What is logistics in simple words. A logistics company is an enterprise that provides services for the transportation, processing and storage of goods. Rating of Russian logistics companies

Many of us hear the word "logistics" - what it is, not everyone clearly understands. This term is really ambiguous and means in a global sense the science of the correct rational transportation of resources, and in a practical sense - a tool for such an organization.

Logistics - what is it?

Logistics is the correct competent management of information, material and human flows, in the narrow sense - cost minimization and optimization of the delivery time of materials and human resources. The concept includes a methodology for developing optimal rational ways to manage such flows. The work of trading companies, manufacturing enterprises is impossible if they lack competent and efficient logistics - what it is, they describe three necessary components:

material flows- materials, raw materials, components. They must be purchased in a timely manner and delivered without delay.
cash flows- receipt and distribution of funds, tracking the movement of these funds, monitoring the work of the financial department.
Information flows- the movement of information in the company, in the enterprise. Employees should receive information about the work of the enterprise just in time.

Logistician - what kind of profession?

A logistician is a profession that consists in organizing the delivery of specific goods from point A to point B with minimal waste and delivery time, and taking into account the interests of the client, manufacturer, seller, and drivers. Who is a logistician? In simple words, this is a person who can deliver the right product on time and with minimal time and effort. Only at first glance, this work is simple, but in reality it requires the following skills and abilities:

attentiveness;
readiness for great responsibility;
the ability to think creatively;
readiness for constant traveling and frequent business trips;
and patience, love for people.

Types of logistics

The basic concepts of logistics are flows: material and information. They can be classified in various ways:

material- is aimed at managing goods: material flows;
informational– manages information flows, is aimed at building communication networks;
financial- management of the company's cash flows;
personnel– the movement of human flows, the hiring and dismissal of employees, monitoring compliance with labor laws.

It is also possible to classify according to the field of entrepreneurship. So, on a functional basis, several main types of the science under consideration are distinguished:

transport (selection of the type of transportation of goods, determination of the route of movement);
cargo (movement of bulky goods);
marketing (distribution of goods, development of distribution channels);
procurement (search and evaluation of suppliers);
informational (data exchange with partners, optimization of the movement of information in the enterprise between employees);
warehouse (organization of warehouse operations, such as loading, unloading, etc.);
customs (movement of import-export commodity flows).

Transport logistics

The section of the science under consideration, dealing with the organization of delivery, is called transport. The basics of transport logistics can be represented in the form of six main rules:

selection of the optimal mode of transport for transportation;
choice of transportation method;
choice of carrier, contracts with other logistics partners;
construction of delivery routes;
unification of the transport and storage process;
optimization of the parameters of the distribution process (reduction of costs, increase in the speed of transportation).

Freight logistics

Part of the transport is cargo logistics; what it is - it is the most efficient use of the potential of the carrying capacity of the rolling stock; organization of regular deliveries without warehouses, which is the main goal of logistics. The main concept here is a cargo unit, that is, a certain amount of production, which is considered as an indivisible product. When loading, unloading, moving, they deal with cargo units.

Purchasing logistics

The essence of procurement logistics is to ensure the process of movement of raw materials. In the process of providing the company with material resources, it is necessary to competently manage material flows: to understand what, from whom, under what conditions, how much to buy. During the procurement process, it is necessary to solve the following tasks:

determining the need for resources, calculating such a need, establishing the mass, delivery parameters;
research of the procurement market and selection of the optimal supplier;
negotiation and procurement;
delivery control.

Information logistics

The concept of logistics is to rationalize the economic activity of the enterprise by optimizing the production processes, however, the work of any company is impossible without competent human resource management and information transfer. A logistician is not only a person who is engaged in the supply and distribution of goods, but also a competent manager. His responsibilities include the timely transmission of messages that circulate in the distribution system to the participants in the logistics process and employees of the enterprise.

