Strengthening Supply Security in Future Economic Crises: Towards ICT-based Solutions for Distribution Problems

The multiple, complex geopolitical and economic crises of recent years, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and gas shortages resulting from the Russian invasion of Ukraine highlight the need for national governments to address shortages of critical goods and services. This includes developing systems for their equitable allocation to specific population groups. Traditional ration coupon systems, such as post-World War II `food stamps' proved to be inflexible and incompatible with demands of a modern information society. The Austrian research project `e-Panini', a collaboration between public administration, federal states, interest groups, academia, and corporate partners, seeks to establish the necessary technical, legislative, societal, and organizational prerequisites for a modern ration coupon system leveraging information and communication technology (ICT). The proposed system enables continuous supply-side coordination of food, hygiene products, medicines, and other critical everyday goods. Its architecture integrates inventory management systems of major distributors, including grocery retailers, drugstores, and pharmacies to provide data on the spatial availability of these goods. The e-Panini system offers a differentiated and inclusive understanding of population needs, accounting for factors such as age, gender, occupation, health intolerances, and cultural or personal dietary preferences. By incorporating daily calorie requirements and other specific needs, it ensures a tailored and equitable approach to resource allocation. For end users, a mobile application-based system is envisioned to simplify deployment and enhance acceptance. To accommodate less tech-savvy individuals and ensure functionality during blackouts, alternative analogue participation options are included. While ICT integration significantly enhances system flexibility, it also introduces challenges, such as data protection, blackout resilience, pre-configuration for high-capacity demands, and offline operation with subsequent data synchronization. This article presents a conceptual architecture model for an ICT-based ration coupon system, addressing its content and technical challenges. It also explores potential solutions to ensure secure, efficient, and inclusive operation under various crisis scenarios.