Logistics

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Inside Nexus Distribution, a United States logistics provider. Image shows goods stacked on pallets with forklift.

Logistics is the art and science of managing and controlling the flow of goods, energy, information and other resources.

A more specific definition:

Logistics is the process of strategically managing the procurement, movement and storage of materials, parts, and finished inventory (and the related information flows) through an organisation and its marketing channels in such a way that current and future profitability are maximised through the cost-effective fulfillment of orders.

The term logistics has evolved from the military's need of spare-parts supply, but is now widely accepted to include activities like purchasing, transport, warehousing, organizing and planning of these activities. Logistics managers need general knowledge of each of these functions, and specific knowledge of the industry, commodity, or business protocols governing the product types being managed.

In business, logistics may have either internal focus, or external focus covering the flow from originating supplier to end-user, see supply chain management.

In military logistics, experts manage how and when to move resources to the places they are needed. In military science, maintaining one's supply lines while disrupting those of the enemy is a crucial, and some would say the most crucial element, of military strategy (since an armed force without food/fuel and ammunition is useless).

There are two fundamentally different forms of logistics. One optimizes a steady flow of material through a network of transport links and storage nodes. The other coordinates a sequence of resources to carry out some project.

See also

• third-party logistics provider
• 3PL
• commercial vehicle operations
• containerization
• Defense Logistics Agency
• distribution
• food distribution
• intelligent transportation system
• information logistic
• logistics automation
• marketing
• matériel
• Military Logistics
• pallet
• reverse logistics
• supply chain management
• trade route
• traffic
• transport
• warehouse

External links

• http://www.themanufacturer.com/uk/zones/logistics_and_supply_chain - Several articles on manufacturing logistics (UK site)
• http://www.themanufacturer.com/us/zones/logistics_and_supply_chain - Several articles on manufacturing logistics (US site)
• http://www.mutatis-mutandis.nl/elogistics/index.php - eLogistics Trendwatch
• http://www.shippingline.biz - Logistics and Shipping News