Customer reviews Introduction to Logistics Systems Management

Customer reviews.

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later. requested by the university. it has met my expectations. it was clear and complete. text updated and with modern theories. This is not a trivial book to understand. The maths is quite involved. The problems revolve around minimising some function subject to a set of constraints, where the latter derive from logistics contexts. The variables are usually restricted to integer values, and often must be natural numbers (ie. non-negative). This is mostly linear programming. Hence if you have already dealt with the simplex method, then that is excellent preparation for this text. But by the same token, if you do indeed know the simplex method, and the vast amount of understanding of it in the last 30 years, then you can appreciate how the seemingly mundane task of managing a warehouse, which is the subject of an entire chapter, can require substantial number crunching and the use of ideas like the conjugate gradient algorithm. So the book is this amalgam of dense maths and how to deal with real world issues like managing freight transport. Where its cost might involve topics of insurance, depreciation, fuel consumption, mooring costs [for ships] etc. This is an attraction of the text. It manages to connect practical factors into embedding these in your equations. I imagine the reader will hail from a background in operations research or computational maths, because that is the bulk of the narrative. But it is vital to ground your efforts ab initio in the business needs. The ISBN 1119943388 (Introduction to Logistics Systems Management) is a very well done graphically and published, extensive university level handbook, which presents handling of systems of logistics, which is essential in supply chain management (SCM) or - in other words - management of moving a product or service from supplier to customer. It focuses on quantitative analysis employed in directing logistics. The application of theoretical considerations is supported by detailed examples, case studies, and exercises. The content of this unique book seems to be addressed to non-experts in the field. It also has the properties of a reference book thanks to the elaborate, but very clear structure of short topics well identified by precise titles and easy to locate. Some sub-chapters are headed by short summaries. Approx. 100 pages of the book are shown by the Amazon.com's "LOOK INSIDE!" function. What cannot be seen is that the book is very well printed on good paper and hard-bound. The covers are strong and flexibly jointed. It can well serve the needs of SCM professionals and students, but at a price. Logistics Introduction textbooks abound as do System Management texts. For the instructor who must choose a textbook, there is no shortage of good ones. I wasn't expecting to be overly supportive of this newest attempt, based on my first blush glance. The text is clear and examples abound, but the text is not highly engaging. I feared for my students involvement, even at the Senior level (which this book is geared to: seniors and graduate students, due to the heavy use of algorithmic problems and calculus-focused solutions).

Still, I became quickly enamored when I started interacting with some of -problems and seeing how they develeped inquisitive investigation. "What?!" I would think. that is a novel way at this. "How interesting. let's think that through." This text is ideal for the seniors and graduates. I picked up Wiley's new Introduction to Logistics Systems Management and started reading. This textbook is really applicational and highly engaging if used correctly. You will note that the answers and further helps are available for students on the web-site for many of the exercises and case-problems. I had never used (nor had I read) the previous edition of this textbook, which, by the way, won the Pedagogigal Textbook of the Year award. so much for MY first blush reaction!) I was always happy with my previous choice and never gave it a minutes thought (to change). Since that time we have looked at several other texts and we keep coming back to this one. It is nearly a perfect balance for grad students and senior System Management learners. What has changed from the first addition. This current edition has a much greater emphasis on the organizational framework in which logistics systems operate. I also noticed the inclusion of newer/updated models and logistics Management techniques that add to the value of this text. By newer models, I am talking about things that have been developed and gained in usage over the past dozen years or so. The topics are illustrated by examples that are tied to the section's material. The student can check his or her work as well as his/her understanding. But it is the very well done case studies that I am most impressed with. These studies were taken from scientific literature and allow an ideal way to get a real-world feel for quantitative analysis and measures. One of the more interesting facets of supply chain management is logistics. After reading a detailed work by Marc J. Schniederajans and Stephen B. LeGrand, it was inevitable that I’d be checking out this book, an updated classic in logistics systems management. According to Schniederajans and LeGrand, “Logistics management seeks to manage the flow of manufactured products, services, and information through a business operation to the final customer.” To back it up a bit and further clarify the term “logistics,” they define it in