Dictionary.com defines logistics as the planning, operation, and organization of every part of a business or other activity. Logistics provides the correct product or service at the right time and place, and at the right price and condition. We will look back briefly at the history of logistics to better understand its importance and impact today.
Logistics began when ancient Greek and Roman military officers called “Logistikas” were responsible for supplying and distributing resources to those fighting in the battlefields. This service allowed soldiers to move efficiently from one place to another. Their efficient move of supplies and resources had great influence on the outcome of a battle. Troops without proper supplies were unable to remain in battle very long.
Logistikas were not only responsible for keeping their own supply locations safe, but they were also responsible for damaging the supply locations of the enemy.
Logistics evolved to an advanced stage during the World War II (1939-1945). The United States military logistics operations proved to be much more efficient than the Germans. The United States repeatedly inflicted major damages to the German supply locations while the Germans were not able to implement the same counter attacks.
The US military planned and organized their logistic operations to provide services and goods to the right place at the right time. They also learned to move goods and services efficiently and economically. Many of the same logistics operational techniques used during World War II are still used today with more advanced technology.
Logistics is now considered a form of art and science. However, it isn’t classified as exact science because it isn’t a skill given at birth and it doesn’t follow defined tables.
Logistics managers use their education, skills, intuition and past experiences to perform their duties. Skills improve and increase through repeated application. It is the duty of the logistics manager to ensure the company has an efficient and effective logistics operations system from inside the organization as well as from outside suppliers.
At one time logistics was looked upon as more of a burden than an asset to an organization. However, businesses have come to realize how important supply chain management is to the bottom line of a business. Companies seek to hire logistics managers who have the vision and drive to deliver supplies and services within strict deadlines.
This brief history of logistics brings us to its present-day usefulness to companies of every size. Companies today have tools such as inventory management software to make their job much more efficiently than the Greek and Roman Logistikas thousands of years ago.
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