Digital Transformation for Smart Logistics under the Impact of 5G and IoT Technologies

Dear Colleagues,

The increasing needs and requirements of modern logistics, in terms of quality, transparency, and responsiveness, are bringing complexity to logistics management, engaging the actors involved in the logistics sector in great challenges to maintain their market share. To keep pace with the increasing requirements coming from the market, logistics operators need to collect and analyse large amounts of data, mostly in real-time, to make decisions, forecast future needs and scenarios, and optimize operations. To do this effectively, it is necessary to develop a highly responsive network with high data speeds, reduced latency, and reliability. The 5G networks have the potential to act as the main channel through which data and information can be shared among the different logistics actors, and IoT sensors are the main source of information from the logistics ecosystem (infrastructures, vehicles, production plants, warehouses, etc.).

Even if IoT sensors and 5G networks are mature technologies, there is the need to develop legacy systems in order to increase the market acceptance of the innovative solutions. In particular, the main issues to consider for the market adoption of 5G and IoT-based solutions are related to data security and confidentiality, data property, and certification of the data provided by the IoT sensors (in order to build trust with the different actors in the logistics chain).

Moreover, there is the need to develop collaborative business models to highlight the potential benefits brought on by information sharing between different actors, and in some cases, actual competitors in the same market.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Analysis of the current state-of-the-art 5G and IoT-based technologies and applications;
• Case studies related to industrial applications of innovative solutions based on 5G and IoT technologies;
• Assessment of the current level of knowledge and application of innovative technologies in industrial contexts;
• Development of collaborative business models based on the application of innovative technologies.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Stefano Musso
Prof. Dr. Guido Perboli
Guest Editors

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• smart logistics
• digital transformation
• collaborative business models