Speaker: Dr. Keith Ulrich, Deutsche Post World Net, Head of Technology & Innovation Management
According to Keith Ulrich, Head of Technology & Innovation Management at Deutsche Post World Net (DPWN), cutting-edge logistics companies are only successful when they can cope with the complexity resulting from continuous change. It is important that the supply chain is both transparent and flexible. “Flexibility means being able to react to events”, explains Ulrich. But, in this respect, companies have to have a realistic understanding of what can be achieved. For that very reason, DPWN established a department for technology and innovation management in 2005. A technology such as RFID is no answer in itself, but the potential it offers does enable companies to react to various demands with new solutions. DPWN also maintains internal and external networks to enable it to operate innovatively and with a focus on the customer. “No innovation is the result of just one company´s work”, explains Ulrich. Knowledge has to be brought in from partners, he adds, as this is the only way to develop customized solutions.
