Supply Chain Logistics Management

Logistics and supply chain management
Logistics management can be defined as the effective and efficient management of the flow and storage of goods, people, information and money along a value chain (supplier -> manufacturer -> distributor -> retailer -> customer). While supply chain management is sometimes used interchangeably with logistics management, it is usually referred to in a broader sense and includes the integration of all activities along the chain, both internal and external to the firm.
Traditionally, production is the activity that creates the most value along the chain. Yet, in current practice, design/ planning as well as logistics/marketing/finance have surpassed production and generate much more value. Without actively integrating these with other activities in the supply chain, manufacturing cannot be effective. While most of the manufacturing facilities of Hong Kong have moved north to the Pearl River Delta (PRD), it is important that headquarters in Hong Kong should still orchestrate the supply chain and directly manage the most valuable parts of the chain. Moreover, Hong Kong must reinvent itself from a pure transportation hub to a logistics hub by adding value to the goods flowing in the global supply chain that connects the Greater China region with the rest of the world.
 
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and supply chain management
The continual development of wireless technologies coupled with RFID technologies and intelligent software systems could provide revolutionary ways to run the supply chain. Although RFID has a long history of applications, the recent driving forces behind RFID are military suppliers, retail suppliers and supply chain securities. Indeed, RFID has attracted much attention, especially after Wal-Mart announced that by January 2005, its top 100 suppliers would have to embed an RFID tag on all pallets travelling to its distribution centres and stores. With more than 1.5 million employees, and annual sales amount of more than US$250 billion, which exceeds the gross domestic product of many of the world's nations, Wal-Mart is a company with enormous leverage. Its decision to implement an RFID policy will have a dramatic impact on industries in Hong Kong, such as the container port, the airport, the border between the Mainland and Hong Kong, as well as other infrastructures in the Mainland, including manufacturers in the PRD.
Using RFID on goods in containers, pallets, and carton boxes will provide the means to significantly reduce time taken for traffic flow and customs clearance between the PRD, Hong Kong and overseas ports. With RFID tags, we will truly have real-time information at our fingertips, and smarter ways to improve logistics flows. The advantages of using RFID have become more recognised by Hong Kong-based industries following a high-profile promotional campaign by various institutes in the past year. However, most managers are still puzzled about the feasibility of RFID, largely due to concerns about cost-benefits and standardisation issues. The question is "Do we have a choice?" If yes, is it worth the cost of implementation? How? Why?

Credits

For more details on Single Source Solutions, please click to the Solutions Section of our web site. You may also connect with us as shown on our Contact Page, or fill out the Request for Consultation form. One of our representatives will contact you within 24 hours to discuss your needs and potential solutions.

to top

3rd Party Logistics Air Logistics Applied Logistics Regression Business Logistics Business Logistics Supply Chain Management California Third Party Logistics Contemporary Logistics Distribution Logistics Freight Logistics Handling Third Party Logistics Material Health Care Logistics Integrated Logistics Solution Lean Logistics Logistics Business Management Logistics Consultant Logistics Consulting Logistics Definition Logistics Distribution Management Logistics Health Logistics Manager Logistics Outsourcing Logistics Promotion Services Trade Show Logistics Services Logistics Solution Logistics System Logistics Training Management System Vendor Pro Logistics Reverse Logistics Shipping Logistics Strategic Logistics Management Supply Chain Logistics Target Logistics Third Party Logistics Company Third Party Logistics Firm Third Party Logistics Provider Third Party Logistics Services Third Party Logistics Software Third Party Logistics Warehousing Total Logistics Control Total Quality Logistics Transport Logistics Trucking Logistics Warehouse Logistics Defense Logistics Agency Logistics Logistics Company Logistics Management Logistics Regression Shipping Storage And Logistics Supply Chain Logistics Management Third Party Logistics