Definition, conditions and characteristics of international logistics center

What is a logistics center? What does logistics center mean?

Before building a logistics center, these simplest but most critical questions must be answered. Our country's academic community generally translates "logistics center" into "Logistics Center" accordingly, and the People's Republic of China Logistics Terminology Standards (Draft for Comments), which is being compiled, also uses this translation method. In order to study the functions of the logistics center, the author used inheek on Inte on July 26, 1999. Searching for relevant literature on Internet, we got 1741 results, that is, the word "Logistics Center" appeared in 1741 places in all the Web linked to infoseek on Internet at that time, and this usage was mostly used in Asia, Europe, the United States It is also used but less often. They mostly use "Distribution Center", which is what our country calls "distribution center". Using the same method, we also searched for "Distrfouti.n Cent." and the result was 56177, which shows that In the West, "Distrfouti.nCentre" is much more commonly used than "Lampsit.sCentre".

A logistics center is a place or organization engaged in logistics activities and should basically meet the following requirements:

a) Mainly oriented to social services;

b) Sound logistics functions ;

c) Complete information network;

d) Large radiation range;

e) Few varieties, large quantities;

f) Strong storage and throughput capabilities.

g) Unified operation and management of logistics business.

Just to name a few cases of using "logistics center" online:

1. Taiwan Universal Logistics Co., Ltd. Huanwei Company has established four logistics centers in Taipei, Taichung, Kaohsiung and Linkou, and has more than 100 large, medium and small trucks to provide customers with province-wide, all-access and real-time logistics. Logistics services. The logistics service functions currently provided by the company include loading and unloading, storage, picking, tallying, circulation processing, regional distribution, long-distance transportation, form processing, and information connection. Account processing and collection services. The distribution channels of the service cover department stores, supermarkets and convenience stores, all-in-one cooperatives, specialty stores, hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, 3C stores, unified warehouses, merchants, delivery agents and company direct delivery, mail order and home delivery, etc.

2. American SCI Corporation. One of the Fortune 500 companies. SCI plans to build a 10-hectare logistics center in San Antonio, USA...·,·

3. Lucent Technologies. An Asia-Pacific logistics center will be built in Singapore to support customers in Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia and Singapore. The transfer of the logistics center from the United States to Singapore will shorten the time it takes for Lucent Technologies' products to be delivered to customers in the region by 50%...

4. TEMIC Semiconductor Corporation. Will cooperate with FedEx of the United States to establish a global logistics center in Subic Bay, Philippines...

Look at the definition again. According to the author's current research, no evidence has been found that the American Logistics Management Association uses or defines "Logistics Center". In the European Logistics Association's "Logistics Center" compiled by Dr. Hans Christi.n, a professor at the German Logistics Institute, The word "Logistics Terminology" is not found in "European Logistics Terminology", but there is a definition of "Strfouti.n Centre". The "Logistics Terminology" (GI——.ry.f TogisticsTe 1) issued by the famous American logistics company Exel. There is a definition of "Distributi.nhntre" but no "to gisticskmre". But in Japan, whether it is university professors or business managers, the term "logistics center" is commonly used, and there are many definitions. In mainland my country and Taiwan Province, the concept of logistics center is also commonly used. The theoretical and academic circles in Taiwan basically equate logistics center with distribution center, but mostly use the term logistics center.

In mainland China, there are both logistics centers (used by third-party logistics companies) and distribution centers (used by chain companies). For example, in the Domestic Trade Ministry’s Articles on Commodity Logistics (Distribution) issued by the former Ministry of Domestic Trade in 1995, 0 Development and Construction Plan" explains the connections and differences between logistics centers and distribution centers. Some well-known domestic logistics experts such as Professor Wang Zhitai and Professor Wu Qingyi have also discussed a lot about logistics centers. The "National Logistics Terminology Standards of the People's Republic of China", which is being compiled, is based on the development of my country's logistics industry and agrees with the concept of logistics center and defines it as: accepting and processing the ordering information of downstream users, and handling large-volume orders from upstream suppliers. Facilities and institutions that carry out centralized storage, processing and other operations of goods, and carry out batch transfer to downstream. This definition refers to the actual situation of some well-known domestic and foreign companies, and most logistics experts and entrepreneurs surveyed agree with this definition.

