5 Common Misconceptions About Logistics
Article outline:
- Logistics = Transportation
- Logistics = Warehousing
- Logistics only applies to physical products
- Napoleon invented logistics
- Logistics is abstract and complicated
What is this so-called “logistics”? Today, Logistiqa invites you to revisit some common misconceptions surrounding the concept of logistics.
1- Logistics = Transportation
What image comes to mind when you hear the word “logistics”? A truck, a parcel on a plane, a container? And yet, logistics encompasses a wide range of cross-functional processes and professions—including transportation. Yes, transportation is actually just one component of logistics. Logistics also includes planning, forecasting, inventory management, and when we talk about industrial logistics, we even look at internal flows within a production facility.
2- Logistics = Warehousing
I was personally confused during my first professional experience—fresh out of engineering school in logistics—when my employer, a large service provider, reduced logistics to warehouse management. Logistics is first and foremost about managing flows: physical flows, information flows, and financial flows.
3- Logistics only applies to physical products
And yes—services are also concerned by logistics. Logistics is even essential to the proper functioning of sectors such as tourism or healthcare!
4- Napoleon invented logistics
In reality, logistics has existed for much longer. The word itself comes from antiquity, but the discipline is far older. Since the dawn of time, societies have had to organize supplies, plan, distribute, store, and manage all flows related to goods and services.
5- Logistics is abstract and complicated
Admittedly, logistics is complex (not complicated), but above all, it is based on common sense.
Contact us by email:
info@logistiqa.co
