Logistics
Logistics may be defined as the process where goods flow between the point of origin and the point of consumption.
Output from the logistics process
Reception, picking and shipping of physical items.
Distribution and handling of information and resources.
The logistics process handles all the tasks when goods or resources are to be transported from the origin source to the consumption source. The information flow between these two sources can be enormous, and in those cases an ERP-software would take care of the integration between information and physical items. The main goal for the involved parts in logistics is always to use a minimum of resources which are required to handle the different flows. Requirements such as reception of goods, inspections, quality assurance, picking of goods and shipping of goods must be performed, registered and documented in the most proper way.
Tasks involved in this process
Receive goods related to purchase orders
Goods transported and delivered to the warehouse must be registered and documented as received.
Inspect received goods
The received goods may be inspected and approved before they are entered in stock.
Pick goods related to shipping advices
Goods which are to be shipped must be picked and registered out of stock.
Complete shipping of goods
Goods which has been picked for sending may have to be measured, weighted, packed and registered towards a forwarder’s tracking number.
Customs clearance
Goods going out to foreign countries can require customs clearance.
Handle stock transfers between warehouses
Moving goods between warehouses may be registered out from stock and in to the new stock location.
Handle deviations
Goods which have not passed the inspection or later are observed as broken, missing or registered with wrong quantity, must be acted upon.
ReportingThe analysis phase needs information in form of reports and statistics to successfully follow up suppliers, customers and the warehouse.