APPLICATION OF CLOUD TECHNOLOGIES IN LOGISTICS SYSTEMS

Abstract

The article examines the features of cloud technologies as a modern and effective solution to the problems of data storage and processing in real time, and defines the main positive and negative characteristics of such technologies. A number of scientific works of foreign and domestic authors were studied for better understanding of the logistics field as an environment of constant changes, and the directions of further research on the implementation of cloud technologies into this field were determined. Examples of the application of cloud technologies in logistics systems and their place in the use of digital technologies in logistics in general are given. Cloud services that are popular in global logistics and the logistics of the Ukrainian market were analyzed, as well as such digital platforms as WMS (Warehouse Management System), TMS (Transport Management System), YMS (Yard Management System), DMS (Delivery Management System) and moving cargo management systems (Transport & Monitoring Solutions). Additionally, an interesting cloud solution for logistics is the "Ant Logistics" (ANT-Logistics) system, developed in Ukraine were studied. It is a cloud-based transport management system for last mile deliveries. Last mile logistics is the final and one of the most important stages of the logistics chain, which consists on the timely delivery of goods from the manufacturer to the customer and, as a rule, at this stage the most risks arise. To avoid this, the developers of "Ant Logistics" have created an easy and accessible web service that can be used to plan, control and analyze transportation.  Such Ukrainian companies as CoreTeka and Tocan Solutions are engaged in the development and integration of these platforms. It was determined that cloud technologies in the logistics services market are not completely new information developments, but the demand for them, especially in combination with other technologies (Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, robots, blockchain, Big data, etc.) will only grow in the nearest future.