Supply chain logistics

Supply chain logistics is a critical component of supply chain management, focusing on the efficient movement and storage of goods from suppliers to end consumers. It involves various processes and strategies to ensure that products are delivered in the right quantity, at the right time, and in good condition.

Books:

1. Logistics & Supply Chain Management by Martin Christopher – This comprehensive textbook offers a more in-depth exploration of logistics and supply chain management principles. It covers topics like strategic planning, inventory management, transportation, and global logistics.
2. The Box: How the Shipping Container Made the World Smaller and the World Economy Bigger by Marc Levinson – This fascinating book explores the history and impact of shipping containers on global trade. It sheds light on the complex logistics networks that underpin the modern economy.
3. The Goal by Eliyahu Goldratt – This business novel uses a fictional story to illustrate the Theory of Constraints (TOC), a methodology for identifying and optimizing bottlenecks in a supply chain. It’s a thought-provoking read that can help you apply practical solutions to real-world supply chain challenges.
4. Strategic Supply Chain Management: The Five Core Disciplines for Top Performance – This book focuses on the five essential disciplines for achieving supply chain excellence: customer relationship management, customer service management, supply chain design, supply chain planning, and supply chain improvement.

Articles:

1. How machine learning will transform supply chain management – The article introduces a new approach called optimal machine learning (OML). OML uses a decision-support engine, a digital twin of the supply chain, and an end-to-end data architecture to make better decisions. OML considers various factors, including historical data, supplier constraints, and customer needs.
2. The next supply chain challenge isn’t a shortage — The article discusses inventory gluts in supply chains and how excess inventory can be a major problem. It also details ways to solve this problem. Some important points are that companies should collaborate to predict demand more accurately and that excess inventory can be reduced by working with suppliers to find alternative uses for parts.
3. Unlock the potential of pre-retail logistics: move products quickly, accurately and effectively – This is an article about optimising pre-retail logistics. It discusses the challenges of meeting retailer requirements. These challenges include growth in omnichannel retail, net zero carbon emissions, and competitive markets.
4. Key supply chain management strategies for OEMs, and the questions to ask – How to mitigate risk by choosing the right partners, strategies, and resources. Communication is critical throughout the supply chain and sourcing partners should be chosen carefully to ensure quality and cash flow.
5. Tech driven logistics pioneering tailored solutions for the modern supply chain – Discusses the impact of technology on the logistics industry. It highlights how businesses are using technology to improve efficiency and meet customer needs, while also emphasising the importance of sustainability in the supply chain.

Guides:

1. The essential guide to supply chain management – This is a comprehensive beginners guide to supply chain management. It discusses what it is and why it is important for businesses as well as detailing the different stages of supply chain management. Some of the important points from this article are that SCM can improve efficiency and reduce costs, helping businesses become more agile and competitive.
2. Logistics and Supply Chain Management 101: Management guide for sustainable and efficient supply chains – The article discusses the differences between logistics and supply chain management, while emphasising the importance of both. It also details challenges faced in these two domains.
3. Ultimate guide to supply chain and operations management – This guide discusses supply chain and operations management (OSCM), covering the concept of OSCM and its significance. The article also details challenges encountered in this field. Some of the key takeaways are that OSCM can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance customer satisfaction.

Podcasts:

1. Supply Chain Now hosted by Scott Luton – This award-winning podcast features discussions with supply chain experts on various topics. It covers industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in supply chain management. This is a great all-around resource for anyone interested in the field.
2. The SupplyChainBrain Podcast – This podcast by Supply Chain Brain explores various aspects of supply chain management, including procurement, logistics, and technology. It features interviews with industry leaders and discussions on current events impacting supply chains.
3. Logistics Matters with DC Velocity – This podcast focuses on trends and issues in logistics, warehousing, and distribution. It covers topics relevant to both large enterprises and small businesses.

4. Talking Logistics hosted by Adrian Gonzalez – This podcast offers a broad look at logistics, including transportation, technology, and global trade. It features interviews with industry experts and discussions on current events and trends impacting logistics.

5. The Digital Supply Chain podcast – This podcast focuses on the impact of technology on supply chains. It covers topics like artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT) and how they are transforming the logistics landscape.

6. MIT Supply Chain Frontiers – This podcast by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Center for Transportation & Logistics explores cutting-edge research and innovations in supply chain management. It features interviews with academics and industry leaders discussing the future of supply chains.

Tools:

1. Oracle Logistics – Oracle Logistics is a cloud-based suite of applications designed to streamline and optimise all aspects of your supply chain, from transportation and global trade management to warehousing activities.
2. Logiwa WMS – Includes features like its order management automation and real-time syncing. Logiwa is built with an open application programming interface (API), which means it’s able to communicate with other supply chain planning software like NetSuite and ecommerce software like Shopify.
3. NetSuite – NetSuite is an enterprise supply chain software suite that emphasises predictive analytics—forecasting based on data analysis. The platform’s predictive tools can be used to forecast market demand and manage inventory.
4. Precoro – Precoro’s SCM tool focuses on purchase approvals. It offers supply chain visibility—transparent insight into your supply chain—to all departments within your organisation, which allows specific departments or individuals to approve supply chain decisions.

Technology is playing an increasingly important role in supply chain logistics. Trends to watch are AI, automation and blockchain as these technologies can improve transparency, traceability and forecasting within the supply chain. By understanding the different aspects of supply chain logistics, the challenges it faces, and the emerging trends, businesses can gain a competitive advantage in today’s ever-evolving market.