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This textbook introduces logistics from a broad perspective to include all activities
throughout the product and service life cycle pertaining to supply chain and logistics
management, the physical supply and distribution of products, and the corresponding
maintenance and support.
It recognizes the mutual interdependence of the major functional areas of an organization
including marketing, production, and finance. The emphasis throughout the text is on
logistics in the context of a total business system design process. It views the business
as a ‘system,’ managing logistics within that system, and thus transforming their supply
chain. Pedagogy to aid learning is incorporated throughout every chapter, with chapter
objectives, case studies, and concept checks.
This text is intended for both upper-level undergraduate and lower-level graduate
students interested in both Business and Engineering on logistics and supply chain tracks.
It can also serve as a reference for practitioners actively engaged in day-to-day management
of logistics and supply chain activities.
Supplementary online resources include an instructors’ manual, chapter-by-chapter
PowerPoint slides, glossary, and a test bank of exam questions.
13 Supply Chain and Logistics Management in the System Life Cycle 236
Introduction 236
Supply Chain and Logistics Program Planning 236
Development of the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) 248
Scheduling Supply Chain and Logistics System Activities 250
Organizing for Supply Chain and Logistics System Management 255
Integrated Product and Process Development (IPPD) 260
Staffing the Organization 263
Controlling 263
Summary 265
Chapter 13 Concept Questions 265
Discussion Questions 269
14 The Lean, Agile, and Hybrid Supply Chain and Logistics Systems 271
Lean, Agile, and Hybrid Defined 271
Brief History of Lean 271
Lean Tools 277
Summary 287
Chapter 14 Concept Questions 287
Discussion Questions 290
Index292
1 An Overview of the Logistics
System
DOI: 10.4324/9781003128939-1
Forward flow
Supplier Customer
Warehouse
Customer
Supplier Production Process Flow
Warehouse
2 An Overview of the Logistics System
Supplier Customer
Warehouse
Warehouse
Reverse flow
General Manager
Materials
Management
Purchasing
Warehousing
Transportation
on a more comprehensive, integrated approach and has a leading role in activities such
as information technology, marketing and sales, and finance as they relate to the physical
flow of materials and products (Winston, 1998).
At the same time, globalization trends represent the competitive landscape with more
complexity and the need for partnerships and coalitions to influence the expansion of
logistical services. All these various developments have evolved and are directly associated
with the supply chain (SC) and Supply Chain Management (SCM).
SCM integrates supply and demand management within and across companies and, as
stated by the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP), ‘includes all logis-
tics management activities, as well as manufacturing operations, and it drives coordination
of processes and activities with and across marketing, sales, product design, finance and
information technology (Zinn, 1997).
Supply chain includes all those activities associated with inbound logistics, the flow of
materials and services from the supplier to the producer and/or manufacturer, the mate-
rial flows within the factory, and the outbound logistics, flow of materials, products, and
services from the factory to the customer. Conversely, SCM is the management of that
supply chain, or groups of supply chains, efficiently and effectively with the overall objec-
tive being to accomplish those activities shown in Figure 1.1, with a total Business per-
spective in mind (Winston, 1998).
In the federal sector, logistics evolved through the concept of integrated logistics support (ILS)
which was formally developed in the mid-1960s. As defined in the 4100.35G, Integrated
Logistics Support Planning Guide for DoD (Department of Defense) Systems and Equipment, ILS is
a composite of all support considerations necessary to assure the effective and eco-
nomical support of a system at all levels of maintenance for its programmed life cycle.
It is an integral part of the other aspects of system acquisition and operations.
(Werbel, 2002)
4 An Overview of the Logistics System
As initially envisioned, ILS included a life cycle approach to the planning, development,
acquisition, and operation of systems and equipment to maximize readiness and optimize
costs. The principal elements of ILS, as shown in Figure 1.3, included the system design
and support, interface, reliability and maintainability, maintenance planning, support, and
test equipment, supply support, transportation and handling, technical data, facilities,
personnel and training, logistics support resource funds, logistics support management
information, and contractor support services (Castaldo, 2009).
The emphasis here is on logistics as it pertained to total life cycle system support versus
the supply and distribution of components and consumables. It includes not only the
maintenance and sustaining support of those systems during their period of utilization,
but also the design of those systems for reliability, maintainability, and supportability.
During the ensuing decades of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, the principles and con-
cepts of logistics were further expanded and, as defined by the Defense Systems Manage-
ment College (DSMC), Integrated Logistics Support Guide was expanded to constitute a
disciplined, unified and iterative approach to the management and technical activities
necessary to (1) integrate support considerations into system and equipment design;
(2) develop support requirements that are related consistently to readiness objec-
tives, to design, and to each other; (3) acquire the required support; (4) provide the
required support during the operational phase at minimum cost (Castaldo, 2009).
Inherent within this definition is the current requirement of design for supportability.
This pertains to the degree to which a system can be effectively supported in terms of
built-in design characteristics and overall maintenance support infrastructure.
