Logistics

Meaning and evolution of logistic

The word “logistics” comes from Greek logistike, which translates as “the art of calculating” using concrete items, in contrast with airethematic, which was the art of calculating using abstract concepts. The later eventually evolved into the modern concept of arithmetic and algebra. The term “logistic” has evolved into the art and science of determining eminently concrete aspects of business management, from transportation and packaging, to warehousing and inventory management,

The first international traders were involved in logistics; they calculated how much their ships-or beasts-could carry, how much food to bring along, and how best to package the goods while in transit, decision which parallel exactly what a modern logistics manager does. They had to decide which payment method was most appropriate, just as modern exporter must determine what the best way of ensuring it will get paid. While many aspects of international logistics have changed, the main concerns of people involved in this field remain similar; they have to ensure that goods manufactured in one part of the world arrive safely to their destination.

However the modern interpretation of the term “logistics” has its origins in the military, where it was used to describe the activities related to the procurement of ammunitions and essential supplies to troops located the front. It gave birth to the title of MARECHAL DES LOGIS in the French military, which is given to a sergeant in-charge of unit’s supplies and housing. Interesting enough, when the term applies to the branch of the military in charge of logistics on a large scale, the French use different word altogether, “LE TRAIN”.

First, therefore, what was understood as “business logistics” was based on the military concept and encompassed mostly the physical movement of goods. The term is now much broader and includes not only all the activities related to the physical movement of goods, both...