Here is a list of standard logistics terminology and their definitions:

  • Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV): An automated mobile robot that is guided along a predetermined path to move materials in a warehouse or manufacturing facility.
  • Barcode Scanning: The use of barcode technology to track inventory, shipments, and other logistics-related data.
  • Barcode: A series of lines and spaces that represent numbers and letters, used to track and manage inventory.
  • Bill of Lading (B/L): A legal document that serves as a contract between the shipper and the carrier and acknowledges receipt of the goods being shipped.
  • Bill of Lading (BOL): A legal document issued by a carrier, such as a trucking company, that serves as a receipt for goods and acknowledges that the goods have been shipped.
  • Capacity Planning: The process of determining the production capacity needed by an organization to meet changing demands for its products.
  • Capacity Utilization: The percentage of production capacity that is actually used to produce goods.
  • Carrier Management: The process of selecting, contracting, and managing the performance of transportation providers.
  • Carrier Routing Guide: A set of guidelines and instructions provided by a shipper to its carrier on how to handle and route its shipments.
  • Carrier Selection: The process of choosing a transportation provider based on factors such as cost, transit time, service level and reliability.
  • Carrier: A company that provides transportation services for shipping goods.
  • Carrier: A company that provides transportation services such as trucking, shipping, or air freight.
  • Cold Chain Logistics: The management and transportation of temperature-sensitive products, such as perishable food, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals.
  • Collaborative Logistics: The process of working together with suppliers, customers, and other partners in the supply chain to optimize logistics and transportation processes.
  • Collaborative Planning, Forecasting, and Replenishment (CPFR): A supply chain management technique that involves close collaboration and communication among suppliers, manufacturers, and retailers to improve the accuracy and efficiency of forecasting and replenishment.
  • Compliance: The act of adhering to laws, regulations, standards and policies.
  • Consolidation: The combination of multiple small shipments into one large shipment to reduce shipping costs.
  • Consolidation: The process of combining multiple small shipments into one larger shipment to reduce transportation costs.
  • Containerization: The practice of packaging goods in a container to facilitate their movement across different modes of transportation.
  • Cross Docking: A logistics strategy where products are received at a distribution center and immediately loaded onto outbound vehicles, with little or no storage in between.
  • Cross-Docking: A logistics procedure where products are shipped to a warehouse or distribution center and then immediately reloaded onto outbound vehicles with little or no storage in between.
  • Cross-Docking: A logistics strategy where products are received at a distribution center and immediately loaded onto outbound vehicles, with little or no storage in between.
  • Customs Broker: A professional who assists companies in navigating the customs clearance process.
  • Delivery Performance: The ability of a logistics provider to deliver goods on time and in the required condition.
  • Delivery: The process of transporting goods from a warehouse or distribution center to the final destination.
  • Deposits: A sum of money paid in advance as a guarantee for the return of a leased or rented item.
  • Digital Freight Forwarding: A digital platform for arranging and coordinating the movement of cargo.
  • Direct Shipping: A shipping method in which goods are sent directly from the manufacturer to the consumer, bypassing intermediaries.
  • Distribution Center (DC): A facility where goods are received, stored, and then distributed to retailers or directly to customers.
  • Distribution Center: A facility that is used to store, process and distribute goods.
  • Distribution Network: The network of facilities and transportation modes used to move goods from the point of origin to the point of consumption.
  • Distribution Strategy: The overall plan for managing the distribution of goods and services, including the selection of distribution channels, the management of inventory levels, and the design of logistics networks.
  • Distribution: The process of making a product or service available for use or consumption by a consumer or business.
  • Dock Scheduling: The process of managing the flow of trailers and other equipment in and out of a shipping yard or distribution center.
  • Dock: A loading and unloading platform for trucks and trailers.
  • Door-to-Door Shipping: A shipping method in which the carrier is responsible for the entire delivery process, from the point of origin to the final destination.
  • Drop Shipping: A fulfillment method in which a retailer doesn’t keep goods in stock, but instead transfers customer orders and shipment details to either the manufacturer, another retailer, or a wholesaler, who then ships the goods directly to the customer.
  • Dual Sourcing: The practice of maintaining contracts with two or more suppliers for a single product, in order to reduce the risk of supply disruptions.
  • Economic Order Quantity (EOQ): A method used to determine the optimal order quantity for an item, that balances the costs of ordering and holding inventory.
