Introduction
Logistics is a broad term that can be defined as the process of distribution and transportation of goods from one location to another. Logistics is vital for many businesses, so it's important to know what logistics entails. Logistics can be used by any business or individual who needs to transport anything from point A to point B.
Logistically speaking, there are two modes: shipping and warehousing. Shipping means delivering a product from its origin (the producer) to the end user (a customer), while warehousing refers specifically to storing products in bulk quantities at one site until they're needed elsewhere.
What Is Shipping?
Shipping is the process of transporting goods from one location to another, typically for the purpose of distribution or storage. Shipping can be done by small businesses who need to transport their products over a certain distance, but it is most commonly associated with big companies like Amazon and Walmart that ship millions upon millions of products each year.
When you think of shipping you often picture an Amazon box, however shipping can come in various modes and sizes. The main modes of shipping are air, ground and sea. Everything from a small envelope up to a giant shipping container goes through the process of shipping. In addition to these larger forms of transportation, there is also express, overnight and local shipping that companies can utilize in order to get their products from point A to point B as quickly as possible.
Every business needs to get their products to their customers in one way or another, so it is important for them to know all of the logistics involved. Shipping is a key part of the overall logistics process, so it is important for business owners to have a good understanding on how shipping works.
What Is Warehousing?
Warehousing is the storage of goods in a specific location until they are needed elsewhere. Warehouses can be used for many things, but most commonly businesses will use them to store their products before shipping or selling them. The process of warehousing involves using large buildings that have warehouses inside and then storing different types of products there.
This type of warehousing is a little different from shipping, as it takes place at one location and can be done by smaller businesses or individuals. Warehouses have the ability to hold millions of items which makes them very useful for big companies that need larger storage options.
Warehousing falls under logistics because warehousing is an important part of getting products to customers without any damage or loss. Warehouses help businesses distribute their products more efficiently and they also take care of storing the goods so that no damage is done to them over time. Logistics encompasses many different things, but warehousing is one aspect of logistics which can be used by any type of business at any size.
Who Is Involved In Logistics?
Factories
Factories and manufacturers are important players in shipping and warehousing because they produce the goods that need to be transported. These companies often have their own shipping equipment or they will use shipping companies that specialize in transporting goods for other businesses.
Manufacturers can also be involved in warehousing, as they often need to store their products before shipping them. The warehousing process is vital for any type of business, which means that manufacturers and other companies need to be well informed on shipping and warehousing logistics.
Ports
Ports are a very important part of Logistics as they are used to transport the goods from one location to another. They provide and entryway for cargo ships and other vessels that are carrying the products to be shipped. Logistics often involves a port because most of the time, they need to load or unload their goods onto another form of transportation in order for them to get where they need to go.
Ports can vary greatly depending on size and location, but it is important for Logistics to have a port nearby. Logistics is all about transporting goods from one location to another, so it's important that the products can arrive at their destination as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Customs Brokers
Logistics also involves customs brokers, who handle the shipping and transportation of goods across international borders. They ensure that all of the documents are in place and that all of the shipping and customs requirements are met before moving on to the next step. The process can be complicated, but it is important for international shipping to have customs brokers involved.
Freight Brokers
A freight broker is a type of shipping and logistics professional who has many different roles within the shipping process. They often do everything from arranging shipping routes to helping with warehousing. A freight broker is responsible for shipping goods to their destination, so they coordinate shipments and make sure that everything gets where it needs to go without any problems.
Freight Carriers
A freight carrier is a transportation company that provides Logistics services for bulk loads. Freight carriers are responsible for transporting goods from one location to another. They have the ability to ship large volumes of products at once which makes them a key part in Logistics due to their speed and efficiency.
Freight carriers are important because they help cut down on time wasted waiting for shipments, as well as reducing transportation costs associated with shipping as they move products in large qualities by the pallet or truckload. They offer their customers the option of local, overnight or express delivery which helps them meet all kinds of deadlines for Logistics purposes.
Warehouse
A warehouse is a large building that is used to store goods until they are needed. Warehouses can be located at the shipping port or away from it, but there has to be some sort of storage facility for logistics purposes.
The warehouse is one aspect of logistics which falls under warehousing and helps companies get their products where they need to go. Warehouses store products for shipping which makes them very important to the overall process of getting goods from one place to another.
3PL
A third party logistics provider offers shipping and warehousing services for companies that need help to ship their products. They often own warehouses and work with various shipping companies to transport the products which makes them an important part of Logistics.
A third party logistics provider can be used by small businesses or shipping companies that need assistance with shipping their products, but they also work closely with larger shipping and warehousing facilities as well. They help manage all kinds of shipments for different types of customers depending on what shipping needs they have.
Parcel Carrier
A parcel carrier is a shipping company that uses small vehicles to transport goods from one place to another. Parcel carriers provide shipping services for individuals and smaller companies, but they also work with larger warehouses as well.
A parcel carrier is important in logistics because it provides shippers with the ability to ship items which are not large enough or heavy enough for shipping by truck or pallet load. They provide many different options for shipping which helps customers meet all kinds of deadlines and shipping needs.
You may have heard of some of the more popular shipping companies like USPS, FedEx, and UPS. They are shipping carriers that use their own vehicles to transport products from one location to another.
Does My Business Need All This?
Logistics is a very broad term that can be associated with shipping, warehousing and transportation. Many businesses need shipping services in order to get their products from one place to another which means they have some kind of logistics providers or plan for shipping goods. Sometimes formulating this plan can be problematic for a business.
This process does not have to be complicated if you work with the right type of professionals who can help with shipping, warehousing or managing inventory. With the right team logistics can go from a puzzle your business needs to solve into a strength.
Conclusion
Logistics can be a daunting task for many businesses, but it's necessary to know the different modes of logistics and how they work. Shipping is more common in e-commerce, while warehousing deals with storing goods at one site. If you're looking for advice on overcoming your business' logistical challenges, we have experts available who are ready to help! Simply contact us today if you need any assistance with shipping and warehousing services.
