Smarter materials handling and careful inventory control help streamline your merchandise flow, leading to faster order fulfilment, better customer service, and more profitable returns.
Supply chains, logistics, and transportation each have important distinctions. Understanding these differences can make a huge difference in the way your products are delivered to end consumers. In this blog, we will not only help you analyze what those distinctions are, but we will show you how to run a more efficient distribution management process.
The Science of Transportation and Logistics Management
Think about what it takes to get products from point A to point B. It is not as simple as carrying large amounts of inventory and delivering products to a specific destination. There is a lot of ground to cover in this process and many steps must be taken.
This is what is most important to know:
Logistics vs. Supply Chain Management
When you hear the term "transportation logistics," what comes to mind? Many people automatically link the term with supply chain management or air freight. While this is true, it is only a small part of a comprehensive supply chain process. Simply put, supply chain management encompasses all aspects of materials handling and distribution. This includes sourcing, manufacturing, and final delivery.
Transportation logistics is exclusively about managing material as it moves through the supply chain. This is directly related to the way the freight is transported. Whether by truck, air or ship, this distribution model helps ensure that all products are transported safely and efficiently.
Types of distribution logistics
Transportation management incorporates a wide range of distribution activities. These activities focus on the efficient delivery and movement of finished products. Basically, this process moves goods from one end of a production line to consumers. To do this, you must run a successful trade in three main areas:
Order fulfillment
Any successful business owner will tell you that customer service is the No. 1 priority. But to provide a valuable experience to your consumers, you need to support them with the end product in the most efficient way possible. This stage of the distribution process is known as the order fulfilment stage. It involves everything from shipping to marketing and more. Its four main focuses are:
-Fast production time
-Efficiencies of a transaction
-Reliable deliveries
-Effective internal and external communication
-Warehouse management
When it comes to distribution, you don't just have to worry about transportation services. Storage space management is also a critical aspect of your operation. But finding a facility like ocean freight with a lot of inventory space is just one piece of the puzzle you need to solve. When it comes to warehouse management, you'll need to oversee an operation that pushes and stores goods through a distribution center, a cross-dock, and an inbound warehouse.
During this process, you will need to strategically design how your warehouse is set up. Not only do you need enough shelf space for products, but you also need to install your equipment in areas from forwarding agent that won't interfere with the transportation of those items. And you need to make sure there is enough space left for your teammates to function safely and comfortably. With an efficient warehousing system set up, you're creating enough space to quickly move products from one stage of your distribution to the next.
Transportation management
This is the final stage of distribution. Transportation management is about finding the most optimal transportation source for product transportation. This process involves the management of all inbound and outbound shipments through custom clearance. Transportation management incorporates the overall design of the carrier's network and its level of flow. With an effective transportation management strategy in place, your customers will enjoy the more here benefits of greater stability, visibility, and control of their transportation costs and functions.
Improve freight movement with Solid Xpress Logistics
Whether it's inventory management, raw material handling, or final merchandise distribution, you can rely on the experts at Solid Xpress Logistics to provide a flawless supply chain strategy for your entire organization. We are the current gold standard in everything from warehousing to fulfillment to transportation and more. By taking advantage of our flexible distribution services, you'll have faster and safer deliveries, more satisfied customers, and a profitable logistics management economy.