Transport

Goods should be moved from Point A to Point B as efficiently as possible. The specific strengths and weaknesses of each means of transportation within a freight-transport system must be weighed and possibly linked.

Definition of transport

Efficient movement from place to place

The author Jules Verne once dreamed of traveling around the world in 80 days. Phileas Fogg, the British hero of his novel, achieved this speed of travel, which was incredible for the conditions of Verne’s time, by cleverly networking various means of transportation as a practitioner of travel logistics. Today, solving the transport problem is a central task of logistics in shipping a good from one place to another.

The transport chain as solution to transport problems

In general or profession terms, transport involves covering distances or changing the location of cargo through the use of a means of transport.
A distinction must be made here between internal transport within an operation and external transport. For instance, internal transport takes place from one production line to another in a factory or between different departments in a warehouse. External transport, on the other hand, is a shipment from the supplier to the customer, between various factories or between warehouses of a company.
External transport consists of the cargo, the means of transport and the transport process. Means of transport involves the "hardware" of transport - that is, the means of transport that will carry the goods. The transport process, in turn, concerns the “software” of transport and refers to the procedural-organizational rules governing the transport process.
For any given transportation problem, two questions must be generally answered:

• Which means of transport is the most advantageous?
• Which transport process is the most advantageous?

Ultimately, the solution of the transport problem lies in the composition of a transport chain. In a transport chain, goods are moved from Dispatch Point A to Receiving Point B in accordance with procedures that are connected in technical and organizational terms. Transport, handling and storage solutions are often offered by large, networked logistics service providers for an entire transport chain.

=> dhl - discover logistics

Packaging

Optimal packaging of a product is a critically important factor in logistics. It serves as a protective layer, a source of information and a prerequisite for efficient and safe storage and rapid transport.

Functions of packaging

External cover with functional content:-
Optimal packaging of a product is a critical factor in logistics. And the reason is clear: Without it, many logistics processes could not be performed at all or could be carried out only at great additional cost. The function of the packaging is not just to protect the product. It performs many other jobs as well. These include providing information about the contents as well as enabling and facilitating other logistics processes - including transport and handling as well as storage, order processing and warehousing.

No logistics without packaging:-
The different logistics functions of the packaging - that is, protection, storage, transport, information and handling - are an outstanding example of the interdependencies that exist in logistics. As a result, the packaging may be regarded only as a part of the entire logistics system. In packaging design, a compromise that addresses all functional areas must be found. The correct design of packaging can help lower overall logistics costs and raise the level of supply and/or delivery service.
In addition to the logistics functions, packaging must also fulfill production functions, marketing functions and usage functions. This means :

• Through the choice of suitable packaging, it is possible to produce directly from the packaging or into the packaging without intermediary processing procedures.
• Packaging can lend a special character to a product, enabling it to be distinguished from the competitors’ products. Important functions can also be assigned to packaging, including roles in advertising and sales promotions.
• In light of environmental considerations, it is essential for packaging design to meet these needs. Ideally, the design should make it possible for a customer to recycle the packaging or facilitate its use for other purposes.

Protective function:-
Good service includes the ordered good’s arriving in satisfactory condition. The packaging should protect the product from mechanical and climatic stresses during delivery.

Warehouse function:-
Packaging is required to facilitate the storage of a product. If possible, the packaging should be stackable and meet the demands of the storage equipment. In addition, it should facilitate practical storage of the packaging supplies - e.g., through collapsible boxes.

Transportation function:-
The packaging also has the task of facilitating the transport of a product or actually enabling the product to be transported. Likewise, the packaging’s form and size should permit the optimal use of the transport space with the lowest possible packaging weight.

Handling function:-
The goods should be combined by the packaging into units that simplify their processing during transshipment and delivery. The form and size of the packaging units must also facilitate the employment of technical aids such as forklifts or storage and retrieval systems. If the commodity is handled manually, then grip holes in the packaging can be necessary.

Information function:-
The packaging should be marked in such a way that the products in it can be identified easily - e.g., by color, pictures or labels. Furthermore, packaging of fragile, perishable or similar products requiring special treatment during delivery should be clearly marked with pictures, symbols or explanations. During automated transportation and processing procedures, automatic product recognition is facilitated by suitable information appropriate to the packaging, e.g., barcodes or RFID tags.

=> dhl - discover logistics