ABSTRACT
Logistics management is essentially an integrative process that seeks to optimize the flow of materials and supplies through the organization as well as its operations to the customer. Essentially, it is a planning process and an information-based activity. Quick response logistics has become the aim for many organizations, enabling them to achieve the twin strategic goals of cost reduction and service enhancement. In essence, the idea of quick response is based upon a replenishment-driven model of demand management. Making logistics systems more reliable means that greater emphasis must be placed upon process design and process control. The processes that are particularly generic to logistics are those to do with order fulfilment and supply chain management. In the horizontal organization, the emphasis is upon the management of processes. These processes, by definition, are cross-functional and include new product development, order fulfilment, information management, profitability analysis and marketing planning.