  • Electronic Data Interchange (EDI): A standard format for the electronic exchange of business documents between trading partners.
  • Embargo: A government-imposed restriction on the import or export of certain goods or to certain countries.
  • Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) : A software system that helps companies manage their business processes, including inventory management, order fulfillment, and financial management.
  • Ex Works (EXW): A trade term indicating that the seller is responsible for making the goods available at the seller’s premises.
  • Excess Inventory: Inventory that is not needed to meet current demand and is therefore held in storage.
  • Final Mile: The last leg of a shipment’s journey, from a distribution center to the final destination.
  • First Mile: The first leg of a shipment’s journey, from the point of origin to the first hub or distribution center.
  • Forwarder: A company that specializes in arranging the transportation and logistics of goods on behalf of its clients.
  • Freight Audit: The process of verifying the accuracy of freight invoices and charges.
  • Freight Consolidation: The grouping of multiple small shipments into one larger shipment to reduce transportation costs.
  • Freight Forwarder: A company that specializes in arranging the transportation and logistics of goods on behalf of its clients.
  • Freight Forwarding: The coordination and shipment of goods from one place to another, using a third-party logistics provider.
  • Fulfillment: The process of receiving, processing, and delivering orders to customers.
  • Global Logistics Network: A network of logistics providers, warehouses, and transportation modes that enables companies to move goods internationally.
  • Global Logistics: The coordination and management of logistics activities across international borders.
  • Global Trade Management (GTM): The coordination and management of international trade activities, including logistics, customs compliance, and trade finance.
  • Hazardous Materials: Any substance or material that is capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety, and property during transportation.
  • Inbound Logistics: The process of planning, executing, and controlling the movement and storage of goods, services, and related information from the point of origin to the point of consumption.
  • Incoterms: International commercial terms that define the responsibilities of buyers and sellers in international trade.
  • Intermodal Transportation: The use of multiple modes of transportation, such as rail, truck, and ship, to move goods from one location to another.
  • Intermodal Transportation: The use of multiple modes of transportation, such as truck, rail, and ship, to move goods from one location to another.
  • International Logistics: The coordination and management of logistics activities across international borders.
  • In-Transit Inventory: Inventory that is being moved from one location to another, but has not yet reached its final destination.
  • In-Transit Visibility: The ability to track and monitor the movement of goods and materials while they are in transit.
  • Inventory Management: The process of managing and controlling the flow of goods, from the point of origin to the point of consumption.
  • Inventory Management: The process of managing the flow of goods and materials, including the planning, execution and control of inventory levels.
  • Inventory Optimization: The process of determining the optimal level of inventory to meet demand while minimizing costs.
  • Inventory turnover: A ratio that measures how often a company’s inventory is sold and replaced over a period of time.
  • Just-In-Time (JIT) Inventory: An inventory management system where materials and products are delivered and used just as they are needed in the production process, reducing the need for large amounts of inventory to be held in stock.
  • Kanban: A system of inventory control in which the amount of inventory is based on customer demand.
  • Last Mile Delivery: The final step in the delivery process, from a distribution center to the customer.
  • Last Mile: The final leg of a shipment’s journey, from a distribution center to the final destination.
  • Lead Logistics Provider (LLP): A third-party logistics provider that coordinates and manages the entire supply chain for a company.
  • Lead Time: The amount of time between the placement of an order and the receipt of the goods.
  • Lean Logistics: A logistics philosophy that emphasizes the elimination of waste and the optimization of processes to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
  • List: Logistics Terminology and Related Definitions.
  • Logistics Automation: The use of technology to automate logistics processes such as transportation planning, inventory management, and warehouse management.
  • Logistics Outsourcing: The use of an external logistics provider to handle all or part of a company’s logistics and supply chain functions.
  • Logistics Service Provider (LSP): A company that provides logistics services such as transportation, warehousing, and distribution.
  • Logistics Services Provider (LSP): A company that provides logistics services such as transportation, warehousing, and distribution.
  • Logistics: The planning, execution, and control of the movement and storage of goods, services, and related information from the point of origin to the point of consumption.
  • LTL (Less than Truckload): A type of shipping where a truck carries multiple small shipments from different customers, as opposed to a full truckload shipment from a single customer.
  • Make-to-Order (MTO): A manufacturing strategy in which goods are not produced until an order is received from a customer.
