What Are Logistics?
Logistics refers to the overall process of managing how resources are acquired, stored, and transported to their final destination. Logistics management involves identifying prospective distributors and suppliers and determining their effectiveness and accessibility. Logistics managers are referred to as logisticians.
"Logistics" was initially a military-based term used in reference to how military personnel obtained, stored, and moved equipment and supplies. The term is now used widely in the business sector, particularly by companies in the manufacturing sectors, to refer to how resources are handled and moved along the supply chain.
Key Takeaways
- Logistics is the overall process of managing how resources are acquired, stored, and transported to their final destination.
- Poor logistics in a business can impact its bottom line.
- Logistics is now used widely in the business sector, particularly by companies in the manufacturing sectors, to refer to how resources are handled and moved along the supply chain.
Understanding Logistics in Management and Business
In simple terms, the goal of logistics management is to have the right amount of a resource or input at the right time, getting it to the appropriate location in proper condition, and delivering it to the correct internal or external customer.
For example, in the natural gas industry, logistics involves managing the pipelines, trucks, storage facilities, and distribution centers that handle oil as it is transformed along the supply chain. An efficient supply chain and effective logistical procedures are essential to reduce costs and to maintain and increase efficiency. Poor logistics lead to untimely deliveries, failure to meet the needs of clientele, and ultimately cause the business to suffer.
The concept of business logistics has been transformed since the 1960s. The increasing intricacy of supplying companies with the materials and resources they need, along with the global expansion of supply chains, has led to a need for specialists known as supply chain logisticians.
In the modern era, the technology boom and the complexity of logistics processes have spawned logistics management software and specialized logistics-focused firms that expedite the movement of resources along the supply chain. One reason large online retailers like Amazon have come to dominate the retail landscape is the overall innovation and efficiency of their logistics along every link of the supply chain.
Manufacturing companies may choose to outsource the management of their logistics to specialists or manage logistics internally if it is cost-effective to do so.
Special Considerations
The tasks for which a logistician is responsible vary depending on the business. Primary responsibilities include overseeing and managing inventory by arranging for appropriate transportation and adequate storage for the inventory.
A qualified logistician plans out the logistics process, coordinates the steps as inventory, and resources move along the supply chain.
Specialized training in supply chain management and logistics are often core or elective courses, or even discrete programs of study, in business education. A business degree that emphasizes these skills—or in some cases, a technical degree in systems analysis or database management—is usually necessary to begin an often well-paid career as a logistician.
FAQs
Logistics: What It Means and How Businesses Use It? ›
Logistics refers to the movement of goods from Point A to Point B, which entails two functions: transportation and warehousing. The overall supply chain is a network of businesses and organizations working in a sequence of processes, including logistics, to produce and distribute goods.
What is logistics and how IT works? ›Logistics refers to the overall process of managing how resources are acquired, stored, and transported to their final destination. Logistics management involves identifying prospective distributors and suppliers and determining their effectiveness and accessibility. Logistics managers are referred to as logisticians.
What is logistics in business example? ›What are examples of logistics? Inventory Management: Tracking the availability of items in a warehouse or store and making sure there is enough stock for customer demand. Transportation Management: Planning and coordinating the movement of goods from one location to another.
What is an example of logistics in real life? ›Planes, trains, cargo ships, and even the 18 wheeler you get stuck behind on your commute to work are all a part of the logistics supply-chain that help deliver the Prime package to your door or your coffee shop's inventory to their store.
What are the 4 major logistic functions? ›- Order processing. Order processing is the process of receiving and filling customer orders for goods or services. ...
- Warehousing. ...
- Inventory management. ...
- Logistical packaging. ...
- Transport. ...
- Monitoring.
Goals of Logistics. There is a temporal and spacial gap between production and consumption. The goal of logistics is to fill in this gap. In the past, the main mission of logistics was to deal with the spatial distance by increasing transportation efficiency and reducing the time to deliver goods.
What are the 7 of logistics? ›So, what are the 7 Rs? The Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport UK (2019) defines them as: Getting the Right product, in the Right quantity, in the Right condition, at the Right place, at the Right time, to the Right customer, at the Right price.
What are the 5 areas of logistics? ›- Storage, warehousing and materials handling.
- Packaging and unitisation.
- Inventory.
- Transport.
- Information and control.
- Minimize Manufacturing Costs.
- Efficient Flow of Operations.
- Better Communication Flow.
- Provides Competitive Edge.
- Better Inventory Management.
- Logistics Management Solution.
Logistics systems are made up of four main activities: purchasing management, inventory management, warehousing management and transportation management. Supply chain management consists of firms collaborating to leverage strategic positioning and to improve operating efficiency.
What are the three primary responsibilities in logistics? ›
More specifically, between the point at which the products or information originated and the final consumption point. Three main directions correspond with the three logistical processes we will focus on today. These are inbound logistics, outbound logistics, and reverse logistics.
What is logistics in one sentence? ›Logistics is the process of planning and executing the efficient transportation and storage of goods from the point of origin to the point of consumption. The goal of logistics is to meet customer requirements in a timely, cost-effective manner.
Is Amazon an example of logistics? ›Amazon Supply Chain is a logistics business morphing into a transportation network. Amazon's expansion into transportation is likely to continue and it's possible Amazon will become the largest transportation provider on Earth.