To further stress the requirement for dealing with logistics in the system design process,
the concept of performance based logistics (PBL) has been introduced by the Department of
Defense. The objective is to emphasize the importance of and need for the maintenance
Facilities
Integrated Logistics
Technical Support
Data Supply
Support
Maintenance
Training
Planning
Support and Test
Equipment
Table 1.1 The Cost of Logistics in Relation to a Country’s Gross Domestic Product Source; Research-
gate; 2019. Nominal GDP (2020) (Lee, 2002).
Table 1.2 Top Ten Important Logistics Trends a Company Looked Out for in 2020 (Whitmore, 2015)?
Artificial intelligence
Digital twins
Real-time supply chain visibility
Blockchain
Data standardization and advanced analytics
The growing importance of industry newcomers
An Overview of the Logistics System 7
At the end, twenty-first century commerce is conducted within the constant threat of
environmental, social, and manmade issues. Businesses experience both environmental
and social threats due to natural and manmade issues. These constraints decrease produc-
tion, increase security measures, and impact how businesses interact internationally. How-
ever, it is the threat of terrorism that requires constant increased vigilance. The intensity
and severity of terrorist disruption involve both the shipment itself and the exposure to
using the logistical infrastructure as a means to deliver explosive and chemical devices. It
is important to understand that successfully engaging in global logistics requires mastering
the associated logistical challenges.
Advances in Retailing
In the second decade of the twenty-first century, retailing is noticeably different than in
the past, and the differences exemplify the importance of effective and efficient logistics.
So-called big-box retailers such Walmart, Carrefour, and Dick’s Sporting Goods explicitly
have recognized superior logistics as a super component of their corporate strategy. The
same is true for the now dominant, online retailing giants such as Amazon. Two decades
ago, one-day delivery of a purchase made online was thought to be not possible; now, it is
the new normal. Both big-box retailers as well as online giants have also been trendsetters
with respect to environmental and social issues in logistics (World Bank, World Develop-
ment Indicators, 2020).
Also influencing the rapid change in the retailing landscape is the change in channel
structure and management. Omni-channel Retailing, a strategy that focuses on providing
customers with a seamless shopping experience, regardless of sales channel, is becoming
the norm. In this, retailers enable their customers to transact within and across any con-
tract channel (online, in-store, mobile app, etc.) to enhance information availability and
customer experience. Multi-echelon distribution supply chain, a replenishment methodology
designed to improve channel synchronization within the supply chain and optimize lot
sizing, vastly decreases total costs across the distribution network thus providing more
value to the customer at a lower cost (Asiedu, 1998).
Technological Advances
Each academic year, Beloit College in Wisconsin releases its annual ‘Mindset’ list that
details the world view of incoming first-year college students. The class of 2032, which
assumes a 2020 birthdate, is noteworthy because ‘thumb prints have always provided log-
in security, and harder to lose, than passwords.’
There have been tremendous technological advances in the last 25 years from dial-up to
WI-FI, retail stores to online shopping, and the use of GPS (Global Positioning System)
technology. Each advancement has profoundly influenced business management and, by
extension, business logistics.
Technological advances such as the Internet of Things (IoT) are coming of age. As
costs fall, research shows that the number of businesses using IoT devices grew from
being 13% in 2014 to 25% in 2019. The IDC (International Data Corporation) fore-
casts a 13.6% annual year-over-year growth through to 2020. IoT allows organiza-
tions to monitor inventory, automate stock reordering and keep track of deliveries, all
in real time. Sensors can predict wear and tear on equipment, allowing timely order-
ing of spare parts and increased supply chain transparency. The Boeing company,
8 An Overview of the Logistics System
with its management of its fleet of 787 aircraft, is a pioneer in this technological area
(Bengtsson, 2005).
With greater access to Big Data, more organizations are turning to Artificial Intelligence
(AI) and machine learning to simplify tasks and automate procedures. Gartner reports that
in the 4 years leading up to 2020, there was a 270% increase in the number of organiza-
tions using AI. Predictive analytics and machine learning algorithms are being used to improve
planning and decision support systems, identify purchasing patterns, automate tedious
warehousing processes, and manage inventory to ease logistics operations.
While many organizations still rely on legacy or primitive supply chain solution soft-
ware, the future lies in the cloud. Available in many forms, including Software as a Service
(SaaS), Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), and Platform as a Service (PaaS), supply chain
cloud computing offers flexibility, scalability, and a global reach while doing away with
the need to maintain extensive, expensive on-premises computing infrastructure. Accord-
ing to McKinsey, cloud-specific spending in 2022 will grow six times faster than other
IT expenditures. Able to work with and complement on premise supply chain software,
cloud-based supply chain applications offer a better experience, greater flexibility, and
easy access to new features and releases (Arnold, 2015).
Business Logistics
Systems Logistics
Figure 1.4 Points of Control over Inbound and Outbound Logistics Movement.
An Overview of the Logistics System 11
Logistics managers use the total cost approach to coordinate materials management and
physical distribution in a cost-efficient manner. This approach is built on the premise that
all relevant activities in moving and storing products should be considered (total cost), and
not individually. Use of the total cost approach requires an understanding of cost trade-
offs; in other words, changes to one logistics activity cause some costs to increase and
others to decrease. It is important to understand that logistical cost trade-offs recognize
that the costs of certain logistic activities move in opposite directions. As an example, a
decrease in transportation costs is often associated with an increase in warehousing costs.
