Logistics is the process of planning, implementing, and controlling the efficient and effective flow of goods, services, and related information from the point of origin to the point of consumption according to the needs of customers. It is a part of supply chain management that deals with the efficient forward and reverse flow of goods, services, and related information. Logistics involves managing how resources are acquired, stored, and transported to their final destination.
Logistics is important to industries and markets around the globe, but its especially relevant in the world of supply chain management. Utilizing logistics properly is essential to the function of businesses across the globe, and effectively managed logistics typically leads to positive business outcomes. The logistics industry has transformed over the past century, bringing with it an entirely new perspective on how we exchange goods across the globe.
Logistics management involves overseeing and managing inventory by arranging for appropriate transportation and adequate storage for the inventory. A qualified logistician plans out the logistics process and coordinates the steps as inventory and resources move along the supply chain. Many companies provide logistics services to manufacturers, retailers, and other industries with a large need to transport goods. Some of these logistics providers own the full range of infrastructure, from jet planes and trucks to warehouses and software, while others specialize in one or two parts.
Logistics is a broad field, encompassing procurement, production, and transportation. A logistician is a professional logistics practitioner who can work in a pure logistics company, such as a shipping line, airport, or freight forwarder, or within the logistics department of a company. Specialized training in supply chain management and logistics often includes core or elective courses, or even discrete programs of study, in business.
