities
The project provides the opportunity to exchange know-how and enhance discussions on innovative solutions among research organisations, e-logistics experts, and policy makers.

7. Three year activity - started in July 2002.
e-Thematic approach
Network of international e-logistics stakeholder to define research opportunities for e-fulfilment.
Dissemination of finalised/ongoing European and national research activities.
Three year activity - started in July 2002.

8. e-Thematic objectives
Clustering of existing European research projects in the field of e-logistics and e-fulfilment;
Identification of emerging applications and technologies;
Identification of “good practice” examples from the industry and the research sector;
Formulation of a common approach for the future European research on e-fulfilment.

9. Partners Buck Consultants International (Coordinator)
ERTICO – ITS Europe
Supported by the European Commission

10. Members Allagraf, UK British International Freight Association, UK
European Car Transport Group of Interest, Belgium
European Federation of Inland Ports, Belgium
ILiM, Poland
SCOR Training Center, the Netherlands
ShipServ Ltd, UK
Thomas Miller & Co Ltd, UK
WebHouse, Denmark

11. B2C e-Fulfilment Order management Home delivery Customer Order capture
Financial verification
Order management
Order release
Stock verification
Internet-enabled front office
Back office

12. Cluster activities
Two Clusters have been defined till now where the participants exchange information topics related to e-logistics and e-fulfilment. All stakeholders are invited to join this activity to obtain and share information on European good practices and obstacles for an optimal use of e-logistics.

13. Defined Clusters 2 clusters: B2B and B2C 3 layers per cluster B2B B2C
EU/US cooperation
Business models
Technology applications
Emerging technologies
Good Practices
Business models
Technology applications
Emerging technologies
Applications and technologies
Business models
Technology applications
Emerging technologies
Glossary

14. Work performed in the Clusters
Technologies and applications
Inventory of the technologies and applications available on the e-logistics market today and the challenges for the future.
Good Practice
Analysis of ongoing and finalised European research in the field to help setting priorities for future research strategies.
EU-US cooperation
Analysis of the e-logistic development in the US compared to the European continent.

15. Dissemination tools Creation of the e-Thematic website

16. Enter your projects in the database

17. Register for the newsletter

18. How can you participate
Participate in the clustering activities and/or in the e-Thematic seminars to share your views with other network members and gain valuable insights on the latest developments in the world of e-logistics and e-fulfilment.
Use the website to contribute with information and to obtain knowledge on activities relevant to you.

19. “Challenges for e-Fulfilment development in Europe”
Future events
e-Thematic seminar:
“Challenges for e-Fulfilment development in Europe”
Hotel Dorint Schweizerhof, Berlin, 2 April 2004

20. Contact information
Project Coordinator Karel Vanroye
Buck Consultants International
Tel: +32 (0)
Dissemination Manager Jacob Bangsgaard
ERTICO – ITS Europe
Tel: +32 (0)