Engineering and Technology
| Open Access | An Intelligent Logistics Optimization Model For Cross-Docking Operations To Improve Goods Distribution Efficiency Across E-Commerce Fulfillment Centers
Dr. Nadeesha Perera , Department of Applied Sciences Southern Lanka Institute of Technology Dr. Kavindu Senanayake , Faculty of Computing and Research Eastern Valley UniversityAbstract
The rapid expansion of e-commerce ecosystems has intensified the need for highly responsive logistics systems capable of minimizing delivery delays, inventory costs, and operational inefficiencies. Cross-docking has emerged as a strategic logistics mechanism that reduces warehousing duration by enabling direct transfer of products from inbound transportation to outbound distribution channels. However, increasing order variability, fragmented transportation networks, and fulfillment complexity create significant operational challenges for cross-docking implementation within e-commerce supply chains. This research develops an intelligent logistics optimization model for cross-docking operations aimed at improving goods distribution efficiency across e-commerce fulfillment centers. The study integrates logistics performance theories, data envelopment analysis principles, scheduling optimization approaches, and multimodal transportation coordination models to construct a scalable framework for intelligent distribution management. The research synthesizes previous studies on port logistics, warehouse benchmarking, transportation scheduling, operational efficiency, and supply chain performance to identify critical optimization variables affecting cross-docking performance. The proposed model incorporates dynamic scheduling, real-time routing coordination, dock synchronization, transportation resource allocation, and predictive demand integration. Findings indicate that intelligent cross-docking systems significantly reduce handling time, transportation redundancy, and fulfillment delays while enhancing throughput capacity and supply chain responsiveness. The study further demonstrates that the integration of decision-support systems and efficiency benchmarking methodologies can substantially improve operational resilience in high-volume e-commerce environments. The research contributes theoretically by extending logistics optimization frameworks into digitally integrated fulfillment systems and practically by proposing an operational model suitable for modern e-commerce distribution infrastructures.
Keywords
Cross-docking, logistics optimization, e-commerce fulfillment centers, supply chain efficiency
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