NitroXpress

Everyone once in their life must have come into a situation where they need to get a package from point A to point B. You have to choose a service to get this job done, it is the initial and important step, and this decision of yours can impact the size of your shipment, the cost of the shipment, and other particular delivery requirements. 

There has been advancement in online shipping, and there is also a visible variation in the user's behavior. It gets difficult for businesses to meet these challenges in a short period of time. If you know nothing about the shipping segment, you will get confused between logistics and courier services. Both of these services are part of the supply chain but operate differently.  

In this blog, we will take a look at two of the most in-demand options, because understanding the differences between both services will help you make an informed decision that’s the best fit for you. 

Standard Delivery Service

Standard delivery is a service that is used for non-urgent delivery services. Earlier, it was the only service to deliver and receive parcels. They used to be slow, with no other alternatives. 

But with time, the quality of standard delivery improved. 

However, still it is not noticed much because people use the courier service. Although standard delivery is general and also provides COD services, it is less expensive than the second service. 

Courier Services

The courier service providers do not always offer the same service, they have varied types of services. The courier services are generally privately owned and concentrated in one or more divisions, with a motive to offer local and global services. The courier service provider company handles various forms of transportation and guarantees package delivery on time. 

One thing for which courier companies are considered good is that they provide versatile solutions for all kinds of requests, obviously in shipping. 

Courier Service vs. Standard Delivery Service: A Face Off

FEATURES

STANDARD DELIVERY

COURIER DELIVERY

Timelines

A standard delivery service have a truck full of packages and makes stops along the way. 

Couriers work according to the orders placed, and unlike standard delivery, they will go right to you.

24/7

Standard deliveries do not involve customer service. 

Courier services work 24/7. Customer service is competent and readily accessible.

Security

Standard deliveries do not emphasize more 

Courier service gives you the facility to know the who, where, and what of your order.

Global 

Standard deliveries are a lot more difficult. 

You can find courier company pretty much anywhere and can place order with just a call or email. 

Cost

These are not available in standard delivery.

If you run a business than you can save money because delivery services don’t need to charge set prices for the services. 

Less Resources

This is not the same case with standard delivery. 

With courier service you can save lot of time and effort as they deal with shipping smartly by using modern technologies. 

Which Service is Best for you and Your Business?

If you run a business that involves product shipping and inventory management, you will need help from a logistics firm. It doesn’t matter how big or small your business is, if it deals with the movements of goods globally it is needed to hire a reliable logistics company. 

But, if you have business with movement of goods to nearby location, it is advised to use courier service. There are now express delivery options available in logistics and standard deliveries, it will be good if you analyze the services and choose the best for yourself. As this decision will improve customer service, inventory management, and the overall delivery process. 

Summing Up

Efficient and effective delivery service is a door to supply chain that is required for standing straight in competition with varied customer demands. You can get a long-term success in this.

However, in the end, you must make a wise decision to ensure the smooth processing of your products. 

You can partner with NitroXpress, a third-party logistic service, to ensure secure and optimal product delivery across all corners of India. NitroXpress offers various delivery services- same-day delivery, express delivery, and air delivery are a few of them. 

If you want to get more insights, visit the NitroXpress website to learn about the logistic services.

Logistics Services Near Me

NitroXpress is a door-to-door express logistic service provider that offers 3PL solutions through road, air, and rail. NitroXpress is proclaimed as safe and reliable logistics network in the field of shipping.

It is an unwritten rule of every industry to be on their toes, reshape their organization's working technology, conduct business, and look to the future. 

This is valid for the logistics industry as well. 

Remember the time of Covid-19, the logistic industry had to face a rough year. The hiccups caused by Covid-19 led to large supply chain disruptions because of all the confusing new rules and restrictions, and fierce shifts in customer demand.

Of course, the logistics industry has to keep moving forward. The logistics industry has to deploy new technologies to steadily improve the condition of its services to remain competitive.

This will also lead to an evolution in the logistics industry, which means they have to adapt to overcome the challenges.  

Today’s blog will address some of the most pressing pain points and key trends in transportation and logistics. 

About the Transportation Industry

The transportation industry is one of the prominent sectors that contribute to the country's economy, and it deals with the movement of people and products. It includes rail lines, shipping, trucking, logistic firms, and everything else that comes under transportation infrastructure. 

