Possible changes in logistic chain relationships due to Internet developments

For many years electronic data interchange (EDI) was considered as costly but excellent for quick and safe exchange of trade information in freight transport operations. Today Internet settlement suggests different business possibilities, in many ways complementary to EDI. For the last couple of years, we can observe that the Internet is becoming a pervasive technique. Large transport firms now have a presence on the WEB, and propose direct services through this medium. Also most of them use Intranet for their electronic links between their main trade partners. Individuals already apply to the Internet for electronic commerce. However a problem still remains: the gap due to the small and medium-sized enterprises which are numerous along the logistic chain. In this paper, we will first explain the gap in the IT use by small transport firms, secondly we will present the use of information technologies in the transport logistics field. Then we will present the new way of intermediation in the transport and logistics and we will finish by discussing how the role of these concerns would be modified by Internet/Intranet.