Submission to Infrastructure Australia Proposal in support of Collaborative Infrastructure Transport and Logistics Centre (TALC) Dr Daryll Hull September 2008

TALC is a public funded research and policy think tank whose mandate covers the transport and logistics (T&L) industry in Australia The T&L industry is a critical enabler of the entire Australian economy T&L contributes approximately 14.5% of GDP – more than mining and agriculture combined It employs over 1,000,000 people across the country in every region, city and remote location There are over 165,000 organisations /businesses in the industry Average employment is less than 5 people per organisation – this is a sector of small business and diverse operations TALC has created many programmes to assist the industry – go to www.talc.com.au What is TALC and why does it have an interest in infrastructure?

TALC is a public funded research and policy think tank whose mandate covers the transport and logistics (T&L) industry in Australia

The T&L industry is a critical enabler of the entire Australian economy

T&L contributes approximately 14.5% of GDP – more than mining and agriculture combined

It employs over 1,000,000 people across the country in every region, city and remote location

There are over 165,000 organisations /businesses in the industry

Average employment is less than 5 people per organisation – this is a sector of small business and diverse operations

TALC has created many programmes to assist the industry – go to www.talc.com.au

The building of industry capability relies heavily on government intervention in all areas – especially the provision of infrastructure Infrastructure in T&L consists of different categories of assets – physical, digital and collaborative Physical assets comprise three types – economic, social and environmental Digital assets comprise hardware and software Collaborative assets comprise business and networks, clusters and social technologies for connecting people Infrastructure Australia has an obligation to address all three types of assets in T&L in order to build national capability in this most critical sector of the Australian economy What are the dimensions to infrastructure in T&L?

The building of industry capability relies heavily on government intervention in all areas – especially the provision of infrastructure

Infrastructure in T&L consists of different categories of assets – physical, digital and collaborative

Physical assets comprise three types – economic, social and environmental

Digital assets comprise hardware and software

Collaborative assets comprise business and networks, clusters and social technologies for connecting people

Infrastructure Australia has an obligation to address all three types of assets in T&L in order to build national capability in this most critical sector of the Australian economy

Infrastructure typically refers to the technical structures that support a society, such as roads , water supply , wastewater , power grids , flood management systems, communications (internet, phone lines, broadcasting), and so forth. In the past, these systems have typically been owned and managed by local or central governments. These various elements may collectively be termed civil infrastructure, municipal infrastructure, or simply public works , although they may be developed and operated as private-sector or government enterprises. A more generic definition of infrastructure is the network of assets "where the system as a whole is intended to be maintained indefinitely at a specified standard of service by the continuing replacement and refurbishment of its components." [1] In other applications, infrastructure may refer to information technology , informal and formal channels of communication, software development tools, political and social networks , or beliefs held by members of particular groups. Still underlying these more general uses is the concept that infrastructure provides organizing structure and support for the system or organization it serves, whether it is a city , a nation , or a corporation . Economically, infrastructure could be seen to be the structural elements of an economy which allow for production of goods and services without themselves being part of the production process, e.g. roads allow the transport of raw materials and finished products. (1) Association of Local Government Engineers New Zealand: "Infrastructure Asset Management Manual", June 1998 - Edition 1.1 Definition of “infrastructure” from WIKIPEDIA online encyclopaedia

If we accept the previous excerpt from WIKIPEDIA as a working definition, then the notion of infrastructure broadens beyond a physical asset class to include digital, social and community assets In T&L this is logical , as we find ourselves moving into the realm of 3PL and 4PL logistics systems – such systems require strong digital, communications, computing, organisation and management systems to ensure maximum effectiveness of physical assets There is a case to be made that further development of T&L physical infrastructure should be combined with a parallel development of digital and social infrastructure, utilising our latest understanding of collaborative technologies and social systems It is also likely that a combination of public and private capital and skills will be required to make best use of the various technologies and opportunities in T&L The following pages outline the “big picture” in T&L infrastructure T&L – a special case in infrastructure development?