The key to the total cost approach is that all relevant logistical cost items are considered
simultaneously during the decision-making process. Expedited transportation for exam-
ple, such as air freight, will increase a company’s transportation costs. However, expedited
transportation leads to a faster order cycle, which allows the receiving company to hold
lower levels of inventory, thus reducing both its inventory and warehousing costs. The
total cost approach evaluates if the decreased inventory and warehousing costs are greater
than the increased costs of expedited transportation.
When used in the logistics decision-making process, the total cost concept approach
forms what is commonly called the total logistics concept. This concept is unique, not
because of the activities performed, but because of the integration of all activities into
a unified whole that seeks to minimize distribution costs in a manner that supports an
organization’s customer service objectives (Coelho, 2012).
Finance
The finance staff is often charged with the responsibility of allocating the organization’s
funds to approved projects in various operating departments. The finance department is
instrumental in approving capital budgeting decisions that affect logistic activities. These
include the acquisition of materials, handling equipment, packaging, and inventory.
A basic challenge for the two areas is that finance often measures inventory in terms of
its cost and value while logistics tends to measure inventory in terms of units. These two
different ways of measuring inventory can often create friction between the two groups.
It is also not unusual to have identical items added to inventory at different times
which means that each unit can have a different cost even though inventory levels are not
affected. The concept of depreciation, which reduces the monetary value of inventory by
a certain amount per period of time, even though the actual quantity of inventory may be
unchanged, often can cause the two functional areas to have ‘discussions.’
Production
One of the most common interfaces between production and logistics involves the length
of production runs. The production department favors long production runs of individual
12 An Overview of the Logistics System
products because this allows the relevant fixed costs to be spread over more units, resulting
in a lower production cost per unit. However, long production runs require large amounts
of inventory, and it is the responsibility of logistics to store and track that inventory.
Another consideration with long production runs is that, occasionally, excess inventory
of products occurs due to limited or demand forecast inaccuracies. This adds to the inven-
tory carrying cost and contributes to an increased handling cost.
Increasing utilization of the postponement concept or the delay of value-added activities
such as final assembly, production, and packaging until the latest possible time also influ-
ences the interface between production and logistics. Some value-added activities includ-
ing case packing and labeling that were traditionally performed at the production site are
now performed in warehousing facilities. As a result, warehouse facilities are adding new
types of equipment and being reconfigured differently.
Marketing
Marketing places a heavy emphasis on customer satisfaction, and logistics strategies facili-
tate this by reducing the cost of the products, which can translate into lower prices for
customer and higher margins for the organization as well as can bring a broader variety of
choices closer to where the customer wishes to buy and use the product. Logistics strat-
egies offer a unique way for the organization to differentiate itself among competitors,
and logistics offers an important route for organization to create marketing superiority.
Interaction between logistics and marketing focuses on the marketing mix – the four Ps
of marketing – product, price, place, and promotion.
Product Decisions
Several potential interfaces are possible between marketing and logistics in terms of product
decisions. The marked increase in product offerings allows for customer choice and creates
logistical challenges in terms of identification, storage, and tracking. The number of SKUs
to hold is another product interface between the two functional areas. Marketers often
prefer to carry higher quantities because this reduces the likelihood of stock-outs. Product
design, which is often the purview of marketing, also has important logistical implications.
Beverage containers are a good example of this. Long-neck glass beverage containers might
be more distinctive than aluminum cans; however, from a logistics perspective, long-neck
bottles take up more space and are more likely to be damaged than aluminum cans.
The growing emphasis on offering sustainable products, products that meet present
needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs, impacts
logistical decisions. Fair trade products are those that guarantee a better deal for producers
in the developing world through fair and stable prices as well as teaching farming meth-
ods that are environmentally sustainable. From a logistical perspective, an organization’s
commitment to selling fair trade products can result in more rapidly changing sourcing
requirements for necessary raw materials (Brennan, 2000).
Pricing Decisions
The product’s transportation costs are reflected in its selling price; this is a key price-
related decision for marketers and has proved to be a particularly viewing issue for some
An Overview of the Logistics System 13
online merchants. For example, should an organization’s selling price reflect its product’s
landed cost, which refers to the price of a product at the source along with the transpor-
tation costs to its destination? A selling price that is based on a product’s landed cost,
on the one hand, could result in a substantial increase in a product’s selling price. That
increased price could decrease buyer demand as well, on the other hand. One way that
some organizations address this conundrum is to require a minimum order dollar amount
to qualify for ‘free’ delivery.
Logistics managers play a key role in product pricing including the associated cost of
providing various levels of customer service and the formulation of the firm’s quality
discount pricing policy. These decisions affect price per unit, customer satisfaction, and
shipping cost.
Place Decisions
Two types of networks, logistics and marketing channel, are directly affected by place
decisions. Logistics decisions concern the most effective way to move and store the prod-
uct from where it is produced to where it is sold. An effective logistics system can provide
positive support by enabling the organization to attract and utilize the most productive
channel and supply chain members. Those channel members are frequently able to pick
and choose which manufacturer’s products they desire to sell. If a manufacturer is not
able to provide a product at the right time, in the right quantities, and in an undamaged
condition consistently, the channel members are apt to end their relationship or end active
promotion of the product.