reference to “the movement of things (that is, people, material, parts, finished goods, and information) in appropriate quantities and timing to meet the needs of an organization’s stakeholders.” It may seem odd to quote one text when reviewing another, but on the other hand they are what you might say are close cousins in the field and I did feel their definitions were quite apropos. The world wouldn’t turn without logistics, at least not in the way we have come to expect it to. People want their products quickly and in a cost effective manner. Businesses have to factor in the movement of their products from one point to another. The authors quickly get to the importance, and complexity of logistics systems management, in the introduction via the use of a directed graph. It clearly illustrates Galbani’s logistic’s system from the suppliers to the warehouse and outward to distribution and sales points. Simplistic in appearance, but significantly more complicated in application. This is the purpose of this text by Ghiani, Laporte, and Roberto Musmanno. It is a text that is aimed not only toward academia, but also to those in the field dealing with the real-world issues of logistics management. It is what I would refer to as a progressive work, but can be used as a refresher for practitioners in select areas. There are numerous informative sidebars and illustrations. For example, many of these sidebars contain directed graphs and tables to explain such things as the Bontur problem. Keep in mind that this text uses discrete mathematics and employs the use of schematic representations throughout the book. In the back of each chapter are several questions and problems used to test one’s knowledge and comprehension of the material. The answers can be found on the publisher’s website. There are real-world case studies to further enhance the student’s or practitioner’s understanding of logistics systems management. This newly updated text “putsmore emphasis on the organizational context in which logistics systems operate and also covers several new models and techniques that have been developed over the past decade.” 1 Introducing logistics 1. 1.1 Definition of logistics 1.2 Logistics systems 1.2.1 Logistics activities 1.2.2 Information flows and logistics networks 1.2.3 Case of more products 1.3 Reverse logistics 1.4 Integrated logistics 1.5 Objectives of logistics 1.5.1 Measures of the service level 1.6 Management of the logistics system 1.6.1 Planning phase 1.6.2 Organizational phase 1.6.3 Control phase 1.7 Case study: The Pfizer logistics system 1.8 Questions and problems. 2 Forecasting logistics requirements. 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Qualitative methods 2.3 Quantitative methods 48 2.3.1 Graphical representation of time series 2.3.2 Classification of time series 2.4 Data preprocessing 2.4.1 Insertion of missing data 2.4.2 Detection of outliers 2.4.3 Data aggregation 2.4.4 Removing the calendar variations 2.4.5 Deflating monetary time series 2.4.6 Adjusting for population variations 2.4.7 Normalizing the data 2.5 Choice of the forecasting method 2.5.1 Notation 2.5.2 Casual versus extrapolation methods 2.5.3 Decomposition method 2.5.4 Further time series extrapolation methods: The constant trend case 2.5.5 Further time series extrapolation methods: The linear trend case 2.5.6 Further time series extrapolation methods: The seasonal effect case 2.5.7 Further time series extrapolation methods: The irregular series case 2.5.8 Sporadic time series 2.6 Advanced forecasting method 2.7 Accuracy measure and forecasting monitoring 2.7.1 Accuracy measures 2.7.2 Tuning of the forecasting methods 2.7.3 Forecast control 2.8 Interval forecasts 1 2.9 Case study: Forecasting methods at Adriatica Accumulatori 2.10 Case study: Sales forecasting at Orlea 2.11 Questions and problems. 3 Locating facilities in logistics systems. 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Qualitative methods 3.3 Quantitative methods 3.3.1 Single-commodity single-echelon continuous location problems 3.3.2 Single-commodity single-echelon discrete location problems 3.3.3 Single-commodity two-echelon discrete location problems 3.3.4 The multi-commodity case 3.3.5 Location-covering problems 3.3.6 ‘p-centre’ problems 3.4 Hybrid methods 3.5 Stochastic location models 3.6 Case study: Container warehouse location at Hardcastle 3.7 Case study: The organ transplantation location-allocation policy of the Italian National Transplant Centre 3.8 Questions and problems. 4 Selecting the suppliers. 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Definition of the set of potential suppliers 4.3 Definition of the selection criteria 4.4 Supplier selection 4.5 Case study: The system for the selection of suppliers at Baxter 4.6 Questions and problems 5 Managing a warehouse. 5.1.1 Performance parameters 5.1.2 Decision-making problems 5.2 Warehouse design 5.2.1 Choice of warehouse systems 5.2.2 Choice of warehouse layout 5.2.3 Sizing of the storage zone 5.2.4 Sizing of the receiving zone 5.2.5 Sizing of the shipping zone 5.3 Tactical decisions for warehouse logistics planning 5.3.1 Product allocation to the storage points 5.3.2 Inventory management 5.4 Operational decisions for warehouse logistics management 5.4.1 Package picking from the storage zone 5.4.2 Package consolidation in load units 5.5 Case study: Performance evaluation of an AS/RS system conducted by Wert Consulting 5.6 Case study: Inventory management at Wolferine 5.7 Case study: Airplane loading at FedEx 5.8 Questions and problems. 6 Managing freight transport. 