Shipping goods is a consequential part of the economy in every country. FYI, the global transportation industry is evaluated to grow at a CAGR of 3.4% till 2027.    

The decisive point to success in the transportation and logistics business is providing cost-efficient, flexible, and structured services. 

That is why the transportation and logistics industry should adapt to the key trends that can help them compete with other delivery players present in the market.  

7 Key Trends in Transportation and Logistics

Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) Becomes Mainstream

The MaaS alliance is defined as the merger of several forms of transport services into a sole mobility service available to everyone on demand.

One major aspect of MaaS is the integration of multimodal transportation that fixates on the customer’s destination besides the mode of transportation. 

It also means that end-users will have more ingress to real-time data to make a knowledgeable decision about their choice of transportation and be able to pay using one universal platform. 

Cloud-Based System

It is, I guess, one of the massive trends in the transportation and logistics industry. Since these platforms in a cloud-based system require a software-as-a-service (SaaS) model, it opens up infinite possibilities for the transportation and logistics industries to scale and innovate their digital resource usage.

The cloud-based system allows you to gain higher profitability and surpass the typical returns of an on-premise system’s capabilities.   

Because of SaaS's introduction, the whole process becomes more cost-efficient across all business functions, such as sales and marketing, finance, and legal. 

Transparency and Anti-Theft GPS

In today’s time, all eCommerce, retail, and logistics companies are giving more attention to increased transparency. Thus occurs the adoption of tracking technologies and adjustments for improved traceability. 

It is the major driving trend in the transportation and logistics industry. For example, the Anti-theft GPS is meant to receive actual-time locations of entire fleets and segregate items in transit. 

These extra security pacts will also prevent all types of damage across the board. 

Self-Driving Trucks

The self-driving truck technology is still undergoing perfection. It has to conquer certain barriers, such as enhancing driverless software to make things more efficient on urban roads with heavy loads. 

However, it is also one of the future mobility trends. For the future, the transportation business should buckle up for upcoming technology modifications in the transportation space and should start equipping their trucks with self-navigating management systems.

With the implementation of AI, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication among trucks will become possible and will make the vehicle smarter. 

Nevertheless, 5G technology will effectuate the adoption of self-driving fleets. 

In fact, the future has come. Tesla’s electric semi trucks are equipped with autopilot features which will greatly facilitate the driving process. And big corporations like Pepsi and Walmart have already ordered Tesla’s semi trucks for commercial usage. 

Regulation Compliance 

Regulatory compliance is more of a necessity than the latest trends in transportation. All commercial transport companies should always stay updated on the current rules and requirements changed, introduced, and adopted by the local, or the federal government.  

Blockchain in Logistics

Blockchain is indeed a transformative technology trend in the transportation and logistics space. One of the quite obvious use cases of blockchain technology in the transportation industry is ensuring the exactness of performance history. 

So, when a truck gets sold for the second or third time, the user will have questions about how the vehicle was used in past. And since blockchain is transparent and immutable, everyone involved in the transaction will be assured that the information regarding the truck is trustworthy. 

One other use case of blockchain is capacity monitoring. Because the cost of transportation depends on the volume of cargo. The volume can be determined through IoT sensors, and the data can be calculated for the shipment cost. 

Address Delivery

The rise of eCommerce businesses will lead to increasing demand for address deliveries and transportation. 

After all, providing good services also means being more competitive. For instance, the heavy trucking business should add small vehicles to its fleet to conquer a bigger portion of the market. 

What We Offer

This is the wrap of the 7 key trends in transportation and logistics. Here at NitroXpress, we keep a close eye on such trends and innovations to find different ways to help our clients build dynamic and connected logistics. 

NitroXpress is a third-party logistics company that performs transportation while embracing technology. 

Lately, I have read many blogs explaining third-party logistics, but all the blogs are one-sided. No one is explaining to both parties what third-party logistics brings to the table for both businesses and customers. 

Since eCommerce businesses are skyrocketing, the demand for delivering more and more services and products to customers is increasing. And to meet the end-user’s demand, these eCommerce businesses are turning towards third-party logistics providers to reach their goals and to offer complete customer satisfaction. 

