Value Proposition of Logistics Outsourcing

Logistics service providers help a business corporation to achieve two goals: to reduce operating cost and to increase revenue. As the service provider organizes the required logistics assets, the investment in owning the logistic assets on the part of customer is reduced. This in turn allows the firm to invest in more productive activities

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A New Way of Shop and Pay

The progress in technological innovations has totally changed the way business is done in the industry. Traditionally, shopping or buying has been a personalized behavior of the consumer. From the days of trading and bartering till recently, the buying and selling activities were typically performed within the limitations of time and space boundaries. However,

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E-Commerce: Requirements on Logistics

E-commerce is a new way of shop and pay. The customers are large in numbers and buy only a small quantity with each transaction. This results in the accumulation of a large number of small packets for delivery to customers unknown to the seller. In e-commerce, the demand in shipment is unpre­dictable. The suppliers

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Logistics – The Backbone of E-Commerce

E-commerce has revolutionized the way business is done and the way goods are sold and deliv­ered to the customer. Logistics plays a vital role in delivering the products to individuals with speed and complete order flexibility. The logistics solutions are provided by the companies— manufacturing or dot-com—operating in the B2B or B2C domain, wherein

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E-Logistics Structure and Operation

A firm desirous of offering goods on the Internet needs to develop a proper infrastructure for elec­tronically integrating all the operations of logistics in order to ensure customer satisfaction before, during and after the buying process. 1. Order Processing The customer, after opening the website, may select one or more items for purchasing. Many

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Logistics Resource Management

Logistics resource management (LRM) is a new IT tool providing browser-based software for automating, planning, managing and optimizing the e-commerce logistics activities. It is a plat­form for the command and control of logistics execution, which can also operate as a central clear­ing house of logistics data to meet a variety of other decision-making needs

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Role of Technology in Logistics

Technology is playing a major role in the operational effectiveness and efficiency of various func­tional areas of the management. Information technology helps in real-time information processing and analysis. Due to robotics and automation technologies repetitive operations can be done with great speed and accuracy. On the communication front, the ease and speed in connectivity

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Automatic Identification Technology in Logistics

Automatic Identification (Auto-ID) is the term used to describe the direct entry of data or infor­mation in the computer system, programmable logic controllers or any microprocessor-controlled device, without operating a keyboard. Auto-ID includes such technologies as bar coding, radio frequency identification (RFID), data communication, magnetic strip, and voice recognition. The usage of these technologies

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Communication Technology in Logistics

Communication, either oral or written, has a very crucial role in business success. Here are a few emerging communication technologies which, through speed and accuracy in communication, are enablers to superior customer service leading to competitiveness. 1. Electronic Data Interchange EDI is a new emerging technology used for transfer of business documents from one

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Automated Material Handling in Logistics

The warehouse is the major area of material handling in logistics and also a prime consumer of labour. The labour force is required for loading, unloading, storing, picking and packing of materials. This is a major cost component in the warehouse expenses. Hence, there is scope for automation in material handling, which reduces the

Warehouse Simulation in Logistics

The decision on warehouse design and material-handling equipment to be installed is strategic in nature. If an organization is committing resources to build a warehouse of a specific design with automated material-handling facility, it is necessary to define the most suitable design configura­tion. With the warehouse simulation model, the different scenarios can be tested

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Information Technology in Logistics

Many corporations are looking to improve their investment returns by finding new ways to cut cost and increase profitability. With IT coming out with new products every now and then, corporations are finding it easier to implement programmes to fulfil their objectives. The two most recent IT tools that are supporting logistics are ERP

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Why Reverse Logistics?

Traditionally, in the supply chain of an organization there is a unidirectional flow of goods, that is, from the manufacturer to the end-user. Almost the entire attention of a logistician has been focused on the “forward” logistics activities. Once the product is sold and delivered to the user, the manufacturer feels that there is

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Scope of Reverse Logistics

Reverse logistics, though considered a drain on the company’s profits, can be leveraged as a tool for customer satisfaction in today’s competitive markets. More and more manufacturing firms are thinking of incorporating the revere logistics system in their supply chain process. The reasons for this are: Growing public concern about environment pollution Government regulations

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System Design Considerations

In 1996, the auto giant General Motors had a problem handling 30,000 defective parts per month for replacement within the warranty period, which were returned by customers from various places to their plants at different locations. To overcome this problem they, along with UPS Worldwide Logistics, jointly developed a reverse logistics system using their

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Reverse Logistics – A Competitive Tool

In today’s fiercely competitive market environment, customer retention strategies play an impor­tant role. To retain the existing customers, manufacturers are creating switching barriers by extend­ing value-added service to the customers. Procedural efficiency in the logistics operations is enhancing the service capability of the firm to satisfy the customer. To remain competitive and differentiated, more

Why Global Logistics?

The globalization of the economies world over has created opportunities for doing business beyond the national boundaries of a country. Due to the rapid advancement in information and com­munication technologies during the last decade, the world has become a global village in the real sense. Today, Internet has made it easier to do business

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Operational Factors of Global Logistics

The major areas of logistical expertise required in cross-border cargo movement are: mode of transportation, cargo insurance, packaging and shipping documentation for customs clearance. 1. Transportation Transportation mode plays a vital role in the movement of cargo within or between countries. Normally, cargo is moved using three modes of transportation, e.g. road, sea and

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Strategic Issues in Global Logistics

The process of managing the flow of inventory and information across the global supply chain is more complex than managing logistics operations within the country. This is because of the diver­sity in markets in terms of the following: Customer needs Economic and regulatory environment Logistical infrastructure The dominant factors need to be identified during

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Logistics Competitive Framework

In today’s dynamic business environment, competitive pressures and the customer’s demands are forcing the majority of firms to shift their priorities to understand the logistics supply chain process in order to deliver superior value to the customer. To fulfil this objective, logistics has left behind the old role of warehousing, transportation and material storage

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