Definition of logistics: the physical flow of goods from the place of supply to the place of acceptance. This definition is very accurate, and there is nothing to knock about. But I don't think this can fully reflect and express the significance of modern logistics. I think the concept of modern logistics should be defined as: under the condition of extremely compressed storage space, it is transformed into the flow of goods at time and place. This is my new understanding of modern logistics.
Here, I want to borrow a simple physical formula V=S/T (V: speed S: distance T: time), or this formula has something to do with logistics. Of course, this does not mean the above definition. I made the following new definitions: V=S/T, v: logistics value. Value S: place. Space t: time. Time, that is, the value of logistics, is determined by some mathematical relationship between the state of goods in the two places and the intermediate time.
In the development of logistics, warehousing has been replaced by the quantification of time to a certain extent, and this trend will be more obvious. Therefore, from this point of view, the factors that produce logistics value will be determined by the shape of the goods themselves at the destination and the place of supply and the time factor in the process of movement, and a practical definition of logistics is the organic combination of basic functions such as transportation, storage, loading and unloading, handling, packaging, distribution processing, distribution and information processing. Whether to use V=S/T model to distinguish its stages is also reflected in the logistics chain, which is a flowing process of logistics, capital flow and information flow, and the ultimate value is the value pursued by enterprises.
From a series of classic cases such as Haier's JIT, Dell's perfect e-commerce logistics and Toyota's zero inventory, we can see that these successful cases of logistics operation all show that logistics, capital flow and information flow have been unimpeded at the right time under the influence of human factors, and time value, as the first value embodiment of logistics, has become the key to measure the success of enterprise logistics. Time value is also guiding the development direction of modern logistics and promoting the competitiveness of modern enterprises. V has also become the direct embodiment of logistics value, and at the same time, it has become the intermediate goal for enterprises to pursue profits.
In order to realize the ideal logistics value, a logistics enterprise must quantify the time value reasonably. At this time, time is the most critical in the model. In the successful logistics operation, enterprises have made an extremely accurate quantification of logistics time. Of course, I want to point out that time here is defined by zero time, but it can also be said to be a race against time. This series of directionality and specific quantification make the logistics value accurately quantified. There are also the successes of Haier and Dell.