A popular marketing strategy involves co-branding, which refers to an alliance that allows
customers to purchase products from two or more name-brand retailers at one retail
outlet. Co-branding offers the customer convenience by allowing one-stop shopping
and the opportunity to purchase brand-name rather than private-label products. From a
logistical perspective, delivery of that product to a retail location can be a major decision.
Should each co-branding party deliver its respective products to a location, or should the
co-branding parties co-load vehicles to minimize the number of deliveries that arrive at
a particular location? While the former might result in higher delivery costs because of
multiple deliveries, the latter requires a higher degree of coordination between the co-
branding parties (Asiedu, 1998).
Promotional Decisions
Promotional decisions require close coordination between marketing and logistics. The
availability of highly advertised products, when an organization is running pricing cam-
paigns, is one important situation where a close coordination is required. A few things
that are more damaging to a firm’s image are having a stock-out of an item that has been
heavily promoted in a sales campaign. In some instances, imbalances of product supply
and demand can be viewed as bait and switch tactics – enticing customers with promise of
low-priced items only to find that they are unavailable, but a higher priced substitute item
is mysteriously available.
Once a decision is made to promote the introduction of a new item, logistics assumes
responsibility for having the item in place on the scheduled release date – not earlier, not
later.
14 An Overview of the Logistics System
The Need for Systems Logistics
The complexity and the costs of products and/or systems, in general, have been increas-
ing over recent years. As an example, the B-757 was first flown in 1982. Five years later,
the B-737-400 had 1.9 times the onboard Source Lines of Code (SLOC) requiring an
estimated 2.7 times the development effort of that required for B-757. Five years later, the
B-777 had 21 times more onboard SLOC than the B-757 and estimated 28.5 times the
development costs. A combination of the introduction of new technologies in response to
a constantly changing set of performance requirements and increased external social and
political pressures associated with environmental issues has been a major driver. Moreover,
the requirements to reduce the time it takes to develop and deliver a new system to the
customer and the requirement to extend the life cycle of systems already in operation
constitute a major challenge for today’s logistician.
Because of this increased complexity and costs, many systems in use today fail to ade-
quately meet the needs of today’s customers. In addition, they are not cost-effective in
terms of their operation and support. This is happening in real time when resources are
dwindling, and international competition is increasing worldwide (Whitmore, 2015).
When one examines the issue of cost-effectiveness, experience shows that a lack of total
cost visibility is a major contributing factor. A graphical representation of this is shown in
Figure 1.5.
Visibility
For many systems, the costs associated with design and development, construction, ini-
tial procurement, and installation of capital equipment and production are relatively well
known. These costs are dealt with and decisions made on a regular basis. However, the
Acquisition Cost
(research, Design,
Test, Production,
Construction)
Unknown Cost?
Customer Requirements
Design and Production and/or Construction Operation, Utilization, and Sustaining Life - Retirement of /Product of
Development of of Product/System Cycle Maintenance and Support of System and Disposal of
Product/System Product/System Material
Feedback Loop
System logistics must be considered as an integral part of the business system function, not
separately and not after-the-fact. More specifically, to be affected, it must include the fol-
lowing activities:
Feedback Loop
Supportability Problems
Figure 1.7 Consequences of Not Addressing Supportability Early in the Product/System Life Cycle.
A Comparison Showing the Effects of Early Life-Cycle Planning Versus Supportability Issues
Later (Bhutta, 2002).
An Overview of the Logistics System 17
Summary
This chapter provided an abbreviated introduction to the scope of logistics and defined
it in a broad context as it applies to commercial product and complex systems develop-
ment from a life-cycle perspective. Business logistics was initially presented and discussed
in the context of its overall fit within the supply chain structure as well as its relationships
with other functional elements within the organization context. System logistics was then
addressed by first discussing the current environment and establishing the importance
of Engineering logistics. Rational was then given for the inclusion of logistics as part of
the larger logistics support infrastructure and the need to consider it as a major Systems Ele-
ment when conceptualizing the development of a product and/or complex system. Addi-
tionally, the need to define this infrastructure early in the product/system life cycle was
addressed so that it can positively affect the Design and Development process thus yielding
manageable Life Cycle Costs.
Chapter 1 References
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Brennan, D. (2000). Impacts of large discount stores on small US towns: Reasons for shopping and
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18 An Overview of the Logistics System
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2 Logistics System Information
Technology
1 Streamlined order processing and reduced lead times enabled by coordinated logistics
information systems.
2 Greater awareness of customer demand via point-of-sale data, which helps improve
planning and reduce variability in the supply chain.
3 Better coordination of manufacturing, marketing, and distribution through enter-
prise planning systems (ERP) and advanced planning systems (APS).
4 Greater knowledge and visibility across the supply chain which make it possible to
replace inventory with information.
