Ram Ramanathan, Yanqing Duan, Elly Philpott and Usha Ramanathan are exploring how Big Data can contribute to creating value in logistics in the form of improved operational efficiency and customer experience, as well as new business models.

Many firms have realised that these data could hold promise to give deeper insights into their customers, partners, and businesses. Big data has enormous value in logistics, and firms are exploiting big data in logistics in different ways.

In this research study, started in April 2014, the team of researchers worked with seven logistics firms (big as well as small) in the UK to assess how they use big data solutions and find examples of best practice.

One of the companies included in the study is National Sameday - a Luton based logistics firm which specialises in airport and "Aircraft On Ground" (AOG) services. Another - Panalpina - is a large company, offering forwarding services, along with logistics support and supply chain management.

Some good examples of big data use have been found in both, however, not all businesses perform this well. According to Ram Ramanathan, Director of BMRI, "there are reasons why companies may not use big data as much. For example, although a company may already appreciate the value of using digital technologies in their business, management is not considering this as a priority."

As the project is nearing completion, the team is planning to organise an event in July 2015 where they will present outcomes of the study. Top performing companies will be invited to present their big data solutions to other logistics companies, therefore sharing best practice.