LOGISTICS IS NOT A CHAIN
Executive Summary
This paper will
challenge the supposition that logistics is a chain,
and further reject the notion that it is comprised of two distinct
sides, supply and demand. The
chain portrays logistics to be stagnant and linear; it also
suggests that supply and demand are two separate chains.
This view causes rigidity of thought and creates a contrary
set of theoretical business rules, forcing those involved to
think within those limitations.
Logistics is
dynamic! It is comprised of many moving components that continually
interact, constantly adding substance to an evolving process.
The very definition of logistics, the discipline
that manages the flow
of raw material through the finishing process and responsible
for customer satisfaction, clearly demonstrates that its
current representation as a chain is in direct contravention
of the flow.
It will also be argued that there are no distinct sides,
that supply and demand is part of a continuous cycle.
This white paper
will:
-
Challenge the notion that logistics
is a chain
-
Propose that there are two major components
of logistics
-
Identify macrologistics and a representative
sample of the major and sub-components of micrologistics
-
Discuss the logistics dichotomy
-
Discuss evolving logistics concepts
Why Is This Subject Important?
In decision making
theory, understanding differences and the levels of difference
is a mission critical element that must be incorporated and
operate pervasively throughout the entire decision process!
The complexity of logistics as it relates to todays and
tomorrows worldwide commerce requires a clear understanding
of these various differences and a fresh look.
The current concept that logistics is best described
as the supply and demand chain whose links portray
the functional elements, incorrectly postures logistics as being
linear and unfluent. Logistics
is a fluent and dynamic process; the chain must
be replaced in order to maximize the benefits and to bring this
important discipline to the next level!
Knowing that
there is a difference between micrologistics and macrologistics
will allow you to effectively and efficiently:
-
Identify weaknesses
-
Identify areas of opportunity
-
Select the most appropriate tools,
products and services
-
Achieve successful collaboration
-
Reach in to an enhanced database
-
Affect improved communications
-
Establish new reasoning paths for study
and analysis
Limitations of the Chain
Logistics and
supply/demand chain are words that are incorrectly used interchangeably
and to describe each other.
It therefore follows that the application and reasoning
are circular; so, effective articulation, with resultant success,
is impossible. These
factors, coupled with the belief that logistics is a chain have
made the goal of world class logistics excellence amorphous.
If the notion of the chain continues to represent logistics,
we will see a continuation of insufficient ROI, underutilization,
poor response to tasks and events and a significant misuse of
management intelligence, talent and time.
Because needs
are constantly changing and because there is probably an equal
number of solutions occurring, it becomes exceedingly more difficult
to efficiently and effectively match a need or needs with the
appropriate solution or solutions. The chain limits
our abilities and capabilities because it is serial and of singular
dimension. Further,
Navi Radjou, of Forrester Research, in his article (Supply Chain
e-Business, July/August 2002), Exit supply chains;
enter adaptive supply networks, states, Existing
supply-chain apps dont help manufacturers sense or respond
to changes in their operations network because they insulate
static plans from dynamic execution reality. By virtue
of these restrictions, our thoughts have been channeled into
believing that our only tool is one that is comprehensive.
If we only have a limited number of needs or just a few
needs that must be satisfied today, acquisition of this comprehensive
tool is likened to, squeezing an orange grove for a glass
of juice.
Since logistics
is responsible for managing, integrating and controlling the
flow of information, material and money, it must have the capability
of targeting a specific issue and establishing the best method
of approach. In
order to plan and control these flows, the current view of logistics
as a chain has been unable to keep up with the needs analysis
and the selection of effective solutions.
Logistics professionals
recognize and appreciate the importance of, squeezing
only the appropriate oranges, so as to extract the correct amount
of juice and they clearly understand the importance of
a continual harvest. Logistics
portrayed as a chain continually forces the belief that identifying
issues and solving problems must be performed in linear or serial,
flat, static and unfluent environment.
Most companies
throughout the world have embraced logistics and its importance
in achieving superior customer service, operations and profit
improvement. There
has been a proliferation of logistics software systems, products,
tools and services over the last several years.
They are offered by general developers, 3PLs and
by other companies whose initial development purpose was for
internal use. Further,
there has been a great deal of dialog within and between companies,
addressing the subject specifically for the benefit of those
business partners. Additionally,
the dialog is occurring in many forms such as, seminars, case
studies, white papers, webinars, on-line communities, management
presentations, lectures at educational institutions and advertisements.
Through this labyrinth, little consensus has been achieved,
therefore diminishing the ability to achieve a higher level
of logistics success as well as limiting effective collaboration.
It is clear that the logistics discipline and practice
needs to evolve.
An Awakening
At least, one
company recognized that there is a logistics dichotomy and has
developed its products, tools, services and systems from a new
perspective, simpler is better.