But do all 3PLs look the same? Do they all offer the same services and capabilities? Well, you will find the answers to these questions in this blog. We are going to answer these questions by mentioning the pros and cons of third-party logistics.

But first, let’s understand 3PL clearly.

Third-Party Logistics (3PL).

The 3PL companies offer logistics services to maintain all aspects of a business’s shipping operations and to manage everything related to moving goods from the manufacturers and retailers to the distributors to the end customers. 

Third-party logistics is a type of outsourcing done in logistics and supply chain management to outsource a company’s shipping needs.

Now, shipping requirements include a lot of services, which include:

Transportation

Warehousing

Custom Brokerage

Inventory Management

Materials procurement

Freight audit

Payment’

Shipment

Tracking

For all these reasons, a 3PL will incorporate warehouse management and transportation operations into a broad delivery workflow.  

There are many third-party logistics that offer custom brokerage, domestic and international transportation, and trade compliance, while some other logistics deliver omnichannel logistics solutions for all sizes of manufacturers, retailers, and eCommerce companies.

Pros & Cons of 3PL

 An extensive number of businesses outsource their logistic functions to 3PL service providers because of all the benefits they come up with. On the flip side, business growth and other growth-related challenges will not allow businesses to open their own logistics. This is also one reason behind outsourcing logistics because companies first need to focus on their core business. 

Like for bigger enterprises and eCommerce service providers like Amazon, managing global empire businesses is not simple and, thus, companies outsource such functions to service providers. 

Pros of 3PL

1. Operational Efficiency

The first major benefit that businesses can attain by using 3PL services is operational efficiency. The eCommerce industry all around the world has evolved to be highly advanced and competitive, and these companies need to focus on their core business values. 

And in such environments, managing huge supply chains and distribution networks will not be a cakewalk for companies. Thus, outsourcing logistics functions to a third-party logistics provider will ease a lot of operational burdens and promote operational efficiency.  

Companies that outsource their logistic functions to third parties will have an ample amount of time and means to invest in their core business areas, which in turn will lead to higher productivity and faster growth. 

The 3PL providers encompass various tasks in the supply chain, warehousing, and distribution network, including picking the packages and packing them up, along with tracking and security of the packages.  

2. Reduced Operating Cost

It is not possible for large companies to have dedicated logistics teams all around the globe. Walmart is the only big retailer that has its own line of inward and outward logistics. But, Walmart has maintained its truck fleet only in the US. But having a dedicated fleet all over the globe will add up to the operating cost remarkably. 

Therefore, despite its own huge fleet of trucks, Walmart depends on several 3PL providers to meet the huge, never-ending customer needs. Another example is the partnership of BMW with DHL for its supply chain requirements. 

For any company to own the entire logistics chain with advanced technologies would prove to be very costly. On the flip side, 3PL providers have solved the puzzle of how to scale using such technologies and services at lower costs. 

3. Flexibility in Supply Chain and Distribution

Today’s business complexity and hyper-competition require businesses to focus on their strengths and adapt quickly to the evolving industry environment. International companies have expansive supply chains and distribution networks, but the complexity level is very high. The use of services provided by 3PL companies will allow them to operate flexibly and respond faster to changing demands and preferences. 

The environment in any industry is augmenting constantly. However, businesses can not always respond to those changes. 

This is the reason the majority of the outsourced logistics functions are fully or partially outsourced to save time and costs. 

The 3PL service providers bring greater variety in terms of the services they offer and provide higher flexibility in terms of geographical distribution. 3PL providers are known to offer cheaper and better routes for distribution than the companies can manage themselves. 

4. Low Capital Investment

Most of the time, companies avoid the higher cost of supply and distribution by just using 3PL service providers. By doing this, they don’t have to purchase the warehouse space or establish a large transportation network. 

This will reduce the overall capital requirement for doing business. This plan will be beneficial in cases where there is high variability in terms of capacity utilization of a company’s warehouse. There will be a sharp increase in the company's expenses if it decides to have warehouse space. Thus, to maintain a low capital investment, outsourcing logistics services is the best. 

Cons of 3PL

Just like the pros of 3PL, there is the possibility of having some flaws or shortcomings as well. Some of the disadvantages that you have to deal with in employing third-party logistics providers are:

1. Lower Control

One major shortcoming of using 3PL providers is that the company will lose those agitated over the supply chain and distribution networks. Because the 3PL service providers assume that these responsibilities and additional interactions will cause additional risks.   

