What is logistics? What it is? There are as many answers to these questions as there are experts in the field. Currently, there are an immeasurable number of specialists who classify their own activities in the field of logistics or who just want to register themselves as logisticians. Today, the field of logistics is not just a highly paid activity, but, above all, a high social status and an advantageous position in society.

Logistics - what is it? Stages of formation of scientific knowledge

To understand the meaning of the term “logistics”, it is enough to consider the chronology of its formation. The initial stage of logistics development is distinguished by the emergence of basic scientific principles. Perhaps it is for this reason that the concept itself in its modern meaning arose much later. Merchants of antiquity understood by logistics knowledge about the profitable movement of goods both within populated areas and between cities and neighboring states.

The second stage of the formation of logistics concerns the application of its scientific achievements in the military sphere. Based on this, the bulk of ancient logistics concepts belong to the authorship of military theorists. The primary tasks here were the search for opportunities to supply the army with food supplies, ammunition, and create a material and technical base for paramilitary forces.

The current stage of concept formation considers logistics as finding optimal options for coordinating the movement and processing of raw materials, finding solutions for packaging, warehousing and delivery of products to the end consumer. In its current understanding, logistics covers a wide range of activities, from processing raw materials, inventory control, demand forecasting and ending with the development of effective marketing mechanisms.

Basic views on the concept

A common approach is to consider logistics as a world view of business activities through costs that need reliable control and optimization.

Naturally, there are many narrower views on logistics, for example, financial, information, and material and technical resource management. However, such formulations do not address numerous other aspects of logistics. Therefore, it is more reasonable to consider scientific knowledge as the doctrine of planning, management, control and organization of the movement of material assets, as well as information in the environment of the organization’s business processes.

Logistics tasks

The main task of logistics is to organize an effective, integrated system for controlling the functioning of information and material flows, the result of which is to ensure the smooth supply of certain types of products.

The use of logistics allows you to maximally adapt the activities of an enterprise to the existing market situation, increase the share of profits and gain obvious advantages over direct competitors.

Logistics tasks are also aimed at meeting the specific needs of certain consumer groups. Indicators of logistics efficiency in this case are the speed and timeliness of deliveries, and the availability of products to the target audience. Based on consumer interest data, logistics allows the formation of supply chains.

Logistics functions

How universal is logistics? What is this in the modern sense? If we talk about maintaining consumer standards, then the functions of ensuring the specified quality of products, service and distribution come first.

Logistics functions in the field of transportation management concern the processes of loading and unloading of transported products, their delivery, and related operations.

A separate function of logistics is the so-called operational management, which involves the management of material, information and production resources. Operations management is based on reducing the duration of production cycles and increasing profits.

Logistics areas

Today, the main place in the activities of enterprises is occupied by transport, production, purchasing, information, customs, distribution, and warehouse logistics.

Differences between logistics and forwarding activities

Undoubtedly, the logistics profession is inextricably linked with forwarding activities. However, unlike logistics, forwarding is limited to managing the movement of goods, their escort and delivery to sites.

In turn, the logistics workshop is much wider. As a rule, logisticians fulfill orders of commercial organizations, companies and enterprises, taking on the functions of freight forwarders, while simultaneously managing information and material resources.

Who is a logistician?

The main task of a specialist in the field of logistics is to analyze the market situation, determine the interests of the consumer and coordinate the activities of production and consumer links. In fact, such specialists are responsible for the entire logistics department, where the first priority is the organization of routes for the movement of material flows while minimizing costs in each sector of the logistics chain.

The defining professional requirement for a logistician is the availability of financier skills, because such a specialist spends most of his time working with calculations. Knowledge of jurisprudence is important for a logistician, since discrepancies between activities and the letter of the law are fraught with penalties, costs, losses of funds and, as a result, causing losses to a commercial organization.

The profession of logistician is subject to mobile, communicative individuals with developed analytical thinking, who not only know how to work independently, but also demonstrate creative thinking.

Significant logistics issues

What problems does logistics face? What is this in the understanding of modern entrepreneurial activity? Today, logistics is aimed at solving the following series of problems:

• searching for opportunities to ensure maximum matching of information and material flows;
• ensuring control over material flows and timely transmission of data on their movement to information logistics centers;
• developing optimal strategies for moving products and materials;
• identifying effective ways to regulate product movement operations;
• packaging standardization;
• finding discrepancies between the capabilities and requirements of production and purchasing.

Achievements in solving the above problems are measured by the concrete results that logistics demonstrates. Feedback on the use of logistics methods by enterprises shows that the key to high results is the presence of the necessary products with a given quality and volume in the right place at minimal costs.

Finally

Individual enterprises have their own views on the organization of production. Some have their own logistics department, others use the services of third-party transport organizations.

However, the most promising approach to organizing production and commercial activities is to use the knowledge of specialized logistics companies. Experienced specialists in the field of logistics are able not only to organize an established structure of logistics activities, but also to increase the efficiency of the business as a whole, mainly by setting the right tasks.