DOI: 10.4324/9781003128939-2
20 Logistics System Information Technology
such as sensors, smartphones, RF (Radio Frequency) tags, and real-time data streaming
from operating systems. One Boeing 787 aircraft system during flight operations gener-
ates 1 terabyte (a trillion bytes) of real-time flight data that is downloaded on a continu-
ous basis during those flight operations. Logisticians must develop strategies for how to
manage this flood of data to better manage assets and measure and predict component
reliability, and maintainability parameters, thus increasing system operability (Zanjirani
Farahani, 2014).
The method through which this Big Data is distilled into understandable informa-
tion is called Data Analytics, the process of examining datasets to draw conclusions about
the information they contain. Logistics managers have traditionally used such analytics
for vehicle routing and scheduling. GPS (Global Positioning System)-enabled Big Data
Telematics and Route Optimization has proven to provide significant cost savings. ORION
(On-road Integrated Optimization and Navigation) which allows drivers to determine
optimal routing of deliveries is another example of how the analytics of big data is being
used to improve the logistics process.
Strategic Decisions
Executive
Information Systems
Tactical Decisions
Operational Decisions
Transactional Processing Systems
Figure 2.1
Three-Level Pyramid Model Based on Decision-Making at Different Levels of the
Organization.
Tacit Knowledge
Enterprise
Information Systems
Communications System
Basic Data
Office Support Systems
Figure 2.2 Six-Level Pyramid Model Based on Processing Requirements at Different Levels Within
Organization (Winkelhaus, 2020).
quantity (EOQ) calculations, warehouse sizing, transportation modal and carrier decisions,
production planning, and factory location analysis such as center of gravity modeling.
Today’s spreadsheet applications have evolved to the point where they are able to pro-
vide logistics optimization solutions. Logistics optimization models help logisticians make
22 Logistics System Information Technology
complex judgments and take decisions at the strategic, tactical, and operational levels of
organizations. At the strategic level, for example, Lockheed Martin Corporation uses the
excel solver package with the add-in package ‘What’s Best’ to help them analyze plant
location and sizing decisions. These logistics optimization models differ from the more
traditional operations research in that they are typically focused on the practical imple-
mentation instead of theoretical. The use of spreadsheets and their modeling add-ins
provides a method for logisticians to conduct a variety of ‘what-if ’ analyses in support of
logistics decision-making (Kache, 2017).
Distributed Databases
the store is outfitted with machine learning and sensors to track items for the customer’s
pickup. RFID technology is envisioned to become a core technology. While it is not new
to retail, with the decreasing cost of RFID tagging, it is not surprising that it is being
applied to food items. The apparel and health care industries are also approaching a criti-
cal mass of users. Many large retail companies such as Kohl’s use RFID to track individual
items of clothing, and roughly about 10% of hospitals use RFID to track patients as they
progress through different stages of care.
A leading benefit of RFID technology is of course its ability to positively track a
product/system as it moves through the supply chain. Dramatic reductions, between 20%
and 50%, in inventory stock-outs have been reported by retail giants such as Walmart.
A reduced need for inventory counts and improved accuracy in counts have been reported
as well.
Regardless of the many benefits RFID offers, there continues to be challenges to its
wide adaptation; one of those being cost. The cost of installing the related hardware and
software can range from approximately $100,000 for smaller organizations to approxi-
mately $20 million for larger organizations. Another drawback is privacy concerns. For
example, a major retailer sold cosmetics embedded with RFID chips on the more expen-
sive product lines. When a customer picked the product up to examine it, their image was
captured, via webcam, and sent to the manufacturer’s headquarters. Yet another potential
drawback is data accuracy. Because of the RFID chip sensitivity, temperature fluctuates as
a product traveling through the supply chain can cause inaccurate readings.
Internal External
• Financial/accounting • Customers
• Marketing • Vendors
• Logistics Logistics • Carriers
• Manufacturing Information • Supply Chain Partners
• purchasing System
Disseminates
Collects
Data
Analyzes Retrieves
ARCHIVED USER
REPORTS REPORTS
Stores
Figure 2.5 A Logistics Information System Process Flow Begins with a Logistics Manager Request-
ing Information and Ends with that Manager Receiving Regular and Customized Status
Reports.
Logistics System Information Technology 25
communications elements when using the LIS. The first is receiving the needed informa-
tion. It is important to be specific when submitting requests. Setting search parameters in
broad context will lead to generalizations verses specifics. The second is timeliness. Infor-
mation from both external and internal sources must be synchronized to respond to the
logistics managers’ request in real time. The third is accuracy. The logistics manager must
have confidence that the nature and quality of data analyzed via LIS present the validity
and quality needed to make sound decisions (Persico, 2019).
Communications Systems
In general, communication systems help various stakeholders of the organization work
together by interacting and sharing information in many different forms. From a logisti-
cal perspective, the importance of a well-defined and well-executed logistics communica-
tion system (LCS) is critical in effectively employing an ILS (integrated logistics support).
A well-designed LCS should ensure effective communication taking place among (1) An
organization, its suppliers, and its customers; (2) Major functions within an organization
such as logistics and engineering; (3) All the individual logistics activities; (4) Various
aspects within each logistics activity, for example, coordinating warehousing of materi-
als, work-in-process, and finished goods; and (5) Various members of the supply chain,
including those not directly linked to the organization, for example, intermediaries and
secondary customers or suppliers.