As a Transportation Management Services Provider it focuses on incremental and connectible
discrete vertical products and service offerings within the
Transportation Management Spectrum.
Consistent with this perspective, this approach recognizes
and appreciates the importance of getting its glass of juice
from one orange. Through
this understanding, logistics can continue to evolve, reaching
higher levels of benefit, understanding and acceptance.
Two Major Components of Logistics
The notion of
this paper is that logistics should be viewed as a set of gears;
the gears collectively represent macrologistics, while individually
they represent micrologistics.
At the micrologistics level, each of the cogs represents
the discrete logistics functions.
The graphic below will symbolize this proposition.
Basis for the Words
At the outset,
it is important to point out that there are no commonly used
definitions of micrologistics and macrologistics. The definitions
of these terms that have been reviewed were found to be product
oriented, or identify the name of a logistics company or division
and therefore are inconsistent and diverse.
In order to properly understand this topic it is imperative
that shared definitions be established.
The method of approach that we selected to establish
the shared definitions for this paper, was to first consider
the pure words, micro and macro, and then to consider analogous
terms. Microeconomics
and macroeconomics have been chosen as the terms that are most
analogous to micrologistics and macrologistics.
By substituting appropriate words within the definitions,
we believe that reasonable definitions of micrologistics and
macrologistics have been achieved, at least, for this paper.
Shared Definitions for this
Paper
Logistics is the discipline that manages the flow of raw material
through the finishing process and is ultimately responsible
for customer satisfaction.
Micro
is defined as, Basic or small-scale.
Macro is defined as, Large
in scope or extent; large-scale
Microeconomics
is the study of the operations of the components of a national
economy, such as individual firms, households, and consumers.
Macroeconomics
is the study of the overall aspects and workings of a national
economy, such as income, output, and the interrelationship among
diverse economic sectors.
Micrologistics
is the study of the operations of the components of logistics,
such as transportation procurement, inventory control, data,
freight tracing-audit and payment.
Macrologistics
is the study of the overall aspects and workings of logistics.
The Logistics Gears Drive Logistics
The graphic below
identifies an overview of logistics and considers gears
instead of links in a chain.
Essentially, gears demonstrate fluidity, while links
in a chain are stagnant.
This distinction recognizes the fact that there is a
moving force or engine that drives logistics and reinforces
the fact that logistics is dynamic.
In the operating logistics process, one change causes
another change. The application of dynamics enables logistics
and transportation professionals to intelligently identify and
forecast their needs and assign achievable goals.
An inherent advantage is planned response with predicable
results.
Separating the Overall from the Components
Macrologistics are represented by the gears collectively in the above
graphic and as such would be concerned with the overall aspects
and workings of logistics management. The individual gears would
represent micrologistics and address the components of logistics,
such as transportation, inventory, and warehousing.
The cogs on the gears represent the respective subcategories.
As an example, Transportation as a micrologistics component could have
the following subcategories: rating, routing, tracing and tracking,
sourcing, auditing and payment, management reports.
Warehousings cogs could include:
receiving, put-away, replenishment, cycle-counting, picking,
packing, shipping, kitting, returns.
Inventorys
cogs might include: turns, safety-stock, cycle-stock, transit-stock,
strategic-stock, replenishment frequency, consignment-stock.
The Logistics Gears; Driving the Process
The Macrologistics and Micrologistics
Model
The ability of
the gears and the cogs to be interchangeable coupled with the
dynamic benefit would free logistics professionals from the
static chain by allowing them to include the gears of choice
along with their respective cogs.
The gears and cogs are interchangeable and incremental.
As an example, you could easily move shipping from warehousing
and place it in transportation.
Relative position of the gears along with their size
will influence the speed or velocity at which the logistics
process moves. Since
macrologistics is concerned with the overall
aspects and workings of micrologistics, managing the process
is empowered with an entirely new dimension.
As TransportGistics, Inc. continues to evolve this model, collateral applications
will be completed. Dynamic
interaction with real-time functioning will facilitate analysis
and collaboration. The
inclusion of each interchangeable gear set will
provide a highly coherent and dynamic representation of logistics.
Conclusion
The subject of
this white paper is new and represents an evolving process.
Our next paper in this series will address, amongst other
subjects,
1.
Micrologistics and Macrologistics, the basis of distinction
and operation
2.
Their interrelationship collectively along with their interdisciplinary
aspects
Continuation
Please consider this white paper as a beginning in this subject area,
succeeding white papers will address common issues and address
them with common solutions. We encourage our readers to
direct any specific questions or comments to papers@transportgistics.com
.
Disclaimer
The
information presented above represents the opinion of the author
and not necessarily the opinion of TransportGistics, Inc. nor
is it presented as a legal position.
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content copyright by TransportGistics, Inc. All rights are reserved.
The authors of the articles retain the copyright to their articles.
No material may be reproduced electronically or in print without
the express written permission from TransportGistics, Inc. or
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