Warehouse Logistics

Warehouse logistics - warehouse management, the procedure for accepting material for storage, such storage and issuance of goods for subsequent sale. Among the tasks of such a sub-sector are: competent organization of warehousing, placement of goods put into storage. The warehouse process can be divided into three stages:

provision of stocks of goods, accounting of such stocks and their control;
processing and accumulation of cargo, execution of necessary documents, intra-warehouse transportation, storage of goods;
order picking, delivery of goods to the consumer, control of the correct fulfillment of consumer orders, customer service and warehouse.

Customs logistics

The logistics of managing the flow of goods coming from abroad and abroad is called customs. Specialists-customs officers solve a number of the following tasks:

cargo valuation;
registration of the customs declaration;
checking the conformity of the cargo, solving possible problems;
transportation of goods;
if necessary, subsequent certification;
monitoring compliance with the law;
escort of goods after customs clearance.

Logistics functions

What functions does logistics carry, what are these functions - we will consider further in more detail:

Integrating– formation of a single integral system of goods distribution. None of the stages of the movement of goods should be considered separately, they are all part of a single process of movement of goods. The logistician combines the stages of procurement, production, marketing into a single indivisible process.
Organizing- interaction and coordination of actions between the participants in the process of commodity circulation.
manager- Ensuring the distribution process. Logistics and management are indivisible, the entire movement of goods or services is a competent management process.

Logistics books

There are many books describing the basic concepts, mechanisms and principles of logistics:

"Inventory management in supply chains" (2009) / Sterligova A.N.- perhaps the best book in Russia about management in logistics.
How to organize a warehouse. Practical recommendations of a professional "(2008) / Taran S.A.- one of the best practical guides, schematic and detailed.
"Effective inventory management" (2008) / Schreibfeder J. is a fascinatingly written book, with many examples and interesting forecasting tips.
The Art of Warehouse Management. How to Reduce Costs and Increase Efficiency (2007) / Emmett S. is a useful guide to inventory management.
"Logistics. Supply chain management "(2003) / Waters D.- one of the first foreign textbooks.
"International transport operations: Lecture notes" (2008) / Zimovets A.V.– a textbook on international and customs law.

Logistics is a science that studies the movement of goods from the producer to the buyer. Also, logistics is an applied activity. Its goal is to organize the delivery of goods from manufacturers to consumers in the best way. Sometimes this type of activity is called transport logistics. What do logistics specialists do in transport and manufacturing companies? Details further.

What tasks does logistics solve

Logistics specialists work in manufacturing and transport companies, retail chains and other organizations involved in the movement of goods from the manufacturer to the consumer. To ensure optimal schemes for the supply of products, logisticians solve a set of tasks at the stage of production, storage, transportation and marketing.

Production logistics ensures the planning of production in accordance with the current demand of consumers. Logisticians work in conjunction with specialists from marketing and sales departments.

Also, production logistics solves the problem of providing conditions for the production of the desired range and volume of products. To do this, logisticians ensure the purchase of raw materials and equipment that are used in the production process.

Warehouse logistics solves the problem of optimal delivery of goods from the consumer to the warehouse and from the warehouse to the consumer. Specialists also manage warehouse stocks: they plan purchases and deliveries of products, monitor the shelf life and safety of goods.

Transport logistics solves a complex of tasks related to the delivery of products from one point to another. Logisticians choose the route and vehicle, draw up the documents necessary for the movement of goods, including customs declarations.

The result of the work of the logistics department is the timely delivery of products to their destination at optimal costs.

Sales logistics solves a set of problems associated with the delivery of products to the final consumer. Sales logistics specialists control the availability of goods in the warehouse, the timing of delivery, and the safety of products. Also, logisticians study the demand for goods and the range of competitors.

Where do logisticians study?

The profession of a logistician can be mastered at a university. Initially, technical and transport higher educational institutions were engaged in the preparation of logisticians. Currently, specialists are trained by universities of various profiles.

Education after school takes four or five years. You can also get a logistic diploma at the faculties of postgraduate education. In this case, the future specialist should already have a higher education.

In addition to logistics proper, future logisticians study economics, law, document management, accounting fundamentals, marketing and other theoretical and applied disciplines. During the training, the specialist acquires the following knowledge and skills:

Development of logistics infrastructure and formation of supply chains.