  • Make-to-Stock (MTS): A manufacturing strategy in which goods are produced in advance and held in inventory to meet customer demand.
  • Master Service Agreement (MSA): A contract between a shipper and a logistics provider that outlines the terms and conditions of their business relationship.
  • Material Requirement Planning (MRP): A system used to plan and control inventory levels and production schedules.
  • Milk Run: A logistics strategy where a single vehicle makes multiple deliveries to different customers in a specific area.
  • Multi-Channel Fulfillment: The process of fulfilling customer orders from multiple channels, such as e-commerce, brick-and-mortar, and wholesale.
  • Order Fulfillment: The process of receiving, processing, and delivering customer orders.
  • Outbound Logistics: The process of planning, executing, and controlling the movement and storage of goods, services, and related information from the point of origin to the point of consumption.
  • Outsourced Logistics: The use of an external logistics provider to handle all or part of a company’s logistics and supply chain functions.
  • Packaging and Labeling: The process of preparing and labeling products for shipment and storage.
  • Packaging Optimization: The process of determining the most efficient and cost-effective packaging for a product.
  • Packing List: A document that lists the details of the items included in a shipment, such as the quantity, weight, and dimensions of each item.
  • Pallet: A platform used to transport goods in a warehouse or distribution center.
  • Palletization: The process of arranging goods on a pallet to facilitate their movement and storage.
  • Peak Season Surcharge: Additional fees charged by carriers during peak shipping seasons, such as holiday season.
  • Performance Metrics: Key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure and evaluate the performance of logistics operations.
  • Pick and Pack: The process of selecting and preparing individual items for shipment.
  • Pick and Pack: The process of selecting individual items from inventory and preparing them for shipment.
  • Pipeline Inventory: Inventory that is in transit between two locations, but has not yet reached its final destination.
  • Point of Consumption: The location where goods are used or consumed.
  • Point of Origin: The location where goods are produced or obtained.
  • Pool Distribution: A logistics strategy where goods are consolidated at a central location before being distributed to individual customers.
  • Port of Entry: A location where goods are cleared for import or export by customs authorities.
  • Postponement: A logistics strategy where final assembly or customization of a product is delayed until the last possible moment, in order to meet the specific needs of individual customers.
  • Procurement: The process of acquiring goods and services.
  • Product Lifecycle Management (PLM): The process of managing a product from its initial concept through the entire product lifecycle, including design, development, production, and retirement.
  • Production Planning: The process of determining the production capacity needed by an organization to meet changing demands for its products.
  • Pull System: A system where goods are produced or obtained only in response to customer demand.
  • Purchase Order (PO): A document that is sent from a buyer to a supplier, indicating the type and quantity of goods or services that the buyer wishes to purchase.
  • Push System: A system where goods are produced or obtained in advance of customer demand.
  • Quality Control: The process of inspecting, testing, and evaluating goods and materials to ensure that they meet the required standards.
  • Rate Shopping: The process of comparing rates from multiple carriers to determine the best option for a specific shipment.
  • Return Material Authorization (RMA): A document that authorizes the return of goods to a supplier.
  • Return on Investment (ROI): A measure of the efficiency of an investment, calculated as the ratio of the net profit to the cost of the investment.
  • Reverse Logistics: The process of planning, implementing, and controlling the efficient, cost-effective flow of raw materials, in-process inventory, finished goods, and related information from the point of consumption to the point of origin for the purpose of recapturing value or proper disposal.
  • RFID (Radio Frequency Identification): A technology used to track and manage inventory using radio waves.
  • Ronald Legarski Logistics: Logistical Specialist and Telecommunications Operator
  • Route Optimization: The process of determining the most efficient routes for moving goods from one location to another.
  • SaaS (Software as a Service): A software delivery model in which a software application is hosted by a third-party provider and made available to customers over the internet.
  • Safety Stock: A reserve inventory of goods that is held to protect against stockouts.
  • Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP): A business management process that aligns a company’s sales and operations with its strategic goals and objectives.
  • Same-Day Delivery: A delivery service that guarantees delivery of goods on the same day as the order is placed.
  • Scheduling: The process of creating a schedule for the movement of goods, including the selection of transportation providers, routes and departure times.
  • SCM (Supply Chain Management): The coordination and management of activities involved in the sourcing, procurement, conversion, and logistics management of goods and services.
  • Shipment Tracking: The process of monitoring the movement of a shipment from the point of origin to the final destination.
