Data are reliably collected, even when communication networks are unreliable. Mobile data entry, optical character recognition (OCR), and deeply integrated Internet of Things (IoT) offer a choice of data capture methods. Redundant transmission channels – including wireless networks (i.e. WiFi, mobile Internet), asynchronous SMS with failover capability, and offline store-and-forward – ensure all captured information always make it back to the cloud, where delayed or out-of-sequence data are skillfully sorted.

Data collection, forecasting, optimization and analytic summarization services are all enabled with Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms. For instance, computer vision eases data collection, and machine learning offers relevant analytics to specific users. Not only does the platform simplify and automate, it coordinates and nudges actors to make better decisions.

Adopting a powerful multi-tenant abstraction, Logistimo supports value chain networks spanning across multiple personnel, supply chain verticals, facility echelons, organizations and administrative domains – each with unique sets of controls and customized workflows.  A network graph with millions of nodes and thousands of superimposed domains on the graph can be easily defined and managed by users.

Logistimo’s big data platform is built on Apache Spark and can concurrently process millions of records to compute aggregate and derived metrics across multiple dimensions. This enables reports that are instantly accessible with multiple filters. The platform offers an easy way to encode the ETL (Extract-Transform-Load) process, and continuously monitors data quality.

The platform’s micro-services architecture enables highly scalable and reusable services.  Services can be composed to create higher-order services, thereby affording rapid development and deployment, despite complexity.  Each micro-service manages its own data, and can be independently upgraded. The platform offers a common set of micro-services and data that can be leveraged across applications, including a locations service, conversations service, “social networking” services, and several more.

Parameterized workflows allow straightforward configuration of management rules around inventory, orders, assets, events and other process flows.  The platform even offers tools to propagate configurations to relevant domains as the network is modeled.

Logistimo supports integration using standard web Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) over secure communication channels. Applications can certify with the platform using Basic- or Token-based authentication, and all data can be accessed using REST APIs over secure HTTPS.  Bulk data operations are also made possible via API using CSV uploads/downloads.

The entire platform is built on open standards including HTML, JavaScript, CSS, HTTPS, JSON, etc.  The system is comprised of multiple open source software components including Apache Tomcat, MariaDB, ActiveMQ, Redis, Hadoop, Apache Spark, Cassandra, and MongoDB.  Logistimo source code is open sourced under the GNU APGL v3 license, and can be independently compiled and deployed, in any data centre.

Logistimo’s suite of applications are containerized using Docker; while deployment, scaling and management of these containers are handled with Kubernetes.  The platform is therefore portable and self-healing – requiring lower human intervention and cost. The platform is agnostic to cloud provider and data centre architecture, and is therefore deployed easily on both public clouds and privately-managed data centres alike.

The platform can be scaled horizontally or vertically – seamlessly handling thousands of concurrent end-points, billions of records, and terabytes-upon-terabytes of data.  Each micro-service is independently scalable, and deployed typically in a high-availability environment to ensure continuity of operations and responsive user experiences.

The platform offers enterprise-grade security at application and data centre levels.  All data transmitted over-the-wire from are protected using Secure Socket Layer (SSL) with strong encryption. Users are authenticated, with mechanisms to detect illegal/unauthorized or repeated access, and permissions are granted based on roles and configured privileges.  Sensitive information in the database(s) are encrypted.  Strong architecture and protocols ensure infrastructure and network security at the data centre – including firewalls, security groups, and other aspects protect clients and their users.