Analysis and planning of the movement of goods.

Analysis of logistics efficiency.

Warehouse inventory management.

Organization and control of product movement.

Risk management in the movement of goods.

Logistics specialists are in demand in the labor market.

Instead of a conclusion: is it possible to do without logistics

No. Even small local enterprises solve certain logistical problems. And companies whose sales markets are not limited to one region need the services of qualified logisticians. Logistics ensures the continuity of production, distribution and storage of goods and their movement to the final consumer.

The number of organizations and enterprises in various sectors of the economy is growing every year. The key to the success of any company is the proper organization of transportation, that is, uninterrupted and fast deliveries.

An experienced logistics manager can ensure the proper storage and movement of commodity values.

Today, logistics has become an integral part of any business, although quite recently the meaning of this word was unknown to many. Logistics is a multi-stage process that manages material and information flows in production.

Logistics is necessary for the competent distribution of raw materials and finished goods. This word refers to the organization and coordination of the processes of procurement, transportation and storage of products.

Logistics allows us to consider the totality of technical and material support for the organization's activities as a single system. It means optimizing the costs of all functional areas of the enterprise, which are inevitable in any production.

Logistics combines all multi-stage processes into one system, and also provides interconnected management and planning of all departments of the organization.

The main tasks of the logistics service are to provide a high level of customer service and purchase the raw materials necessary for production. The infrastructure of an enterprise may consist of a whole complex of objects, which are often located at a remote distance from each other.

The plant is usually located near sources of raw materials, and warehouses are often located near settlements. The logistics service organizes functional chains between all objects and ensures their competent interaction.

In a large enterprise, this service consists of several departments that control different functional areas. This may be in the area of warehousing or transportation.

The transport logistician is engaged in route planning and establishes the order of cargo transportation. His responsibilities include preparing the necessary documents for transportation, as well as monitoring all movements of goods. He is engaged in insurance of commodity values and preparation of customs documents.

The logistics manager at the warehouse organizes the efficient operation of all warehouse terminals and complexes. His responsibilities include determining the procedure for placing and storing products, as well as the formation of a clear scheme for processing commodity and material assets. An experienced specialist selects warehouse equipment and organizes the efficient use of usable space.

Most logistics managers start their careers as an assistant. The duties of the assistant include the preparation of the necessary documentation, as well as the processing of various information on all multi-stage processes.

At this stage, the employee determines the area of \u200b\u200bactivity in which the logistics career will develop. But for rapid career growth, you need to have a diploma of completed higher education. It is not difficult to get a special profile education in one of the educational institutions, but often customs specialists and economists are accepted for the position of a logistician.

The most in demand are specialists who have international certificates in the field of logistics or who have completed advanced training courses. A good logistics manager has excellent organizational and analytical skills. Knowledge of a foreign language is also desirable, which is mandatory when working with foreign partners.

The logistician must easily establish contact with people, that is, have good communication skills. must endure stressful situations, as the specialist is under constant pressure from suppliers, management and carriers.

Only a responsible person can become a logistics manager, since he is entrusted with ensuring the continuous operation of the entire enterprise.

Greetings! Today we will talk about logistics, a science that helps entrepreneurs reduce the cost of their products.

You will learn about what logistics is, how to competently reduce costs, avoid downtime at the enterprise, and as a result, increase the percentage of your net profit.

We will not only tell you about the types of logistics and their importance for the efficient operation of your business, but also give you practical advice on choosing partner companies.

What is logistics in simple words?

Speaking without abstruse economic terms and concepts, in simple words, then logistics is a competent organization of the flows of various material values, both within the enterprise and beyond. The main goal of logistics is to reduce costs in the production and sale of the final product.

At the same time, the logistician is not just looking for the most budgetary company that provides services for the transportation of goods. Such a specialist is responsible for finding suppliers, drawing up contractual relations with them, organizing warehousing at the enterprise, transporting raw materials and finished products, preparing documents for customs, and entering into agreements with potential customers of the enterprise.

