Overview of Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP)

Logistics has been given special focus in the last few years, and many measures in terms of hard and soft infrastructure have been taken to improve the logistics scenario of India. However, an integrated view of the Indian logistics value chain is necessary and a unified system by the interconnection of the IT systems of various union ministries, state departments, governing bodies, and private service providers is required.

Additionally, for stakeholders to receive logistics-related services, visibility, authorizations, and certifications of the cargo seamlessly, all IT systems need to be interconnected. Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP) is designed to enhance efficiency and reduce the cost of logistics in India by creating a transparent, one window platform that can provide real-time information to all stakeholders. It was also emphasized that the solution should have the visibility of multi-modal transport, and all the existing systems of various ministries, governing bodies, and private stakeholders should be integrated with the ULIP system.

There are three key components which are defining the ULIP platform:

  • Integration with existing data sources of ministries: As authorization, compliance and clearance are some of the critical activities of Logistics; the integration with data points of ministries shall enable a holistic view and interlink the handshaking points.
  • Data exchange with private players: To enable the private players, logistics service providers, and industries to utilize the data available with ULIP and at the same time share their data (transportation, dispatch, delivery, etc.) with ULIP, thereby streamlining the processes to bring better efficiency through data exchange.
  • Unified document reference in the supply chain: To enable a single digitized document reference number for all the documentation processes in a single platform.

ULIP shall enable start-ups and private organizations to build the presentation layer, encompassing various use-cases to serve the service, trade and logistics service providers.

About the LogiXtics Hackathon

India's Logistics landscape and challenges:

India incurs one of the highest logistics costs as a percentage of GDP in comparison to developed countries like the U.S. and Germany - where it is only 8 percent to 9 percent while it is 14% in India. Reduction of logistics cost to 9% can save up to 50 billion USD.

Transportation Issues

  • Transportation covers almost 1/3rd of the logistics expenses.
  • Expensive tariffs
  • Poor road infrastructure, multiple checkpoints, and congestion

Tax Structure and Warehousing Problems

  • The complicated tax regime
  • Multiple State and Center taxes lead to considerable loss of time in transit on roads.
  • Poor state of warehousing and their restricting locations
  • Fragmented and inadequate storage facilities

Customer Services

  • Lack of clarity on tracking/locating goods
  • Customers expect quick delivery without incurring extra cost

Driver Shortage & Retention

  • Lack of quality drivers
  • Poor condition of trucks/highways/roads
  • Driver comfort
  • Lack of tech literacy among drivers
  • Theft and material security

Port Sector Issues

  • High turnaround time for ships
  • Overcrowded berths
  • Delay in cargo evacuation unloaded at berths
  • Coastal shipping gets hampered due to the weak land side and port facilities
  • Insufficient depth at ports discourage large vessels
  • High freight costs
  • Inadequate infrastructure
  • Poor hinterland connectivity through rail, road and highways
  • Information exchange among trade and operational partners is limited

Technological and Skill Deterrents

  • Acceptance and adoption of technological advancements like IoT, Big data analytics, RFID, tracking, warehouse management system, etc.
  • Poor visibility and transparency in operations
  • Lack of quality workforce in this sector

Government Regulations

  • Significant compliance regulations imposed by Government of state and other authorities

The proposed Hackathon will be a competitive event where participants can get to showcase their strategic, coding and domain skills on a national-level platform to solve the above mentioned existing logistics industry issues by:

  • Ideating innovative ideas to bring transparency and visibility by automating, optimizing, and cross-utilizing India's logistics resources/systems.
  • Developing solution/product by leveraging the logistics-related data available with various Govt. systems which would enable operational efficiency, process optimization, reduce lead time, reduce congestion and informed decision making through effective handshaking and real time information system.
  • Contributing to India's Ease of Doing Business and Logistics Performance Index (LPI).

The applicants may apply by registering on the LogiXtics Challenge site. On successful registration, the applicant will receive a confirmation mail. The applicant may then login and complete the application form.

Various Stages of Hackathon

Ideation stage

In the Ideation stage, applications will share use-cases on ULIP platforms which will help to reduce logistics cost in India. This shortlisting of applications would be done on the below parameters:

  • Understanding of the problem statement
  • Flow, format, and presentation of their solution pitched
  • Value brought by their solution/idea/enterprise for Indian Logistics
  • Role of their solution in enhancing LPI and EoDB
  • Benefits to trade and citizens like cost optimization, logistics movement, etc

For an entity to be considered, they must fulfil the terms and conditions of the Challenge.

The use-cases should be submitted across the following categories:

  • Compliance/regulatory
  • Multimodal
  • EXIM Process
  • Air
  • Rail
  • Road
  • Waterways/sea-ways
  • E-commerce
  • Cold store/warehouse

Details of datasets available on the platform can be found here.

Evaluation criteria for the ideation stage can be found here.

Prototype stage

The shortlisted applications in the idea phase will be invited to build a functioning prototype based on their shortlisted Idea. This will be a virtual event. Access to APIs from the ULIP platform will be provided by the applicants for the development of the prototype.

Based on the ideas submited in the ideation phase, applications will be shortlisted for the prototype stage. The shortlisted applications will be invited to build a functional prototype on the submitted idea. This will be a virtual event. Access to APIs from the ULIP platform will be provided by the applicants for the development of the prototype.

Applicants would have to sign NDA document to get access to APIs.

NLDS will provide the support for the development of the prototype. Details of datasets available on the platform can be found here

Evaluation criteria for the prototype stage can be found here.

In this stage, a total of 3 participants will be award with prize money.

Timelines

Task Dates
Launch of the challenge 16th December 2021
Close of Idea Submission Stage 25th January 2022
Results of Ideation Stage 4th February 2022
Close of Prototype Stage 25th March 2022
Results of Prototype Stage 12th April 2022
Award Ceremony 18th April 2022

Collaboration and Event Management for Hackathon Event

About NLDS

NLDS was formed with the objective of effectively leveraging ICT across the Indian Logistics Sector, inculcate best practices across processes, and work towards bringing in efficiency in the supply chain. The company aims to bring visibility and transparency in the logistics environment through container tracking, monthly performance analytics & performance benchmarking services and assist in the Government's plan of improving the Ease of Doing Business in India. The objective is to provide the Export-Import Container visibility service pan India and comparative performance metrics for all Logistics Container Operators to enable the users to make informed decisions for bringing about greater efficiencies in their operations. The company's flagship product, "Logistics Data Bank System (LDB System)," is an overarching solution that integrates the information available with various agencies across the supply chain to provide detailed real-time information within a single window.