Logistics and Transportation
Introduction
Logistics can be described in terms of the utilities it provides, the functions it includes and the objectives it strives to meet. The core functions of logistics are transportation, warehousing, inventory management, customer service and order processing. Other logistics functions are packaging, materials handling and facility location. The goal of this module is for participants to develop an understanding of the position and role of logistics in supply chain management, and the need to integrate the logistics functions (primarily customer service, inventory management, transportation and warehousing) as part of overall supply chain strategy.
About this Module
The focus of this module is on strategic management and integration of the logistics functions. Inventory management is at the heart of the matter, since logistics focuses on inventory in motion (transportation) and at rest (warehousing), to provide service to customers. The role of third-party logistics (3PL) providers in logistics and supply chain management, along with the issue of reverse logistics—moving goods back up the supply chain for various reasons—is examined.
Strategic logistics decisions often involve trade-offs, e.g. moving large shipments of goods reduces transportation costs but increases inventory carrying costs. Thus, many of the sessions in this module are closely linked. Strategic logistics is viewed as a whole, and then broken down into components: customer service (session 2), inventory costs and strategies (session 3), decision-making under uncertainty (sessions 4 and 5), integrated transportation and warehousing (sessions 6 and 7), third-party logistics (session 8), and transportation and reverse logistics (session 9 and 10). The final integrated logistics case study requires participants to apply concepts and tools learned throughout the module.
Module Objectives
Upon completion of this module you should be able to:
- Analyze, discuss and present case reports.
- Understand the elements of logistics strategy.
- Develop logistics strategy.
- Develop and apply tactics that support logistics strategy including those relating to product life cycle, customer service, ordering, inventory, transportation, reverse logistics, and third-party providers.
- Apply customer service strategies depending on demand and lead time.
- Apply ordering strategies depending on product quantity and cycle time.
- Calculate inventory-transportation cost trade offs.
- Establish safety stock levels when demand and lead time vary.
- Create a warehouse management system RFP.
- Create a transportation management system RFP.
- Develop a framework for third-party logistics (3PL) provider selection.
- Recommend a carrier reduction strategy for your organization.
- Recommend a reverse logistics strategy for your organization.
Module Topics
- What is Logistics
- Customer Service
- Inventory Cost and Strategies
- Decision-making Under Uncertainty
- Integrating Transportation and Warehousing
- Warehousing
- Third-party Logistics (3PL)
- Transportation
- Reverse Logistics
- Integrated Logistics
Review the complete list of Learning Objectives for this module.
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