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Logistics And Distribution

Logistics And Distribution
Logistics And Distribution

The process of organizing and carrying out the effective storage and movement of commodities from the point of origin to the point of consumption is known as logistics.

 Providing timely and cost-effective client service is the aim of logistics.
Moving military troops, supplies, and equipment was a crucial function originally performed by logistics. Despite its continued importance in the military, logistics is now more frequently used to refer to the movement of commercial items along the supply chain.

Many businesses that specialize in logistics offer the service to producers, merchants, and other industries with significant transportation needs. Some people own the entire infrastructure, including everything from trucks to warehouses to software and jet planes, while others are experts in only one or two areas. Several well-known logistics companies include FedEx, UPS, and DHL.

Large manufacturers or retailers typically own the majority of their logistics network. But most businesses delegate the task to outside logistics organizations (3PLs).


Functions of logistics:-

The two main tasks of logistics are transportation and warehousing.
Planning, maximizing, and carrying out the utilization of vehicles to transport items between warehouses, retail establishments, and clients are the main objectives of transportation management. Ocean, air, rail, and road modes of transportation are all possible.

It should come as no surprise that transportation management is a difficult process that entails route and shipment optimization, order administration, freight auditing, and payment. It can also include yard management, which regulates how cars are moved about the yards outside of factories, storage facilities, and distribution centers. Since the cost, availability, and capacity of transportation carriers can vary greatly, carrier management is a crucial component.

To help satisfy the demands of transportation-related logistics, logistics organizations frequently use transportation management system (TMS) software. There are specialized uses as well, such as yard management programs.

Inventory control and order fulfillment are two examples of tasks included in warehousing or warehouse management. Additionally, it entails overseeing warehouse operations and infrastructure, such as in fulfillment centers where product orders are collected, processed and delivered (shipped to the customer). 

The majority of businesses utilize warehouse management system (WMS) software to control the movement, storage, and tracking of inventory. The majority of enterprise resource planning (ERP) software providers provide TMS and WMS modules in addition to more specialized parts for logistics tasks like inventory management.

Since the documentation necessary to demonstrate compliance with governmental requirements frequently needs to be completed where commodities cross international borders or enter shipping ports, customs management, also known as global commerce management, is frequently regarded as a component of logistics.

Future logistics operations will be significantly impacted by artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous vehicle technology. To more accurately track parcels and anticipate transport-related issues in the supply chain, some logistics firms already employ AI.

In the meanwhile, it's conceivable that driverless forklifts, delivery trucks, and drones will become increasingly prevalent in warehouses, warehouse yards, and highways.


Why logistics is important:-

Despite the fact that timely, undamaged package delivery has always been crucial for the whole supply chain, it has recently become even more crucial as omnichannel commerce—with its same-day home or retail delivery of personalized goods ordered from smartphones—becomes more popular.

To meet the need for faster, more convenient delivery of a greater variety of goods, suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers have had to enhance their logistical procedures. To increase supply chain visibility, they also had to better connect their processes and systems.

Difference between logistics and supply chain management

An essential element of supply chain management is logistics management (SCM). Although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, logistics is the study of how best to move goods and materials. The activities of supply chain planning (SCP), including demand planning and sales and operations planning (S&OP), are much more broadly covered by SCM.

Transportation management and strategic sourcing are also parts of supply chain execution (SCE).

The logistics of items entering or leaving a facility are sometimes referred to as inbound and outbound, respectively. Reverse logistics, or the logistical procedures required to return a product for service, refurbishing, decommissioning, and recycling, is a crucial category.



Logistics And Distribution
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Logistics And Distribution

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