What is an example of logistic services? ›Logistics services include: Transport from the factory to the fulfillment warehouse. Warehousing and order fulfillment. Outbound shipping and order delivery to customers.
What is logistics in simplest form? ›In its most basic form, logistics refers to the planning and execution of a complex operation. This can include both long and short term logistics operations. Logistics management is part of the supply chain.
What is the difference between supply chain and logistics? ›Supply chain management covers a wide range of activities, including planning, sourcing materials, labor and facilities management, producing and delivering those goods and services. Logistics focuses on the efficient and cost-effective delivery of goods to the customer.
Why is logistics important in modern business? ›In its simplest form, logistics is important because it is needed to supply raw materials, goods and equipment to both the maker and the consumer. The manufacturer isn't a logistician and neither is the consumer; and both need the logistics middle man to deliver what they need.
What are the logistics strategies? ›A logistics strategy is a set of principles, attitudes and driving forces that guide the coordination of plans, goals, and policies between the partners across a supply chain.
How can logistics increase sales? ›- Define a Formal Sales Process. ...
- Start Inbound Marketing. ...
- Update Sales Enablement Resources. ...
- Book Trade Shows (or Other Events) For Lead Capture. ...
- Set Up a Sales Automation Platform. ...
- Differentiate Your Logistics Business Niche.
- logistics elements. ...
- logistics activities. ...
- product support management. ...
- supply support. ...
- packaging, handling, storage, & transportation. ...
- maintenance planning & management. ...
- design interface. ...
- sustaining engineering.
What is the most important thing in logistics? ›
Planning is one of the most important components of Logistics management. It is essential to assuring all elements of the process are coordinated and implemented successfully. It creates systems and processes to achieve timely delivery of products.
What are the two major operations of logistics? ›1.……………………., production control and physical distribution are the three major operations of logistics.
How does logistics affect a business? ›Importance of Logistics
In business, success in logistics translates to increased efficiencies, lower costs, higher production rates, better inventory control, smarter use of warehouse space, increased customer and supplier satisfaction, and an improved customer experience.
Logistics involves the integration of information, transportation, inventory, warehousing, material handling, and packaging, and occasionally security. Logistics is a channel of the supply chain which adds the value of time and place utility.
Why logistics is important in our daily life? ›Efficiency and Speed
Each day, millions of goods travel billions of miles through precise transportation networks in order to reach their final consumers in a timely manner. If not for the rapid and efficient nature of logistics, customers might have to settle for purchasing goods past their prime.
Movement. That's the secret to Walmart's supply chain. We move products to 200 million customers through more than 11,000 stores.
What type of industry is logistics? ›Logistics as an industry includes the sourcing of goods, manufacturing, inventory, handling/sortation, transportation, storage/warehousing, etc. Further, logistics expense lines can include IT, in terms of the exchange of information and data, as well as the cost of security.
What is logistics type of work? ›Logisticians oversee activities that include purchasing, transportation, inventory, and warehousing. They may direct the movement of a range of goods, people, or supplies, from common consumer goods to military supplies and personnel. Logisticians use software systems to plan and track the movement of products.
Which logistics company is the best? ›- #1 CONTAINER CORPORATION.
- #2 BLUE DART EXPRESS.
- #3 GATEWAY DISTRIPARKS.
- #4 AEGIS LOGISTICS.
- #5 ALLCARGO LOGISTIC.
- Inbound transportation.
- Outbound transportation.
- Fleet management.
- Warehousing.
- Materials handling.
- Order fulfillment.
- Inventory management.
- Demand planning.
What are the 7 steps of logistics? ›
So, what are the 7 Rs? The Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport UK (2019) defines them as: Getting the Right product, in the Right quantity, in the Right condition, at the Right place, at the Right time, to the Right customer, at the Right price.
What is logistics in simple term? ›Logistics is the process of planning and executing the efficient transportation and storage of goods from the point of origin to the point of consumption. The goal of logistics is to meet customer requirements in a timely, cost-effective manner.
What is the main function of logistics? ›It involves planning, implementing, and overseeing the effective storage of goods and their transportation from the point of origin until the final destination (the point of consumption). In other words, logistics manages forward and reverse merchandise flows.
What are the 5 P's of logistics? ›This problem is confronted by introducing the concept of the 5 Ps of logistics. This model incorporates the concepts of product, price, place, promotion, and people to allow logistics executives to successfully market logistics value to upper management.
What are the five 5 elements of logistics? ›- Storage, warehousing and materials handling.
- Packaging and unitisation.
- Inventory.
- Transport.
- Information and control.
- Ordering, obtaining, maintaining, and accounting for essential personnel, equipment, and supplies.
- Providing communication planning and resources.
- Setting up food services for responders.
- Setting up and maintaining incident facilities.
- Providing support transportation.
Logistics is all about getting things from point A to point B – safely, securely and on time.
What are key steps in logistics? ›🚚 The logistics process flow typically involves four main steps: planning, procurement, production, inventory, and distribution.
How is logistics done? ›The entire logistics process consists of managing inventory, fulfilling orders, and shipping packages. Inventory management, warehousing, and order fulfillment all play a key role in optimizing logistics operations.