Core principle 1: Connecting physical and digital processes

The BDI allows ‘live’ exchange of operational data, such as information you want as a customs officer about the cargo a driver has just arrived with.     

Operational activities  

The BDI ensures that data important for daily work can be exchanged more easily by organisations that:

• Need to make agreements with others. 
• Need to plan and report work activities to comply with their obligations. 
• Have a public task, such as checking whether actions by others comply with the rules.  

Data is just like electricity

• It is an important resource for performing work. 
• The value of data greatly depends on how quickly it becomes available. 
• Everyone in the system can both produce and consume data. 

IT systems and people

In logistics, data is exchanged by both people and IT systems, so in legal terms, both may represent organisations (legal persons). 

Consequences 

It is important to check whether the people and systems acting on behalf of an organisation are actually authorised. Do they have the right qualifications? Organisations are responsible for the actions of their representatives. These checks need to be fast and smooth considering the specific, often fast timing of logistical data.