You can understand the logistics center from the following aspects:

1. The formulation and concept of "logistics center" are basically recognized in the international logistics community, and we can get a lot of theoretical support.

2. "Logistics center" is a new concept. It is not just a concept, but also a necessary infrastructure for commodity circulation. Many new enterprises, especially high-tech manufacturing enterprises, global distribution enterprises and global third-party logistics enterprises, have built many logistics centers. , many multinational companies (such as eneti.n) rely only on one logistics center for global product distribution. Therefore, the logistics center is a strategic business entity that determines the success or failure of the company. Therefore, what functions should the logistics center have. Questions such as how to design the functions of a logistics center should be able to find answers in practice.

3. The main functions of the logistics center include transportation, warehousing, loading and unloading, packaging, circulation processing, logistics information processing, etc. But this does not mean that all logistics centers must have all these functions, or cannot have other functions, otherwise they will not be called logistics centers. In fact, a logistics center should have its core functions, and the functions of the logistics center should be based on the situation. To extend upwards and downwards, the most critical thing in actual design is to determine how to extend upwards and downwards and the extent of extension according to the situation.

4． The functions of a logistics center and a distribution center are similar, but the logistics center has a large radiation range and handles large quantities, small batches, and small varieties of goods, while the distribution center is the opposite. The upstream of the logistics center is the factory, and the downstream is the distribution center or wholesaler. The upstream of the distribution center is the logistics center or factory, and the downstream is the retail store or final consumer. In the case of adopting the logistics channel of "Factory-National Distribution Center" (MXi: N. ti. nal Distributim Centre) "Regional Distribution Center (MXi: Regi. n. I Distributi. n Center) - Retail Store", The logistics center is equivalent to the NDC, and the distribution center is equivalent to the RDC. It is okay to make no distinction between the functions of the logistics center and the distribution center.

5. The logistics center is where the company optimizes distribution channels, improves the distribution network, and reorganizes the business. As a result, it is also the product of the application of third-party logistics theory.

6. In logistics, the functional design of L' should follow the "cost-benefit assumption" in economics, what functions should be provided, and whether it is needed. To provide a certain function, a cost-benefit analysis should be conducted

Main factors affecting the function of the logistics center

Before building a logistics center, you can visit various domestic and foreign logistics centers. Logistics centers, but it is difficult for us to see two logistics centers with the same functions. Blindly imitating or even copying them completely without understanding what is going on will definitely cost you a lot. This tendency deserves attention.

Function of Logistics Center

Theoretically, the logistics center can have the following basic functions:

1. Transportation function. A logistics center needs to own or lease a certain scale of transportation. A logistics center with a competitive advantage is not just a point, but a nationwide network. Therefore, the logistics center should first be responsible for selecting transportation that meets the customer's needs. method, and then specifically organize the transportation operations within the network to deliver the customer's goods to the destination within the specified time.

In addition to the customer's cooperation required for delivery at the delivery point, the entire transportation process, including the final intra-city distribution, should be organized by the logistics center to make it as convenient as possible for the customer. Modern transportation needs are just that.

2． Storage function. Logistics centers need to have warehousing facilities, but what customers need is not to store goods in the logistics center, but to ensure the development of market distribution activities through the warehousing link, while minimizing the funds occupied by inventory and reducing storage costs. Therefore, public logistics centers need to be equipped with efficient sorting, transmission, storage, and picking equipment.

3. Loading, unloading and transportation functions. This is a necessary function to speed up the circulation of goods in the logistics center. Public logistics centers should be equipped with specialized loading, unloading, lifting, transporting, palletizing and other loading and unloading machinery to improve the efficiency of loading and unloading operations and reduce damage to goods caused by operations.

4. Packaging function. The purpose of the packaging operation in the logistics center is not to change the sales packaging of the goods, but to form a combined packaging unit suitable for logistics and distribution by combining, assembling, and reinforcing the sales packaging.

