On hearing many of us the word "logistics" - what it is, clearly not everyone understands. This term is really multi-valued and means in the global plan the science of the correct rational transportation of resources, and in practical terms - the instrument of such an organization.
Logistics - what is it?
Logistics is the correct competent management of information, material and human flows, in a narrow sense - minimizing costs and optimizing the delivery time of materials and human resources. The concept includes a methodology for developing optimal rational ways to manage such flows. The work of trading companies, manufacturing enterprises is impossible if they lack competent and effective logistics - what is it, they describe three essential components:
- Material flows - materials, raw materials, components. They must be procured in a timely manner and delivered without delay.
- Cash flows - the receipt and distribution of funds, tracking the movements of these funds, monitoring the work of the financial department.
- Information flows - the movement of information in the company, in the enterprise. Employees must receive information about the work of the enterprise on time.
A logist - what kind of profession?
A logistician is a profession that consists in organizing the delivery of specific goods from point A to point B with minimal waste and time of delivery and taking into account the interests of the customer, producer, seller, drivers. Who is a logistician? In simple words, it is a person who can deliver the right product on time and with minimal time and effort. Only at first glance this work is simple, in fact it requires the following skills and abilities:
- attentiveness;
- readiness for great responsibility;
- the ability to think creatively;
- readiness for constant travel and frequent business trips;
- sociability and patience, love for people.
Types of logistics
The basic concepts of logistics are flows: material and information. They can be classified in various ways:
- material - is directed to the management of goods: material flows;
- information - controls the flow of information, is aimed at building communication networks;
- financial - cash management company;
- personnel - the movement of human flows, the admission and dismissal of employees, monitoring compliance with labor laws.
It is also possible to classify in the field of entrepreneurship. So, according to a functional feature, there are several main types of the science in question:
- transport (choice of the type of transportation of goods, determination of the route of movement);
- cargo (movement of large-sized goods);
- marketing (distribution of goods, development of distribution channels);
- procurement (search and evaluation of suppliers);
- information (data exchange with partners, optimization of information transfer at the enterprise between employees);
- warehouse (organization of the implementation of warehouse operations, such as loading, unloading, etc.);
- customs (movement of import-export commodity flows).
Transport logistics
The section of the science in question, dealing with the organization of delivery, is called transport. Basics of transport logistics can be represented in the form of six main rules:
- choice of the optimal mode of transport for transportation;
- choice of mode of transportation;
- choice of the carrier, contracts with other logistics partners;
- construction of delivery routes;
- unification of transport and warehousing process;
- optimization of the parameters of the process of commodity circulation (reduction of costs, increase in the speed of transportation).
Freight logistics
Part of the transport is cargo logistics; what is it is the most effective use of the capacity of the rolling stock; the organization of regular supplies without warehouses, in which the main goal of logistics is manifested. The main concept here is the cargo unit, that is, a certain amount of production, which is regarded as an indivisible commodity. When loading, unloading, moving, they deal with cargo units.
Purchasing logistics
The essence of logistics procurement is to ensure the process of movement of raw materials. In the process of providing the company with material resources, it is necessary to manage material flows competently: to understand that, who, under what conditions, how much to purchase. In the process of procurement, the following tasks must be solved:
- determination of the need for resources, calculation of such a need, establishment of mass, delivery parameters;
- research of the procurement market and selection of the optimal supplier;
- negotiation and procurement;
- delivery control.
Information Logistics
The concept of logistics is to rationalize the economic activities of the enterprise by optimizing the production processes, but the work of any company is impossible without competent management of human resources and information transfer. A logistician is not only a person who deals with the supply and distribution of goods, but also a competent manager. His duties include the timely transmission of messages that circulate in the commodity circulation system, to participants in the logistics process and employees of the enterprise.
Warehouse Logistics
Warehouse logistics - warehouse management, the procedure for accepting material for storage, directly such storage and delivery of goods for subsequent sale. Among the tasks of this sub-sector: the competent organization of a warehouse economy, the placement of goods deposited for storage. The process of working in a warehouse can be divided into three stages:
- provision of stocks of goods, accounting of such stocks and their control;
- processing and accumulation of cargo, registration of necessary documents, intra-warehouse transportation, storage of goods;
- order picking, delivery of goods to the consumer, control of the correct fulfillment of customer orders, customer service and warehouse.
Customs clearance
Logistics management of the commodity flow, coming from abroad and abroad, is called customs. Specialists-customs officers solve a number of the following tasks:
- cargo valuation;
- registration of the customs declaration;
- checking the conformity of cargo, solving possible problems;
- transportation of goods;
- if necessary, subsequent certification;
- control over compliance with legislation;
- accompaniment of goods after passing customs.
Logistic functions
What are the functions of logistics, what is this for functions - we will consider further in more detail:
- Integrating - the formation of a single integrated system of goods circulation. None of the stages of the movement of goods should be considered separately, they are all part of a single process of commodity circulation. The logist combines the stages of procurement, production, marketing into a single, indivisible process.
- Organizing - interaction and coordination of actions between participants in the process of commodity circulation.
- Managing - ensuring the process of commodity circulation. Logistics and management are indivisible, all the movement of goods or services is a competent managerial process.
Books on logistics
There are many books describing the basic concepts, mechanisms and principles of logistics:
- "Inventory Management in Supply Chains" (2009) / Sterligova A.N. - perhaps, the best in Russia book about management in logistics.
- "How to organize a warehouse. Practical recommendations of a professional "(2008) / Taran S.A. - one of the best practical guides, schematic and detailed.
- "Effective Inventory Management" (2008) / Schreibfader J. - an interestingly written book, with many examples and interesting tips on forecasting.
- "The art of warehouse management. How to reduce costs and increase efficiency "(2007) / Emmett S. - a useful guide to inventory management.
- "Logistics. Supply Chain Management "(2003) / Waters D. is one of the first foreign textbooks.
- "International transport operations: a summary of lectures" (2008) / Zimovets A.V. - a textbook on international and customs law.