Friday, October 29, 2010

Freight Transportation Logistics



The process of administering your warehouse inventory, transporting your freight, is all naturally operated by a company's logistics. By definition, logistics is coordinating and managing the transport of your specific goods from your warehouse to the consumer. In order to find the most cost-efficient method for doing this, you need to sit down and consider what is most streamlined and best for your company.

Most of the profit comes from the time between when a product has been completely manufactured and when that same product is purchased by the consumer. The shorter this process is, the more money you make. However, the same goes for the opposite; the longer this takes, the less profit you gain. In order to coordinate these freight transportation services, you need to concentrate on logistics in order to create a logical plan of action. If your company is large enough, you can form a logistics team to make decisions on this process. In all, the full logistics plan for freight transportation will include bringing the inventory from the company to the freight transportation company, and from the freights to the consumer, or ending client. In order to keep this process coordinated, a database system will needed in order to watch over all of the inventory, inventory levels will need to be monitored to be aware of surplus or shortage, and noticing the cost and discovering the most cost-efficient method for storing and transporting goods. All parts of this process must be carefully controlled.

To find the best freight transportation services for your company's money is another responsibility for a logistics team. The team must obtain crucial freight rate quotes and look to keep them extremely low. Since the deregulation of the truck industry by the government, management has generally been made much easier. Communication errors have been reduced due to improvements in technology in tracking and general communication.

The last main responsibility for freight transportation services is to ensure transportation times are accurate. Trust is important to companies as far as accurate shipment times go. While organization is a key factor, quick shipment ability is just as important. Accurate prediction due to improved highways and interstates now exists, resulting in a better service experience for the consumer and your company, as well as the freight transportation company.

Monday, October 25, 2010

A Rundown On Logistics Vs Transportation



Two of the most important sectors that help move a country's economy are logistics and transportation. Both are important cogs in the wheels of economy since they help bring in and distribute goods and materials. For example, if there is shortage of wheat and rice in Malaysia or Vietnam, other South Asian nations can help in providing supplies to satisfy the need.

Logistics and transportation are two words closely related to each other. As a matter of fact, with the example given previously, both processes are done hand in hand. But the question is can one really survive without the other? Or is there no absolute difference between the two and that both logistics and transportation are referring to the same entity?

Transportation refers to the means of distributing goods, supplies, resources, information, people, and energy from the original point to the destination point using any of the five modes of transport: animal-drive, air, road, rail, and water, or a combination thereof. Since transportation is concerned only with moving the supplies, someone has to take care of handing, packaging, managing the time the goods are fetched and delivered, and maintaining coordination, especially when inter-modal or a combination of two or more transport modes is used. That's when logistics comes in.

Logistics is defined as the process of managing goods, supplies, resources, information, people, and even energy from the source to the user. Any country can testify how important logistics is for its health. Logistics is not just a company that gets your airmails delivered promptly. Logistics is found in every department of a government, from the military to health agency, from education to infrastructure agency, and of course, the time-conscious world of commerce. This application of logistics is more popularly known as business logistics.

Business logistics, unlike military logistics where the concern is focused more on speed and quantity, is more concentrated on delivering the exact item, at the ideal time and place, at an ideal price, using an efficient amount of energy, man power, and financial resource. It is the business of most couriers in the world.

While most couriers have their own vehicles, such as air planes, ocean jets, trucks, and ferries, it is not really necessary for business logisticians to have their own means of transportation. In cases like this, trucking or shipping service providers are hired to distribute the commodities.

For example, in sending goods to a country where air travel is not available, the courier gets the services of a shipping company, and additionally, a trucker to help in delivering the goods once the ship has arrived. The courier has the responsibility to choose which ship and truck provides the fastest yet efficient handling of the supplies. A courier might also need a place of storage or a warehouse company, especially when there is a need to stock the goods while waiting for the trucker. Most shipping companies, however, do have their own warehouses.

Just lately, truckers and shipping companies have begun adapting logistics as part of their business operation. This raises the question then as to which service to avail of when sending goods. Should one go for logistics or transportation companies?

Whether one chooses logistics over transportation, the answer will have no difference. See, even transport companies employ logistics to their business operations. Both indeed must go hand in hand in order to achieve secure and efficient delivery goo

Friday, October 22, 2010

The Annual Transport Logistic Exhibition in Munich Guide



The Munich Trade Fair Centre will see an influx of visitors between the 12th and 15th of May 2009 with the upcoming international exhibition for logistics, telematics and transport. This years Transport Logistics Exhibition had attracted over 1,500 exhibitors from 57 different countries who were left impressed with the platform's magnetism drawing almost 47,000 trade visitors from 118 countries. The 2009 Annual Transport Logistic Exhibition is expected to be an even bigger success.

