A comprehensive evaluation approach for key clients of the third party logistics based on the extension theory

To evaluate key clients comprehensively and objectively, a general comprehensive evaluation system of key clients is defined based on the analysis of the third party logistics enterprises. Then a formalized expression and basic element model of key client comprehensive evaluation problem is given. Furthermore, a key client comprehensive evaluation approach based on extension theory is presented. It adopts the optimal degree evaluation approach from the extension theory, which extends cantor set theory and fuzzy set theory in the semantics. The extension theory based comprehensive evaluation approach consists of three main steps. Firstly we need to determine the measuring weights using the AHP method; Secondly, we need to establish the dependent function, and calculate the qualification degree of each client using this formula, also we should normalize it. Thirdly, we calculate the optimal degree to evaluate the clients. The client with the highest optimal degree is the most important client for enterprise. This approach is implemented as computer program and integrated into the third party logistics intelligent information platform. Results show that the key client comprehensive evaluation approach is effective and efficient.