Integrating a web-based system with business processes in closed loop supply chains

Closed Loop Supply Chains include operations for physical collection of end-of-use products, selection based on their configuration and/or condition and decision making for reuse, remanufacturing or recycling. Uncertainty factors regarding the time, place of origin, and status of returns introduce many difficulties in planning these operations. With the aim to minimize such problems, this paper presents an architecture for virtual reverse logistics networks and an implementation for end-of-use PCs. The virtual reverse logistics network for PCs relies on E-commerce and WWW technologies for remote monitoring and benchmarking, instead of physical transportation and inspection. A configuration monitoring and benchmarking agent screens the computer that is about to enter the end-of-use stream and registers the data in the system’s databases. The virtual reverse logistics network regards all incoming PCs as submitted offers. Also, users or agents may explicitly register requests for PCs or modules. Offers are matched to requests with a decision support system to provide recommendations for reuse, remanufacturing or recycling of end-of-use PCs. An electronic marketplace matches requests and offers. The proposed architecture diminishes the uncertainty factors and provides us with an understanding on what is missing and it is likely to have a positive impact to the development of virtual reverse logistics networks for computers and other equipment with embedded logic.business processes;Closed Loop Supply Chains;virtual reverse logistics networks;web-based system

From e-trash to e-treasure: how value can be created by the new e-business models for reverse logistics

Reverse logistics, that is, all operations related to the reuse of used products, excess inventory and packaging materials, gain increasing attention globally both for their promising financial potentials, the sustainable growth alternative they offer and the environmental positive impact they have. In this paper, we introduce reverse logistics and we explain how the adoption of e-commerce provides new possibilities to existing business models and what are the new e-business models in reverse logistics that have emerged. We compare these three new e-business models, namely, returns aggregators, specialty locators and integrated solution providers on a number of aspects and identify keys for their competitive advantage. Finally, we discuss conceptual and actual opportunities for these e-business models to thrive and advance and present some e-commerce tools that are being developed with the aim to address the distributed, dynamic and knowledge-intensive aspects of applications that contribute to the advancement of e-businesses in the field of reverse logistics.e-commerce;Reverse logistics;e-business models

Integrating a web-based system with business processes in closed loop supply chains

Closed Loop Supply Chains include operations for physical collection of end-of-use products, selection based on their configuration and/or condition and decision making for reuse, remanufacturing or recycling. Uncertainty factors regarding the time, place of origin, and status of returns introduce many difficulties in planning these operations. With the aim to minimize such problems, this paper presents an architecture for virtual reverse logistics networks and an implementation for end-of-use PCs. The virtual reverse logistics network for PCs relies on E-commerce and WWW technologies for remote monitoring and benchmarking, instead of physical transportation and inspection. A configuration monitoring and benchmarking agent screens the computer that is about to enter the end-of-use stream and registers the data in the system’s databases. The virtual reverse logistics network regards all incoming PCs as submitted offers. Also, users or agents may explicitly register requests for PCs or modules. Offers are matched to requests with a decision support system to provide recommendations for reuse, remanufacturing or recycling of end-of-use PCs. An electronic marketplace matches requests and offers. The proposed architecture diminishes the uncertainty factors and provides us with an understanding on what is missing and it is likely to have a positive impact to the development of virtual reverse logistics networks for computers and other equipment with embedded logic

From e-trash to e-treasure: how value can be created by the new e-business models for reverse logistics

Reverse logistics, that is, all operations related to the reuse of used products, excess inventory and packaging materials, gain increasing attention globally both for their promising financial potentials, the sustainable growth alternative they offer and the environmental positive impact they have. In this paper, we introduce reverse logistics and we explain how the adoption of e-commerce provides new possibilities to existing business models and what are the new e-business models in reverse logistics that have emerged. We compare these three new e-business models, namely, returns aggregators, specialty locators and integrated solution providers on a number of aspects and identify keys for their competitive advantage. Finally, we discuss conceptual and actual opportunities for these e-business models to thrive and advance and present some e-commerce tools that are being developed with the aim to address the distributed, dynamic and knowledge-intensive aspects of applications that contribute to the advancement of e-businesses in the field of reverse logistics

An explanatory study on electronic commerce for reverse logistics.

In this paper we consider the role Electronic Commerce plays and can play for Reverse Logistics. After short introductions to electronic commerce and reverse logistics, we give an overview of existing internet sites for reverse logistics. These sites can be classified as electronic markets, supply of used parts and complete reverse logistic solutions. Finally we draw some lines to the future

An explanatory study on electronic commerce for reverse logistics.

In this paper we consider the role Electronic Commerce plays and can play for Reverse Logistics. After short introductions to electronic commerce and reverse logistics, we give an overview of existing internet sites for reverse logistics. These sites can be classified as electronic markets, supply of used parts and complete reverse logistic solutions. Finally we draw some lines to the future.