ALL DEFINITIONS OF LOGISTICS

DEFINITIONS THAT REVEAL THE INTEGRATING ROLE OF LOGISTICS

Logistics - activities that optimize all processes of production, distribution, transportation and sales.

Logistics is a scientific and practical direction of management, which consists in the effective management of material and related information and financial flows in the spheres of production and circulation.

Logistics is the theory and practice of managing material and related information flows.

Logistics is an interdisciplinary scientific field directly related to the search for new opportunities to increase the efficiency of material flows.

Logistics is the science of planning, control and management of transportation, warehousing and other tangible and intangible operations performed in the process of bringing raw materials and supplies to a production enterprise, in-plant processing of raw materials, materials and semi-finished products, bringing finished products to the consumer in accordance with the interests and requirements of the latter , as well as the transmission, storage and processing of relevant information.

Logistics is the activity of managing the movement and storage of raw materials, components and finished products in economic circulation from the moment the supplier receives money until the moment the money is received for delivery of the finished product.

Logistics is end-to-end planning, organization and control of all types of movement and warehousing activities that ensure the passage of material and associated information flows, from points of purchase of raw materials and components to points of final consumption.

Logistics is a general point of view: strategic, tactical, operational for the company, as well as its business partners, with material flow as an integrator.

Logistics is the science of the relationships and interactions of supply, production, sales and transport.

Logistics is a theoretical justification and practical activity for planning, management and control of material and relevant information flows entering an enterprise, processed there and leaving this enterprise.

Logistics is a direction in the economic sphere, within which the problem of developing and implementing an integrated system for managing material and information flows in production, transport, and distribution is solved to fully satisfy demand.

Logistics is the science of managing and optimizing material flows, service flows and related information and financial flows in a specific micro- and macroeconomic system in order to achieve its goals.

Logistics is an integral management tool that contributes to the achievement of strategic, tactical or operational goals of a business organization through effective (in terms of minimizing total costs and meeting the requirements of end consumers for the quality of goods and services) management of material and (or) service flows, as well as related ones flows of information and financial resources.

Logistics is a system developed for each enterprise with the aim of optimally, from the point of view of making a profit, accelerating the movement of material resources and goods inside and outside the enterprise, starting from the purchase of raw materials and supplies, passing them through production and ending with the supply of finished products to consumers, including the connection between these information system tasks.

Logistics are ways of organizing the activities of an enterprise that make it possible to combine the efforts of various units producing goods and services in order to optimize the financial, material and labor resources used by the company to realize its economic goals.

Logistics is the art and science of management, technology and technical methods that involve the planning, supply and use of means of movement in the implementation of planned operations to achieve a set goal.

Logistics is a broad range of activities concerned with the efficient movement of final products from the end of the production line to the customer, including the movement of raw materials from the source of supply to the beginning of the production line. These activities include transportation, warehousing, materials handling, protective packaging, inventory control, manufacturing and warehouse location selection, product orders, demand forecasting, marketing, and customer service.

A logistician is an organizer of carrying out processes, including management processes, in the most appropriate way - taking into account scientific and economic justifications and calculations, common sense, logic and consumer interests.

The main six conditions, for the maximum fulfillment of which, any organization is looking for a special person called a “logistics specialist” and entrusting the fate of the business into his hands:

required item

at the right time,

in the right place

in the required quantity,

with appropriate quality and service,

at the lowest cost.

Upon closer acquaintance with the concept of “logistics”, it turns out that this “young” science is nothing at all - about two thousand years old. And the special employees of the Roman Empire who were responsible for the distribution of food were called, of course, logistics. It can be assumed that one of the reasons for constraining the application of logistics principles in the economy was the underdevelopment of transport infrastructure and information technology. And since all this began to take shape and develop rapidly in the second half of the twentieth century, the development of the use of logistics in the economy occurred during this period. Although, of course, we must not forget that the basic principles of logistics were formed precisely where the requirements for the organization of material and information flows are much higher than in civilian life - in military affairs. Moreover, long before the use of logistics in economic systems. Some principles of logistics were used in Napoleon's army, but as an integral military discipline, logistics was formed only by the middle of the 19th century. During the Second World War, logistics was actively used in the material and technical supply of the US Army and allies.

Logistics has been known for two thousand years. In The Roman Empire there were employees named logisticians. These people took part in supplying of food to the population. At the end of the 19th century and during The First and The Second World Wars supplying of the army with equipment and food was named logistics. Every military man knew that if you wanted to win a battle you could not do without good supply. In 50th rules of logistics began to be used in business. It was necessary to reduce costs. Since 50th logistics has been actively developing. Nowadays logistics is an important part and instrument of business it controls flows of goods and information. The result of using logistics is acceleration of the turnover and reduction of costs.
Six rules of logistics: “Getting the right product, to the right place, at the right time, in the right quantity, with the right quality, for the right cost.”

In view of the fact that there are as many definitions of logistics as there are logisticians, I wanted to collect in one place all, or almost all, the main definitions of logistics, so that you can familiarize yourself with them and finally understand the need and inevitability of using logistics to achieve maximum efficiency of any activity, both public and private. Or maybe someone would like to come up with and add another new definition of logistics here?

