Providers ARC Advisory Group, Dedham, Mass., announced that a study to be published later this month will detail a logistics service provider maturity model to help 3PLs (3rd Party Logistics Providers) benchmark themselves

against competitors and help their customers evaluate different providers. The model defines levels of maturity across a variety of attributes including technology, industry focus and diversification and brand management.
Adrian Gonzalez, Director of ARC's Logistics Executive Council is the author of the study which is titled Strategic Guide for Logistics Service Providers: Industry Trends, Provider Profiles, and Maturity Model. "This study is a cost-effective way for anyone interested in the Logistics Service Provider market to access and leverage the wealth of intellectual property we've collected the past few years via various consulting and research projects. It fills in the gaps left unaddressed by other reports, such as providing an in-depth analysis of IT trends and software vendors relative to the LSP industry," Gonzalez said.
According to ARC, the study was initiated at the request of clients, including manufacturers, retailers, software vendors, and logistics service providers. Among the questions they had are:
* What are the key trends and issues facing the industry and how are service providers responding?
* What is the role of technology and how is the landscape changing? Which software vendors are best positioned to service this industry?
* What differentiates one service provider from another? Who are the industry leaders by vertical industry, type of service or geographic region?
* How can a 3PL benchmark itself against the competition? What are the key attributes clients must consider when assessing service providers?
For more information, call 781-471-1000 or go to www.arcweb.com.