5.0 Conclusions and Next Steps

New technologies have clearly simplified the availability of certain applications such as location tracking, communications with trading partners, inventory updates, equipment requests and electronic payments to name just a few. Some of these applications are relatively inexpensive, while other applications can be more costly. Cost of installing technology is not the only consideration; there is the cost of upkeep both in terms of hardware/software upgrading and the training of staff on new technology.

Smaller drayage companies do not have the resources to invest in new technology applications as do the ports or rail lines. A well-conceived system to enable complete and integrated data/information from Port-Rail-Drayage must address this cost component. With that caveat in mind, some features that an intermodal data transfer system should contain to satisfy all stakeholders include:

Internet accessibility with an intuitive user display
Common data platforms for the various functional data being transmitted
Data transfer must be highly or completely automated (little or no manual interference, no repetition of data entry) and move data from one intermodal database to another
Low cost to enable rapid and wide spread Intermodal adoption rate
Functionality; the system must address only core data/information transfer functions (container tracking, bill of lading, invoicing, etc.)
System must be based on an open platform to allow integration with all other software platforms. Companies must be able to extract this data to be used functionally in their other applications.

This document works in conjunction with Technical Memorandum #1 – which classifies Intermodal business processes, and the Institutional Issues Working Paper – which focuses on institutional issues related to current technologies and potential barriers for implementation of an enhanced data exchange system. The three reports will provide the basis for the preliminary System Architecture. Follow-on work products include:

Market Research and Performance Analysis Plan will identify the potential market participants and related transactions that a test system would address. Industry Reviews with intermodal users will aid the identification of possible test system users and useful test system features.

System Blueprint will identify the probable functional and technical component system architecture for an enhanced data exchange test system.

All of these documents together will establish the technological framework and implementation plan to launch an operational test system in Phase II of this project.

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