CWI conducts fundamental research that addresses the logistic bottlenecks our modern society in terms of accessibility and mobility. Research results are applied in many practical areas such as information- and communication systems, emergency medical services, call centers, pricing and revenue management systems, and transportation systems.

In collaboration with the GGD Amsterdam, CWI developed for instance mathematical models to optimize the scheduling of ambulance services in the region to achieve the highest possible quality at lowest possible cost. In 2011 CWI started a new research project to further improve the quality and effectiveness of ambulance services in collaboration with  several ambulance service providers including RAV Amsterdam, RAV Gooi & Vechtstreek, RAV Utrecht, GGD Flevoland, Connexxion, CityGIS and RIVM.

CWI plays a central role in a number of national organizations in the area of logistics. Together with TNO-ICT and the University of Twente, CWI co-founded the ICT Innovation Platform (IIP) 'Vital Infrastructures ICT’. CWI collaborates with a large number of partners such as the Dutch Railways, AMC, IKEA, KLM, IBM, Ericsson, Thales, TNO, TU Delft and TU Eindhoven.