If we accept the previous excerpt from WIKIPEDIA as a working definition, then the notion of infrastructure broadens beyond a physical asset class to include digital, social and community assets

In T&L this is logical , as we find ourselves moving into the realm of 3PL and 4PL logistics systems – such systems require strong digital, communications, computing, organisation and management systems to ensure maximum effectiveness of physical assets

There is a case to be made that further development of T&L physical infrastructure should be combined with a parallel development of digital and social infrastructure, utilising our latest understanding of collaborative technologies and social systems

It is also likely that a combination of public and private capital and skills will be required to make best use of the various technologies and opportunities in T&L

The following pages outline the “big picture” in T&L infrastructure

PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE = PORTS, ROADS, RAIL, WAREHOUSES, CONCRETE, STEEL, STRUCTURES, BUILDING, MOVING, STORING

DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE = BROADBAND, SATELLITES, MOBILE PHONES, COMPUTERS, INTERNET, COMMUNICATION, DATA, ACCESS, OPEN, FAST, EVERYWHERE

COLLABORATIVE INFRASTRUCTURE = COMMUNITIES, NETWORKS, REGIONS, BUSINESS GROUPS, FORUMS, LEARNING, SHARING, CREATING, COMPETING, CONTENT

PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE QUESTIONS: LOCATION? COST? OWNERSHIP? ACCESS? FUNDING? INTEGRATION? MAINTENANCE? USAGE? INVESTMENT? ENVIRONMENT? ENERGY? DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE QUESTIONS: ACCESS? SPEED? BANDWIDTH? TECHNOLOGY? SECURITY? FUNDING? OWNERSHIP? INVESTMENT? INTEGRATION? USAGE? COST? COLLABORATIVE INFRASTRUCTURE QUESTIONS: CONNECTIVITY? COMMUNITY? VALUES? PARTICIPATION? ACCESS? COMPLEXITY? SHARING? SUSTAINING? NETWORKING? COMMONALITY? MEMBERSHIP? EACH ONE LINKS TO THE OTHERS FEEDBACK CONNECTS ALL OF THEM, AND THEY OFTEN INHABIT MORE THAN ONE SPACE AT THE SAME TIME

SIMPLIFIED MATRIX OF ASSET TYPE BY ASSET FUNCTIONALITY ECONOMIC TYPE SOCIAL TYPE ENVIRONMENTAL TYPE PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE ROADS, PORTS, BRIDGES, RAILWAYS, POWER STATIONS, WATER WORKS SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, HOSPITALS, PARKS, COMMUNITY CENTRES WATER, SOIL AND AIR QUALITY ASSETS, DAMS, IRRIGATION SCHEMES DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE BROADBAND, SATELLITES, FIBRE NETWORKS, EXCHANGES, MOBILE DATA TERMINALS, RFID MOBILE PHONES, PERSONAL COMPUTERS, PUBLIC ACCESS TERMINALS SATELLITE MAPPING AND MONITORING SYSTEMS, REMOTE SENSING SYSTEMS COLLABORATIVE INFRASTRUCTURE ONLINE FREIGHT MATCHING, VIRTUAL CONTAINER PARKS, WEB 2.0 PORTALS COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE, RESEARCH ASSOCIATIONS, INDUSTRY FORUMS EMISSIONS TRADING SCHEMES, ENVIROMENTAL WEB GATEWAYS

Collaborative infrastructure – why bother? Reach – by its nature (virtual and social) collaborative infrastructure can provide maximum reach across the chosen community. It is limited only by access to the Internet, formation of communities of interest and general access via membership. In theory as well as practice a good piece of collaborative infrastructure can reach 100% of a selected audience Results – collaborative infrastructure builds shared ownership of ideas and assets. It constitutes a powerful mechanism for implantation of strategy and programmes because it builds support as it goes Resources – this class of infrastructure asset is not capital intensive. Once it is set up the operating costs are spread across the community of interest. Maintenance costs are limited to the software architecture and ICT technologies utilised in the asset Risk - failure of a collaborative asset is easily accommodated through “switching off” the asset, and if necessary reconstituting it under another banner or group

Reach – by its nature (virtual and social) collaborative infrastructure can provide maximum reach across the chosen community. It is limited only by access to the Internet, formation of communities of interest and general access via membership. In theory as well as practice a good piece of collaborative infrastructure can reach 100% of a selected audience

Results – collaborative infrastructure builds shared ownership of ideas and assets. It constitutes a powerful mechanism for implantation of strategy and programmes because it builds support as it goes

Resources – this class of infrastructure asset is not capital intensive. Once it is set up the operating costs are spread across the community of interest. Maintenance costs are limited to the software architecture and ICT technologies utilised in the asset

Risk - failure of a collaborative asset is easily accommodated through “switching off” the asset, and if necessary reconstituting it under another banner or group