5. Circulation processing function. The main purpose is to facilitate production or sales. Public logistics centers often have long-term cooperation with fixed manufacturers or distributors to complete certain processing operations for manufacturers or distributors. The basic processing functions that a logistics center must have include labelling, making and pasting barcodes, etc.

6. Logistics information processing function. Since the logistics center is now inseparable from computers, the logistics information generated in various logistics operations in various logistics links will be collected and analyzed in real time. Transmit and provide various operation details and consultation information to cargo owners, which is very important for modern logistics centers.

Judging from the actual situation of logistics centers in some developed countries, logistics centers also have the following value-added functions:

7. Settlement function. The settlement function of the logistics center is an extension of the logistics function of the logistics center. The settlement of the logistics center is not only the settlement of logistics costs. When engaged in agency and distribution, the logistics center also settles the payment for the goods to the consignee on behalf of the owner.

8. Demand forecasting capabilities. Self-used logistics centers are often responsible for purchasing goods according to the logistics center. Shipping information is used to predict the amount of goods entering and leaving the warehouse in the future, and then predict the market demand for goods.

9． Logistics system design consulting function. The public logistics center must act as a logistics expert for the cargo owner, so it must design a logistics system for the cargo owner and select and evaluate transporters, warehouses and other logistics service providers on behalf of the cargo owner. Some domestic professional logistics companies are making this attempt. This is a service that adds value and increases the competitiveness of public logistics centers.

10. Logistics education and training functions. The operation of a logistics center requires the support and understanding of cargo owners. By providing logistics training services to cargo owners, it can cultivate the identity of cargo owners and logistics center managers, improve the logistics management level of cargo owners, and convey the requirements of logistics center managers. For cargo owners, it is also convenient to establish logistics operation standards.

Among the above two types of functions, the first 6 basic functions require experience and strength, and the last 4 require wisdom and foresight. Functions come by design. The function set of each logistics center will not be exactly the same. Some logistics centers may only provide some of the 6 basic functions, but these functions are particularly powerful, which is completely okay. When designing the functions of the logistics center, the company must consider the influencing factors mentioned earlier in this article and determine the core functions and auxiliary functions of the logistics center. The auxiliary functions may cause the logistics center to not only do logistics, but also business flow, information flow, and capital flow. Flow, if a logistics center is a circulation organization that integrates business flow, logistics, information flow, and capital flow, is it still a logistics center? I think it depends on the proportion of these businesses. If the core function is logistics and the auxiliary functions are business flow, information flow and capital flow, then it must be a logistics center, otherwise it cannot be regarded as a logistics center. Whether it counts as a logistics center or not is not that important, as long as it can provide services to cargo owners and customers, and then achieve economic benefits. Therefore, innovation is needed when designing the functions of a logistics center.

With the widespread application of information technology around the world, logistics has become the real bottleneck restricting the circulation of goods. Modern logistics centers should consider more how to provide value-added logistics services. These value-added logistics services are the core of logistics centers. A reasonable extension of basic functions, its main function is to speed up the logistics process. Reduce logistics costs, improve logistics operation efficiency, increase logistics transparency, etc. Providing value-added services is a necessary condition for modern logistics centers to gain competitive advantage.

Type A logistics center: approved by the customs, a customs-supervised place operated by corporate legal persons in China and specializing in bonded warehousing and logistics business. Type A logistics centers are divided into two types: public type and self-use type. A public logistics center refers to a customs supervision place where corporate legal persons in China that specialize in warehousing and logistics business provide comprehensive bonded warehousing and logistics services to the society. A self-use logistics center refers to a customs-supervised place operated by an enterprise legal person in China that only provides bonded storage and logistics services to the enterprise or members within the enterprise group.

Type B logistics center: refers to a centralized customs supervision place approved by the customs and operated by a corporate legal person in China. Multiple companies enter and engage in bonded warehousing and logistics business. Domestic exports can be stored with approval by the customs. Goods, re-exported goods and international transit goods, foreign temporarily stored goods, processing trade import and export goods, materials supplied to international navigation ships and aircraft, maintenance parts, imported consignment parts for maintenance of foreign products and other uncleared customs clearance Procedures for goods.

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