Unit Seven Introduction to Logistics

Text A The definition of logistics

The term “Logistics” originates from a Greek word “logos”, which refers to reasoning. The term “logistics” was first used in a military sense in the early 19th century. This term then encompassed transport organization, army replenishments and material maintenance.

“Logistics”来源于希腊词语中的”logos”，指的是合理的意思，最早于19世纪早期军事术语中使用，随后它的意义得到扩充，包含了交通运输组织、军事补给和物资供应。

In the business world, the concept of “logistics” was applied solely to “Material Replenishment Programs” (MRP) and was confined to the manufacturing sector at the beginning, which is called the first party logistics nowadays. Therefore the extension of the concept to involve company operations is a relatively new one.

在商业世界, ”logistics” 仅指物料补充计划，并且最开始仅限于制造业，被称为第一方物流，所以”logistics”从概念上加以扩充由此包含了企业运营的意思还是相对较新的概念。

The introduction of containers and the development of information technology have brought about the improvement of logistics activities. Containerization has helped accelerate the transportation process; information technology has enabled information to be acted upon in real time thus speeding up the flow of transportation and delivery.

集装箱的引进和信息技术的发展带动了物流活动的改善提高，集装箱化促进了交通运输的发展，信息技术使得信息能够实时传播，加快了交通运输和发货的速度。

Logistics starts with the provision of raw materials and semi-finished goods for the manufacturing process, and finishes up with the physical distribution and after sales service of the products.

物流从原材料的供给开始，随后是半成品的生产过程，最后是（货物）的配送以及产品的售后服务等。

Economically, this creates a new source of profit characterized by the development of mass distribution and attention to service quality. The two basis objectives in practicing business logistics, cost reduction and time saving, have enabled companies to profit not only in performance and quality but also in customer satisfaction.

从经济学意义上讲，（在物流领域）快速发展集中运输、专注于服务质量已经创造出了一项经济收益来源。实现商业化物流的两个基本目标——减少成本和节约时间——不仅使公司从高性能和高质量中获得利润，而且还提高了客户满意率。

There are various definitions of different editions. The term was defined as follow:

不同书刊版本对物流的定义不同，其定义有如下几种：

Logistics is the procurement, maintenance, distribution, and replacement of personnel and material.

物流就是采购、供给、配送以及人员物资的更换。

Logistics is the science of planning, organizing and managing activities that provides goods or services.

物流就是通过科学地规划、组织和管理以提供货物及服务。

Logistics is defined as a business-planning framework for the management of material, service, information and capital flows. It includes the increasingly complex information, communication and control systems required in today’s business environment.

物流被定义为对物料、服务、信息和资金流进行管理的商业计划体系，它包括了当今商业环境中日益复杂的信息、交流和控制系统。

Logistics is the process of planning, implementing, and controlling the efficient, cost effective flow and storage of raw materials, in-process inventory, finished goods and related information from point of origin to point of consumption for the purpose of meeting customer requirements.

物流是一个过程，它包括了计划，实施，控制效率、成本效益流、原材料的存储、工序内存货、产成品、从产地到消费地的相关信息等以满足客户需求。

From these definitions logistics can be briefly described like this: “Logistics means having the right thing, at the right place, at the right time.” At its heart, logistics deals with satisfying the customer.

从以上定义中可将物流简要的描述为：物流指的是使正确的东西在正确的时间位于正确的地点，其核心是满足消费者的需求。

In a more practical sense, logistics refers to the systematic management of the various activities required to move benefits from their point of production to the customer. But logistics encompasses much more than just the transport of goods.

从更切实际意义角度讲，物流指的是对各种活动进行系统的管理，以使（产品本身的）价值从其生产地转移到消费者手中。物流所包含的意思远非货物运输。

The concept of benefits goes beyond the product or service itself to include issues regarding timing, quantity, supporting services, location and cost. So a basic definition of logistics is the continuous process of meeting customer needs by ensuring the availability of the right benefits at the right time and right place for a right price for the right customer. These concepts apply equally well to for-profit industries and non-profit organizations.