The Transport Logistics expo has played the role of the world's largest exhibition for the transport, logistics and telematics sector. The event also acts as a meeting ground for highly influential giants in the industry who contribute innovative products and provide solutions to industry issues.

The highlights of this much talked about event are both the huge spectrum of exhibits that it has on offer as well as the presence of an audience full of international professionals and market leaders. While the fair has an essential purpose of presenting practical solutions to the transportation's complex sector, it also opens out the huge network of transport systems, telematics and logistics under one roof.

The venue, the Munich Trade centre is well equipped with modern technological infrastructure and is known for its flexibility and state-of-the-art presentation technology that ensures exhibitors and visitors of a pleasant experience with no inconveniences.

Both exhibitors and visitors need to worry about transportation hassles as Munich is in the heart of Europe and has excellent infrastructure that ensures easy and quick accessibility. The Munich Airport is at a distance of thirty minutes by car from the venue, while the Hauptbahnhof Main Railway Station connects to the Trade centre via an underground system and is a twenty minute journey. Munich is known for its efficient local public transport system, making transportation the last thing that could create problems for visitors to the Annual Transport Logistic Exhibition in the city.

Accommodation is also well-cared for by the city of Munich which has a wide range of hotels and guesthouses providing visitors with different options in terms of both luxury and cost. While the city is full of functional, service oriented and budget friendly hotels, it is also home to internationally known luxurious five star hotels like the Le Meridien and the Mandarin Oriental.

The Transport Logistic Exhibition has been a preferred destination for hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of visitors as a result of the infallible reputation it has built over the years. The event has seen many exhibitors coming back to launch new products and diversify as well as develop their customer base. The fair has also seen tremendous growth in numerical terms. No wonder then, that it has seen rapid bookings for its upcoming May 2009 fair by loyal and new exhibitors who now have a chance of combining work with leisure in the beautifully sophisticated city of Munich!

A Guide to the Ship and Port Qatar Exhibition

The Ship and Port Qatar Exhibition is expected to create waves of success in the Middle East and Asia between the 5th and 7th of May 2009 at the Qatar International Exhibition Centre, Doha. Being the third International Ship Building, Port and Marine Technology Exhibition and Conference for these regions, the event has slowly yet successfully made a name for itself in the international markets.

The exhibition will be customized to cater to international manufacturers who are looking into entering the fast growing and demanding markets of the Middle Eastern Regions. An essential factor that defines this event is that it is open only to trade visitors, thus ensuring exhibitors' interaction with genuine visitors.

The Ship and Port Qatar event will act as a platform for exhibitors who can display their latest innovations and offer their updated services to the eastern markets. Exhibitors also get a chance to foray into new markets via a trusted platform that has an enormous network of visitors including key decision makers with high purchasing power.

While it would not be true to say that Doha's infrastructure meets the standard of other global cities, it would be unfair to call it inefficient. Connected to the world by the Doha international Airport which is Qatar's only international airport; Doha is known for its excellent road network and has an extensive bus system. However, the preferred mode of transportation is usually taxis and cars which shuttle from the airport to the Qatar International Exhibition Centre as well as take visitors around the city at reasonable rates.

Also, the city of Doha is home to some renowned hotels like The Ritz-Carlton, Marriott and Ramada Plaza, providing international citizens with world-class luxury. Visitors who prefer more cost friendly alternatives need not worry as Doha also has hotels starting at low-prices yet ensuring prompt services and facilities.

Testament to its genuine services, diverse market power and positive response, 96% of previous exhibitors from the 2007 event have confirmed their comeback as participants in the next event scheduled for 2009. Earlier exhibitors were left speechless with the high-quality visitors that attended the event and with the local business potential which the event was capable of offering. Several satisfied exhibitors claimed that the Ship and Port Qatar expo was their best experience in Middle East maritime exhibitions.

www.made-from-india.com offers solutions that help companies to improve bottom-line operational efficiency and meet new performance objectives. The exclusive database covers information about Logistic & Transport services in India, Logistic & Transportation Products in India, exporters of Logistic & Transportation Accessories, Logistic & Transportation products importer, Logistic & Transportation supplier, Logistic & Transportation manufacturers, & Wholesalers, logistics services in India, and customized global transportation.

Friday, October 15, 2010

What Is Logistics?



