Smarter material handling and careful inventory control help streamline your flow of goods, leading to faster order fulfillment, better customer service, and more profitable returns.
Supply chains, logistics, and transportation each have important distinctions. Understanding these differences can make an immense difference in how your goods get delivered to end consumers. In this blog, not only will we help dissect what those distinctions are, but we’ll show you how to execute a more effective 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’s not as simple as loading up truckloads of inventory and delivering products to a specific destination. There’s a lot of ground to cover in this process, and plenty of steps must be followed.
Here’s what’s 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. While this is true, it’s just a small portion of a comprehensive supply chain process. To put it simply, supply chain management encompasses every aspect of material handling and distribution. This includes sourcing, manufacturing, and the final delivery.
Transportation logistics is exclusively about managing material as it moves through the supply chain. This is directly related to how freights are hauled. Whether it’s via truck, through the air, or by boat, this distribution model helps ensure all goods are being transported safely and efficiently. Some of the most common transportation methods managed in this process include:
- Rail Transloading
- Pool Distribution
- Freight Brokerage
- Parcel Management
- Intermodal Transportation
- FTL and LTL Trucking
- International Transports
Types of Distribution Logistics
Transportation management incorporates a wide range of distribution activities. These activities are focused on the efficient delivery and movement of finished products. Essentially, this process moves goods from one end of a production line to consumers. To do this, you must execute a successful operation in three main areas:
Order Fulfillment
Any successful business owner will tell you that customer service is priority No. 1. But to deliver a valuable experience to your consumers, you need to support them with the final product in the most efficient manner possible. This stage of the distribution process is well-known as the order fulfillment stage. It involves everything from dispatching to merchandising and beyond. Its four main focuses are:
- Fast Throughput Time
- Efficiencies of a Transaction
- Reliable Deliveries
- Effective Internal and External Communication
Warehouse Management
When it comes to distribution, It’s not just the transportation services you need to be concerned with. Managing storage space is also a critical aspect of your operation. But finding a facility with plenty of inventory space is just one piece of the puzzle you have to solve. When it comes to warehouse management, you’ll have to oversee an operation that pushes and stores goods through a distribution center, cross-dock, and inbound warehousing.
During this process, you’ll 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 that don’t interfere with the conveyance of those items. And you must make sure there’s enough room left for your teammates to function safely and comfortably. With an efficient warehousing system set up, you are creating enough room to move products swiftly from one stage of their distribution to the next.
Transportation Management
This is the final stage of distribution. Transportation management is all about finding the most optimal source of transportation for product carrying. This process involves managing all inbound and outbound transports. Transportation management incorporates the overall network design of the carrier and its level of flow. With an effective transportation management strategy in motion, your clients will take in the benefits of more stability, visibility, and control of their transportation costs and functions.
Improve the Movement of Goods With FW Logistics
Whether it’s inventory management, raw material handling, or the final distribution of goods, you can trust the experts at FW Logistics to provide a flawless supply chain strategy for your entire organization. We are today’s gold standard in everything from warehousing to fulfillment, transportation, and beyond. By taking advantage of our flexible distribution services, you’ll have faster, safer deliveries, more satisfied customers, and cost-friendly economics of logistics management.
Contact our team today to learn more about the importance of distribution logistics. Give us a call to schedule your free consultation with our team.