2. IT-related complexity

Because of the involvement of advanced technology in logistics and supply chain operations. As supply chains have transformed, the IT for managing supply chain operations has also increased. However, the increased use of IT has made the process complex. 

Thus, to achieve a high degree of synchronization between company operations and 3PL providers' IT services, they will be interoperable. And if the interoperability level is low, the amount of benefit derived from this system will also be lower.  

3. Complexities with Reverse Logistics

There are many complications related to reverse logistics. 

 When a company uses 3PLs to manage its supply chain and distribution. Reverse logistics is an activity that occurs post-sales and is related to recapturing the values of the service provider. It involves the return of the product to the manufacturer or returning it for servicing or for recycling and product disposal. 

Final Note

It is your chance to brush up on these pros and cons and logistic rules by outsourcing your logistics requirements. A third-party logistics provider will provide a comfort level of navigation that provides various restrictions and needs from different government agencies at every step of the supply chain.  

The third-party logistics provider will be beneficial to all sizes of enterprises with the proper infrastructure, transportation, and expertise. So, the whole point is that no matter the industry size, niche, or location, 3PL makes complete sense in business.

Third- Party Logistics

Why is NitroXpress your trustworthy Third- Party Logistics? Because we provide:

on-time delivery

hassle-free pickup

We have a mobile and web app.

Do you own an eCommerce business? If yes, then you must be aware that in business one thing is definite- the supply chains are important. 

But, does every business manage the supply chain successfully? Certainly not. 

Many eCommerce business owners are drowning in order to fulfill the tasks or are in a bind because of the logistics demands.  

The cure for this curse is third-party logistics (3PL). 

A third-party logistics company offers expert supply chain solutions specific to your business requirements. 

You might now question how outsourcing logistics can be beneficial for my business.

To answer this, let’s give you a benefit point about outsourcing logistics. 

They have the ability to distribute company resources more effectively. 

This implies that your logistics partner will handle all your things related to logistics so that you can concentrate on your business sales, marketing, fundraising, and product development. 

Also, I am not telling you to choose any 3PL blindfolded. Please don’t think otherwise. 

Outsourcing logistics is surely beneficial, but you should look for some key points before choosing a third-party logistics company for your business. 

Wanna know the tips for choosing a third-party logistics provider? Keep reading…

How to Choose a Third-Party Logistics Partner

Choosing a third-party logistics freight provider for your company will require various considerations. You can not focus on a single metric- cost. 

Because you can always get a cheaper option of anything. So, you should look for a trust factor to get a reliable option for your logistic needs.

Speaking of that, read this list of trust factors and think through the following checklist to talk to your potential partners.

Security

Your 3PL should have all the crucial safety training and abidance for its staff members, it should also offer security and privacy for your data and resources. Thus, always look for a 3PL partner with certifications like FDA, PCI, and DEA- as they will take safety and security seriously. 

Customer Service

A healthy relationship can only occur if there is respect among individuals. Similarly, a healthy business partnership can only occur with good customer service. Third-party logistics with considerate, communicative, problem-solving team members can save a lot of your funds and provide a delightful working atmosphere.

Scalability

If you are choosing third-party logistics, there must be scalability in your mind. It is good to prepare for the future and select a third-party logistics provider that can cope with your expected growth. Thus, considering all the factors, the 3PL that you select should be able to set in motion your business's progress and keep up with steady forward growth, and shouldn’t struggle to keep up. 

Customization

Based on your niche, you might need a varied level of customization for your business. Make sure the logistics partner you have chosen clearly understands what you expect from them regarding customization, whether it’s a multi-channel capacity or user experience. 

It’s necessary to understand the niche in shipping and logistics freight. Businesses will claim that they do a whole lot but every service provider has an elemental service that they linchpin on and performs best in. 

Suitable Technology

In addition to scalability and customization, make sure your logistics use compatible technology to match your business demands, requirements, and changes. Thus, it’s crucial for your 3PL team to have a knowledgeable IT team to help fix any kinds of issues. 

