BY BEST LOGISTIC GUILD.

COM Logistics
Logistics can be defined as providing the right type of products and/or services at the right price, at place, time and in the right condition. A quick look back at some logistics history may prove very enlightening. The birth of Logistics can be traced back to ancient war times of Greek and Roman empires when military officers titled as 'Logistikas' were assigned the duties of providing services related to supply and distribution of resources. This was done to enable the soldiers to move from their base position to a new forward position efficiently, which could be a crucial factor in determining the outcome of wars. This also involved inflicting damage to the supply locations of the enemy and safeguarding one's own supply locations. Thus, this lead to the development of a system which can be related to the current day system of logistics management. During the Second World War (1939-1945), ogistics evolved greatly. The army logistics of United States and counterparts proved to be more than the German army could handle. The supply locations of German armed forces were inflicted with serious damages and Germany was not able to wreak the same havoc on its enemy. The United States military ensured that the services and supplies were provided at the right time and at the right place. It also tried to provide these services when and wherever required, in the most optimal and economical manner. The best available options to do the task were developed. This also gave birth to several military logistics techniques which are still in use, albeit in a more advanced form. Logistics has now evolved itself as an art and science. However, it cannot be termed as an exact science. Logistics does not follow a defined set of tables nor is it based on skills inherited from birth. A logistics manager performs his duties and responsibilities based on his educational experiences, skills, past experiences and intuition. These skills are nourished by a constant application of the same by him for the betterment of his organization. The logistics manager ensures that the company is benefited by an effective and efficient system of logistical management. He also needs to ensure that the right kind of products and services are provided at the right time and for a right price, whether inside the organization's premises or delivery of shipments outside the premises of the organization. Logistics has come to be a kind of relief for many organizations that formerly looked upon it as a burden. Companies nowadays are hiring people with the requisite knowledge to deliver sustainable enhancements in the field of supply chain management. As has been the case throughout most of logistics history, the task of a logistics manager involves a clear vision and a drive within to deliver results under strict deadlines in addition to his usual responsibilities.

Logistics companies
Logistics companies help other companies to run their business smoothly without worrying about the transportation issues. They help streamline the task of delivering shipments of their customer companies. They specialize in the field of transportation and can perform all activities from pick-

up of the shipments to assisting on tracking the geographical location of the shipments and to safely deliver the goods at the right time and in a safe and hygienic condition thereby attaining customer service and appreciation. By doing this, they retain their existing customers and prospective customers come their way. Logistics is regarded as the complete set of functions that are concerned with planning, controlling and managing a smooth flow of products and services, people, real-time data and information that are considered to be of utmost importance. This also includes the steps that are involved in delivering the products and services without shrinking the budget of the company. It is commonly believed that no manufacturing, distribution or marketing activity can be completed without the support of an effective logistics system. The logistics system needs to be drafted in such a manner that it is able to achieve the business goals of the company besides being a supporting hand in the successful implementation of the plans and policies of the company. A logistics company may face numerous problems or challenges while performing their duties, namely: * Globalization of Supply Chain Due to the advances in the field of logistics, supply chains are now considered to be global as their area of distribution has spread far. Logistics companies have their network levels, both domestically and internationally. In the present competitive environment, there is an urgent need for them to manage their complex operations around supply chains that have characteristics of effective distribution, multi-point sourcing and global delivery. * Growth of existing networks and service footprint These days customers are not merely satisfied with delivery of goods. A logistics company must be able to provide multi-modal services, additional and unique features, timely delivery and complete assistance across the lifecycle of the shipments. There must be steps taken by the logistics company for the development of new routes in addition to the expansion of services offered and networks. * Transparency in supply chain Logistics companies must be ready to offer visibility of supply chain to its customers which can enable the customers to effectively plan and manage any variations in the levels of demand and supply beside inventory. Thus, it can be said that logistics companies can help ensure cost savings and enhanced efficiencies in addition to lowering the level of inventory. They also help companies by delivering infrequently matched enterprise access to important business information using webbased architecture. They are also helpful in improving the delivery time and thereby resulting in enhancing levels of customer satisfaction.

Logistics Courses

This article presents an overview of logistics courses and how they can enhance your career. Logistics and transportation management is a discipline that is concerned with the effective and efficient flow of materials in an economic and industrial system. Logistics management follows a systems approach for the management of several sub-disciplines such as customer service, traffic management, inventory control, location analysis and materials handling. Transportation management is concerned with the domestic and international transport management in the economic work environment of today. The study of Logistics and transportation management serves as a specialized program for people who intend to make a career in logistics and transportation such as carriers, shippers and government agencies. For a career in the field of logistics, you will need to have the requisite educational qualifications besides adequate computer knowledge, analytical skills and effective communication skills.

Logistics Companies

Logistics companies help other companies to run their business smoothly without worrying about the transportation issues. They help streamline the task of delivering shipments of their customer companies. They specialize in the field of transportation and can perform all activities from pickup of the shipments to assisting on tracking the geographical location of the shipments and to safely deliver the goods at the right time and in a safe and hygienic condition thereby attaining customer service and appreciation. By doing this, they retain their existing customers and prospective customers come their way. Logistics is regarded as the complete set of functions that are concerned with planning, controlling and managing a smooth flow of products and services, people, real-time data and information that are considered to be of utmost importance. This also includes the steps that are involved in delivering the products and services without shrinking the budget of the company. It is commonly believed that no manufacturing, distribution or marketing activity can be completed without the support of an effective logistics system. The logistics system needs to be drafted in such a manner that it is able to achieve the business goals of the company besides being a supporting hand in the successful implementation of the plans and policies of the company.