Let's look at this process and analyze what kind of profession it is, using the example of a meat processing plant.

In this situation, the manufacturer pays not only for the meat he bought, but also for its delivery to the enterprise, storage of raw materials and finished products in warehouses, as well as for the delivery of goods to stores. This is the logistics costs, which often amount to up to 20% of the cost of the product.

The main task of the logistician is to reduce such costs to a minimum. It usually looks like this.

The specialist compares the conditions offered by different providers:

Farm No. 1 sells live pigs for 100 rubles per kilogram. At the same time, it is located three kilometers from the meat processing plant;
Farm No. 2 sells a similar product for 80 rubles per kilogram, and is located 85 kilometers from the enterprise.

It would seem that farm number 2, with its democratic price tag, is out of competition. But before making a decision, the logistician will evaluate the cost of transporting the goods. As a result, taking into account the cost of “delivering” piglets, it turns out that a kilogram of pork from farm No. 1 will cost the meat processing plant 102 rubles, and from farm No. 2 - 120 rubles.

At the same time, the logistician will also think about the risks. When working with a distant farm, there is a higher chance of a supply failure. Everyone knows that the longer the path, the more often various difficulties arise: accidents, car breakdowns, etc. Also, if the plant has an urgent need for raw materials, then from a farm located three kilometers away, it will receive pork faster than from a distant supplier.

Moreover, the logistician will definitely calculate how much it will cost to set up his livestock complex at the enterprise, and whether it will be more profitable than cooperation with third-party organizations.

In logistics, a lot depends on the specifics of the business, the location of the production base, weather conditions, etc. That is why there is no universal logistics model, and in each case, specialists are looking for new, unique ways to reduce costs.

By the way, surprisingly, logistics as such did not originate in the era of the rapid development of capitalism, but much earlier. It is known that during the period of an agrarian society, there were already specific trade routes along which sellers of goods plyed. And such "road maps" were drawn up according to the same system as now: how to sell the maximum goods, having traveled the minimum distance.

Logistics in Russia

In Russia, the logistics system is much more complex and costly than in many other countries. There are objective reasons for this:

Vast territories. Companies transporting goods have to travel long distances. Even those enterprises that operate within the same region are often forced to transport raw materials and products hundreds of kilometers away.
Low quality roads. This factor affects fuel consumption and depreciation of the car. Accordingly, it is reflected in the final price tag for the delivery of goods.
Harsh climate. Winter in most Russian regions is long and cold, which is the reason for the high prices for warehousing. The reason is simple - for warehouses it is necessary to build capital buildings, which, moreover, need to be heated nine months a year. Most goods simply cannot be stored in "cold" rooms.
"Gaps" in the legislation. The company cannot receive decent compensation in court from a supplier or a transport company that disrupted the delivery of goods and caused production downtime. That is why it is necessary, even at the stage of concluding a contract, to pay close attention to penalties for unscrupulous carriers.

Directions and types of work in logistics

Depending on the specifics of the enterprise, one or more types of logistics are used. Types of logistics:

Production logistics

Production logistics is the management of the flow of raw materials and finished products within the company itself. Relevant specialists are engaged in coordinating the production process in all internal divisions so that the workshops do not stand idle, but work simultaneously, solving their tasks.

In the field of procurement, the logistician controls the timely supply of raw materials of proper quality, their storage, and the availability of all the necessary “consumables” for organizing uninterrupted work in production.

Let's go back to the meatpacking example. Here it is necessary not only to bring pork on time, but also to make sure that all the necessary spices, packaging material, etc. are in the warehouses. At the same time, the logistician controls that the volume of products produced corresponds to demand. That is, so that there is already a buyer for the manufactured 500 kilograms of sausage. Otherwise, less goods must be produced, since finished products must be distributed through distribution networks, and not lie in warehouses "dead weight".

Warehouse Logistics

Equally important is warehouse logistics, which controls the methodology for receiving goods for storage and their release from the warehouse.

Transport logistics

As for transport logistics, then specialists should choose the best delivery routes. They also decide what is more profitable, to purchase their own transport or to use the services of carriers.