Positive Reputation

Your third-party logistics partner should not only meet all your business requirements but also have a pragmatic reputation in the industry. The third-party logistics partner should be capable of connecting with a larger number of vendors like digital marketing agencies, vendors, and more. 

Merits of Using Third-Party Logistics

Businesses that are considering using third-party logistics can be assured of the merits of this partnership. The merits of using a 3PL include

1. Gain Expertise

2. Save time and money

3. Scale operations

Gain Expertise

Enterprises working with third-party logistics can gain a valuable understanding of potential issues in shipping, make connections in the industry, learn how to streamline processes, and much more. 

E-commerce businesses have a partnership with 3PL, which eliminates the stress of learning and complying with all kinds of shipping regulations. 

Save Time and Money

The major benefits of 3rd party logistics are efficiency and effectiveness in saving you time and money. The third-party logistics will assist you with inventory management tasks that will streamline the logistic work and give you a lot of time to focus on other aspects of your business. 

Along with this, your 3PL partners are capable of recognizing the cost-related issues in the supply chain and working responsibly to reduce the risks. 

Scale Operations

One important aspect of scaling your business is partnering with third-party logistics. With the help of logistics, businesses can expand their reach for order fulfillment, can save a lot of money on resources and labor, and can use the time to focus on product development.   

Logistics Services

Delivery Services

We have designed our logistic services by keeping your needs in mind. NitroXpress offers: - Same day/Next day delivery. - Same Day PickUp & Drop - Air & Surface Delivery - Zero-cost reverse pickup

If you have searched and landed on this page, then you must be familiar with the terms logistics and supply chain management. 

The line separating logistics and supply chain management is blurred, and thus people often think both words are interchangeable. 

This is why we came up with this article- Logistics vs supply chain management. 

Logistics and supply chain management have a symbiotic relationship with each other. Both have clearly different functions and purposes. Both logistics and supply chain management encompass specialized tasks and responsibilities.  

A supply chain is a system of manufacturers, suppliers, retailers, etc. Whereas logistics is a function, it is the activities that are involved in moving goods from one point to the other in a supply chain.

Still confused? Well, you are not alone.

We will be explaining more about logistics vs supply chain management. Read on!

Logistics vs Supply chain management: Definitions

Logistics

Logistics is a subdivision of operations and military science and deals with the ordering, supply, and maintenance of equipment as well as the movement and evacuation of personnel.

In short, the planning, implementation, and coordination of a business or other operation is defined as logistics. 

Supply Chain

It is defined as a channel of distribution starting with the wholesale supplier of materials, extending to the manufacturing process, distributors, retailers, and, in the end, consumers.

Logistics vs Supply chain management: Processes

Logistics

Inflowing and outflowing transit

Warehousing

Reverse logistics (goods returns)

Preventive packaging

Fulfillment

Supply Chain Management

Obtaining material

Supply planning

Demand planning

Enterprise resource planning

Manufacturing

Inventory management

Logistics

Optimization

Logistics vs Management: Purpose

Logistics

The logistics' purpose is to offer in-time delivery for the sake of consumer satisfaction.

Supply Chain Management

The purpose of supply chain management is supply chains because of the primary motive of competitive advantage. This means finding the most efficient and cost-effective methods for everyone working within a supply chain. 

Logistics vs Supply Chain Management

Logistics

Transportation Management System (TMS): A logistics platform that allows consumers to evaluate and administer the everyday operations of their transportation expeditions.

Warehouse Management System (WMS): The software and processes enable organizations to control and manage warehouse tasks from the beginning- the time when goods enter until they move out.

Supply Chain Management

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP): It has a function similar to that of a central nervous system (CNS) for a business. The role is to collect information about the activities and state of various divisions of the body corporate and make it available to others. 

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software: It is software that encompasses a wide group of applications, designed to help businesses to manage the processes like customer data, customer interaction, information access, sales automation, and many more. 

How Logistics and Supply Chain Management are Similar?

When we are talking about logistics vs supply chain management, then their similarities are a must to discuss.

Both logistics and supply chain management focus on the transportation pathway of goods from the starting point to the end. 

Both these processes demand careful coordination of wholesalers, retailers, labor, and facilities so that the items can move through the supply chain.

Logistics is a major element of supply chain management (SCM). But, it’s also just one piece (important piece) of a bigger puzzle.

