|
December,
2004
e-commerce
Logistics Group
Hong Kong-based
e-commerce Logistics Group (ecL) is a leading third-party
e-logistics service provider covering Greater China. They
provide supply-chain management consultancy, information systems
and physical logistics services.
"We differentiate
ourselves by our customer-centric approach combined with innovative
e-logistics solutions," said Mr. Simon Hsu, Chairman &
CEO. The company's key product is the Warehouse Management
System (WMS), a web-based solution that enhances operational
efficiency and management visibility. WMS incorporates database
management, barcode systems, Palm™ technology and an
open web platform. Developed on a module basis, it offers
users flexibility, real-time operation and interaction. "We
keep on improving it based on our practical experience and
users' opinion," he said.
IDC, an
internationally reputed market intelligence company that focuses
on research studies, gave ecL the overall highest rating in
its 2001 report "The eLogistics Market in Great China: Trends
and Analysis" and the Warehouse Management System for Logistics
Industry developed by ecL won the first place Application
Gold Award in the IT Excellence Awards 2002 and a certificate
of merit in the category "Best of Industrial Applications"
of the "Asia Pacific Information and Communication Technology
Awards (APICTA Awards) 2003" in Bangkok, Thailand.
"Our strengths
include our business agility and the ability to integrate
this with e-commerce," said Mr. Hsu. "We have experience
in general logistics services and IT integration projects
with overseas companies. We are in the logistics business,
but it’s not just about warehousing or transportation.
Our target is to set up a supply chain solution for our clients
in the e-way, hence our use of the term e-commerce logistics".
ecL's
customer base is centred in the Chinese mainland, and customers
include global and regional brands, retailers, distribution
and logistics companies. Among its customers is The Continuity
Company, a provider of marketing solutions and programmes
to major organisations across 50 countries; Pacifique Agencies,
a cosmetics wholesaler that uses ecL's Hong Kong hub to fulfil
its Asian requirements; and Jabil Circuit (Guangzhou) Limited,
an US EMS firm with manufacturing plant in mainland that needs
JIT (just-in-time) 24-hour cross-border supply service. "For
the latter customer, we do all the air cargo receiving here
in Hong Kong, along with collection, cross-docking, and cargo
receipt information update," explains Mr. Hsu. "The customer's
buyer sends out all the pick notes before 6pm, fulfilment
is completed the following morning with cross-border delivery
and a daily turnover of more than 1,000 cartons."
In another
example, ecL collaborated with the Huaxin Group, a trading
company involved in FMCG wholesale market, to develop an e-platform
to support its logistics services to 30,000 clients in the
Pearl River Delta in 2003. "The project involved a total investment
of RMB50 million and will take three years to complete," said
Mr. Hsu. "It was one of 12 key projects announced by the
municipal government of Guangzhou."
The company
has since been expanding its distribution network in Greater
China with self-managed logistics and fulfilment centres already
established in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Beijing,
Wuhan, Shenyang and Chengdu. Customers can store goods in
ecL's warehouses in Hong Kong and request to fulfil orders
in the Chinese mainland.
Mr. Hsu
gives credence to Hong Kong as the ideal logistics hub in
Asia for all global companies. "It has an excellent understanding
of business, IT technology, and an efficient government."
|
