Logistics
Logistics is the process of planning, implementing, and controlling the efficient, effective flow and storage of goods, services, and related information from point of origin to point of consumption in order to meet customer requirements.
Put simply, the term logistics refers to the management of the supply chain. It encompasses all aspects of getting a product or service from manufacturer to wholesaler or supplier, from warehousing to retail locations, from vendors to customers. This can include things like transportation, warehousing, and inventory management.
Logistics and supply chain logisticians are essential to any business. Large and small businesses use supply chain management companies to optimize their resources and meet client demand from the point of origin to the point of consumption. The goal of logistics is to ensure that goods are delivered in a cost-effective and timely manner, making maximum use of an organization’s capacity, resources, suppliers, distribution network and infrastructure.
There are many different aspects of logistics that need to be considered, such as transportation, packaging, supplies and stock management, and security. In order to ensure that everything runs smoothly, it is important to have a good logistics plan in place. A well-run logistics department can help a business to be more efficient and profitable.
Logistics management is an essential part of supply chain management. The supply chain is the sequence of activities that takes place from the time a product is ordered until it is delivered to the customer or point of consumption. It includes everything from procurement and production to delivery and service. The goal of supply chain management is to ensure that the right products are delivered to the right place at the right time. This can be accomplished through good logistics planning and execution.
What is Supply Chain Management?
The supply chain is the sequence of activities that takes place from the time a product is ordered until it is delivered to the customer. It includes everything from procurement and production to delivery and service. The goal of supply chain management is to ensure that the right products are delivered to the right place at the right time. This can be accomplished through good logistics planning and execution.
Supply chains form part of the logistics process.
The History of Logistics
The first logistics department was probably established by the ancient Egyptians. They were some of the earliest traders in the world, and they needed a way to efficiently move their products from one place to another. For example, the Egyptians developed a system of transportation that allowed them to move goods quickly and efficiently. They also developed a system of warehouses that allowed them to store their products safely and securely.
The Greeks were also an example of early pioneers in the field of logistics. They developed a system called the “pipeline” that allowed them to move goods from one place to another quickly and efficiently. The pipeline was a network of roads and canals that allowed goods to be transported between cities quickly and easily.
The Romans were some of the first people to use logistics in warfare. They developed a system called the “logistical train” that allowed them to move troops, weapons, and supplies from one place to another quickly and easily. This was a major advantage on the battlefield, and it helped the Romans to conquer much of Europe, providing an example of effcient organization for future military strategists.
Military logistics is the process of planning, organizing, and executing the movement and support of military forces, and forms part of military science. It includes managing resources and the selection of the transportation mode, the military personnel, the determination of the supply schedule, and the coordination of logistics processes.
The military science of logistics is now applied in business logistics and employed by logistics companies around the world to build better supply chain systems.
What are the Three Types of Logistics?
There are three main types of logistics processes: strategic, operational, and tactical.
Strategic logistics is the process of planning and the organization of the overall logistics operation of a business. It includes everything from transportation and warehousing to inventory management and security. Strategic logistics is responsible for ensuring that the right products are delivered to the right place at the right time.
Operational logistics is responsible for implementing the strategic plan and ensuring that it is executed efficiently. It includes all of the day-to-day activities of the logistics department, such as transportation, packaging, inventory management, and order processing.
Tactical logistics is responsible for making sure that the right products are delivered to the right places at the right time. It involves creating delivery schedules and routing orders to the correct locations. Tactical logistics also includes making sure that the necessary resources are in place to meet customer demand.
In order to be successful, a business needs all three types of logistics processes working together harmoniously. The strategic plan provides the overall framework, while the operational and tactical plans help to implement it. By using a well-organized logistics department, a business can improve its efficiency and profitability.
What are the most common logistics solutions?
There are many different logistics processses that a business can use. Some of the most common solutions include:
- Transportation: This includes everything from road transportation to air transportation to maritime transportation.
- Warehousing: This includes both public and private warehouse facilities. It includes warehouses of all sizes and types, including distribution centers, cross-docking facilities, and fulfillment centers.
- Inventory Management: This includes both stocktaking and cycle counting. It also includes the management of receipts, returns, and damaged goods.
- Order Processing: This includes the processing of both purchase orders and sales orders. It also includes the management of backorders and cancellations.
- Packaging: This includes everything from packaging materials to packaging machines. It also includes the design of packaging and the selection of packing materials.
