Distribution and Logistics Management

A new section of each course starts monthly. If enrolling in a series of two or more courses, please be sure to space the start date for each course at least two months apart.

All courses run for six weeks, with a two-week grace period at the end. Two lessons are released each week for the six-week duration of the course. You do not have to be present when lessons are released. You will have access to all lessons until the course ends. However, the interactive discussion area that accompanies each lesson will automatically close two weeks after the lesson is released. As such, we strongly recommend that you complete each lesson within two weeks of its release.

The final exam will be released on the same day as the last lesson. Once the final exam has been released, you will have two weeks to complete all of your course work, including the final exam.

Lesson 1
Your success in the logistics field depends on planning and facilitating movement of the right things, at the right time, at the right place, and at the right cost. In our first lesson, we'll discuss the nature of logistics, review its history, and examine how it's currently used. You'll learn about the importance of logistics and discover the role of supply chain management.

Lesson 2
Today we'll start with a whirlwind tour through the various elements of a logistics system, examining how each element contributes to its overall success. Then we'll look more closely at two of the major elements: warehousing choices and physical distribution. We'll talk about planning, setting up, and operating a warehouse. We'll explore the scope and function of physical distribution, and finally, we'll study carrier transportation modes and methods.

Lesson 3
Today's lesson will broaden your horizons regarding material handling, packaging, order entry, and customer service (order fulfillment). You'll learn about the different material handling options and discover several dimensions of packaging. You'll also see how the order fulfillment cycle can benefit your organization and determine how to calculate the order fill and line item fill methods.

Lesson 4
Receiving starts the ball rolling for logistics activities. After all, you can't do much until you receive raw materials, equipment, and supplies. Today we'll discuss receiving, production stores, and ways to address inbound delivery problems. You'll learn the specific steps of the receiving function, and see that there are two types of production stores arrangements?the closed and open system. You'll also discover different ways to store materials and find out the difference between expediting and tracing. Finally, you'll obtain a few strategies to bring lost shipments in on time.

Lesson 5
As a logistics practitioner, you're responsible for controlling inventories. To help you do this effectively, today's lesson will cover two key techniques: the ABC classification and the economic order quantity (EOQ) formula. ABC helps you classify inventories based on their characteristics. The EOQ formula balances the cost of obtaining with the cost of keeping inventory. You'll also find out how to set and manage an inventory budget so you come in at or under budget.

Lesson 6
Logistics systems move products, material, and equipment in and out of organizations. So, it's important to maintain documentation that reflects the pattern of movement and also designates ownership. Doing so will allow you to effectively manage customer returns. You'll learn how to do this today. We'll also talk about the customer return process and study basic transportation documents, including the bill of lading and the freight bill.

Lesson 7
Once upon a time, people had to take, fill, ship, and bill orders without the use of computer technology. But today, it's hard to remember a time when computers weren't used in logistics. We'll start this lesson with an overview of how computers and technology are used. We'll also address specific forms of information technology, including electronic data interchange (EDI), electronic commerce (e-commerce), bar coding, and enterprise resource planning (ERP).

Lesson 8
The regulatory reform that took place in the logistics field during the late 1970s brought about great change. Revisions in laws and regulations opened the doors for new opportunities. Today we'll explore the events connected with these changes. We'll also examine how shipping rates are set and used, and finish up by looking at public warehouses and evaluating the pros and cons of outsourcing warehousing activities.

Lesson 9
Today we'll focus on the managerial pieces of logistics. We'll start with planning because just about everything you do should begin with a plan. Then we'll move on to the counterpart of planning: control. We'll consider the purpose of organization and then discuss motivation and leadership. You'll learn how to effectively delegate so your requests are completed on time and with the desired performance.

Lesson 10
Selecting the right location for distribution facilities is one of the most critical decisions logistics professionals make. It involves huge expenditures of money that you make in a context filled with volatile events. Today you'll learn about the benefits of forecasting, long-range planning, capacity planning, and facility selection. We'll cover factors you need to consider for a general and a specific location and how to evaluate them. You'll also discover how distribution resource planning (DRP) can effectively synchronize demand and supply.

Lesson 11
Logistics personnel have frequent opportunities to work on projects, ranging from improving ongoing operations to opening a new distribution center. Today we'll discuss the need for project management. We'll differentiate projects from programs and tasks, explore the temporary and unique aspects of projects, and look at how critical scope definition is to a project's success. Finally, we'll examine the phases of the project life cycle and critique elements of project management that will help you position your project for success.

Lesson 12
Joseph Juran, noted quality expert, said, "If you don't measure it, you don't manage it." The flip side is, if you do measure it, you manage it, and that means you can improve it. So in our final lesson, we'll examine performance measurements?a way to keep track of progress. We'll start off by looking at human nature and performance measurements. Then we'll consider what makes a performance measurement effective. We'll finish up by discussing traditional and progressive measurements of performance.