Collaborative infrastructure – value for money? relatively low set up costs enhances digital and physical assets minimal labour costs minimal operating costs low maintenance maximum reach for any given audience able to create community ownership of asset and ideas low risk supports regional development supports small business creates new business services in Web 2.0 applications scalable flexible possibility of open access possibility of open standards

relatively low set up costs

enhances digital and physical assets

minimal labour costs

minimal operating costs

low maintenance

maximum reach for any given audience

able to create community ownership of asset and ideas

low risk

supports regional development

supports small business

creates new business services in Web 2.0 applications

scalable

flexible

possibility of open access

possibility of open standards

TALC offers TILIS ® as an example of national Collaborative Infrastructure TILIS ® stands for T otally I ntelligent L ogistics I nquiry S ervice TILIS® was developed by TALC over three years and is now available to industry TILIS ® establishes a national transport and logistics (T&L) industry web gateway TILIS ® is a piece of shared digital infrastructure focused on the T&L industry, designed to provide high levels of interconnection between many users and providers of useful information, business services, industry knowledge and new ideas TILIS ® is demonstrated at www.tilis.com.au

TILIS ® stands for T otally I ntelligent L ogistics I nquiry S ervice

TILIS® was developed by TALC over three years and is now available to industry

TILIS ® establishes a national transport and logistics (T&L) industry web gateway

TILIS ® is a piece of shared digital infrastructure focused on the T&L industry, designed to provide high levels of interconnection between many users and providers of useful information, business services, industry knowledge and new ideas

TILIS ® is demonstrated at www.tilis.com.au

TILIS ® is hard to grasp Most people don’t care about the intricacies of computing and communications care about infrastructure (especially if it is virtual!) want to deal with the complexity want to have to understand it but they do want someone to ‘build’ it for them it to work for them access when they want, how they want

Most people don’t

care about the intricacies of computing and communications

care about infrastructure (especially if it is virtual!)

want to deal with the complexity

want to have to understand it

but they do want

someone to ‘build’ it for them

it to work for them

access when they want, how they want

So let’s think in physical terms Think about a shipping port, airport, or similar, they : are major investments in infrastructure and networks are common capabilities everyone can use thus increasing their activities stimulate volume activity, thus cost reduction and value are positively affected (Moore Principle) connect local with global are solutions driven by social and business needs, not the technology solutions that underpin their operation encourage use of scalable, reliable existing technology use standards to maximise connection and efficiencies connect multiple supply chains seamlessly (THIS PROBABLY SOUNDS FAMILIAR)

Think about a shipping port, airport, or similar, they :

are major investments in infrastructure and networks

are common capabilities everyone can use thus increasing their activities

stimulate volume activity, thus cost reduction and value are positively affected (Moore Principle)

connect local with global

are solutions driven by social and business needs, not the technology solutions that underpin their operation

encourage use of scalable, reliable existing technology

use standards to maximise connection and efficiencies

connect multiple supply chains seamlessly

(THIS PROBABLY SOUNDS FAMILIAR)

Now think of TILIS ® as a digital port In the digital space you can build infrastructure fast, once and anyone, anywhere can use it There is no current national digital port for the T&L industry TILIS ® takes for form and shape of the desired industry application. It can be an education and training portal, a business exchange, a publishing/news portal or a simple discovery tool TILIS ® can work to connect many groups simultaneously across the web, or it can act as an enterprise system working within the business to connect individuals who need to share knowledge e.g. HR professionals

In the digital space you can build infrastructure fast, once and anyone, anywhere can use it

There is no current national digital port for the T&L industry

TILIS ® takes for form and shape of the desired industry application. It can be an education and training portal, a business exchange, a publishing/news portal or a simple discovery tool

TILIS ® can work to connect many groups simultaneously across the web, or it can act as an enterprise system working within the business to connect individuals who need to share knowledge e.g. HR professionals

TILIS ® as a digital “port” Like a physical port TILIS ® is a digital solution that can provide: A gateway that is both a map and single access point to the T&L industry Infrastructure able to be configured to users needs and preferences National network hub connecting and adding volume to local Web sites and services in the T&L or other industries Network able to transition only one-to-one business supply chains to the new many-to-many global marketplaces Shared infrastructure capability for everyone in the industry, public or private can leverage to reduce their operational expenditure while maximising value Benchmark standards for connections, content and knowledge sharing

Like a physical port TILIS ® is a digital solution that can provide:

A gateway that is both a map and single access point to the T&L industry

Infrastructure able to be configured to users needs and preferences

National network hub connecting and adding volume to local Web sites and services in the T&L or other industries

Network able to transition only one-to-one business supply chains to the new many-to-many global marketplaces

