Archive for the ‘Logistics’ Category:
Logistics - A Key Driver in Building Brand Image and Brand Strength
Research has time and again pointed out that brand image is a strong point for any product or service, in the market place. Yet it is a reality today, that products are becoming more and more generic. This happens because brands have taken on a new meaning today. They no longer imply just the name or the logo. Instead, they signify, a product and its value in holistic terms. In a recent study done in the state of Haryana, in India; respondents were asked to identify reasons that they felt led them to purchase a particular brand of consumer durable. Surprisingly, apart from the expected factors like price, quality and durability a very significant factor was stated by a sizable chunk of the respondents. Local availability of the brand came up as the next most important factor that led to a purchase. Unexpectedly, advertisement, bonus offers and freebies figured no where in the entire gamut of reasons for purchase. Now, here is a significant finding that gives a major pointer to the corporate strategist. In order to create and sustain a competitive advantage, he or she must focus on logistics as an extremely significant factor.
Subscribe to the comments for this postShippers Focus Keenly on Transport Management Systems (TMS)
Due to the pressure of cutting costs and increasing efficiencies, shippers today are turning towards transportation management systems (TMS). The TMS market has grown from to almost double, between 1998 and 2005. Logisticsmgmt.com reports:
According to ARC Advisory Group, the TMS market grew from $468 million in 1998 to $965 million in 2005. TMS are solutions that facilitate the procurement of transportation services, the short-term planning and optimization of transportation activities.
Read More: How to Navigate the TMS Landscape
The International Society of Logistics
SOLE is the International society for Logistics. It is a non-profit organization, founded in 1966. It is an international society having professional individuals as members. Its chief aim is to provide tools, resources and news on the art and science of logistics. SOLE initially began as the Society of Logistics Engineers, with an aim of engaging in educational, scientific and literary pursuits, for the advancement of logistics technology. Today there are more than 90 SOLE chapters in over 50 countries. Such chapters hold technical discussions, workshops and symposia. All these provide the members with possibilities for personal and corporate advancement. Sole.org reports:
It’s time to gear up for the 2006 SOLE Awards Program. This year’s awards will be presented 15-17 August at SOLE 2006, the Society’s 41st Annual International Logistics Conference & Exhibition, held at the Omni Mandalay at Los Colinas in Dallas (Irving), Texas.
Read More: Welcome to Sole
What is ‘Reverse Logistics’?
A relatively new term that we hear of today is ‘Reverse Logistics’. Although the term may sound new, the basic concept has existed for decades. It was quite common earlier, for distribution centers to have a returns processing function. Business dislike and consider it a major hassle, to deal with returns. The hard reality is that they range anywhere in the number of 10-30 percent or more of merchandise, which is returned annually. Handling all this falls within the realm of ‘Reverse Logistics’. Besides this the function also includes the responsibility for such R-factors as:
- Repairs and Refurbishment
- Recycling
- Recovery
- Recalls
Reverse Logistics managers face several unique challenges which may pertain to such factors as ‘zero warning’ of RL arrivals, shipping quantities of one as against the more economical truckloads, shipping goods to destinations other than the manufacturing source. They must also design the network and decide how to collect returns, where to process them and how to redistribute them.
Starting an Internet-Based Logistics Company
Are you surveying the option of starting up a logistics company? If so, then first look at the options in this domain that exist today. Some of these logistics business types include:
- Third Party logistics company
A new logistics company option that has come into force since the beginning of the dot com boom, is an internet based logistics firm. From a cost perspective, this kind of a company is an extremely low cost start-up as compared to a brick and mortan warehouse or trucking firm. The most popular internet logistics companies are load brokerage and internet freight matching services. One cause for concern though is, that there are many established players and this domain can be quite competitive. Also, a number of software services firms have put up their products and services into ASP sites and are delivering them over the internet. These types of companies have an edge if the service or value proposition is unique. A third type of internet based company includes hubs that present a whole host of companies and services needed by logistics and supply chain professionals. Though this can be competitive, if your site gives these links in such a way that it makes the users RFP process easier, a successful business is a certainty!
A Versatile Software Solution To Manage Your Inventory and Warehouse Functions
If you run a small or a medium sized business and would like to revamp your inventory management system, read on… Here is a powerful and affordable inventory and order management tool. Advance Pro is a scalable and flexible tools that provides varied solutions for wholesalers, distributors, online retailers, importers/ exporters, mail order houses and a host of other inventory based businesses. Advanceware.net reports:
Our development schedule for AdvancePro is one of the most aggressive in the market. Many of the improvements and enhancements made along the way were in response to customer suggestions and requests.
Read More: Powerful, Affordable Inventory/ Order Management Tools
Best Practices in International Logistics - What Sets the Winners Apart?
Logistics processes are gaining center stage as sourcing and manufacturing activities are increasingly being done internationally. Top ranking companies are cutting costs and improving service levels by transforming their global inventory control, transportation management and import-export process management. The winners of the best practices profile include IBM, Redback Networks, Black and Decker, Williams-Sonoma, Haworth, Royal Philips Electronics and Liz Claiborne. What made these organizations, the best practice winners? When asked, all of them gave a few common yet essential factors that contributed to this:
- Effectively evaluating technology and logistics service providers
- Creating a broad organizational support
- Aligning logistics strategies with corporate strategies
- Investing less capital in international logistics and at the same time providing service to their customers.
National Logistics Academy in UK
The National Logistics Academy is an industry specific academy whose goal is to provide for skill development and training, within the logistics sector. This academy will establish a relevant curriculum, after consultation with experts within the domain and provide logistics training all over, in UK.
The National Logistics Academy will provide logistics employees with access to training and skills development opportunities required to meet current and future skills demands within the industry. Funding will come from both private and public sectors.
Read More: Logistics Industry to Benefit From Skills Academy
Choosing a Logisitcs Service Provider
A big question looming large for most top level decision makers is - How to select the best logistics service provider. What are the features then, that you must keep in mind, before you take the plunge and seal the contract? Logistics providers offer services beyond the basics of warehousing, custom clearance and transportation; to carrier management, vendor management, customs brokering and reverse logistics to name just a few areas. They also provide services in the realms of supply-chain consulting, information technology development, kitting, light assembly and other special services. The first question that you must address is - When must you out-source? A third party logistics provider knows how to efficiently run a logistics function better than any shipper. Most organizations that want to get back to their core competencies, outsource logistics, as this function is not the core competency for many companies. A good logistics partner can provide an objective overview so as to help the client redesign internal processes, thus increasing efficiencies. Once you are clear that you want to outsource, check out all the current providers, identify the logistics firm’s real capabilities, search beyond just the known brands and look for a partner, with specific industry expertise.
Outsourcing of Logistics Within the European Market
European companies within the consumer grocery sector, are looking eastwards as a result of competitive pressures that have resulted from an increase in private labeling and a rise in discounters. But just like the retail sector, success in Eastern Europe will depend on the logistics network available. Logisticsmgmt.com reports:
The supply chain in the hi-tech sector has come under pressure due to the success of the ‘just-in-time’ business model, and the continuing globalization of both the production and consumer bases. As a result, logistics operations are becomingly increasingly complex.
Read More: Boom Time Ahead for Outsourced Logistics Business