|
Home / Business / Management
Reap The Benefits Of Logistics Management
By:Trevor Marshall
It is important to know the processes that a company is involved in and master them for a more efficient production output. Logistics management, on the other hand, is a critical component to achieve business goals. This is defined as the organized movement of materials, and sometimes, people. The term logistics was originally associated with the military. Eventually, the term has gradually spread to cover business activities and processes. In terms of transportation, for example, this is a vital cost-containment key that one should consider. If a company is working with carriers and couriers, the products should be transported in a timely, safe and efficient manner, thereby managing company costs. There are certain companies and establishments who offer logistics management services. If you want your company to run in a timely and efficient manner, you have to choose a company who provides logistics management services and make sure that they can meet your business' transportation needs. You must coordinate and tie together your firm's logistics system. It is good to consider the five elements or functions of logistics and how important they are to your company.
Business logistics is a series of separate activities or functions which all fall under a business firm's logistics umbrella.
- customer service
- demand forecasting
- documentation flow
- inter-plant movements
- inventory management
- order processing
- packaging
- parts and service support
- plant and warehouse site selection
- production scheduling purchasing returned products
1. Supply
Consider the supply of materials that you have as this would help meet your self-imposed quota for the company to profit.
2. Transportation
This is where logistics management applies. A company should have the transportation services needed to move the products and deliver them in a timely and efficient manner to the customers.
3. Facilities
Different companies employ different services according to their needs. Each of them has a different facility which helps produce the products and services which they eventually offer to customers. These facilities should be tailor-made and fit the client's and customer's specifications.
4. Services
From customer service, to delivering an order on time, to resolving order-related problems, a company should employ a logistics management service provider which will provide all of these services.
5. Management and Administration
This is an aspect of logistics management which is common to all organizations. A well-balanced and knowledgeable staff and leaders make for a better, service-oriented company. In relation to this, here are the important factors that you should consider when employing a logistics management service provider that will best benefit your company:
6. Inbound Transportation
- You should choose a logistics management service provider who will give out quotes for the inbound transportation costs of components
- This might include the delivery of individual components to your production line
- For a better price comparison, you may also ask if they can deal with clients who buy some or all of their components from a particular supplier
- You can look for cost and time frame quotations that you can use to consider the service provider that is most cost-effective
7. Outbound Transportation
Outbound transportation refers to the carriers who meet the customer's needs. Different clients need various freight and carrier services, and a logistics management service provider should be able to provide these individual needs. The deal can either be on an over-all operational basis, or on a per-shipment basis. This provides a comprehensive solution for a company's primary need for logistics. Choose a logistics management service provider who will provide rate comparisons from different couriers to meet and handle the customer's goals. The main point here is that you need to have somebody to handle and ship out your main products in a safe and timely manner.
8. Troubleshooting Capabilities
A logistics management service provider should know how to handle unusual and day-to-day complications and problems. If a customer has a specific shipping need, would they be able to deliver and solve the problem? Should a serious delivery or shipping problem arise, they should be able to troubleshoot and come up with the perfect solution and at the same time soothe a customer's ruffled feathers.
9. Keeping Customers Informed
The customers have the right to know the details about a particular order shipment. They should be informed of when the products were shipped, how it was shipped and who shipped it. Some logistics management service provider give out their contact numbers directly to their client's customers. This would avoid a pointing of fingers should problems arise. Also, there is online tracking information available for most couriers and carriers. All in all, you have to choose a logistics management service provider that would fit your company's needs to a tee so that both of you will reap the benefits in the end.
Digg
del.icio.us
Blink
Stumble
Spurl
Reddit
Netscape
Furl
Article keywords: chain logistics management supply, logistics management system, knowledge logistics management, council logistics management, logistics management services
Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com
For more great logistics management related articles and resources check out logistics.supplychainplace.com
|
|
| Top Management Articles |
- 1). Nine Reasons Why Mentoring Matters to You By : Kevin
There are many roles we play or hats we wear in our lives. We are professionals, family members, brothers, sisters, co-workers, leaders, coaches, friends, parents, and neighbors to name just a few. While you may not wear all of the hats I listed, you can likely add several more that I left out! Many of these roles are a given – we don’t have much choice of having the role – they come with being a responsible adult.
|
- 2). Project Management - Design and Development Projects By : Michael Russell
There’s no getting away from it, design and development projects are a nightmare to manage successfully, particularly the development of software. Nonetheless, in these days of customers requiring ever increasing functionality and ever more sophisticated technology, they are sometimes necessary.