Many advances today in telecommunications or the transmission of information as rods,
sounds, or images over great distances in the form of electromagnetic signals, such as
by telegraph, telephone, radio, or television, are driving logistics innovation. Telecom-
munication solutions for logistics allow analyzing not only the movement of goods and
the status of the modes of transportation, but also how the drivers observe traffic safety.
For example, a special sensor can notify the head office of a logistics organization that
the driver has passed a large area without fastening a safety belt or breaking a speed limit.
Inside the vehicle, there are sensors that control the temperature and the level of vibration
at which the cargo is transported and simultaneously transfers this data to the organization
(Kuriyan, 2008).
Another innovation, the Internet of Things (IoT), a system of interrelated computing
devices, mechanical and digital machines provided with unique identifiers (UIDs), and
the ability to transfer data over a network without requiring human-to-human or human-
to-computer interaction, has been widely adapted. The Nestle Corporation has deployed a
wireless vehicle management system (VMS) that can automatically receive vehicle perfor-
mance data, report problems, and even schedule that truck for maintenance based on real-
time data. The chemical giant Dow Chemical uses the IoT to control the transportation
of goods using different identifiers (RFID, GPS, barcodes) as well as sensors and distribu-
tion of goods. Data from sensors flow to the ILS systems of the organizations, where they
are analyzed and provided to logistics manager (Kuriyan, 2008).
Over the long term, 5G, the latest iteration of cellular technology, will enable a sharp
increase in the amount of data transmitted over wireless systems due to more available
bandwidth and advanced antenna technology. 5G will impact the supply chain and logis-
tics by allowing more data to be transferred more quickly in real time, in turn making
increased visibility throughout the supply chain possible. For example, using a 5G net-
work, a parts container could communicate that the container is 80% depleted for an
SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) which would trigger a re-order of the necessary parts. This
26 Logistics System Information Technology
would be a trigger across the supply chain in warehouse movement, transportation move-
ment, distribution, and delivery and inform the parts provider that a forecast adjustment
would be forthcoming. All of this is done via the IoT.
Software Bills of Materials (SBOMs) is currently being tested within aviation industries to
ensure positive cradle-to-grave component tracking and to ensure its security as it travels
though the supply chain. SBOMs are already being used for license compliance and for
Parts Manufactured Authority (PMA). The supplier of the part must define it and provide
the SBOM. The SBOM must support the nesting, recursion, and relationships (a multi-
level BOM). This ensures that the component or part meets all required specifications
necessary for use of the product/system designated (Rappaport, 2002).
At the end, logistics systems and supply chains can be complex. As private and public
functions grow ever more inseparable from the IT systems that support them, robust
public–private partnerships become even more necessary. Information pertinent to the
logistics system and supply chain, such as vulnerabilities, attack vector, and supplier secu-
rity practices should be shared along with mitigation plans – for example, the Common
Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) list. The CVE is an extensive listing of public known
vulnerabilities found after components have been deployed, and it has enabled operations
groups to prioritize, patch, and remediate over 60,000 openly reported vulnerabilities.
Although it is hard to predict the future impact of communication technologies, ser-
vices, and applications not yet invented, an indisputable fact is that they will continue to
evolve quickly, and security technology and concepts cannot be the pacing factors in this
evolution. Both must be addressed concurrently.
Master Database
disruptive, and lengthy. Now, a more popular, less disruptive, and much less expensive
alternative is ‘on-demand software,’ also referred to as software-as-a-service or cloud com-
puting. The major advantage of on-demand software is its pay-for-use model which
allows customers to avoid high capital investment costs. More on this topic is explained
later in the chapter discussion.
Data Warehouse
Expert systems (ES)
Key Pain Points Organizations Face When Designing Supply Chain and Logistics Information Management
Strategies
1 Central management and control of all information within the supply and logistical value chains
2 The ability to handle and exploit structured and unstructured data wherever it resides
3 Seamless access to structured and unstructured data to enable effective digital supply and logistical
value chain management
4 Deliver an omni channel experience for both customers and employees.
5 Create closer, more effective relationships with customers, suppliers, and other trading partners
6 Deliver enhanced data security and data sovereignty for all channel team members
7 Ease the process of compliance with global regulations, industry standards, and customer mandates
points,’ like those listed in Table 2.1, that all organizations face when developing supply
chain and logistic strategies, could be addressed.
The logistics information system (ILS) must continuously deal with both internal and
external data inputs. In the very near future, Customer Experience Management (CEM) data,
external data, will make up most of the information that is being captured, and the log-
istician of tomorrow will have to know how best to capture the data, manage that data,
turn the data into information, and distribute it. Digital transformation, which is driven
by disruptive technologies such as the cloud, the Internet of Things (IoT), and Artificial
Intelligence, is becoming commonplace and now the norm, not the exception. While the
EIM is no ‘silver bullet’ per se, it does represent a means to fully extract the value from
the mountains of data associated with the supply chain and logistics world of tomorrow
(Bardi, 1994).