HISTORICAL AND PHILOSOPHICAL DEFINITIONS OF LOGISTICS

Logistics - organizing the supply of the army and managing its movements.

Logistics - scientific and practical activities that optimize transportation processes.

Logistics is a smart organization.

Logistics - mathematical logic.

Logistics - planning a clear sequence of actions.

Logistics is the art of reasoning and making calculations.

Logistics is the art and science of identifying needs and acquiring, distributing and maintaining throughout the life cycle of what meets those needs.

SOME IMPORTANT CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES OF LOGISTICS (thesis)

The objectives of logistics are to reduce the time it takes for goods to pass through distribution channels and minimize costs along the entire route of goods flows with the maximum level of service for intermediaries and end consumers.

Main types of logistics systems:

Pull logistics systems - goods are shipped by suppliers as they are received and based on current orders from wholesale and retail sales links. Sales strategy - stimulating demand for goods in the retail trade.

Push logistics systems - goods are shipped by suppliers to wholesale and retail chains according to a pre-agreed strict schedule based on preliminary long-term orders of wholesale and retail chains, adjusted by suppliers. Sales strategy - preliminary, ahead of demand, formation of inventories in wholesale and retail sales links.

Just-in-time systems - goods are shipped according to a pre-agreed schedule, assortment and quantity of each item. Sales strategy - retail trade without safety stocks.

Combined systems.

The efficiency of logistics depends on the quality of organization, management, mechanization, computerization, and personnel training.

The novelty of the logistics approach is organic mutual connection, integration of transport management, warehousing, inventory, personnel, formation of information systems, commercial activities, etc. The goal of logistics is end-to-end management of material flows.

The fundamental difference between the logistics approach to managing material flows and the traditional one is the identification of a single function for managing previously disparate material flows; in the technical, technological, economic and methodological integration of individual links of the material-conducting chain into a single system that ensures effective management of end-to-end material flows.

Main tasks of logistics:

inventory planning based on demand forecast;

determination of the required production and transport capacity;

development of rational scientific and practical principles for the distribution of finished products based on optimal management of material flows;

development of rational principles for managing transshipment processes and transport and warehouse operations in the chain supplier - production - distributor - consumer;

construction of various variants of mathematical models of the functioning of logistics systems;

development of methods for joint planning of supply, production, warehousing, sales, shipment and transportation of finished products.

The logistics method examines and optimizes the emergence, transformation or absorption of material and related flows at a certain economic object that functions as a system, that is, realizing the goals set for it and considered in this sense as a single whole.

An important aspect of logistics is the mutual influence of logistics and company strategy on the creation of new competitive advantages in the market, i.e. on the ultimate goals.

Main functional areas of logistics:

purchasing,

production,

distribution,

transport,

informational,

resource (personnel).

Macrologistics - solves issues related to the analysis of the market of suppliers and consumers, the development of a general distribution concept, the placement of warehouses at the service area, the choice of mode of transport and vehicles, the organization of the transport process, the rational directions of material flows, and the choice of a transit or warehouse scheme for the delivery of goods. The main task is to develop a balanced and justified comprehensive proposal that would contribute to achieving the highest efficiency of the company, increasing its market share and gaining advantages over competitors.

Micrologistics - solves local issues within individual firms and enterprises.

Want to know more about the practical application of logistics principles?

To the list of publications

New warehouse logistics 2001-2019

With the development of business and expansion of cooperation, business relationships are increasingly faced with issues relating to the delivery and movement of raw materials, information, finance and - logistics departments or logistics companies organize these processes.

Despite the apparent ease of implementing such an event, it is quite complex, labor-intensive and requires a lot of knowledge and experience in this field.

Definition

The term means management of flows of goods, finance and information.

The essence of this process is to find the most rational way to move the product and related funds from the manufacturer to the final recipient and consumer.

Its complexity lies in the need for strict control from the moment of receiving orders and information about planned movements to establishing the production process, storing goods and raw materials and developing optimal methods for their delivery.

When organizing logistics processes, the specialist dealing with this issue must structure the entire process in such a way that get maximum profit at minimum cost.

At the same time, cost savings must be reasonable, because the buyer intends to receive a high-quality product at an acceptable price within a deadline and at the same time maintaining a certain quality of service.

Features and key problems in Russia

Market relations in our country are still at the stage of formation, and therefore there are a number of problems in logistics itself that require timely solutions.

The main features and problems of logistics currently in our country are following:

• the difficulty of organizing planned sales due to their significant discrepancy with actual ones;
• a small number of transport companies and, as a result, minimal competition among them (such organizations often perform their duties poorly and unreasonably inflate prices for the services provided);
• lack of proper optimization of the supplier network;
• high cost of the process of organizing warehouse logistics;
• low efficiency of developed product flows.