For many years, there was no such thing as a specialized logistics position at most companies. However, once businesses starting shipping their products outside of their regions, logistics becomes a major part of the company. People who work in logistics need to be creative in terms of trying to keep costs down for the company as well as figuring out quick and easy ways for companies to alert suppliers when they need more products Barcode labels and laser printer labels have really made life easier for those in logistics. Now, when a product's code is scanned it can alert the supplier immediately that one unit has been sold/left the retailer or company. Keeping up with how many codes have been scanned helps forecast when a new shipment will be needed and how fast the units are leaving the retailer or company. All of this and more is part of the job of someone working in logistics.

Most business schools today offer specialized degrees in logistics and transportation of goods. The degree involves the usual business curriculum with an emphasis on looking at numbers and cost of transportation as well as how to make the whole system more effective. Those studying this type of degree need to be able to help companies cost cuts and be as reliable as possible to the people they supply their products to, not only for their own sake, but for the retailer or other business they are selling to as well. Logistics involves forecasting in terms of when a company's clients will need more products. Now, students also have to learn about various laws involving products and transportation outside of the U.S. This is a new realm for students as companies continue expanding their companies around the globe.

An example of the job of someone in logistics would be working for a cola company to get the cola product to the grocery stores across the nation and in some cases around the world. The cola company wants to get their product to the selected grocery stores as quickly and efficiently as possible so as to avoid stock-outs. A person working in logistics would figure out how to transport the product for a little as possible, the timing on the shipping of the cola (because if done too late, then there is the risk of a stock out), and to figure out the best way for grocery stores to let the cola company know when they need more product.

Logistics has become an important part of American companies even since shipping across not only the country, but also across the globe began. It is important for everyone to understand the importance of logistics as our economy becomes much more global. Businesses in the United States are just now really starting to expand globally, which will include much more work for those in logistics. It will be quite the challenge for those in the field to adapt to the global market with all of the different transportation laws and regulations that will be in effect. One thing is for certain; however, the future of logistics looks to be very bright.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Transportation and Logistics Software - What Are Its Advantages?



If you are a small to midsize company that tries to ship your goods without the aid of transportation logistics, you'll likely end paying significantly more for shipping than you would if your hired a third party logistics (3PL) provider or implemented online transportation and logistics software. Without the aid of freight logistics, the cost of the shipping process can prohibitive for small to midsize companies for two main reasons: they either pay full truckload FTL shipping (full truck load) rates to ship partial loads or, realizing the economic disadvantage of FTL shipping for partial loads, they use parcel shipping, which is also a disadvantage when shipping multiple parcels on a regular basis. In response to these situations, 3PL and transportation and logistics software can revolutionize a company's sipping costs by providing them with options such as LTL shipping (less than truckload), integrated transportation methods based on competitive pricing and shorter shipping routes based on route analytics.

But while 3PL and logistics software function in the same capacity, the latter has two basic advantages over the former, beginning with price differential.

Price Differential

Although 3PL and logistics software companies serve the same purpose, they are principally different in their corporate make up. Third party logistics providers are freight logistics experts that act as middlemen between manufacturers and shipping companies, while logistics-software providers are freight logistics experts that specialize in creating freight logistics software, which they offer as an online software application for an affordable monthly fee. In other words, when you opt for 3PL, you end up paying more because you pay for an expert to manage your account, whereas logistics software lets you manage your own freight logistics through an easy to use interface. Essentially, 3PL providers make their money by charging you for a logistics service that you could easily perform on your own with the aid of logistics software. It's as simple as that.

Level of Control

When you outsource a service that isn't one of your company's core competencies, you're naturally at the mercy of the company that you outsource to. This is not to say to that 3PL providers are out to profit on their clients' lack of logistics expertise in an ulterior way. But it does mean that 3PL providers are always looking for LTL shipping rates and other shipping options that offer the greatest price differential between what the options actually cost and what they charge their clients to secure those options. In some cases, the greatest price differential might result from shipping your goods with a company that doesn't have the best reputation; a situation that you could easily avoid if you opt for logistics software. In addition to allowing more control over what companies you ship with, logistics software also allows each of your company departments to participate in the shipping decision process by accessing the software online, which can prove extremely valuable from an accounting and management perspective.

www.made-from-india.com offers solutions that help companies to improve bottom-line operational efficiency and meet new performance objectives. The exclusive database covers information about Logistic & Transport services in India, Logistic & Transportation Products in India, exporters of Logistic & Transportation Accessories, Logistic & Transportation products importer, Logistic & Transportation supplier, Logistic & Transportation manufacturers, & Wholesalers, logistics services in India, and customized global transportation.

