Thursday, October 22, 2009

Logistics , What is it ?????????

What is Logistics ?


The term "logistics" originates from the ancient Greek word "logos" .

Logistics is considered to have originated to fulfill the military's need to supply arms, ammunition and rations from their base to a forward position.

In simple terms ,Logistics is the management of the flow of goods, information and other resources, including energy and people, between the point of origin and the point of consumption in order to meet the requirements of consumers . It involves the integration of information, transportation, inventory, warehousing, material-handling, and packaging.

Logistics as a business concept evolved in the 1950s to deal with the complexity of supplying materials and shipping out products in a globalised supply chain management system.

Third-party logistics is the utilization of external organizations to execute logistics activities that have traditionally been performed by the organization itself. In other words, third party logistics is the outsourcing of logistics activities previously performed in-house.


What is Logistics management ?


Logistics management is that part of the supply chain which plans, implements , controls
- the efficient, effective forward and reverse flow and
- storage of goods, services and related information
- between the point of origin and the point of consumption
- in order to meet customer & legal requirements.


Who is a Logistician ??


A professional working in the field of logistics management is called a logistician. The main functions of a qualified logistician are
- inventory management,
- purchasing,
- transportation ,
- warehousing,
- consultation and
- the organizing and planning of these activities.

What is the Scope ?


Logistics as a business concept is gaining a lot of importance in this era of globalisation . The production and assembly units of many big industries like Automobile and Electronics are scattered all over the world. And Logistics /Supply chain management plays a crucial role in providing the right item, in the right quantity, at the right time ,at the right place, for the right price, in the right condition, to the right customer .


In other words , without a proper logistics management , today’s business world can not function, be it ,information , production, Power supply, shipping , warehousing, Military……!!!



Good Luck !!!