A logistics company may face numerous problems or challenges while performing their duties, namely: * Globalization of Supply Chain Due to the advances in the field of logistics, supply chains are now considered to be global as their area of distribution has spread far. Logistics companies have their network levels, both domestically and internationally. In the present competitive environment, there is an urgent need for them to manage their complex operations around supply chains that have characteristics of effective distribution, multi-point sourcing and global delivery. * Growth of existing networks and service footprint These days customers are not merely satisfied with delivery of goods. A logistics company must be able to provide multi-modal services, additional and unique features, timely delivery and complete assistance across the lifecycle of the shipments. There must be steps taken by the logistics company for the development of new routes in addition to the expansion of services offered and networks. * Transparency in supply chain Logistics companies must be ready to offer visibility of supply chain to its customers which can enable the customers to effectively plan and manage any variations in the levels of demand and supply beside inventory. Thus, it can be said that logistics companies can help ensure cost savings and enhanced efficiencies in addition to lowering the level of inventory. They also help companies by delivering infrequently matched enterprise access to important business information using webbased architecture. They are also helpful in improving the delivery time and thereby resulting in enhancing levels of customer satisfaction.

Logistics Terminology

Logistics can be classified as a complete process of providing goods at the right time, at the right place, for a right price and at the right condition. Logistics has evolved to unmatched heights because of advances in the field all over the globe. Many organizations which used to treat the process as a burden are now focusing on the growth and development of logistics by making it as an integral part of the organization. Those with an interest in the field may find some logistics terminology initially confusing, so below we present definitions of some frequently used phrases: ABC analysis: Refers to the process of classification of products as per the level of importance in terms of their relative criteria such as purchase or sales volume. It can be described as a technique that is used in a business sense for denoting a categorization of large volume of data into groups. These groups thereafter can be marked as A, B and C. This means that activities that are considered high on priority are labeled as A, those with a lesser priority are grouped under B and the group of activities that are last on the list of priority are labeled C. Open Policy: This refers to a cargo insurance policy that has an open contract. It gives

protection for all the shipments of an exporter that are afloat or in mode of transit within the specified geographical locations for an unlimited period. This policy comes to an end when the open policy is canceled by the insurance company or insured. Military Logistics: Means a system which is initialized for the purpose of creating and sustaining military capabilities. It can be also described as the art and science of planning, controlling and managing the maintenance and movement of the armed forces of military. It deals with the designing, storage, development, maintenance and disposition of available material resources. It also deals with the movement and hospitalization of military personnel, operation and facility disposition and is regarded as very ancient in nature, with its roots way back in the times of the Roman and Greek empire. Consignee: This refers to an individual, company or manufacturer to whom a shipper or seller sends merchandise. Intermediate consignee refers to a party who is responsible for merchandise delivery to the ultimate consignee. Ultimate consignee, on the other hand, refers to a party who is in the actual receipt of the merchandise in an export-related transaction. Air Way bill: This refers to a bill of lading that is related to air transportation which tends to serve as the shipper's receipt. It indicates that the carrier company has consented to the listed goods and under an obligation to carry the products that are delivered in the form of a consignment to the destination airport in accordance with the conditions specified to the consignee and consignor. Air way bills are always non-negotiable.

Logistics History

Logistics can be defined as providing the right type of products and/or services at the right price, at place, time and in the right condition. A quick look back at some logistics history may prove very enlightening. The birth of Logistics can be traced back to ancient war times of Greek and Roman empires when military officers titled as 'Logistikas' were assigned the duties of providing services related to supply and distribution of resources. This was done to enable the soldiers to move from their base position to a new forward position efficiently, which could be a crucial factor in determining the outcome of wars. This also involved inflicting damage to the supply locations of the enemy and safeguarding one's own supply locations. Thus, this lead to the development of a system which can be related to the current day system of logistics management. During the Second World War (1939-1945), ogistics evolved greatly. The army logistics of United States and counterparts proved to be more than the German army could handle. The supply locations of German armed forces were inflicted with serious damages and Germany was not able to wreak the same havoc on its enemy. The United States military ensured that the services and supplies were provided at the right time and at the right place. It also tried to

provide these services when and wherever required, in the most optimal and economical manner. The best available options to do the task were developed. This also gave birth to several military logistics techniques which are still in use, albeit in a more advanced form. Logistics has now evolved itself as an art and science. However, it cannot be termed as an exact science. Logistics does not follow a defined set of tables nor is it based on skills inherited from birth. A logistics manager performs his duties and responsibilities based on his educational experiences, skills, past experiences and intuition. These skills are nourished by a constant application of the same by him for the betterment of his organization. The logistics manager ensures that the company is benefited by an effective and efficient system of logistical management. He also needs to ensure that the right kind of products and services are provided at the right time and for a right price, whether inside the organization's premises or delivery of shipments outside the premises of the organization. Logistics has come to be a kind of relief for many organizations that formerly looked upon it as a burden. Companies nowadays are hiring people with the requisite knowledge to deliver sustainable enhancements in the field of supply chain management. As has been the case throughout most of logistics history, the task of a logistics manager involves a clear vision and a drive within to deliver results under strict deadlines in addition to his usual responsibilities.