Modern logistics is divided into several types, performing certain functions:

• purchasing– performs the functions of searching for suppliers and analyzing their market, assessing reliability, adjusting enterprise inventories, storing goods and raw materials, establishing profitable relationships with clients;
• marketing– consists of analyzing the sales market, managing product inventories, financial flows, warehousing, transportation, pricing, credit and advertising policies;
• warehouse– controls the layout of warehouses, their parameters, usable area, volume, organization of document circulation, warehouse costs;
• transport– regulates the choice of mode of transport (road, air, rail, pipeline, etc.), as well as the delivery route;
• financial– regulates mutual settlements, accounts receivable and payable, as well as the company’s transportation costs;
• trading– regulates issues related to the operation of the warehouse, its stocks, transport;
• industrial– performs the functions of supplying production, organizing sales and personnel flows;
• classical– solves general issues related to the organization and optimization of enterprise processes;
• innovative– concerns the search and implementation of additional reserves for increasing operational efficiency and increasing profits;
• integrated– performs the functions of combining all processes of one production to create a single uninterrupted process.

Subject, goals, objectives and logistic models

The subject of logistics is the management of resource flows of an individual company and the state of its resources.

As a consequence, the goal of logistics is to improve the efficiency of organizations by finding more profitable ways to move the flow of goods, finances and funds.

From the list of tasks solved by logistics, main are:

• goods movement management;
• control of organized flows of goods, services, finance and information;
• forecasting the need for goods and raw materials and, as a result, planning their movement.

When considering the subject of logistics and its organization, a deeper issue is the concept of the models (objects) used. As such objects, a set of actions and principles for constructing delivery organization stages (material flow, logistics costs, etc.) are studied.

Example of use at all stages of business

Logistics is necessary at almost all stages of business activity and is used as follows (consider the example of food production):

1. Business planning. It is necessary to calculate how profitable it is to locate production in a specific location - whether it is rational in terms of the cost of delivering raw materials, as well as the distance from their locations. It is worth noting that the tasks assigned by the owner to the logistician must be solved as soon as possible.
2. Planning the supply of manufactured products. An important point is the delivery of products if they are perishable (bread, milk, sausages) - after all, the absence of losses for the enterprise ultimately depends on the speed and smoothness of the process. In addition, at the stage of establishing relationships with customers, it is very important to deliver the goods within the desired time frame and, sometimes, at a specifically specified time.
3. Product sales management. Here logistics itself comes into close relationship with other structures of the enterprise and, most closely, with marketing. The coordinated work of all operating structures of the enterprise as a whole should ensure the most accurate and complete implementation of the assigned tasks.

The versatility of logistics lies in the fact that in the process of solving and organizing assigned tasks, a large number of operations:

• concluding and monitoring the implementation of contracts with suppliers and customers;
• control of enterprise inventory management;
• organization of transportation (sometimes delivery of necessary materials);
• resolving issues with customs authorities;
• analysis of existing market needs;
• development and conclusion of contracts with clients, taking into account legal and legal aspects.

Choosing a transport company

If you need to choose a transport company, you usually pay attention to the following factors:

1. Price for services. Of course, it should not be too high compared to the services of other companies. But too low a price can be fraught with non-compliance with obligations and poor quality of service.
2. The size of the company and the presence of branches in various parts of the country. The more developed the transport company is, the larger the cargo transportation map it will cover. As a result, if it is necessary to carry out transportation in different directions, it will be possible to continue to use the services of the same company.
3. Delivery time of goods to a specific point required by the client. As a rule, each transport company has its own terms of transportation from one locality to another. Here the client decides for himself whether they are suitable for him or not.
4. Warehouse location. The main importance is the remoteness of the place from where it is necessary to pick up the cargo from the transport company’s terminal, because the passage of even empty vehicles must also be paid accordingly.
5. Conditions of cargo transportation and cases of damage to goods. This depends on the mechanism for picking products, the speed of transportation, and the organization of the loading and unloading process.
6. Availability of an online calculator on the transport company’s website. Even before the process of contacting its specialists, you can independently, by entering the necessary conditions of transportation and points of departure and receipt of cargo, you can pre-calculate the cost of transportation.
7. Professionalism of transport company managers. The quality of the work and services provided ultimately depends on how qualified and experienced the company’s employees are.

Influence Sections

Logistics as a separate structure influences following processes:

• processing incoming information (orders, existing customers, delivery points) and its interpretation in favor of optimizing the movement of goods;
• interaction with government authorities - customs services, tax inspection, etc.;
• stock of raw materials, since one of the tasks of a logistician is the uninterrupted and timely supply of products to the client, the volume of its output should also be in the sphere of influence;
• procurement (the logistics department necessarily controls the process of purchasing raw materials and materials that influence the sales process).

Relationship with Marketing

Logistics and marketing, especially at the stage of distribution of manufactured products, are very closely interconnected and aimed at the highest quality implementation process in order to increase the company's sales.

Common tasks in which logistics and marketing intersect are:

1. Construction and organization of a distribution network for goods shipment depending on its demand and cost minimization.
2. Selection of containers and packaging for goods. On the one hand, it must attract the client as an ordinary consumer, and on the other, ensure the integrity and safety of the product during storage and delivery.
3. Pricing Process. Carrying out marketing activities and delivery of goods can significantly change the cost of products, both upward and downward (which, naturally, is a higher priority).

