Reference no: EM132194788
How would you respond to this dicussion post about marketing:
The four main logistic functions are warehousing, inventory management, transportation, and logistics information management.
Warehousing is important because unless products are made to order, the amount of products consumed and produce will not be equal. There are a lot of logistics that go into warehousing. For example, it is important to consider how many/how large of a warehouse the company will need as well as where the facilities will be located. Companies need to make sure that they will be able to access the products when needed without a delay.
Inventory Management is a logistical function because the managers must carry the right amount of inventory. With too much inventory, a company will be flooded with a specific item. Too little inventory, and the company loses profits. There are new systems to such as Just In Time where companies will only carry a small quantity of a product and have new product arrive literally on the day they run out.
The way a product is transported greatly affects the cost of a product. Different modes of transportation cost different amounts. Managers must consider the most cost effective way to ship their product. Some shipping options are via air, water, truck, rail as well as the internet. Sometimes, it is necessary for to use more than one shipping method, depending on the cargo size.
Logistic Information Management is how the company shares its information to make better decisions, and to help the company run smoothly. Most information is shared digitally over the internet via electronic data interchange (EDI). EDI is used to link companies with their suppliers. When companies can share information effectively it will enhance customer service because the company can access transactions, orders, and customer information quickly and efficiently.