• Data management will fuel enormous growth in the data management space, which
will lead to changes in architectures, processes, workflows, and roles. Cloud comput-
ing will introduce server-less and augmented capabilities, which will further morph
data management processes and roles.
• Data management approaches will require unification as operational and analyti-
cal options converge and more databases offer multimodal and real-time streaming
capabilities.
30 Logistics System Information Technology
Table 2.2 Twelve IT Challenges Facing the Professionals of Tomorrow
Workload Better management oversight and strategy is required to address this issue.
Automation may also be a solution to reduce time-consuming tasks that are
not a high priority.
Cybersecurity Organizations cannot take IT security lightly. An analysis of worldwide identity
and access management by the International Data Corporation (IDC)
revealed that 55% of consumers would switch platforms or providers due to
the threat of a data breach, and 78% would switch if a breach impacted them
directly.
Skills gaps Over 80% of North American organizations have skills gaps. Globally, skills
gaps have increased by 155% in 3 years. They can no longer be ignored,
especially as a lack of necessary skills can be blamed for increased employee
stress, development and deployment delays, and increased operating costs.
Digital Digital transformation is the latest disrupter. It has led to technology no longer
transformation providing a sustained competitive advantage. It now plays a supporting role
for people with the right skills. Expertise is needed now more than ever to
manage and implement all the new technologies.
Cloud computing Cloud is the top investment area worldwide for IT departments. Organizations
require an infusion of cloud skills to match their monetary investment in
cloud platforms.
Hiring Talent recruitment and retention is a major challenge for both IT and logistics
leaders – 50% are currently struggling in the area. Only 7% of IT decision-
makers mention that hiring has been easy.
Budget A lack of budget and resources is another major concern for both IT and
logistics decision-makers. Budget is often the major roadblock impeding
professional development and hiring.
Leadership support Nearly 20% of IT and logistics professionals mention that senior leadership does
not see a tangible benefit from training. That is a huge disconnect, especially
since employees have a strong desire to learn and grow in their careers.
Analytics and data IT departments are the biggest skills gap, aside from cybersecurity and cloud
management computing.
Automation Automation’s role in cybersecurity is certainly growing. It is a tool that should
be used to predict cyber threats and implement responses more quickly than
can be accomplished manually. Automation is also useful in cloud migration.
Project Companies with certified project managers are more likely to have projects that
management are completed on time and within budget. It takes experience and strategic
thinking to align projects with departmental and organizational goals.
Career growth As IT decision-makers struggle to fill open positions, it is important that they
invest in the areas their employees deem valuable. If growth opportunities are
not available, IT professionals have proven that they will not sit idly by.
The third macro-level information technology challenge involves the ‘human’ in the loop,
the IT and/or logistics management professionals. How will either of these managers deal
Logistics System Information Technology 31
with the ever-changing technological landscape? Global Knowledge, in a March 5, 2020,
article entitled, ‘12 IT Challenges Facing the Professionals of Tomorrow,’ outlined some of
these challenges (Persico, 2019).
Summary
This chapter addressed some key success factors relevant to the application of logistics and
information systems. Six different types of those logistics and information systems currently
in use were discussed, and their attributes and challenges were identified. A range of IT-
related topics were addressed to include electronic data interchange, global positioning sys-
tems, cloud computing, and machine-to-machine learning. A discussion was presented on
the need for a robust security blanket for the different types of IT systems employed owing
to the new normal of work and live-in global sphere today. At the end, a discussion on the
IT challenges was conducted focusing on the ‘human’ element in the technology loop.
CH 2 Case Study
Angela Chatman was president and CEO of Precision Heat, a medium-sized industrial
oven manufacturer located in Toledo, Ohio. The firm had expanded from being a niche
provider of specialized products to one of both regional and international status. As mar-
kets had expanded, so too had sources of supply for the company, with major suppliers
of key building components located in Southern California, the Pacifica Northwest, and
Michigan. Additionally, smaller suppliers of industrial oven components were located
around the globe. The decision to locate manufacturing in Ohio had been made for
two reasons: Angela’s former colleague and mentor in the aviation industry was close by
in Detroit, and many of the largest components used in several of the industrial ovens –
truck bed frame for the TR series truck ovens – were built and purchased from a US light
truck maker with a plant in Michigan.
32 Logistics System Information Technology
Like others in the industrial oven business, Angela’s company manufactured only a few
of the components used in the oven build process. They focused more of the oven build-
ing to exact specifications, ensuring seamless heat treatment across several application-
type materials. There was, however, a well-defined order in which the components could
be assembled, integrated, and tested. Recently, it had become clear to Angela that ware-
house and inventory costs associated with all the required building components were a
substantial portion of her expenses and that they might be ripe for a reduction. In par-
ticular, she had been considering a decision to invest in a warehouse management system
(WMA) to increase the visibility of the large warehouse inventory which was located next
to the production plant. Transportation costs were an emerging secondary concern, as it
had been increasingly difficult to plan shipments as they expanded into new markets and
were sourced from a larger number of suppliers. Thus, Angela was also intrigued about
the potential benefits of implementing a transportation management system (TMS).