What does the logistics department do?

The logistics department is an organizational service of the enterprise and main directions its activities are:

1. Development of optimal routes for the delivery of goods, taking into account the maximum full load of transport, short delivery times and maintaining the quality of the goods.
2. Reducing costs for organizing transportation. This is often achieved by using one vehicle to deliver several cargoes in one direction.
3. Ensuring the safety of cargo during its delivery. In this case, the safety of the route, taking into account the temperature and humidity conditions of transporting goods, and the speed of loading and unloading products play an important role.
4. Effectively collaborates with other departments of the firm to ensure increased profits, reduced costs and improved profitability.

What does working in logistics mean and who is a logistician? The answers to these questions are in this video.

Hello, dear readers of the business magazine “site”! Today we'll talk about logistics- what it is in simple words, what tasks and goals it has, and we will also give tips on how to choose a logistics company.

In the modern world, the issue of cargo transportation is an integral part of the work of any enterprise. Properly organized delivery allows you to save the organization’s resources when conducting commercial activities. There is probably no area where such services are absolutely not needed. These and many other problems are solved by properly carried out logistics policy.

Modern universities prepare specialized specialists in this field, and the science of logistics itself reveals the secrets of successful business and teaches how to optimize the flow of materials, funds and information.

From this article you will learn:

• What is logistics and what are its tasks?
• What types of logistics are there;
• How to choose the right transport company for cooperation;
• About the specifics of Russian logistics and the logistician profession itself.

This article will be useful for beginners logisticians, business representatives who want to optimize the transport process, organize logistics control within the enterprise itself (for example, a business system), and also choose the right partner for long-term and profitable work in the field of delivery and freight forwarding.

Do you want to get acquainted with all the intricacies of logistics science? Then read about it right now!

About logistics - what it is and what functions and tasks it has, how to choose a logistics company and who is a logistician - read on

🔔 Logistics- This modeling, control And rationalization process transfer of goods , services or information from supplier to consumer. It can be assessed as strategic management of the supply process. Logistics control is aimed at reducing costs in the implementation or transfer of material, financial and information flows.

The logistics structure can be represented by the following processes:

• management by the buyer or consumer in order to minimize costs;
• management by the supplier aimed at increasing the profitability of delivery.

The logistics management process cannot be reduced to one constant action; it includes several aspects at once:

• execution of contracts;
• inventory management system;
• product delivery scheme;
• close communication with customs authorities;
• market demand monitoring;
• And so on.

To optimize this process, various logistics models are used at various stages. Some of these models can be classified as marketing, but they all boil down to the ultimate goal - increasing the profitability of business activities.

Logistics, as an independent region, arose due to a number of difficulties, related to the delivery of goods.

There are specialized logistics organizations that are approached by entrepreneurs and legal entities that do not have their own logistics department.

Although, in fact, logistics arose quite a long time ago. Even in the days of an agrarian society, international trade existed, and its participants tried to reduce the cost of transporting goods. In modern economic conditions and industrial scale production, logistics has reached a new level.

Logistics costs are one of the largest items in determining the cost of production.

2. Objectives, functions and goals of logistics 📑

The subject of logistics science is the state material, financial or information resources at various levels in a particular system and optimization of their flows.

The purpose of logistics is to increase the efficiency of the economic system through the management of logistics processes.

Logistics tasks include:

• commodity flow management;
• development of a system for managing the flow of goods, services and information;
• market monitoring and identifying demand for materials and goods, forecasting the future situation on the market.

Logistics includes the following concepts:

Logistics operation– operations aimed at changing material flows or service flows.

Logistics system is a system for planning and implementing all logistics operations.

In modern science, logistics systems are divided into:

• direct (establish a connection between supplier and consumer);
• mediation (include at least one additional participant).

Material flow– an object of logistics actions, which is measured by physical indicators of weight, size and time.

Logistics function– actions aimed at increasing operational efficiency at one or another stage of the logistics process.

Among them are:

• transport services;
• product storage;
• purchase of goods;
• creation of reserves.

Logistics costs– expenses associated with carrying out and processing logistics operations. They can become components of sales expenses or be included in the cost of production.

In fact, the formation of a logistics system represents a balancing of production interests and ensuring liquidity.

The efficiency of the logistics system directly depends on the volume of inventories available to the organization, which can be presented in the form of a comparative table:

No.	Index	Lots of supplies	Low stocks
1	Logistics costs	higher (-)	below (+)
2	Benefit from the use of working capital	below (-)	higher (+)
3	Adaptability to growth or decline in quantity demand	higher (+)	below (-)
4	Probability of contract violation	below (+)	higher (-)
5	Logistics system control	easier (+)	more difficult (-)
6	Adaptability to growth or decline in the range of market needs	below (-)	higher (+)

From this table it can be seen that the amount of inventory of an enterprise determines that the operation of the logistics system is related to the amount of resources of the enterprise.