A few similarities between logistics and supply chain management are:

Both kingpins of goods, services, or information.

Both focus on backing the company’s success and differentiating it from other competitors.

Both aim to increase users' satisfaction

Both spin around the same transportation pathway of goods and services from retailers to consumers. 

Conclusion

Logistics is a decade-old term. It was first used in the military for maintenance, storage, and transportation of army personnel and goods. Nowadays, logistics terms are used in various spheres of life.

Supply chain management was once an addition to logistics, but now both are inseparable. 

PEAK SHIPPING SEASON: WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

LOGISTICS: WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT IT?

In today's tech-driven world, all types of industries are entirely or partially digitalized. The finance industry doesn't lag in this. Banking is now digital.

Even though banking has gone all digital, not all banking tasks are entirely digital. Even today, a lot of banking and finance-related work is been done on paper. And if papers are physically maintained, document shipping will also become necessary.

For instance, in financial institutions and industries, documents like welcome kits, credit cards, debit cards, fixed deposit receipts, PINs, and more are couriered to customers through logistic services. 

Even the marketing and promotional materials like bills, contracts, and receipts are spread to the branches from the head office through logistic services. Thus, finance and logistics are in accord with each other.  

Banking and finance is one industry that extensively needs logistics or courier companies. However, with opportunities come challenges. Some unique challenges approached with this scope are security, cost, reach, and traceability.

In today's blog, we will discuss 5 things that a finance industry wants from its logistics partner. 

Let's get into it straight.

Secure Delivery

All of the banking documents that are sent for or from the bank are mostly classified. Thus, the logistics services working for the finance industry should be capable of carrying and delivering banking packages securely. 

Secure delivery of documents and packages is an essential point that everyone in the finance industry looks for in their logistic services. This one point alone will eliminate several small players.

We, at NitoXpress, offer omnichannel third-party logistics. We work in channels to bring more agility to our team and service. We have assigned a dedicated team for sorting and securing bank shipments to ensure the safe delivery of documents and packages. 

We also offer express delivery of sensitive documents. 

Package Traceability

It is not easy for financial institutions to send again their packages if they get lost in transit as it contains confidential data, which can get into the wrong hands and be misused. Thus, the traceability of packages at all times is very crucial. And many logistical players can't offer this, making them infeasible. 

NitroXpress uses an API-authenticated real-time tracking system that makes sure you can track your documents from your mobile phones. 

Reach

For logistic services, Reach is essential. There are many more logistic services that only offer delivery services to fewer cities or some towns. Therefore, the financial branches end up using several courier services. This will impact the services' consistency and affect the services' pricing and timeliness. 

We support express delivery across all parts of the country, offering you and your customers a continuous, satisfying service. 

Affordability

Secure delivery of documents is of utmost importance. However, in search of a security-providing delivery partner, banks pick multi-national logistic companies, which charge a hefty sum. This will burn a hole in your pocket. 

At NitroXpress, it is our prime goal to make sure we provide secure delivery at a competitive price.

Flexibility

Offices can't be open every day all the time. However, packages should be delivered on time whether the branches are open or not. Suppose such a kind of delivery is not attainable. In that case, the logistic service provider needs to find a way to reschedule deliveries instead of going back to the branch office at 6 pm every day.  

We deliver between 10 am and 1 pm on office days and defer the deliveries during the bank holidays. 

NitroXpress For The Financial Industry

NitroXpress is an omnichannel third-party logistics company, so it works well with our transportation service for bulk shipping processing services to meet the financial industry's needs. 

NitroXpress specializes in same-day delivery, next-day delivery,  and 1-2 day delivery in prime locations and delivers packages with the utmost care.  

By partnering with good third-party logistics, the financial industry can improve efficiency, contain costs, and enhance customer service. 

Logistics— I am sure it’s not your first time hearing this word. But, how much do you know about logistics and logistics management? 

You don’t have to sit in bafflement to answer this question. Just keep reading the blog. This blog will cover all your logistics and shipment-related doubts. 

Let’s see!

Logistics is defined as the process of linking and transferring resources like equipment, foods, items, liquids, and people from one location of storage to the desired destination. Logistics originated as a military term, it was used in the military to explain how the military forces stored, obtained, and moved equipment and supplies to different locations.  

