How can logistics information systems identify areas of need during a disaster?

This will surely help to take proactive actions and moreover an informed actions towards any situation, technology will blend the solution in the simplest way to perform the desired activities

LIS should NOT deal with identifying areas of need during a disaster. As noted in #1 "LIS are computer-based systems that collect, process, and analyze data related to the movement and storage of goods and services." Identifying areas of need during a disaster are role of Command and Operations. The LIS should feed the unfiltered integrate information including shortages to Command, Operations and other ICS organization functions.

Most disaster relief operations depend on push logistics vice demand/ pull logistics. This is simply because many such operations are donation dependent and push the items donated to the disaster area. What is missing is the retail supply thought process based on demands vice pre-packaged/ wholesale logistics materiel. Artificial Intelligence applications can play a major role in disaster relief by assessing what people in the affected area are looking for and building a demand cycle to inform relief organizations so that materiel is moved to the disaster location in accordance with AI generated demand for items of supply.

In logistics, understanding the geographical distribution of warehouses, transportation routes, and affected areas during disasters is crucial. GIS facilitates efficient route planning, optimal facility placement, and real-time monitoring of supply chain components. This spatial awareness enhances the overall responsiveness, accuracy, and effectiveness of logistics operations within LIS, making GIS an imperative component for logistics.

During a disaster or any catastrophe the best way to save lives and make the society stable is to make sure that all the logistics are up and running to their best level and LIS can definitely play a important role for the higher authorities to monitor and plan the smooth working of these logistics.

Barring challenges in connectivity especially during a disaster where lines of communication may be damaged, LISs are used to provide historical logistical data like population sizes and seasonality, which will be used in resource estimates and action mapping. With cloud computing this data can be safe and away from disaster areas yet available to mitigate the effects of disasters

La Gestión de Riesgos y Desastres (GRD), además de la Reducción de Riesgos y Desastres (RRD), necesita de una planificación respecto a ciertas amenazas, lo que, apoyado en Sistemas de Información Geográfica (SIG), una planificación coordinada y sistemática de (eventualmente apoyada con sistemas de simulación), permitirán generar una visión holística, de las eventuales necesidades, ubicaciones de Centros de Distribución y Subcentros de Distribución, además de generar las condiciones de poder establecer los protocolos de entrega de apoyo de forma oportuna, eficaz y eficiente, en un ambiente hostil y lleno de incertidumbre. .

LIS systems is no joke and the fact that it can collaborate in the way of providing information from satellite surveys, field reports, soil surveys and other types of imagery is hugely important to all agencies that respond to a natural disaster. Fire fighters having satellite imagery of where a fire starts, breaks and where the hottest parts of a fire are could help in how the fire is fought and how to get it under control.

In the creation and updating of the LIS, one must also keep in mind the fact that emergencies also seriously affect communication systems. Therefore, keeping the reserve option-backup for use is a solution that should be applied by logistics managers for emergencies.

Simplification of procedures and processes, reaching the right destination, adequate support for the community in need, avoiding overloads and duplications which often seriously affect instead of helping.

Logistics information systems leverage technologies to identify areas of need during a disaster. Through real-time data collection from diverse sources such as sensors, satellites, and field reports, these systems offer a comprehensive overview of the disaster-affected regions. Geospatial analysis aids in mapping the extent of damage, enabling responders to prioritize efforts based on the severity of impact. Predictive analytics incorporated into systems use historical data and patterns to anticipate future requirements, allowing for proactive planning and resource allocation.

The fact that LIS takes in data points from many different sources in order to create reports that tell those who are in charge where to allocate resources and where resources that are needed most need to be sent first. Resource allocation is critical during natural disasters so having a system that integrates different systems to pull together data points to create up to the minute reporting documents of what is needed and where is hugely important.

Depending on the IT services required and how you network is setup, you have options. If using the cloud, you can use options such as geo-redundancy to spread your resources for example east coast and west coast. If one goes down, the other can handle the load until the system is functional again. It will then replicate your data. This is only one option, there are so many more that can be done with the budget, planning, and resources.