3. Concept and main types of logistics - 7 most popular types ✈🚚⛴

The logistics management process includes various components that ensure optimal results from the system. Based on this, several types of logistics can be distinguished.

1) Transport logistics (Transport logistics)

Determining the most profitable route for the movement of funds, ensuring the transfer of material resources in the required volume and the required time frame from one point to another, for the purpose of further processing, redistribution or consumption of these resources.

2) Customs logistics

Exercising control over the material flow passing across state borders.

Customs logistics allows you to solve several problems at once:

• carrying out the transportation of goods;
• obtaining the necessary certificates for imported goods;
• registration of customs documentation;
• assessment of the value, condition and compliance with customs requirements of the cargo;
• support for further movement of cargo that has passed the customs border;
• ensuring compliance with currency legislation.

Customs logistics requires taking into account legal customs requirements and the costs associated with their implementation.

3) Production logistics

When production resources go through several stages within the enterprise itself in the process of creation and processing, it is necessary to establish control over this process in order to optimize it.

This is what production logistics does by solving the following tasks:

• coordination of work schedules performed in various production departments;
• compliance of work deadlines by all departments with the processes of purchasing resources and selling products;
• identifying consumer needs in order to effectively plan the production process;
• quick response to disruptions in production, its adjustment and control of the completion of assigned tasks within the given time frame.

4) Inventory logistics

The main task of inventory logistics is to establish a constant, uninterrupted process for the production and sale of a product. Its solution is carried out by monitoring existing stocks of goods and production resources, taking into account risks, seasonal specifics and consistency of supply.

5) Purchasing logistics (Supply logistics)

Monitors the movement of material flows that provide the production process with the necessary resources. Includes supply of production, supply of materials, their storage until release into production.

The need for supply logistics is determined by:

• Inconsistency in the supply process inevitably leads to downtime in production. It is necessary to control purchases in terms of quantity, quality, delivery organization, packaging integrity and assortment.
• More than half of the cost of manufactured goods is created in the supply process.

To increase and maintain the required level of business competitiveness, the organization of supply logistics is mandatory. To do this, the state of the market for purchased materials is constantly monitored and the profitability of purchasing or independently producing the necessary raw materials is determined.

6) Information logistics

This area of ​​logistics deals with the control and coordination of data flows that come in addition to material ones. In relation to the enterprise itself, such flows can be divided into internal And external, and within the organization – horizontal And vertical.

The provisions of information logistics are determined by internal regulations on document flow at the enterprise.

In cases of desynchronization of material and information movement, important so that the informational one does not go ahead of the material one.

If it is impossible to synchronize material and information flows, it is desirable that the information flow is somewhat ahead of the material flow.

7) Warehouse logistics

This type of logistics is aimed at controlling the operation of the warehouse - acceptance, storage, issuance of materials. Issues such as the optimal location of warehouses and warehouse accounting, which directly affects the assessment of product costs in accounting, are also determined.

Warehouse Logistics also solves the problems of organizing warehouse facilities and optimizing the placement of warehouses. The nature of warehouse accounting may influence the accounting estimate of cost.

Logistics company - the main criteria for choosing a logistician. company

4. How to choose a logistics company - TOP-8 selection criteria 📝

The Russian logistics services market is represented by many companies. There are no monopolies and high competition, but the quality of the services provided is not always at the proper level.

There are several criteria, which should be used when choosing such a company, even in a little-studied region.

Criterion 1. The carrier must have its own fleet of vehicles, otherwise it is an intermediary, which will increase the cost of transportation. Ask the company whether it even intends to seriously provide services or whether the company provides solely intermediary services.

Criterion 2. The carrier company must provide guarantees. The contract must indicate the exact time of delivery of the goods and travel time.

Criterion 3. If the company does not have its own fleet of vehicles or it is insufficient, the use of the services of transport companies is necessary. But, even if you have your own means of transportation, it makes sense to estimate the costs; perhaps delivery by a logistics company will be cheaper.

The fact is that those companies that specialize in transportation have more opportunities in this area due to cost savings, through the formation of consolidated cargo in one direction and preferences for the wholesale purchase of fuel, vehicle maintenance, and so on.

Criterion 4. Carrier liability insurance is an important aspect that allows you to obtain guarantees of cargo safety or compensation for damage in the event of an insured event.

Criterion 5. It is necessary to compare the conditions and costs of several carriers at once.

Criterion 6. The ability of a logistics company to work with non-standard orders indicates its seriousness. It is possible to conclude an additional agreement to provide alternative transport in case of emergency, but of course the tariff will be higher.

Criterion 7. It is important to read reviews about the company’s work via the Internet.

Criterion 8. Particular attention should be paid when using additional services of a customs broker. Errors in documentation can significantly delay deliveries.

5. Main problems and features of Russian logistics 📊

In Russia, the situation in the logistics sector is not the most favorable. This is due to climatic conditions, long distances, the condition of the road surface and the technical capabilities of transport.