（对消费者而言）“价值”这一概念超越了产品或服务本身，更包括了与时间、数量、配套服务、地点和成本相关的问题。所以，物流的一个基本定义是指不断满足消费者需求，保证（货物）价值在正确的时间、正确的地点以正确的价格到正确的顾客手中。这一概念同时适用于盈利组织与非盈利组织。

However, logistics can mean different things to different organization. Some organizations are more concerned with production of the benefits; so their management focuses on the flow of raw materials into the production process rather than on delivering the final goods to the user. Alternatively, some organizations are much more concerned with the flow of finished goods from the end of the production line to the ultimate customer. Finally, some organizations view logistics as embracing both materials management and physical distribution.

然而，物流对于不同的组织而言意味着不同的东西。一些组织更关心产品收益，所以他们在管理上更注重原材料流入生产过程，而非将最终产品送到消费者手中。另一种情况是，一些组织更注重最终产品从生产线终点流入最终客户手里。还有一些组织将物流视为物料管理和实体配送的结合。

Logistics, in this regard, integrates material management and physical distribution tasks into a single supply chain that links the customer with all aspects of the organization. This comprehensive view of logistics sometimes referred to as supply chain management, can lead to lower costs and/or better service.

在这一点上，物流把物料管理和实体配送结合到同一条供应链上来，而供应链把客户和该组织的其他所有方面联系了起来。物流从更广泛的角度看有时指的是供应链管理，它能够降低成本，提供更好的服务。

Text B The work of logistics

Logistics exists to move and position inventory to achieve desired time, place, and possession benefits at the lowest total cost. To realize the maximum strategic benefit of logistics, the full range of functional work must be integrated. Decisions in one functional area will impact cost of all others. It is this interrelation of functions that challenges the successful implementation of integrated logistical management. Work related to these functional areas combines to create the capabilities needed to achieve logistical value.

物流的出现在于以最低的总成本移动和存放库存从而保证按时将（指定的货物）放在正确的地方，实现财产收益。为了实现物流战略价值的最大化，必须将各种工作职能整合到一起。在某一职能区域做出的决定势必影响到其它职能区域的成本开支，正是这种职能区域之间的相互关系对实现物流一体化管理提出巨大的挑战，而各职能区域的相互结合才能够实现物流的价值。

Order processing

While many aspects of information are critical to logistics operations, the process of orders is of primary importance. Failure to fully understand this importance resulted from a failure to understand how distortion and dynamics impact logistical operations. The more responsive the system, the greater the importance is of accurate and timely information regarding customer purchase behavior.

许多方面的信息对于物流运作来说都很关键，但订单处理是最重要的。系统越是反应灵敏，准确、及时（传递）有关顾客购买行为的信息就越重要。

Current information technology is capable of handling the most demanding customer requirements. When desired, order information can be obtained on a real time basis.

当前信息技术能够处理顾客最苛刻的要求，一旦（顾客）有需求，订单信息就能够实时被（供给商）获取。

The benefit of fast information flow is directly related to work balancing. Data transmission or Web-based communication of orders direct form the customers’ office combine with slower, less costly surface transportation may have achieved even faster overall delivery service at a lower total cost. The key objective is to balance components of the logistical system.

快速信息流的优点直接与各工作之间的平衡性相关，数据传输或者订单传输来源于下游的客户，低成本的地面运输也能以更低的成本完成更快的配送服务，其关键目标在于保持物流系统中各部分的平衡性。

Inventory

The inventory requirements of a firm are directly linked to the family network and the desired level of customer service. Theoretically, a firm could stock every item sold in every facility dedicated to servicing each customer. Few business operations can afford such a luxurious inventory commitment because the risk and total cost are prohibitive. The objective in inventory strategy is to achieve desired customer service with the minimum inventory commitment.

一个公司的库存要求与其设施网络和客户服务等级直接相关。理论上，一个公司可以在每个地点储备所有在售物品以服务客户，但很少有公司能够承担起如此昂贵的库存成本，（原因在于）风险和成本通常高得（让企业）无法承担，库存策略的目标在于以最少的库存实现期望的客户服务。

Logistical strategies should be designed to maintain the lowest possible financial investment in inventory. The basic goal is to achieve maximum inventory turnover while satisfying service commitments. A sound inventory strategy is based on a combination of five aspects of selective deployment: (1) core customer segmentation, (2) product profitability, (3) transportation integration, (4) time-based performance, and (5) competitive performance.