6.1 Introduction 6.1.1 Modes of transport 6.1.2 Classification of transport problems 6.2 Freight Traffic Assignment Problems (TAPs) 6.2.1 Minimum-cost flow formulation 6.2.2 Linear single-commodity minimum-cost flow problems 6.2.3 Linear multi-commodity minimum-cost flow problems 6.3 Service network design problems 6.3.1 The linear fixed-charge network design model 6.4 Vehicle allocation problems 6.5 A dynamic driver assignment problem 6.6 Fleet composition 6.7 Shipment consolidation 6.8 Vehicle routing problems 6.8.1 The travelling salesman problem 6.8.2 The Node Routing Problem with Capacity and Length Constraints 6.8.3 The Node Routing and Scheduling Problem with Time Windows 6.8.4 Arc routing problems 6.8.5 Route sequencing 6.9 Real-time vehicle routing problems 6.10 Integrated location and routing problems 6.11 Vendor-managed inventory routing 6.12 Case study: Air network design at Intexpress 6.13 Case study: Meter reader routing and scheduling at Socal 6.14 Case study: Dynamic vehicle-dispatching problem with pickups and deliveries at eCourier 6.15 Questions and problems. 1 Introducing logistics. 1.1 Definition of logistics 1.2 Logistics systems 1.2.1 Logistics activities 1.2.2 Information flows and logistics networks 1.2.3 Case of more products 1.3 Reverse logistics 1.4 Integrated logistics 1.5 Objectives of logistics 1.5.1 Measures of the service level 1.6 Management of the logistics system 1.6.1 Planning phase 1.6.2 Organizational phase 1.6.3 Control phase 1.7 Case study: The Pfizer logistics system 1.8 Questions and problems. 2 Forecasting logistics requirements. 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Qualitative methods 2.3 Quantitative methods 2.3.1 Graphical representation of time series 2.3.2 Classification of time series 2.4 Data preprocessing 2.4.1 Insertion of missing data 2.4.2 Detection of outliers 2.4.3 Data aggregation 2.4.4 Removing the calendar variations 2.4.5 Deflating monetary time series 2.4.6 Adjusting for population variations 2.4.7 Normalizing the data 2.5 Choice of the forecasting method 2.5.1 Notation 2.5.2 Casual versus extrapolation methods 2.5.3 Decomposition method 2.5.4 Further time series extrapolation methods: The constant trend case 2.5.5 Further time series extrapolation methods: The linear trend case 2.5.6 Further time series extrapolation methods: The seasonal effect case 2.5.7 Further time series extrapolation methods: The irregular series case 2.5.8 Sporadic time series 2.6 Advanced forecasting method 2.7 Accuracy measure and forecasting monitoring 2.7.1 Accuracy measures 2.7.2 Tuning of the forecasting methods 2.7.3 Forecast control 2.8 Interval forecasts 2.9 Case study: Forecasting methods at Adriatica Accumulatori 2.10 Case study: Sales forecasting at Orlea 2.11 Questions and problems. 3 Locating facilities in logistics systems. 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Qualitative methods 3.3 Quantitative methods 3.3.1 Single-commodity single-echelon continuous location problems 3.3.2 Single-commodity single-echelon discrete location problems 3.3.3 Single-commodity two-echelon discrete location problems 3.3.4 The multicommodity case 3.3.5 Location-covering problems 3.3.6 p-centre problems 3.4 Hybrid methods 3.5 Stochastic location models 3.6 Case study: Container warehouse location at Hardcastle 3.7 Case study: The organ transplantation location-allocation policy of the Italian National Transplant Centre 3.8 Questions and problems. 4 Selecting the suppliers. 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Definition of the set of potential suppliers 4.3 Definition of the selection criteria 4.4 Supplier selection 4.5 Case study: The system for the selection of suppliers at Baxter 4.6 Questions and problems. 5 Managing a warehouse. 5.1 Introduction 5.1.1 Performance parameters 5.1.2 Decision-making problems 5.2 Warehouse design 5.2.1 Choice of warehouse systems 5.2.2 Choice of warehouse layout 5.2.3 Sizing of the storage zone 5.2.4 Sizing of the receiving zone 5.2.5 Sizing of the shipping zone 5.3 Tactical decisions for warehouse logistics planning 5.3.1 Product allocation to the storage points 5.3.2 Inventory management 5.4 Operational decisions for warehouse logistics management 5.4.1 Package picking from the storage zone 5.4.2 Package consolidation in load units 5.5 Case study: Performance evaluation of an AS/RS system conducted by Wert Consulting 5.6 Case study: Inventory management at Wolferine 5.7 Case study: Airplane loading at FedEx 5.8 Questions and problems. 6 Managing freight transport. 6.1 Introduction 6.1.1 Modes of transport 6.1.2 Classification of transport problems 6.2 Freight Traffic Assignment Problems (TAPs) 6.2.1 Minimum-cost flow formulation 6.2.2 Linear single-commodity minimum-cost flow problems 6.2.3 Linear multi-commodity minimum-cost flow problems 6.3 Service network design problems 6.3.1 The linear fixed-charge network design model 6.4 Vehicle allocation problems 6.5 A dynamic driver assignment problem 6.6 Fleet composition 6.7 Shipment consolidation 6.8 Vehicle routing problems 6.8.1 The travelling salesman problem 6.8.2 The Node Routing Problem with Capacity and Length Constraints 6.8.3 The Node Routing and Scheduling Problem with Time Windows 6.8.4 Arc routing problems 6.8.5 Route sequencing 6.9 Real-time vehicle routing problems 6.10 Integrated location and routing problems 6.11 Vendor-managed inventory routing 6.12 Case study: Air network design at Intexpress 6.13 Case study: Meter reader routing and scheduling at Socal 6.14 Case study: Dynamic vehicle-dispatching problem with pickups and deliveries at eCourier 6.15 Questions and problems.