  • Shipping Container: A large, standardized container used for the safe and efficient transport of goods by ship, truck, or rail.
  • Shipping Lane: A regularly-traveled route for ships and cargo vessels.
  • Slotting Optimization: The process of determining the most efficient location for storing products in a warehouse.
  • Slotting: The process of determining the most efficient location for storing products in a warehouse.
  • Supply Chain Management (SCM): The coordination and management of activities involved in the sourcing, procurement, conversion, and logistics management of goods and services.
  • Supply Chain Optimization: The process of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of a company’s supply chain.
  • Supply Chain Risk Management: The identification, assessment and prioritization of risks throughout the supply chain and the coordination of strategies to manage them.
  • Supply Chain Visibility: The ability to track and monitor the movement of goods and materials throughout the entire supply chain.
  • Third-Party Logistics (3PL): The use of an external company to handle all or part of a company’s logistics and supply chain functions.
  • TMS (Transportation Management System): Software that helps companies plan, execute, and track the movement of goods and materials.
  • Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): A method used to evaluate the total cost of an asset, including not only the purchase price but also the cost of operation, maintenance and disposal.
  • Traceability: The ability to track and monitor the movement of goods and materials throughout the entire supply chain, from the point of origin to the point of consumption.
  • Track and Trace: The ability to track and monitor the movement of goods and materials throughout the entire supply chain, from the point of origin to the point of consumption.
  • Transit Insurance: Insurance that covers the risk of loss or damage to goods in transit.
  • Transit Time: The time it takes for a shipment to reach its destination, from the point of origin.
  • Transportation and Distribution Management: The coordination and management of transportation and distribution activities, including the planning and execution of shipments, tracking and monitoring of goods in transit, and the management of transportation providers.
  • Transportation Management System (TMS): A software system that helps companies plan, execute, and track the movement of goods and materials.
  • Transportation Modeling: The use of mathematical models to optimize transportation operations and make more informed decisions about logistics activities.
  • Transportation Optimization: The process of identifying the most efficient routes, modes and providers for moving goods from one location to another.
  • Transportation Routing: The process of determining the most efficient routes for moving goods from one location to another.
  • Transportation Scheduling: The process of creating a schedule for the movement of goods, including the selection of transportation providers, routes and departure times.
  • Transportation Surcharge: Additional fees charged by carriers for fuel, security, or other expenses.
  • Transportation: The movement of goods from one location to another, by various modes of transportation such as road, rail, sea, and air.
  • Value-Added Services: Additional services provided by logistics providers, such as packaging and labeling, assembly, and product customization.
  • Vendor Management: The process of selecting, contracting, and managing the performance of suppliers.
  • Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI): An inventory management system in which the supplier is responsible for managing the inventory levels of the products they supply to a customer.
  • Visibility: The ability to track and monitor the movement of goods and materials throughout the entire supply chain.
  • Volume Discount: A reduced rate offered by a carrier or logistics provider for shipping large quantities of goods.
  • Volume: The amount of space occupied by a shipment, usually measured in cubic feet or meters.
  • Warehouse Management System (WMS): Software that helps manage and control warehouse operations, including inventory management, order fulfillment, and shipping.
  • Warehousing: The storage and handling of goods in a facility designed for that purpose.
  • Weight: The mass of a shipment, usually measured in pounds or kilograms.
  • WMS (Warehouse Management System): Software that helps manage and control warehouse operations, including inventory management, order fulfillment, and shipping.
  • Yard Jockey: A driver who operates a yard tractor or yard truck to move trailers and other equipment within a shipping yard or distribution center.
  • Yard Management System (YMS): A software system that helps manage and control the movement of trailers and other equipment within a shipping yard or distribution center.
  • Yard Management: The management and control of the movement of trailers and other equipment within a shipping yard or distribution center.
  • Yield Management: The process of managing inventory and pricing in a way that maximizes revenue and profits.
  • Zone Skipping: A logistics strategy where a shipment is consolidated with other shipments at a hub before being forwarded to the final destination, rather than being sent directly from the point of origin.

This list of logistics terminology is not exhaustive and new technologies and trends in the industry continue to bring new terms and concepts to the forefront. However, I hope that this list provides a comprehensive overview of the most common and important logistics terminology. It’s important to stay updated with the latest developments and technologies to ensure that your logistics operations are as efficient and effective as possible.