LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT - INTRODUCTION

Logistics management is that part of the supply chain which plans, implements and controls the efficient, effective, forward and backward (reverse) flow and storage of goods, services and information between the point of origin and the point of consumption in order to meet customers' requirements rather to the customers’ delight. A professional working in the field of logistics management is called a logistician.

Logistics, as a business concept, evolved only in the 1950s. This was mainly due to the increasing complexity of supplying one's business with materials, and shipping out products in an increasingly globalized supply chain, calling for experts in the field who are called Supply Chain Logisticians. This can be defined as having the right item in the right quantity at the right time at the right place for the right price and to the right target customers (consumer); and it is the science of process having its presence in all sectors of the industry.

The goal of logistics work is to manage the fruition of project life cycles, supply chains and resultant efficiencies. Logistics is concerned with getting (or transmitting) the products and services where they are needed or when they are desired. It is difficult to accomplish any marketing or manufacturing without logistical support. It involves the integration of information, transportation, inventory, warehousing, material handling, and packaging. The operating responsibility of logistics is the geographical repositioning of raw materials, work in process, and finished inventories where required at the lowest cost possible. The DABBAWALLAHs of MUMBAI :- The “Dabbawallah’s” or the ‘lunch box delivery people’ of Mumbai pickup and deliver lunch boxes from homes or restaurants and deliver it to the customer’s office – all within a specified time frame – and then