Friday, October 8, 2010

6 Parenting Tips on Special Education Law and Transportation



Are you the parent of a child with autism or a physical disability that needs transportation? Do you wonder what the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) states is the schools responsibility, to provide transportation for your child? This article will discuss what IDEA requires as far as transportation for your child with a disability. Also discussed are parenting tips that you can use, to help your child receive this important service.

Under IDEA transportation is considered a related service. A related service is transportation, developmental, corrective, and other services. . .as may be required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education. . .
What this means is that if your child requires transportation in order to benefit from their education, special education personnel are required to provide it.

Parenting Tips:

1. When advocating for your child, remember that; transportation not only means to and from school, but also in and around the school building, and any specialized equipment required by your child.

2. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act prevents discrimination on the basis of disability. The law reads: No qualified student shall on the basis of handicap, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any . . .transportation. . .or activity.

For Example: Your child with a physical disability is not allowed to go on a field trip, because the class cannot get the wheelchair bus. This would be a section 504 complaint, because your child is being discriminated against, on the basis of their disability. I have dealt with this situation, and the school district usually quickly fixes the transportation problem, if you tell them that you may file a Section 504 complaint. Section 504 is covered by the Office of Civil Rights in Washington, though each state has at least one office.

3. If your child requires an assistant in the classroom then you may be able to get a bus assistant, if your child's disability requires it. The goal of transportation as a related service is to provide safe access to education. So if your child needs a bus assistant in order to get safely to school, school personnel are required to provide it.

4. If your school district is not providing needed transportation for your child, you can be reimbursed, for providing the transportation yourself. Make sure that your child's IEP, states that they need transportation as a related service, and that you will be reimbursed.

A district may also be required to reimburse parents where:

A. Transportation is needed to provide FAPE and the district fails to meet its obligation.
B. The district doesn't recognize the need for transportation.
C. The district makes inadequate provisions for transportation.

5. If your child's extracurricular activity is related to their IEP goals and objectives, then transportation must be given. For Example: If your child has autism and needs to work on social skills, they can gain that from extra curricular activities. In that case transportation needs to be given by your school district.

6. School districts are not allowed to shorten your child's school day due to transportation. Unfortunately it happens all the time, and you may have to stand up to special education personnel for the good of your child.

www.made-from-india.com offers solutions that help companies to improve bottom-line operational efficiency and meet new performance objectives. The exclusive database covers information about Logistic & Transport services in India, Logistic & Transportation Products in India, exporters of Logistic & Transportation Accessories, Logistic & Transportation products importer, Logistic & Transportation supplier, Logistic & Transportation manufacturers, & Wholesalers, logistics services in India, and customized global transportation.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Logistics Industry - The Promising Industry With Better Prospect



Logistics pertain to the management of flow in information, goods as well as other resources that require going through repair cycles between points of origin and consumption. Logistics indirectly revolves around developing the flow to appease the requirements set forth by customers. It also includes integration of information along with inventory, transportation, ware housing, packaging, as well as material handling making the products available at the right place saving money and time. Given the essentially of time and order, the logistics industry jobs have reached great demands in recent years.

The logistics industry has close connections with warehousing projects, which has added boost to warehouse jobs alongside. Warehousing pertains to developing an overlap between warehouse management as well as the control systems thus, acting as a connective interlink between the two. A person looking for warehouse jobs would require adapting as per the situations and exhibiting profound decision-making abilities.

Warehouse control and management need efficiency, as they are essential for the working of a warehouse or a distribution centre for the companies. The profile usually includes stock-management, supervising, as well as additional responsibilities such as real-time decision-making. In certain scenes, one may also be required to handle responsibility of managing the inventories as well as warehouse staff.

Transportation logistics have the ability to help businesses reach greater domains. It is also essential for increasing the turnover as well as ensures multi-mode transportation for businesses. Given the importance of transport logistics, most of the transportation jobs entail strict requirements.

A person looking for developing a career in logistics transportation should have the ability to manage processes that include the end products, raw materials as well as delivering the right products in time. It may also require management of the flow of information and goods along with their storage and distribution.

Transportation Jobs in logistics focuses upon planning schedules as well as routes that could help the transport of goods and people in the most legible and cost effective way. Furthermore, the job profile may have interpersonal communication with customers.

The logistics industry has come to become a prominent and resilient industry with close nexus with other prominent industries such as that of international trade, national defence, transportation, hospitality, as well as retail. Given their importance, the have blossomed into a strong industry with dominant influence. India, with its rapidly growing economy has triggered the growth of logistics industry. Logistics managers are in continuous demand with promises of a good career prospect. If you have inclination towards management, logistics probably could set a remarkable upfront success to your career.