Customs logistics

With international deliveries, a huge responsibility falls on the customs logistics specialist, who is responsible for escorting cargo and having the necessary documents. This area of activity involves working with a huge number of legal nuances, since improper paperwork can cost you a lot.

In the best case, the delay of the cargo will cause downtime at the enterprise, in the worst case, the loss of goods. You understand that a batch of exotic fruits or flowers will not be able to “wait” indefinitely until you deal with bureaucratic delays. In this case, the product will be damaged.

Choosing a logistics partner

Enterprises, as a rule, use the services of specialized logistics companies. And in this case, for successful work, it is very important to correctly choose a companion.

First of all, pay attention to the size of the carrier's fleet. The larger the logistics company, the cheaper its services cost. You understand that a carrier with 25 "regular" cars refuels at wholesale prices and services transport at a discount. Accordingly, the cost of its services is lower than that of "small" companies. This means that the final price tag will be more budgetary.

Specify the terms of cooperation. Whether the carrier is ready to bear financial responsibility for violation of the terms of delivery and whether he insures the transported cargo. The last factor is extremely important. We have already said that anything can happen on the road. Ask yourself who will “cover” the damage if your car is involved in an accident, for example.

Also find out if the company is ready to provide you with urgent services, if necessary, that are not provided for in a pre-agreed plan. It is better to choose a supplier that is able to work in extreme situations, albeit at a higher price tag.

And, of course, try to communicate with other clients of the company, and read reviews about its work on the Internet.

Now you know what logistics is and how important it is for a competent business. This is not just the delivery of goods from point "A" to point "B", it is the construction of a system of cooperation in which production costs are reduced as much as possible.

Nowadays, all entrepreneurs, regardless of the size of the company, are faced with the need to solve “logistical problems”. Logistics is relevant both for an automobile plant and for a taxi driver who, having put a client in a car, tries to choose the shortest route.

On this I say goodbye to you, and remember, the money saved is the money earned!

Hello, dear readers of the blog site. This term is widely used in the fields of business, military art, ecology and everyday life.

But to put it simply, logistics is cost minimization science human and material resources by optimizing all processes.

In practice, logistics is most often used to build transportation routes, plan the placement of warehouses and the competent use of resources. Since other areas of application are highly specialized, it is transport, warehouse and resource logistics that will be discussed in detail in the article.

What is it in simple words

Before considering specific examples, it is worth familiarizing yourself with two “rules” that will help you understand what logistics is in general:

Transport logistics

Transport logistics - this system through which carriers deliver goods. It consists of several stages:

Route planning;
Selection of vehicles;
Selection of working personnel;
Financial calculations and organization of transportation.

To understand the meaning of the process, consider the organization of transportation in practice.

Transport process

Let's assume that the Good Carrier company received an order to transport 3 tons of crushed stone over a distance of 70 kilometers from the factory to the construction site. The head of the company notifies the logistician, and he gets to work.

Vehicle selection

First of all, the logistician evaluates the mass, volume and texture of the transported goods. In this case, rubble:

Weight: 3 tons. In the world of transportation, this is not much.
Volume: 3 tons of crushed stone is approximately 2 cubic meters, the body of an average truck.
Texture: crushed stone is free-flowing and relatively easily takes the shape of the vessel into which it is poured. At the same time, he has the ability to wake up.

Accordingly, the logistician decides that it is appropriate to use a truck (rather than a tank or train) with an open body (it is inconvenient to load and unload bulk material from a closed one), which should be covered with a dense awning.

At this stage, the logistician also matches the ideal vehicle for transportation with the company's fleet. In the case of crushed stone, an ordinary KAMAZ is suitable, but if an order was received to transport forty thousand tons of methanol, then the company would have to rent tanks with special markings or refuse to work.

Planning a route

Suppose that two roads lead from the factory to the construction site: a bumpy one 60 kilometers long and a flat one 70 kilometers long. On the one hand, if you choose a bumpy one, then fuel costs will be reduced, on the other hand, if it is very bumpy, then the rubble can crumble and eventually weighing will be underweight.