合理的物流策略应该维持尽可能低的库存投资，其基本目的是在满足服务承诺的同时，获得最大的库存周转率。一个合理的库存策略是基于以下五个方面的优化组合（1）核心客户划分（2）产品收益（3）运输整合（4）时基性（5）竞争能力

Every enterprise that sells to a variety of different customers confronts uneven opportunity. Because highly profitable customers constitute the core market of every enterprise, inventory strategies need to focus on them. The key to effective logistical segmentation rests in the inventory priorities dedicated to support core customers.

客户群体多样化的企业都会面临着客户条件不均等的问题，高收益的客户构成了企业的核心市场，库存策略更应关注这部分客户，高效的物流分配其关键在于保有特定库存以满足核心客户。

Most enterprises experience a substantial variance in the volume and profitability across product lines. If no restrictions are applied, a firm may find that less than 20 percent of all products marketed account for more than 80 percent of total profit. For obvious reasons, an enterprise wants to offer high availability and consistent delivery of its most profitable products.

大部分企业对于一个产品系列在（生产）数量和盈利上会经历很大的变化，如果没有任何限制，企业很可能会发现比例低于20%的产品创造了超过80%的总收益，一个显而易见的原因是，企业为其收益最大的产品提供了很高的可得性和可靠性配送服务。

A firm is typically more desirable to do business with, than competitors, if it can promise and perform rapid and consistent delivery. Therefore, it may be necessary to position inventory in a specific warehouse to gain competitive advantage even if such commitment increases total cost. Selective inventory deployment policies may be essential to gain a customer service advantage or to neutralize a strength that competitor currently enjoys.

一个企业如果能够提供更快更稳定的配送服务，通常会比其竞争对手更有希望（与客户）交易，因此，将库存放置在特定地点，即使以增加总成本为代价也要获得竞争优势就显得很有必要，库存优化配置对于获得竞争优势、使对手竞争优势失效尤其必要。

Transportation

Transportation is the operational area of logistics that geographically moves and positions inventory. Because of its fundamental importance and visible cost, transportation has traditionally received considerable managerial attention.

交通运输是物流系统的运行部分，它包括了地理位置的移动和库存存放，由于它在功能上的重要性和显而易见的成本，因而交通运输受到大量关注。

Transportation requirements can be satisfied in three basic ways. First, a private fleet of equipment may be operated. Second, contracts may be arranged with dedicated transport specialists. Third, an enterprise may engage the services of a wide variety of carriers that provide different transportation services on a per shipment basis. From the logistical system viewpoint, three factors are fundamental to transportation performance: (1) cost, (2) speed, and (3) consistency.

运输需求可从以下三个方面得到满足：（1）配备自有运输车队，（2）与专业运输公司签订合同，（3）企业针对每次运输情况雇佣提供相应运输服务的运输商。以物流的观点来看，交通运输的性能主要受三个因素的影响（1）成本（2）速度和（3）一致性。

The cost of transport is the payment for shipment between two geographical locations and the expenses related to maintaining in-transit inventory. Logistical systems should utilize transportation that minimizes total system cost.

运输成本是指在两地之间的运输费用，费用的多少与在途库存相关，物流系统应该使用使总的系统成本最低的运输方式。

Speed of transportation is represented by the time required to complete a specific movement. Speed and cost of transportation are related. Thus, a critical aspect of selecting the most desirable mode of transportation is to balance speed and cost of service.

速度表示完成一次具体运输所需花费的时间。运输速度与运输成本相关联，因此，选择最合理输运方式的关键在于平衡速度和服务的成本。

Consistency of transportation refers to variations in time required to perform a specific movement over a number of shipments. Consistency is the most important attribute of quality transportation. With the advent of new information technology to control and report shipment status, logistics managers have begun to seek faster movement while maintaining consistency.