Transport costs in the Russian Federation greatly exceed the world average and amount to about 20% of GDP, this is, first of all, due to the specifics of the Russian Federation’s actions on the international market as one of the largest suppliers of raw materials, as well as its territorial size.

Russia has a number of problems in the field of logistics:

• high prices for warehouse and unloading services;
• the hidden nature of many costs;
• non-performance of the parties to the contract;
• unstable market conditions and ineffective sales planning;
• poor development of transport infrastructure, limiting economic growth to a limit of 4% per year, at best;
• limited number of suppliers;
• shortage of qualified personnel and, as a consequence, erroneous logistics models;
• difficult natural conditions in most regions.

Due to the crisis, many logistics systems are being reduced, which leads to a decrease in the profitability of many sectors of the country's economy. However, in conditions of decreasing competition, stronger firms remain that are able to maintain the appropriate level of logistics services provided and occupy vacant niches in the market.

6. Who provides logistics services - review of the TOP-5 companies in the Russian logistics services market 📄

On the Russian market there are many private carriers and large logistics companies capable of providing a wide range of services and operating throughout the country or most regions.

1) Business lines

The largest transport and logistics company in Russia. It has been operating throughout the country for more than 12 years and provides a variety of services in the field of logistics:

• road, rail and air transportation;
• transportation by separate transport;
• presence of branches and cargo delivery points in most regions of Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus;
• transportation of consolidated cargo;
• Availability of fast delivery services;
• the ability to comply with the temperature regime of transportation using specialized equipment on a special flight;
• the ability to track cargo and alert system;

This company cares about the peace of mind of customers and controls the quality of service, provides guarantees and insurance services

2) PEC

This company operates throughout the country and has more than 100 representative offices, constantly expanding.

For more than 10 years, PEK has been improving the quality of services and their variety:

• targeted delivery of cargo and collection from the client;
• a system for informing customers about the intersection of key points along the route;
• variety of packaging of transported material;
• loading and unloading of delivered goods.

3) Delko

The company has been operating for more than 17 years, has more than 1000 vehicles and delivers any cargo weighing up to 20 tons using various vehicles throughout Russia and Kazakhstan:

• refrigerated semi-trailers (±20C mode);
• semi-trailers with awning - 90 m3;
• tent semi-trailers 110 m3 (16.5 m, 40 pallets) using bunks.

4) TTG

The company has been operating for about 5 years in Russia and the CIS, transporting cargo from 0.5 to 20 tons, and has more than 5,000 units of various equipment, which allows you to quickly load vehicles in any region of the country and just as quickly find a replacement if necessary.

In the electronic database of ATI carriers, TTG has the highest rating and several hundred positive reviews from customers. The company was awarded the “Guarantor of Quality and Reliability” award in 2014 and provides its services to many large clients on an ongoing basis.

5) YES-TRANS

This company provides both logistics and forwarding services in full. Transportation is carried out throughout the Russian Federation, including the Crimean Peninsula, as well as to the CIS countries - Armenia, Kazakhstan, Belarus. There is a possibility of delivery “to the client’s door”. Loads from 500 kg or 2 m³ in volume are accepted for transportation and are delivered both by separate transport and by a groupage vehicle. Oversized cargo and cargo requiring temperature control are also accepted for processing.

The company’s specialists optimize cargo routes, having complete data on the condition of the route, road repair work and traffic jams, which helps reduce transportation costs.

The calculation of the amount of payment for transportation in any direction is calculated in 15 minutes.

7. What is the difference between forwarding activities and logistics 📎

Forwarding activities are an integral part of the work of a logistician, but they are limited only to coordinating the movement of goods, escorting and delivery to their destination.

Logistics, in itself, is a broader concept. It involves optimizing material and information flows in parallel with forwarding activities.

The full scope of transport expedition services includes:

• cargo collection, transportation and delivery to the destination
• loading and unloading of goods;
• control of payment for transportation;
• preparation of necessary documents;
• possible customs broker services;
• informing the parties to the contract about the route and stage of cargo movement
• And so on.

That is, forwarding activities is just one component of logistics.

8. Logistician - what kind of profession is this or who is a logistician 📄

A person engaged in logistics activities is referred to as "logistician" (logistician).

Logistics is responsible for optimizing product sales flows by performing various tasks to rationalize and increase the efficiency of material and information flows in conditions of limited time and specifying the starting and ending points.

The areas of work of a logistics specialist (manager) are as follows:

• transportation carried out by more than one vehicle under one contract, called multimodal;
• freight forwarding;
• warehouse management and control of materials storage;
• control of material and technical base;
• filling out and submitting the necessary customs documents;
• planning and management within corporate logistics;
• ensuring control over services related to information, reference and service activities;
• sales control of distribution of inventory items;
• other.

A successful logistician must master the free use of computer programs , such as: 1C , Bank-client And other , and also be able to quickly find high-quality and reliable information that is relevant at the moment.

A prerequisite for the activity of a logistician is the ability to make forecasts for sales, purchases and possible transport difficulties, assimilate and apply statistical data in daily work.