However, from the business and supply chain point of view, logistics can be understood as the management of the flow of items between the point of origin and consumption, to fulfill the requirements of the users or enterprises. 

Logistics can be differentiated into the following categories:

Third-Party logistics (3PL)

Fourth-Party Logistics (4PL)

Inbound logistics

Outbound logistics

Reverse logistics

Green logistics

Construction logistics

Digital Logistics

Military logistics

Logistics Functions

The two major functions of logistics are transportation and warehouse management. Logistics management focuses on planning, evaluating, and executing the utilization of vehicles to shift goods between warehouses, retail points, and customers. 

Transportation is an intermodal type and comprehends ocean, air, rail, and roads.  As it is foreseeable, transportation management is a complex process as it comprises planning, route optimizing, shipment loads, order management, auditing, and payment. 

Warehouse management, aka warehousing, is also included in logistic functions and is responsible for inventory regulation and order accomplishments. It also includes managing the warehouse framework, where orders for items are received, processed, and shipped to the consumer. 

Apart from this, customs management (global trade management) is also considered an integral part of logistics to show abidance with government protocols for the goods that have to be delivered across national borders or enter shipping ports. 

What Do You Understand By Logistics Management

Logistics management aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of management regarding the production of finished goods and services.    

Logistic management includes supply chain management taking part and planning to control efficiently and effectively the forward and reverse flow of supplies. 

Logistics management focuses to allot the accurate amount of resources at the correct time. 

But, why exactly supply chain and logistic management are important?

Logistical procedures and supply chain management are important because they reduce costs and improve overall productivity. 

Customers always demand better services, and to provide the best service to the end-users, the supply chain tosses the players to provide fast, accurate, and quality service. With logistics management, a few things become certain, such as materialization and customer satisfaction. 

Logistic management is responsible for creating visibility in the company’s supply chain. Because through proper logistical management, the data is analyzed and the movements of the goods are tracked in real-time with the help of a futuristic transportation management system (TMS). 

A proper logistics management procedure will let you generate revenue and provide you with business control over the inbound freight. All these factors will contribute to cutting costs.  

Logistics and Supply Chain Management: Two Different Things

As you all know by now, we are aware of logistics management. Moreover, logistics management is an integral part of supply chain management. Although the two terms seem similar and so are often used interchangeably, both are different.

Logistics puts emphasis on moving products and materials as efficiently and quickly as possible, and supply chain management includes a broader range of supply chain activities and supply chain execution. 

Types of Logistics Management

1. Supply

2. Distribution

3. Production

4. Reverse

Supply

Logistics supply management includes planning and coordination of materials required in a specific location and at a specific time to offer short to production. The supply management must have transportation of the materials and storage along with plans instead of managing the level of supply at different stages so that the flow of material is aligned with the requirements. 

Distribution

It is about evaluating how the supplied and stored material is deployed to the location where it has to be delivered. The distribution logistics include delivering the materials, i.e., loading, unloading, and transportation, tracking of freight, and accountability of use.

Production

Production logistics manages the stages of combining supplies into a product. This encompasses coordination in manufacturing or arranging processes for applications like military production. The production logistics include the staging of items to coordinate with all the logistics steps.

Reverse

Reverse logistics handles the recall of goods and supplies from the goods assembly process. 

The Importance of Logistics 

The on-time delivery of packages has always been and will always be an important part of the supply chain. And today, it has become more like a critical mission due to omnichannel commerce offering same-day home or retail delivery of customized products that are ordered through smartphones and have become more common. 

Due to this, suppliers, producers, distributors, and retailers have had to refine their logistic operations to meet the end-users claims. 

Delivery Services in NCR

NitroXpress, a third-party logistic service, provides seamless delivery services in the capital region of New Delhi along with neighboring cities like Gurgaon and Noida—basically the whole NCR. NitroXpress is famous for its fast same-day pickup and delivery services.

The peak shipping season begins in mid-August and continues until the end of the autumn season, typically until Thanksgiving. The peak shipping season is a result of an increase in demand across several markets during the months of It is a prime time for the retail season. Businesses also begin making preparations for the season of Christmas. There's back-to-school shopping and, generally, retailers are trying to get rid of their shelves of surplus inventory from the summertime. At this time of year, the freight rates have reached their peak, and the capacity is limited.