In response to these challenges, Angela assembled a cross-functional team to look at
potential technology-based solutions. The team was made up of herself, Jason Shea (VP
of Logistics), Stephanie Zinger (Director of Purchasing), Ethan Mathews, (Plant Man-
ager), Jack Paul (Inventory Planner), and Augie Augustson (Warehouse Manager). The
team came together and identified and listed some of the potential benefits for imple-
menting both the WMS (Warehouse Management Systems) and TMS.
In terms of the WMS, potential benefits were considered to be
Additionally, several members of the team were advocating the idea of implementing
both technologies together to optimize both areas jointly. The argument was that these
technologies often are implemented in silos, and real value would be obtained by aligning
them.
While the potential benefits were exciting, the idea of embarking on a WMS and TMS
implementation was daunting. Not only was there an apprehension about the significant
capital investment for software but there were also doubts about real potential in imple-
menting that software correctly. They also worried about how the employees would take
to the change in processes that would be required to ensure the success of a project.
Regarding their suppliers, Stephanie often had the opportunity to buy out parts and
components from manufacturers that were going out of business. These components
could be obtained at a substantial savings, with the requirement that inventory be tempo-
rarily increased to accommodate the bulk buy.
Logistics System Information Technology 33
Ethan operated with the assumption that there would be some defective components
purchased executing this bulk buy. Consequently, there would likely be a defective prod-
uct produced off the production line. Testing on the ovens was extensive during the
production process as it was on the components that comprised them. To the extent that
only a few of a particular type of component were on hand or that lead-time became less
certain, the interruption of the production schedule would be that much greater. This
might entail expensive rush orders for replacement components or equally expensive
down time for the entire plant.
Despite these concerns, Angela was painfully aware that ignoring the warehousing and
transportation problems would be a mistake. Something had to be done! While they were
currently feeling the strain in the warehouse, transportation was beginning to be a bigger
issue. As an aid to making the decision on whether to invest or not, Angela had worked
with the team to draw up a table that summarized the anticipated impacts of implement-
ing the technologies.
The figures are based on input from the potential technology providers, forecasts from
the marketing department, and input from the team members. As Angela reviewed the
information in preparation for the next team meeting, she wondered what decision they
should make.
Discussion Questions
1 Should the team consider any other costs or benefits from implementing
the WMA? If so, what are they and why did they arise?
2 Should the team consider any other costs or benefits from implementing
the TMS? If so, what are they and why did they arise?
3 What are the advantages and disadvantages of implementing both tech-
nologies simultaneously?
4 If both technologies are adopted, what changes, if any, should occur in the
relationships among Angela’s firm and the suppliers of components and
her transportation providers? Discuss.
Chapter 2 References
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ness Logistics, 71–85.
Bernstein, P. A. (2009). Principles of transaction processing. Burlington, MA: Morgan Kaufmann Publishers.
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Gao, Q. (2020). Simulation analysis of supply chain risk management system based on IoT information
platform. Enterprise Information Systems, 1354–1378.
Global Knowledge. (2020, March 5). Global knowledge: 12 challenges facing IT professionals. Retrieved from
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it-professionals/#gref
Kache, F. (2017). Challenges and opportunities of digital information at the intersection of big data ana-
lytics and supply chain management. International Journal of Operations & Production Management, 10–36.
Kuriyan, R. (2008). Information and communication technologies for development: The bottom of the
pyramid model in practice. The Information Society, 93–104.
McAfee, A. (2012). Big data: The management revolution. Harvard Business Review, pp. 60–68.
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Nisreen Ameen. (2021). Customer experiences in the age of artificial intelligence. Computers in Human
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Powers, R. F. (1989). Optimization models for logistics decisions. Journal of Business Logistics, 106–121.
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models, solution techniques and applications. Omega, 92–118.
Another random document with
no related content on Scribd:
How Sir Richard Neuill Earle of
Warwicke, and his brother Iohn, Lord
Marquise Montacute, through their too
much boldnesse were slaine at
Barnet, the 14 of Aprill, Anno 1471.
[1118]
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Alas, what should we count the cause of wretches cares,
The starres do stirre them vp, astronomy declares:
Our[1153] humours, sayth the leache, the double true
deuines
To th’[1154] will of God, or ill of man, the doubtfull cause
assignes.
9.
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But God doth guyde the world, and euery hap by skill,
Our wit, and willing power, are payzed by his will:
What wit most wisely wardes, and will most deadly vrkes,
Though all our powre would presse it downe, doth dash
our warest workes.
11.
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13.
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The solace of my soule my chiefest pleasure was,
Of worldly pomp, of fame, or game, I did not passe:
My kingdomes nor my crowne I prised not a crum:
In heauen were my riches heapt, to which I sought to
com.
18.
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Which shortly did ensue, yet died my father furst,
And both the[1156] realmes were mine, ere I a yeare were
nurst:
Which as they fell too soone, so faded they as fast:
For Charles, and Edward, got them both or forty yeares
were past.
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What prince I am, although I neede not shewe,
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For neuer creature was[1168] soust in Bacchus dew
To death, but I, through fortune’s rigour fell:
Yet that thou maist my story better tell,
I will declare as briefly as I may,
My welth, my woe, and causers of decay.
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