Transportation and logistics
Transportation is the movement of goods and logistics is the management of movements of goods and services both inwardly and outwardly. Both of these are extremely important in the transportation and distribution services as their goal is to transport the inventory of an organisation throughout its supply chain efficiently. They deal with moving products and services from one location to another. These terms are interchangeable but still different from each other as transportation deals with the movement of products from one place to another whereas logistics involves the integration of transportation, storage, handling, cataloguing, and packaging of goods. Thus transportation management is a subdivision of logistics.
Logistics
It refers to the supply, production, receipt, distribution of materials and products in the quantity requested by the customers to their final destination. Logistics involves planning the procedures to have efficient storage and transport of goods. It overlooks the whole process of order fulfilment. It includes added benefits and functions than transportation services such as it being responsible for warehouse management and storage, tracking & delivering the products, documentation, import & export, packaging too.
Tips for improving logistics management
- Proper planning is the first and most important in accomplishing upgraded logistics management.
- To increase the efficiency of the company automation is a tool that comes in handy.
- Teamwork and valuing those team members help in smoothing the whole procedure.
- For appropriate logistics optimization, it is essential to integrate feedback, analysis and measurement.
- Use the latest technologies and innovations and stay updated.
- Warehouse management plays a key role in keeping the back end of the business strong.
Transportation
Transportation is the other important part of transportation and distribution services. The products are generally delivered through the land, water, pipeline and air transport. Now for efficient transportation, the best route of delivery has to be analysed along with cost-effective packaging which ensures the safety of the product and low investment.
Fun fact: “When delivered through ship it is generally called cargo when delivered by car it is generally called shipment.
Transportation is mainly divided into three areas:
- Infrastructure administration
- Vehicle organisation
- Operation management
Among different means of transportation, land is often proven to have more advantages as it is cost-effective, quick with deliveries, flexible service, trackable, and offers door-to-door service.
To improve transportation services:
- Use the latest technology which meets the needs of customers.
- Cost effective packaging.
- Safety of products should be the priority.
- Maintain environmental sustainability to reduce carbon footprints.
- Optimise your inventory flows, this will also help in warehouse management.