Your company almost certainly has procedures in place such as Make or Buy (do you design/build the item yourselves or do you sub-contract) and Design to Cost (you’ve estimated how much it will cost, now make sure that it doesn’t run over budget.
|
- 3). Defining Supply Chain Management By : James Hunt
Companies that deal with inventory will have to have some sort of system in place to effectively manage the supply chain that exists for any type of sales. A system of inventory needs to be as smooth running as possible so that a company is able to fulfill all its orders in a timely manner...
|
- 4). Customer Advisory Boards By : Paul Lemberg
Customer Advisory Boards are a great source of information about your market and your business. Their advice is more valuable than any management consultant's. They provide real world counsel on what you are doing right, what you are doing wrong, and most important -how to stay competitive. After all, they're the customer. They're the one's who buy your stuff.
|
- 5). 6 Ways to Maximize Learning By : Steve Kaye
Here's how to gain the most from training events.
1) Know what you want
Before the workshop, set learning goals for yourself. What do you want to learn? How can this program help you? What would make you feel that your time was well spent?
2) Ask for what you want
As the program unfolds, ask questions that guide the presentation toward the information that you need.
|
- 6). Save Face, Time, and Money on Your Next IT Project By : Leslie Whinery
How many times have you been involved in a project where a newly-released piece of software required an immediate enhancement because the right people were not “in the loop”? This is an example of how poor communication costs money and damages the reputation of an Information Technology (IT) Team.
Well-managed communication can increase the rates of success on your IT projects by improving relations between you and your customers and decreasing the odds of hasty last-minute enhancements, thus saving face, saving time, and saving money.
|
- 7). Decision Making "Pub" By : Claude Jollet
This article will help transform your decision making process into “PUB” - Pure Unadulterated Bliss!
Think I'm exaggerating? Well ... maybe just a little!:-) But, see for yourself anyway! You might be in for a pleasant surprise. The way I make decisions in complex situations has – at least – the merit of turning decision making into an effective, satisfying, even reassuring experience.
|
- 8). The CEO is 10,000 feet above the fire By : Larry Galler
How many times have you heard a business owner or manager say that they spend their workday “always sweating at putting out fires?” I hear it all the time.
Think of a raging forest fire. There are sweaty fire fighters working hard, just yards in front of the flames. There is one person in a helicopter 10,000 feet above the flames. Those on the ground and the one in the helicopter are all looking at the same fire but they have totally different views.
|
- 9). CPAs vs. Non-Certified Accountants - Clearing Up The Confusion By : John Day
I wish I had a nickel for every time someone asked me what the difference is between CPAs and non-certified accountants. Essentially, non-certified accountants can simply hang up their shingle and open their doors for business. There are no educational requirements. If they want to prepare taxes, most states require a certain number of qualified hours of study plus continuing education hours each year.
|
- 10). Many Kinds Of Banks - Many Kinds Of Accounts By : Sintilia Miecevole
Sometimes looking into opening an account or accounts in banks can be confusing. There are so many types of banks and bank accounts! Which banks are right for you to open anaccount in? Which types of accounts do you need to open? Below are some simple explanations of several types of banks and the accounts you can open. One will surely be right for you!
There are many kinds of banks:
1.
|
| New Management Articles |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- 7). Double Your Profits with Business Coaching By : Kris Koonar
Business as we all know, involves risk. Since starting up your own business means starting a new chapter of your life, you may fail to recognize a few shortcomings in your business plans, as you are too engrossed and feel that things are going great.
|
- 8). Modern Business Strategies and Tactics By : Kris Koonar
Modern business strategies and tactics often concentrate on developing international brands and products, but before developing any product it is important to assess the potential worldwide demand.
|
- 9). Avoiding Poor Time Management By : ian Williamson
Around midnight students across the country become record setting authors by finishing essays, and study groups for tests in unheard of time. This unnerving process often leads to below average results. Many people wonder why this is happening, the answer is poor time management.
|
|
|
|
|
