Logistics management definition
Logistics management is the coordination of all the key processes of a logistics network – including warehousing, inventory control, order fulfilment, packaging, distribution and transportation. Logistics management is important as it helps businesses to plan and implement processes that ensure their goods are shipped to customers in the most economical and timely manner – with optimal use of resources.
Industry research found that over 60% of US and European companies lost up to 20% in revenue in 2020 due to logistical disruptions1. Granted, it was an exceptional year due to Covid 19, but it still highlights the need for businesses to run a slick, optimised logistics network that can adapt quickly to unexpected challenges if they’re to reduce the risk to their profits. And that’s where logistics management is integral.
The benefits of efficient logistics management
1. Cost reduction
Logistics management gives your business greater visibility over its supply chain, helping you identify inefficiencies and wasted resources. For example, optimising your warehouse layout will reduce the amount of space you need to lease, whilst adopting route-optimisation software for your transportation will reduce your fuel costs.
2. Improved customer satisfaction
Good logistics management ensures a well-run order fulfilment system – including inventory management and delivery. This ensures accurate orders, fast delivery times, and less chance of customers seeing an “out of stock” message on your e-commerce website – all of which improves their experience with your brand and increases their likelihood of becoming a repeat customer.
3. Enhanced competitiveness
With real-time visibility over all your logistics operations, you can run an agile network that is able to respond quickly to unexpected events – such as a surge in demand for one of your products, or a delay from a supplier. Your business can make speedy, decisive decisions that ensure the end customer is not impacted, and keep it ahead of competitors.
4. Reduced stockouts and overstocking
Good logistics management ensures a well-run order fulfilment system – including inventory management and delivery. This ensures accurate orders, fast delivery times, and less chance of customers seeing an “out of stock” message on your e-commerce website – all of which improves their experience with your brand and increases their likelihood of becoming a repeat customer.
The core principles of effective logistics management
Planning and forecasting
Logistics planning is about delivering the right product to the right customer at the right time, and for that, forecasting plays a crucial role – helping businesses to prepare for demand and manage resources effectively within the supply chain.
Inventory forecasting, for example, enlists sophisticated software that can track things like seasonal trends and past sales data to predict future demand. This helps businesses to determine the ideal amount of inventory, thus minimising costs associated with holding and transporting it.
Meanwhile, route optimisation software helps businesses plan the best route to get their goods to their destination – improving delivery times and reducing fuel costs.
Optimisation
Further optimisation can be seen within the warehouse. Examples include:
- Optimising the layout so the most in-demand items are closest to the packing stations to reduce picking time. Efficient space utilisation also reduces storage and labour costs.
- Automating key tasks such as picking and packing via dedicated technology. For example, integrating tech to scan a SKU’s barcode as it’s being picked will ensure greater accuracy. This in turn minimises the risk of product returns due to picking errors – an expensive headache for retailers to handle.
- Determining the optimal routes for inventory flows, so goods arriving to the warehouse are processed and moved on for shipping to customers in the fastest, most efficient way.
Collaboration
Smooth logistics management relies of close collaboration between different departments. The sales teams will have important insights into customer demand which can help the buying and logistics teams prepare accordingly. By communicating often, they can also deal swiftly with any challenges that might slow down the logistics network and cause delays to your customers.
Technology adoption
Across all aspects of logistics, technology is helping to automate processes, improve efficiencies, and ensure customer satisfaction.
An Order Management System, for example, enables businesses to track an order from the moment a customer clicks “buy”, to the time they receive their goods. This real-time visibility allows businesses to know instantly when there is a delay, and take swift action to negate the issue.
Elsewhere, Warehouse Management Systems are integral to a smooth logistics operation – managing everything from warehouse layout (so space is being used in the most optimal way), to tracking inventory levels in real time. For the latter, it can even send automatic replenishment orders through to a supplier so there is never a stockout.
Strategies for effective logistics management
Follow these best practices to help your business achieve an efficient and cost-effective logistics operation.