- Labeling: This includes everything from barcodes to shipping labels. It also includes the design and printing of labels.
What is Transportation and How is it Managed?
Transportation is the process of moving goods from one location to another. It includes all forms of transportation, such as road transportation, air transportation, and maritime transportation.
Transportation is managed by the transportation department. This department is responsible for creating delivery schedules, routing orders to the correct locations, and ensuring that the necessary resources are in place to meet customer demand. The transportation department works closely with the logistics department to make sure that the products are delivered to the right places at the right time.
What is Warehousing and How is it Managed?
Warehousing is the process of storing goods in a safe and secure location. It includes the storage of both finished products and raw materials. In order to be successful, storage systems must have three essential elements: space, equipment, and labor.
Space is the most important element for storage. A business must have enough space to store all of its products, and should accommodate future growth.
Equipment is also essential. Warehouse facilities must have the proper equipment to handle the materials and products that are being stored. This includes everything from forklifts to pallet jacks to scales.
Labor is the final element. A warehouse must have enough personnel to handle the day-to-day management and moving products. The employees must be able to operate the equipment and handle the products safely and securely.
A warehouse management system is a technology that helps to manage the stock and materials handling process. It includes features such as order management, inventory management, and shipping management.
What is Inventory Management?
Managing inventory is the process of tracking and monitoring the stock of a business. It includes the identification of the products, the tracking of the product quantities, and the determination of the product status.
In business logistics, this function is controlled by a team of logisticians. The team is responsible for ensuring appropriate stock levels and that the maintenance of stock records is accurate and up-to-date.
An inventory management system is a technology that helps in managing a business’s stock to meet its production and sales requirements.
What is Shipping Management?
Shipping management is the process of planning, organizing, and controlling the shipment of goods from a business. It includes the selection of the transportation mode, the determination of the shipping schedule, and the coordination of logistics processes.
Shipping management is controlled by a team of logistics professionals. This includes shipping managers, logistics planners, and logistics analysts. The team is responsible for ensuring that the shipping operations are running smoothly and efficiently.
The shipping manager is responsible for selecting the transportation mode and the shipping schedule.
What is Order Processing?
Order processing is the management of receiving orders from customers, initiating the order, and shipping the order to the customer. It includes the determination of the order status, the selection of the shipping method, and the coordination of logistics operations.
Order processing is controlled by a team of logistics professionals. This includes order processors, logistics planners, and logistics analysts. The team is responsible for ensuring that order processing operations is running smoothly and efficiently.
What is Outbound Logistics?
Outbound logistics is the process of planning, organizing, and executing the movement of goods from a business. It includes the selection of the transportation mode, the determination of the shipping schedule, and the coordination of the logistics operation.
What is Inbound Logistics?
Inbound logistics is the managing of planning, organizing, and receiving goods into a business. It includes the selection of the transportation mode, the determination of the receiving schedule, and the coordination of the logistics operation.
What do Logistics Companies do?
Logistics companies provide transportation and logistics services to large and small businesses. They offer a variety of services, such as shipping, delivery planning, order processing, inventory management, and reverse logistics, allowing their customers to outsource this responsiblity
Logistics companies work with a variety of organizations, including manufacturers, retailers, and wholesalers. They offer their services to companies in all industries, including the retail, manufacturing, and logistics industries, helping in the planning of moving goods and resources as they flow between manufacturers, suppliers, vendors, retail locations, distribution warehouses and end customers. They help to manage company capacity and infrastructure.
How Do I Become a Qualified Logistician?
The best way to become a qualified logistician is to have a degree in logistics or supply chain management. You can also become a qualified logistician by working in the logistics industry and gaining experience in the field. Some examples of large logistics companies are: FedEx, UPS, and DHL. There are also many logistics companies that work with the government. Some examples of these companies are: Defense Logistics Agency, General Services Administration, and the United States Postal Service. Finally, there are logistics companies that work in the Third-Party logistics industry. Some examples of these companies are: XPO Logistics, and CEVA Logistics.
Related Terms
Related Links
Related Videos
What is Logistics Management? Definition & Importance in Supply Chain | AIMS Lecture
What is LOGISTICS? What does LOGISTICS mean? LOGISTICS meaning, definition & explanation
Types of Logistics
-
What is Logistics Management? Definition & Importance in Supply Chain | AIMS Lecture
-
What is LOGISTICS? What does LOGISTICS mean? LOGISTICS meaning, definition & explanation
-
Types of Logistics