MSI

Mobile stationary interface, MSI, aims to facilitate the exchange of information between mobile and stationary systems within or between transportoriented organizations. The standardization effort is based on collaborative studies performed by the Viktoria Institute and leading industry actors within the research project "Value creating IT for road haulage firms".

Background

To perform, administrate, and analyze activities, transport organizations increasingly utilize a host of information technology. A central problem for user organizations was the way in which mobile and stationary systems are assembled and used. Organizations viewed themselves as locked in to specific vendors through the strictly proprietary interfaces offered. Problems surfaced in organizations seeking functionality not present in neither stationary nor mobile systems avialable. Developing such functionality inhouse or through a third party was mostly seen as too costly and risky. The multitude of systems also obstructed the ongoing restructuring of the industry where multiple organizations increasingly cooperate to offer more complex logistics covering larger geographical distances. Systems were designed for a single organization and mobile resources could not be administered across organizational boundaries. Rapid responses to peaks in demand is commonplace in the transport industry and often involves temporary utilization of external mobile resources during critical periods. These could not be effectively administered, and as a consquence profitability suffered.

Solution

Departing from current practice, a number of proprietary interfaces utilized by individual vendors were studied. These were found coupled to the specific capabilities and limitations of the system they were designed for. To simplify changes, interorganizational cooperation and development of innovative services between the mobile and stationary areas, a common interface development was initiated. Throughout the development process, existing solutions were taken into account in order to facilitate use and diffusion. The result should be close to existing practice, while at the same time facilitating future innovation. A central concern was how the collaboration would play out since a mobile unit is a recipient of assignment related data from stationary systems, while simultaneously producing cost related data such as the amount of fuel consumed and working hours.

Development

A first MSI prototype was essentially a synthesis of existing proprietary interfaces. The prototype was largely seen as adequately fullfilling the demands of cloeseness to existing technology and innovation opportunity. From here, MSI has been refined with a continous consultation of all involved parties. This process has resulted in an interface with a content accepted of all member organizations. At the moment, MSI is undergoing a series of field trials in a number of user organizations.