The goal of this project was to develop and test a framework which
can perform ‘real-worth’ evaluations of e-business and
related emerging technologies for Australian rail businesses. The
framework will provide a systematic approach for identifying
potential risks and identifying a guiding strategy for the
implementation of these emerging technologies. The project aims the
Australian rail industry by identifying types of e-business systems
that are able to:
- Ensure efficient management of supply chains in railways.
- Iimprove services to railway customers to retain current markets
and capture new markets.
- Improve rail’s competitive position as a link in the supply
chain.
The project has effectively been completed. A number of reports
have been written and made available for the rail industry, and
prototype evaluation software has been developed. The specific
benefits of the efficient and effective use of e-business
development in the rail industry include:
- Enhanced decision making including a more realistic risk assessment
of IT projects.
- Lower e-systems' operating costs.
- Better purchasing decisions regarding IT systems.
- Lower costs in the long term.
- Enhanced customer service.
- Higher probability of delivering benefits within estimated time and
costs.
The project was evaluated by STEM Partnerships in 2006 and was
estimated to have the potential to deliver an estimated value of
$1.9 million over 15 years, taking into account risks of delivering
the technology.
Progress to date:
- Research reports completed and available for Rail CRC industry
participants:
- Report 1 – Mapping Information Flows in the Rail Supply Chain
to Determine Stakeholders' e-business requirements (April 2003).
- Report 2 – International Literature Review (July 2003).
- Report 3 – Interviews with SMEs: e-business experience and
opinions (February 2004).
- Report 4 – Industry Surveys: e-business and rail: the
customer perspective (December 2004).
- Report 5 - Seamless supply chain information flows: jumping the
hurdles. Rail data standardisation trends and issues (August 2005).
Future Outcomes:
- Adoption of the project recommendations by the industry
participants.
Project Leader: Professor Luis Ferreira (Queensland University of
Technology)
Project Manager: Mr Kevin Pearse (Queensland Rail)
