Unit 16 Logistics

一）基本要求
　　了解：The Logistical Value Proposition
　　熟悉：Definition of Logistics, Logistics operation
　　掌握：The work of logistics
二）考试内容
　　1. Definition of Logistics
　　The Council of Logistics Management has developed the following definition: “Logistics is the process of planning, implementing and controlling the efficient, effective flow and storage of goods, services and related information from point of origin to the point of consumption for the purpose of conforming to customer requirements.”
　　物流是指以满足客户需求为目的，对货物、服务以及相关信息从发源地到消费地经济、高效的流动及储存进行计划、实施、控制的过程。
　　2. The Logistical Value Proposition
　　3. The work of Logistics
　　There are five areas of logistical work: (1) order processing; (2) inventory; (3) transportation; (4) warehousing, materials handling, and packaging; and (5) facility network.
　　For a supply chain to realize the maximum strategic benefit of logistics, the full range of functional work must be integrated（整合）.
　　It is the interrelation of functions that challenges（促使） the successful implementation of integrated logistical management （整合物流管理的成功实施）. Work related to these functional areas combines to create the capabilities needed to achieve logistical value.（创造以实现物流价值所需要的能力）
　　3.1 Order processing
　　In most supply chains, customer requirements are transmitted in the form of orders. The processing of these orders involves all aspects of managing customer requirements from initial order receipt, delivery, invoicing, and collection.
　　（订单处理包括管理客户需求的各方面，从最初接受订单、交货，到开具发票、收款）
　　3.2 Inventory
　　The objective in inventory strategy is to achieve desired customer service with the minimum inventory commitment（最低库存量）.
　　Logistical strategies should be designed to maintain the lowest possible financial investment in inventory.
　　A sound inventory strategy is based on a combination of five aspects of selective deployment（选择性调度结合基础上）: core customer segmentation（核心客户的分离）, product profitability（产品利润率）, transportation integration（运输整合）, time-based performance（时间性绩效）, and competitive performance（竞争性绩效）.
　　3.3 Transportation
　　Transportation requirements can be satisfied in three basic ways.
　　First, a private fleet of equipment may be operated. Second, contracts may be arranged with dedicated transport specialists. Third, an enterprise may engage the services of a wide variety of carriers that provide different transportation services on a per shipment basis.
　　From the logistical system viewpoint, three factors are fundamental to transportation performance: cost, speed, and consistency. In designing a logistical system, a delicate balance must be maintained between transportation cost and service quality. （设计物流系统必须在运输成本和服务质量之间保持一种精妙的平衡）=

　　3.4 Warehousing, Materials
　　Handling, and Packaging
　　Inventory typically needs to be warehoused at selected times during the logistics process.
　　Transportation vehicles require materials handling for efficient loading and unloading.
　　Finally, the individual products are most efficiently handled when packaged together into shipping cartons or other unit loads.
　　When effectively integrated into an enterprise’s logistical operations, warehousing, materials handling, and packaging facilitate the speed and overall ease of product flow throughout the logistical system.
　　3.5 Facility Network
　　In business operations, the number, size, and geographical relationship of facilities used to perform logistical operations directly impacts customer service capabilities and cost.
　　Network design is a primary responsibility of logistical management since a firm’s facility structure is used to ship products and materials to customers.
　　Typical logistics facilities are manufacturing plants, warehouses, cross-dock (码头之间)operations, and retail stores.
　　The selection of a superior locational network can provide a significant step toward achieving competitive advantage.
　　4. Logistical Operations
　　4.1 Inventory Flow（库存流）
　　Logistical operations can be divided into three areas: market distribution（市场分销）, manufacturing support（制造支持）, and procurement（采购）.
　　The movement of finished product to customers is market distribution.
　　The area of manufacturing support concentrates on managing work-in-process（半成品） inventory as it flows between stages of manufacturing.
　　Procurement is concerned with purchasing and arranging inbound movement（向内部流动） of materials, parts, and/or finished（制成品） inventory from suppliers to manufacturing or assembly plants, warehouses, or retail stores.
　　4.2 Information Flow（信息流）
　　The primary objective of information flow management is to reconcile（协调） these differentials to improve overall supply chain performance.
　　It is important to stress that information requirements parallel the actual work performed in market distribution, manufacturing support, and procurement（信息要求与市场分销、制造支持、采购过程中进行的实际工作同等重要）. Whereas these areas contain the actual logistics work, information facilitates coordination of planning and control of day-to-day operations. Without accurate information the effort involved in the logistical system can be wasted.