Elements of a logistics strategy – inventory management
One of the key elements of a logistics strategy is effective inventory management. Implementing activities that allow you to determine optimal inventory levels allows you to minimize costs, eliminate storage problems, and avoid both shortages and excesses of goods. This increases the flexibility of the business and the quality of customer service.
Effective inventory management is facilitated by modern logistics solutions, such as SAP S/4HANA. The system has modules dedicated to this area, such as MM and WM. SAP solutions for the logistics industry include a number of useful functionalities that increase control over inventory management and accelerate decision-making based on collected data. SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) is also designed for companies with large warehousing operations. Among other things, it allows you to implement a Material Flow System that provides control over warehouse automation directly from the system.
Transportation and distribution as elements of a logistics strategy
The next elements of a logistics strategy are transportation and distribution. Appropriate actions in these areas contribute to achieving high logistics efficiency. Effective transportation management includes activities such as planning and organizing routes, selecting appropriate means of transportation, and optimizing delivery schedules. Increasing distribution efficiency reduces the time it takes to deliver goods or services to customers and decreases transportation costs.
The SAP TM (Transportation Management) module is used to improve transportation management and distribution processes, providing access to a variety of solutions that enable the creation of delivery routes, optimization of transportation costs and time, automation of transportation document exchange processes, and more. It improves road, sea, rail, air, and multimodal transportation services. It uses heuristic algorithms to efficiently select loading and handling points. It supports not only your company’s operations, but also its sustainable development, for example, by maximizing loading capacity or shortening routes.
Elements of a logistics strategy – warehouse management
In order to increase logistics efficiency, it is essential to control and optimize warehouse processes. Effective warehouse management is a critical element of a logistics strategy, providing numerous benefits, including faster order fulfillment and increased throughput, reduced operating costs, and better organization of stock.
Collaboration with partners and suppliers, based on sharing resources and information, and effective customer service are also mentioned as elements of a logistics strategy. We should also not forget about advanced, dedicated supply chain management software. Modern technology and the implementation of solutions such as SAP make it easier to monitor shipments and analyze the data collected. Automation of warehouse processes is also possible.