Why Peak Season Is Important?

The most effective supply chain could be unable to locate trucks or increase prices for freight during the busy shipping season. Brick-and-mortar and online businesses must be able to keep up with the volume of orders that are coming in, and the carriers have to ensure that every parcel arrives on time.

During this period, the demand increases, and the supply decreases, and this causes a shortage of capacity, higher freight rates, and also a problem for those in the logistics and retail business. This is a regular occurrence, which is why businesses and carriers are able to prepare for this situation ahead of time. Each year, regardless of the current trends, planning for the future and consolidation can help you make it through the challenging season.

Factors Affecting Peak Shipping Seasons

There's no set date for when the freight season's peak starts. Each year, it's a bit different, and the start of the season is based on a variety of variables. For instance, in 2019, for example, the rush began earlier than anticipated due to concerns over conflicts that existed between China and the U.S. Retailers were worried about delays and transportation issues. The season began two months earlier than normal.

In the past few weeks, there have been a variety of developments that have changed the pace of the season. Brick-and-mortar stores, eCommerce, and the growing retail industry have a direct impact on the global trade issues impacting demand and supply.

Demand growth often leads to higher costs for carriers. As a result, companies typically raise their costs for labor, and shippers make sure they have capacity ahead of time. Beyond these mentioned elements, several other elements can impact your supply chain in the high-demand season.

The Peak Season

The COVID-19 epidemic was a major concern for retailers. Numerous brick-and-mortar shops suffered catastrophic effects on their peak sales. The need for online shopping is growing even as many shoppers feel comfortable returning to their local stores. Because of the increased popularity of online shopping, shipping companies are often overwhelmed with products. This leads to significant delays in shipping. Although nobody anticipated the impact of the pandemic on the chain of supply knowing the process of shipping will help you prepare for the new market trends.

How To Get Ready For Peak Shipping Season

Communicate with customers and clients

Modern consumers expect to be informed about any issues or delays with their packages. Sometimes delays cannot be avoided, so it is essential that you inform customers about when they can expect their packages. As the shipping season is the one that is prior to the holiday season, businesses have deadlines for orders and shipping to meet in order to build and maintain existing customer loyalty. Always inform your customers regarding those deadlines. Additionally, the levels of inventory change frequently. If an item is not in inventory, make sure to clearly note it on the website so that you can avoid delays in ordering.

In addition to being with your clients, you must also be communicating with your vendors. The holiday season can be hectic, and it's essential to communicate any orders in advance of time so that you don't get behind on your orders. Particularly during the busy season, businesses may want to expand their range of suppliers when the primary ones aren't available. A backup plan allows the potential risks during busy times to be reduced. Consider all the things that can help in your relationship with suppliers and your company in the busy season.

Early Shipping

Your company must ship early to get ready for the busy shipping season. The movement of freight in the months leading up to the festive season never stops, and you need to be ready and up to speed to handle a large number of shipments. Additionally, the large quantity of shipments can cause delays at the docks and warehouses, which can cause backups and congestion. If you start shipping as early as possible, you allow yourself sufficient time for the items to be delivered on time to your customers.

Consider all shipping options

Each shipping company has its own requirements in terms of shipping. Smaller companies, for instance, could benefit from lesser-than-truckload  (LTL) transportation for deliveries to guarantee timely delivery and reduce shipping costs. Companies with more acclaim and a larger volume of shipping can look into different shipping methods, including FTL as well as intermodal, in order to handle their deliveries prior to the holidays. Whatever the size of your business, it's crucial to have plans for the type of shipping you'll be using.

Aim for the future

In the busy shipping season, it is essential to organize and understand what you're doing throughout the entire year. Data is your friend. It can help you make the most of different promotions and increases that are in high demand. While making plans ahead may not be ideal, it's much better than not being prepared during the busy shipping season.

Work with a 3rd Party-logistics

The decision-making process for deciding which 3PL to work with is crucial. It is important to make sure they are experienced, particularly during the peak shipping season. If you choose to partner with a company that isn't familiar with the season, this can lead to major delays in the shipping process. To prevent this from happening, be sure to do your research and choose which 3PL is ideal for you.

How NitroXpress will help you

Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Logistics Transportation