Shared infrastructure capability for everyone in the industry, public or private can leverage to reduce their operational expenditure while maximising value

Benchmark standards for connections, content and knowledge sharing

TILIS ® maps the industry TILIS ® is: An ATLAS = A view of the transport and logistics industry based on your needs and preferences A MAP = A repository of destinations and data A GPS = A registry that allows you to discover where you are and search for digital information that helps you get where you need to go By being virtual TILIS is more dynamic and able to be oriented to the user needs and preferences. This differentiates it from a mere website, which is a static and limited information source

TILIS ® is:

An ATLAS = A view of the transport and logistics industry based on your needs and preferences

A MAP = A repository of destinations and data

A GPS = A registry that allows you to discover where you are and search for digital information that helps you get where you need to go

By being virtual TILIS is more dynamic and able to be oriented to the user needs and preferences. This differentiates it from a mere website, which is a static and limited information source

TILIS ® removes noise and can be configured to your needs

TILIS ® connects and adds volume to existing networks Open Access Commercial/ Marketplace Universal Individual Mega-Portal (e.g. Google) B2B/Trading Portal Government Portal TILIS Industry

TILIS ® moves beyond the one to many marketplace One provider to multiple users with a complex array of expensive assets that require massive, duplicated capital investment

TILIS ® enables the many to many marketplace Many users connecting once, with reducing and sharing infrastructure to address: Interoperation Metadata Classification Search Discovery Identity management Access rights Reuse Digital rights

Many users connecting once, with reducing and sharing infrastructure to address:

Interoperation

Metadata

Classification

Search

Discovery

Identity management

Access rights

Reuse

Digital rights

TILIS ® can be the first of many TILIS ® will be the first iteration of a ‘industry-side’ digital infrastructure providing shared, mostly open source solutions for: User-oriented Web and portal design (W3C and national standards will be applied) Discovery and access to content by implementing the C ontent O bject R epository D iscovery and R egistration A rchitecture model (provides the first global standard for linking any content repository to any user based on the content owner’s permissions) Access management and identity management solutions Learning and technical object exchange through application of ADL Sharable C ontent O bject R eference M odel and E uropean A ssociation of A erospace I ndustries S1000D

TILIS ® will be the first iteration of a ‘industry-side’ digital infrastructure providing shared, mostly open source solutions for:

User-oriented Web and portal design (W3C and national standards will be applied)

Discovery and access to content by implementing the C ontent O bject R epository D iscovery and R egistration A rchitecture model (provides the first global standard for linking any content repository to any user based on the content owner’s permissions)

Access management and identity management solutions

Learning and technical object exchange through application of ADL Sharable C ontent O bject R eference M odel and E uropean A ssociation of A erospace I ndustries S1000D

TILIS® uses global standards Singapore IMS Asia PROMETEUS CEN/ISSS ISO/IEC JTC1 SC36 ARIADNE ALIC & AEN Dublin Core AICC API and CMI data model based on the AICC CMI document and widespread SCORM usage are now approved IEEE standards. LOM (metadata) is an approved IEEE standard. CETIS/JISC eLIG From Dan Rehak (2005) ADL Update SCORM 2004 and CORDRA

Technical view of TILIS ® FMS = freight matching service LMS = learning Management System CMS = Content Management System LINC = South Australian Logistics Information Navigation Centre Portfolio HRIS Tradegate Intermodal Terminal META DATA and Web Services Synergistic Layer Tools/Objects and Services Integration Layer CORDRA, QTI etc Core Business Systems User Interface Interpretive Layer Snap-in Interoperable protocol TILIS LINC TOOLS CMS LMS FMS

TILIS ® gateway and content providers

National TILIS ® (APPLICATION) EXAMPLE: integrate TILIS ® CORDRA iteration with national education infrastructure Public Individual gateway interfaces (client “windows”) User data (Administration) Portfolios LMS Competency University TAFE T&L company Associations TILIS clients Search Document library gateway Applications (“services”) Individuals Organisation Content providers … … Resources … CORDRA interface TILIS Identifiers Content Exchange (shared repository) University TAFE Transport company Assoc. National services CORDRA Registry Access and Identifier infrastructure Infrastructure services Content Content

TILIS ® can become part of an Federated national or State solution After Dan Rehak ADL Update SCORM 2004 and CORDRA , Nov 2005

The TILIS pilot was completed in June 2007

TILIS ® . Totally. The first of many: Mining Health Water Manufacturing Tourism Energy the list is long! A federated Web 2.0 gateway project