Warehouse management strategies
Space utilisation. Maximise space through vertical storage, and place the most in-demand items closer to the packing stations to reduce retrieval time. Implement zone picking, too – divide your warehouse into zones based on demand and picking requirements, and assign specific workers to each zone for more efficiency.
Automate key processes:
Goods-to-Person (GTP) technologies – such as conveyor belts and carousels – bring goods directly to the operators, saving time by reducing unnecessary movement within the warehouse.
Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) move materials around the warehouse quickly, without the need for physical guides or markers.
Robotic picking arms can handle repetitive tasks with greater accuracy and speed than humans.
Automated sorting stations use barcodes to sort goods according to destination and packaging requirements, and manages their packing, labeling and dispatch for shipping.
Implement a Warehouse Management System to support your day-to-day operations. The software tracks goods from the moment they arrive at your warehouse and manages every step of the fulfilment process – including order allocation, inventory replenishment, and delivery schedules. It can even optimise the warehouse’s layout to make the best use of space. And, with the real-time data a WMS gives, your customers can receive regular updates about their orders’ status.
Transportation management strategies
The movement of goods from the supplier to the end customer is often a multimodal process – involving rail, road, water and air – which can quickly become complex for businesses to manage. That’s when a Transport Management System (TMS) can help. The technology is a key part of supply chain management, and its benefits to your business include:
Optimised route planning: a TMS will determine the most efficient route for each shipment, considering factors like distance, traffic and available resources.
Streamlined procurement: a TMS acquires carriers’ shipping rates, displaying them in real-time and in one place, making price comparisons easier. You can also filter carriers based on criteria such as rates, transit time and capacity.
Analytics: a TMS can forecast transportation demand and analyse rates, helping you to make swift, data-driven decisions.
Greater visibility: giving you full tracking of all shipments – information you can share with customers and stakeholders.
Documentation management: invoicing, billing, contracts and shipping paperwork held in one place.
Inventory management techniques
There are several techniques your business can adopt to maintain optimal inventory levels:
ABC analysis: this classifies inventory items based on their importance in terms of sales volume and profitability; “A” are high value, “B” are medium, “C” are low. Using sales data, businesses can identify the most in-demand inventory (“A”) and prioritise it for reordering, thus avoiding stockouts. This strategy also helps businesses allocate resources and inform supplier negotiations.
Just-in-time inventory: this involves receiving raw materials from suppliers as close to production as possible. This lean management process is designed to minimise the amount of inventory businesses need to hold, reducing storage and handling costs.
Inventory management system: this software allows businesses to track goods throughout the supply chain. With greater visibility, they can ensure stock levels are always maintained at optimal levels. Furthermore, the technology’s data collection and analytics capabilities can identify sales patterns, so businesses can better forecast future demand.
Tracking performance with metrics
Your business can only improve its logistics management by setting Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Some key metrics to consider are delivery lead times, inventory turnover, order fulfilment accuracy and shipping times. Set achievable targets for each KPI and review them regularly. This strategy will help you run a highly optimised logistics operation that reduces waste, minimises costs, and ensures customer promises are kept
The future of logistics management trends
Expect to see AI play an increasing role within logistics management. According to a study by McKinsey2, AI has helped businesses improve logistics costs by 15%, inventory levels by 35%, and service levels by 65%.
It is already enabling meaningful advancements in route planning, demand forecasting, asset management, and more. AI-driven computer vision is also one to watch closely. Computer vision systems gather information from visual inputs like digital images and videos; by collecting and crunching this visual data using algorithms, these systems can then make suggestions and even perform actions. The technology is set to highly impact logistics in the coming years, enabling more efficient processes as well as sustainable and safe operations.
Effective logistics management is the key to supply chain efficiency. Businesses which adopt the latest advancements in technology will benefit from a streamlined logistics network which reduces waste, minimises costs and ensures customer demand is always met. There’s a lot to consider with logistics, but with a DHL Express Business Account, you can be assured the delivery is in good hands. Fast, accurate delivery to your customers with the international shipping experts.