In this case, the logistician has provided a dense awning that will protect the cargo from spilling, so he chooses a shorter route.

Selection of working personnel

In this case, you will need: a team for loading crushed stone at the plant, a driver and a forwarder. A freight forwarder is a person who carries documents and makes sure that the cargo remains safe along the way. Since the cargo is not particularly valuable, the logistician will most likely act as a forwarder himself. However, if they were transporting, say, gold, then several forwarders from various independent organizations and a security team would be hired.

Financial calculations and organization of transportation

It all depends on the control of the authorities and the integrity of the organizer of the logistics process. Suppose this particular logistician is dishonest. He picks up a shovel himself, agitates the driver and a couple of friends, and loads the rubble on his own. At the same time, he enters the work of the team into expenses, leaving the money to himself. Again, the steps may vary depending on the amount of cargo being transported.

It is worth noting that the larger the company, the stronger the division of labor. That is, in a large financial company, or when concluding large transactions, the logistician will deal exclusively with the selection of transport and the preparation of routes.

An interesting fact: despite the significant development of air transport, more than 40 percent of all transported goods are still transported by water. It's just much cheaper.

Warehouse Logistics

Usually people do not delve into the term, thinking that this concept only applies to transport. Actually it is not. For example, a person who works with the logistics of warehouses is simply called a merchandiser. The duties of a merchant include:

Monitor the availability of goods in stock. If necessary, report shortages or surpluses.
Ensure that the products in the warehouse have a marketable appearance, do not deteriorate, do not cake.
Organize the delivery and shipment of products, monitor the correct implementation of the process.
Conduct accounting promptly.

The work of a warehouse logistician on a practical example

A simple situation: there are 300 kg of apples, 300 kg of pears, and 300 kg of tomatoes in the warehouse.

The analyzed situation is simplified and serves only as a model.

From above comes the directive:

Ship apples in the normal mode at 50 kg per day;
Ship pears in an enhanced mode of 100 kg per day;
Check the safety of the tomatoes and, in case of delay, get rid of them.

First of all, the logistician checks the potentially damaged goods. He discovers that 100 kg of tomatoes are hopelessly rotten, and the remaining 200 will last a maximum of a week.

After that, he ships pears and apples, makes appropriate notes and draws up reports as follows:

There are 250 kg of apples left, enough for 5 days.
There are 200 kg of pears left, enough for 3 days, delivery is required.
100 kg of tomatoes are rotten, another 200 kg must be sold immediately.

It looks simple, but if there are at least 15 goods, then the work is really enough for the whole day

An interesting fact: according to independent experts, a merchandiser is one of the professions in which computers will definitely not replace people in the next 20 years.

Resource logistics

A resource logistician is usually found in large industries. His responsibilities include:

Make plans for the expenditure of materials and production of goods;
Coordination of work of warehouses;
Distribution of human resources.

If we turn to the language of the world of games, then a resource logistician is a warehouse logistician, but one level higher. His work day looks something like this:

The workflow of a resource logistician

Unlike their colleagues, who have not advanced so far up the career ladder, the resource worker receives more generalized tasks, for example:

The analyzed situation is simplified and serves only as a model.

To increase the production of metal pipes by 5 percent by the end of the year;
By the end of the year, reduce the staff of unskilled workers by 5 percent.

Having received such an instruction, he proceeds to draw up a plan, namely:

Determines the amount and type of materials needed to increase production.
Sends a request for the availability of materials to the warehouse;
Estimates in what areas it is possible to reduce the number of workers;
Makes a primary report and sends it to the top.

This job, like others in the field of logistics, requires good mathematical skills, the ability to think analytically and make quick decisions.

Interesting: according to independent research, resource logistics is one of the ten most stressful professions.

Summing up

We end the article by summarizing the facts in simple words:

Logistics studies the optimal allocation of resources. When using this term in everyday life, people most often mean its transport variety (as in the good old trucker game).
The most common types after transport: warehouse, resource and military.

Good luck to you! See you soon on the blog pages site

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