Challenges are present, therefore the translation of VUCA principles into benefits, which requires planning by personnel with experience and vision.

Despite their significant advantages, logistics information systems (LIS) encounter several challenges in their implementation and operation. One major challenge is the complexity of integrating diverse data sources and ensuring interoperability among various systems. Achieving seamless communication and collaboration among different stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and emergency responders, can be hindered by incompatible data formats and standards.

Data consolidation from different actors has been a recurrent challenge for the last three decades... If LIS might be useful, it can only be used on the few items or kits with similar or equivalent specifications. Moreover the data needs to be constantly updated as emergency stocks could be mobilised by their organisation. We often end up with 'rubbish in' 'rubbish out' IS. To get and update the right quantities of the right item with the right specification and location is a real challenge. From experience a good and informal networking of the managers from the different actors is often part of the solution. Only a reduced number of standard items could be managed through a inter agency LIS.

After working Emergency Logistics for 2 yrs (MIL) the following is best lessons learned. This is how I managed my Logistics Team. We developed potential scenarios based upon the region/event in which we were deployed and projected necessities based upon that projected scenario. It worked out very well. We hit target in preparation with forward thinking. As such I proved that LIS can, and should, be configured in a way to enable function in different scenarios, support warehousing capabilities of projected necessities, optimize movement w/pre-loading projected supplies, additionally tracking inventory supplies and movement. Review ESF#1 - Transportation Annex, CONOPS, General, Initial Response Activities for a sample of LIS inre transport.

LIS must be checked for the functional aspect of the system's communication with the components, and updated with data, maintained, and above all, the backup option must always be ready for replacement to resolve support requests. The construction of the LIS platform based on the most difficult development scenario in an emergency event, is the permanent cell of providing solutions.

So many ways to improve your systems to maximize uptime and security. - Create a "tested" disaster recovery budget. - Allocate the appropriate IT budget to be dedicated to uptime, cybersecurity, and recovery. - Look into additional cyber security measures such as Managed Detection and Response (MDR), zero-trust, and so many other options. - If you have an internal IT department, ensure they have enough resources and skills to handle anything that comes at them from insider threats, hackers, or unplanned outages.

Improving Logistics Information Systems (LIS) requires addressing multiple aspects to enhance their efficiency, effectiveness, and adaptability. The primary challenge is to achieve interoperability and integration. The focus should be on achieving seamless interoperability and integration with other systems and databases. It is essential to establish standardized data formats and protocols to facilitate communication and collaboration among different stakeholders.

L’optimisation de la cha?ne logistique, permettant notamment l’amélioration du taux de service en magasin ainsi qu’une diminution des niveaux de stock, appara?t comme un enjeu majeur pour les entreprises. Des logiciels informatiques spécialisés permettent d’optimiser les différentes étapes du processus logistique : la prévision des ventes, la synchronisation des données entre les différents services de l’entreprise concourant à la fonction logistique, et enfin la gestion opérationnelle des flux physiques, de la gestion des commandes à la gestion des entrep?ts

The most problematic emergency support is due to unplanned or poorly planned operations plans. In response to these more challenging emergencies, the LIS must be integrated from the start to the end of any emergency operations plans. This LIS must not be prepared and canned for future execution, but learn the changing demand signals and requirements in near real time to track, learn, and build trusted response to evolving emergencies, AI enabled, including the ”what if” scenarios. It must also integrate the entire emergency operations hierarchy to make sure it is supportable and executable at all levels of emergency management.

La mejora de un Sistema de Información Logística implica la adopción de tecnologías avanzadas, la integración de sistemas, la automatización de procesos y la capacitación del personal. La interconexión de tecnologías emergentes y la atención continua a las necesidades del negocio garantizan una gestión logística eficiente, permitiendo a las empresas adaptarse y prosperar en entornos empresariales dinámicos.