运输的一致性是指在大量输运过程中，每次运输在时间上的变化情况。一致性对于优质的运输服务来讲是最重要的，物流经理们通常使用最新信息技术对运输状态进行控制和反馈，在保证一致性的同时提高运输速度。

In designing a logistical system, a delicate balance must be maintained between transportation cost and service quality. Finding and managing the desired transportation mix across the system is a primary responsibility of logistics.

在设计物流系统的过程中，必须确保运输成本与服务质量的平衡，通过物流系统，寻求并管理所需的运输组合模式是物流的主要任务。

Warehousing, materials handling, and packaging

The fourth functionality of logistics-warehousing, materials handling, and packaging-also represents an integral part of a logistics operates solution. They are an integral part of other logistics areas. For example, inventory typically needs to be warehoused at selected times during the logistics process. Transportation vehicles required materials handling for efficient loading and unloading.

物流的第四部分——包括仓储、货物搬运以及包装——是整个物流运行系统不可或缺的一部分，它对于其它物流功能部分同样必不可少，例如，在整个物流过程通常需要把库存在特定的时间内存储起来、运输车辆需要进行货物搬运以高效地完成装车和卸车过程。

When distribution facilities are required in logistical system, a firm can choose between the services of a warehouse specialist or operating their own facility. The decision is broader than simply selecting a facility to store inventory since many value adding activities may be performed during the time products are warehoused. Examples of such activities are sorting, sequencing, order selection, transportation consolidation, and in some cases, product modification and assembly.

当物流系统需要用到配送设备时，企业可以选择能够提供专业仓存服务的公司，也可以配备自有的设施设备。许多能附加价值的活动可以在产品仓储期间进行，例如分类、排序、订单选择、合并运输等，并且在某些情况下进行产品修饰和装配，所以在做决定时比起仅是选择一处仓储设施（选择的范围）广泛得多。

Within the warehouse, materials handling is an important activity. Products must be received, moved, stored, sorted, and assembled to meet customer order requirement. When performed in an inferior manner, materials handling can result in substantial product damage. A variety of mechanized and automated devices exist to assist materials handling.

在整个仓储过程中，货物搬运是相当重要的一项活动，货物接收、移动、储存、分类、装配等（都需要货物搬运）以满足消费者的订单需求，操作不当时，还有可能导致物品损坏，（如今）大量的机械和自动化设施已用于协助人们进行货物的搬运。

Facility network

In business operations, however, the number, size, and geographical relationship of facilities used to perform logistical operations directly impacts customer service capabilities and cost. Network design a primary responsibility of logistical management since a firm’s facility structure is used to ship products and materials to customers.

在商业运营中，用于物流的设施数量、规模、以及设施之间的位置关系都直接影响着对客户的服务质量和成本，其中，（设施）网络的设计对物流管理起主要作用，因为设施的布置结构将用于把产品和物料运到顾客的手中。

Network design is concerned with determining the number and location of all types of facilities required to perform logistics work. It is also necessary to determine what inventory and how much to stock at facility as well as the assignment of customers. The facility network creates a structure from which logistical operations are performed. Specific work tasks related to processing customer orders, warehousing inventory, and materials handling are all performed within the facility network.

（设施）网络设计用于确定各种设施的数量和位置，同时，它对于确定存储哪些产品、根据每处设施（具体情况）和客户的分配存储多少货物也必不可少，设施网络从物流的实际运行中创造出了一种设施结构，与客户订单、仓储、货物搬运相关的具体工作任务都是在这些设施网络中完成的。

The importance of continuously modifying the facility network to accommodate change in demand and supply infrastructures cannot be overemphasized. Product assortments, customers, suppliers and manufacturing requirements are constantly changing in a dynamic competitive environment. The selection of a superior network can provide a significant step toward achieving competitive advantage.

产品的分类、客户、供应商以及生产要求在动态的竞争环境中不断改变，因此持续不断的改进设施网络，以适应需求和基础设施的变化是非常重要的，最优设施网络使（企业）朝着竞争优势迈出了重要一步。

交通运输和物流专业英语(Unite7)中英文