9. Conclusion + video on the topic 🎥

The importance of properly organizing the delivery of goods during sales, coordinating purchasing processes and controlling warehouse operations is undeniable. At the same time, it is important to understand exactly what services can be provided logistics company, as well as what logisticians should do within the enterprise.

The efficiency of any business directly depends on costs, including transport operations . For example, when managing, it is important to understand what part of the costs will be on delivery of goods, since, as a rule, buyers of Chinese “trend” goods (usually goods costing about $10-20) have to spend a third of the cost on delivery.

Nowadays, the Russian market is represented by a wide selection of transportation partners and a range of services provided. No less important are the guarantees that the forwarder can provide.

Logistics, as a separate branch of business, has emerged relatively recently, however, has already firmly established itself in the market. At the same time, there are many types and directions of it, which you have already familiarized yourself with in the article.

Now you know how important it is to choose the right partner for transportation, what skills a logistician should have, and which companies occupy top positions in the logistics services market.

Dear readers of the magazine “RichPro.ru”, we will be grateful if you share your wishes, experiences and comments on the topic of publication in the comments below.

Maria Soboleva

Logistics – what is it and what is its benefit?

What is logistics? What does this science do, what problems does it solve? What are logistics companies for? Does it make sense to use their services?

What is logistics in simple words

There are so many definitions of logistics that we don’t have enough time to list them all. Yes, we don’t really need terminology. The main thing is to grasp the meaning of this concept.

We can briefly describe what logistics is as follows: the goal of this science is the most rational promotion of goods and services from the supplier to the final consumer.

This process itself is incredibly complex, representing a single chain of interconnected actions: from marketing and receiving an order to production, storage and transportation.

Logistics is the management of the flow of goods, services, finance, and information. But not only - logistics can safely be called a real philosophy of successful business.

Logistics - what are its tasks?

What does philosophy have to do with it, you ask? It’s all very simple: there is a client with his own requirements - he wants to receive a product or service of good quality, at the best price, on time and for the service to be at the highest level.

And the supplier wants to organize this process so that costs are minimal and profits, accordingly, are maximized.

And when everyone gets theirs and is satisfied with the end result, the goal of logistics has been achieved.

What is the main task of logistics - to satisfy the needs of consumers, excuse the tautology.

What are our needs? We want to buy goods of excellent quality at the right time, in a convenient place: in the morning, a freshly baked loaf of bread and a fresh newspaper, in the afternoon, a delicious lunch at an affordable price in the nearest cafe, in the evening, shopping for groceries for the family (both inexpensively, but of high quality, and wide range).

How the process of producing goods will be organized, where they are taken from, where they are stored, how many people are involved in this movement, how everything is paid for and coordinated - we do not care.

Transport logistics, what is it - the process of managing the transportation of goods (moving material assets using transport).

What is important in this logistics:

1. it is necessary to create transport corridors;
2. choose the optimal types of vehicles;
3. lay out a rational route;
4. plan the delivery process together with manufacturers and the warehouse chain;
5. minimize transportation costs;
6. make fuller use of rolling stock, taking into account its carrying capacity;
7. deliver products on time.

Warehousing and cargo handling

Warehouses where materials and finished products are stored are important components of the logistics system. There are warehouses that are tied to production, and independent facilities. Some are located at bases and in stores.

What is cargo handling - we mean the processes of loading and unloading and moving all incoming goods across warehouse areas.

Inventory Management

This area of ​​the logistics system requires strict and accurate calculations of how much inventory is needed at each point in the infrastructure. Here, calculations are made taking into account the needs of the entire chain, and the main task is to deliver the ordered products to the consumer on time and in the required volume and quality.

Information Support

And this part of the overall system allows for optimal regulation of the entire process. It was information systems that made it possible to combine individual links into one whole.

As a result, it became possible to organize the entire supply chain in such a way that costs were kept to a minimum.

Logistics - problems and prospects

What is our logistics? The management industry is still underdeveloped, and many problems are hampering its active implementation.

For example, there is a shortage of qualified personnel proficient in modern logistics technologies.

Often, managers of even large companies underestimate the role of logistics processes in the success of their business.

The following problem is also encountered everywhere: many enterprises do not use the technologies needed today: barcoding, automatic goods processing systems, and so on.

The age-old problem of roads, alas, is still relevant. The quality of highways leaves much to be desired, not to mention their complete absence in some regions. Hence - additional transport costs.

There are also not enough modern warehouse facilities, and the cost of storage and cargo handling services is too high.

And, perhaps, the most important problem of the poor development of logistics is the conflicting interests of different participants in the supply chain. As a rule, everyone has experience in their own narrow area of ​​activity (some are involved in storing products, others specialize only in cargo delivery). Everyone pursues their own interests.

And the main task of the logistician is to organize a unified system, to motivate the participants in the process to coordinate the implementation of a common goal, that is, timely delivery of products to the end consumer.

Qualified, intelligent logisticians today are among the most in-demand professions. The requirements for them are high; you need to know and be able to do a lot. So ambitious young people choosing a future specialty have something to think about.

Take it for yourself and tell your friends!

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