Logistics management

Resources are an available supply of equipment, environment, machines, materials, processes, labor, documentation, and utilities, such as heat, light, water, power etc., which can be drawn upon when needed. This therefore requires detailed planning and logistics management and may require many lists and subplans so that the resources are available when required. Inventory management is an element of such planning. 

The supply side of the value chain has been subject to research since the middle of the 20th century. The research field can be structured into logistics management, production management, procurement and sourcing, as well as supply chain management. 

Holmstrom J, Framling KTJ, Karkkainen M, Ala-Risk T (2002) Implementing collaboration process networks. The International Journal of Logistics Management 13 (2) 39-50... 

Salthouse R. 1992. Making Clean Gasoline The Effect on Jet Fuels. Logistics Management Inst Bethesda, MD. 

Ballou RH (1992) Business Logistics Management. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs... 

JOHN D. CHRISTIE, Logistics Management Institute ROBERT P. CURRIER, Los Alamos National Laboratory RUTH A. DAVID, Analytic Services, Inc. 

VINCENT VITTO, Charles S. Draper Laboratory, Inc., Chair IOSEPH B. REAGAN, Saratoga, California, Vice Chair ARTHUR B. BAGGEROER, Massachusetts Institute of Technology IOHN D. CHRISTIE, Logistics Management Institute RUTH A. DAVID, Analytic Services, Inc. 

T. L. Pohlen, M. Farris n, Reverse Logistics in Plastic Recycling, International Journal of Physical Distribution Logistics Management, 22(7), 35-47 (1992). 

Bowersox DJ, Gloss DJ. Logistical Management the Integrated Supply Chain Process. McGraw-Hill Series in Marketing. 1996. 

Lambert DM. Strategic Logistics Management. Irwin Series in Marketing. 1992. 

Manufacturers with a well-recognized brand name and their own manufacturing operations have used manufacturer-pushed logistics management, where manufacturers dictate terms of distribution. On the other hand, manufacturers who are concerned with product development, market competition, and other strategic issues rely on contract manufacturers for efficient bulk manufacturing and dis-... 

Wholesalers and retailers often suffer from inefficient logistics management. Distributors may have as much as 70% of their assets in inventory that is not moving fast, while retailers receive replenishments and new products long after sales opportunities have disappeared. Optimizing distribution cycles and lowering incurred costs are a common concern for manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. 

In the next section we provide examples of three logistics models that span the three levels of decisions described above. In Section 4 we describe the key components of decision support systems (DSS) for logistics management. Finally, in Section 5 we describe the advantages and impact of using DSS on logistics management. 

THE IMPACT OF DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS ON LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT... 

Thus, it is no surprise that logistics management has been transformed in the last 10 years from a largely manual process to a more automated one. Major advances in computer and communications technology and the introduction of the Internet and e-commerce have effected this trend. These developments provide new opportunities and increase expectations for a fast and flawless logistics process. The Internet also provides new models in how information systems ate deployed. For instance, companies may not need to own the sophisticated DSS— they are able to lease them based on their needs. This mode of deployment is now referred to as application service provider (ASP) and is considered one of the most important trends in information systems, especially for mid-sized companies who cannot afford expensive systems. 

We summarize the article with major trends that many experts (see, e.g., Shepard and Lupide 1999) envision for the future in applying DSS for logistics management ... 

Logistics Management Online, June (accessed August 30, 1999). 

Cooke, J. A. (1999), A Tool for All Tasks, Logistics Management Online, February (accessed... 

The Council of Logistics Management is the leading-edge professional logistics organization, with a current membership of over 15,000. 

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