Logistic E-marketplace for agro-based industries in Malaysia

Among the supply chain priorities that have paramount importance in agro based supply chains is the development and maintenance of relationships between the agro-based entrepreneur and third party logistics providers. This state of events came into being because of the nature of agro products that could require rapid transportation and special storage facilities. This paper presents results of a preliminary study that looked into the possibility of bringing logistic management to a new dimension in Malaysia, that is, via the web platform of fourth-party logistics (4PL). The proposed 4PL will be in the form of a logistics e-marketplace. Data from a pilot study of agro-based industries and 3PL providers is used to examine the current state of distribution and logistics management activities and to gauge their acceptance of the proposed 4PL. Results from the study are also used to develop a set of requirements that will be used to develop the functions or services that will be offered by the logistics e-marketplace. In this logistic e-marketplace, users can place carrier orders, use matching facilities to meet their distribution requirements and advertise shipment consolidation.