SCALE - Soft Computing to Accelerate fulfilment & Logistics Efficiency - Bezos and Liverpool University

**商业需求** -在中小企业零售商的推动下，电子商务在零售业中所占的比例正在迅速上升。然而，由于对快速/免费送货的需求不断增加，与电子商务相关的低利润率以及复杂/碎片化的物流系统，中小企业电子商务零售商面临着压力。**创新** -贝索斯为中小企业电子商务零售商开发了一个基于云的履行即服务平台MVP，将物流和履行系统中的现有资产连接起来。为了大幅提高最后一英里的物流效率，贝佐斯将推动一种新的配送方式（将货车、自行车和步行者结合起来），他们称之为“多式联运移动物流中心”。这些中心将提高交付速度，同时降低成本和排放。SCALE项目使Bezos能够与利物浦大学和专家分包商合作，开发一个支持“多式联运移动物流中心”的平台。该平台将结合战略物流配送网络优化、战术物流车队和路线优化，以显著提高配送和最后一英里物流的效率和生产力。**机会** -英国中小企业电子商务物流市场预计到2025年将达到179亿英镑，欧洲市场到2025年将达到384亿英镑。**开发** - SCALE输出（贝索斯原型包括物流配送网络，车队和路线优化）为英国微型中小企业贝索斯提供了能力的阶梯式变化和项目后快速商业化的显着竞争优势，满足了英国的需求并为国际开发提供了机会。

**Business Need** - E-commerce is rapidly increasing as a % of retail, driven by SME retailers. However, SME e-commerce retailers are under pressure due to increasing demand for fast/free delivery, low margins associated with e-commerce and complex/fragmented logistics systems.**Innovation** - Bezos have developed an MVP of a cloud-based Fulfilment-as-a-Service platform for SME e-commerce retailers, connecting existing assets in logistics and fulfilment systems.To dramatically increase last-mile logistics efficiency, Bezos will facilitate a novel form of delivery method (combining vans, bikes and walkers) they term 'multimodal mobile logistics hubs'. These hubs will increase delivery speed, whilst reducing cost and emissions.The SCALE project enables Bezos to collaborate with Liverpool University and expert subcontractors to develop a platform to support 'multimodal mobile logistics hubs'. The platform will combine strategic logistics distribution network optimisation and tactical logistics fleet and route optimisation to significantly increase the efficiency and productivity of fulfilment and last mile logistics.**Opportunity** - UK SME e-commerce Logistics Market forecast at £17.9bn by 2025 and European market worth £38.4bn by 2025\.**Exploitation** - SCALE outputs (Bezos prototype including logistics distribution network, fleet and route optimisation) offer UK Micro-SME Bezos a step-change in capability and significant competitive advantage for rapid commercialisation post-project, meeting UK needs and providing opportunities for international exploitation.