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Importance of Logistics in Various Fields

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The term logistics comes from the Greek language which consists of two syllables. Logic which means rational, reasonable and accountable. 

The second syllable is thicos, which means to think. Logistics is an activity related to distribution systems, storage, inventory management and delivery arrangements or the movement of goods and services.

Broadly speaking, logistics is divided into two main activities, namely moving activities and storage activities. The main activities are broken down into seven activity mixes that cannot be separated from their existence in a supply chain system (Supply Chain System). 

These activities include order processing, transportation, inventory, goods handling, facility structure, information systems, and communications.

In general, the logistics mission is an activity to get the right goods, at the right time, quantity and condition, at an affordable cost. But this mission still contributes to the profit for the logistics service provider. Logistics is always struggling to find a balance for two things that are very difficult to synergize.

The logistics business must keep costs as low as possible. But the company still maintains the level of service quality and customer satisfaction. In the ever-changing business world, good logistics management is a must.

Supporting Factors for the Success of Distribution Logistics

Logistics always involves elements of suppliers, manufactures, distribution and customers. Therefore, logistics must be able to carry out the activities of delivering goods and services needed by customers properly, on time, and efficiently. 

The success of this logistics distribution is influenced by several factors, namely:

Transportation

The importance of the availability of transportation facilities and infrastructure for the delivery of goods to their destination on time.

 Inventory

Care must be taken to ensure that the number of goods sent matches the delivery order.

Facility structure

The importance of the availability of distribution centers (warehouses) and supporting facilities so that there are no obstacles that hinder the arrival of goods to dealers.

Material handling

The need for a good handling system for goods to avoid damage and loss of goods in distribution.

Communication and information

In this case, whether the information and communication systems owned or used are in accordance with the needs so as to facilitate the distribution process.

Barriers to the Distribution of Logistics for Disaster Victims

It is part of our collective responsibility when a disaster occurs in the country, it is certain that many losses will be experienced. The loss is not only in terms of victims who fall, but also from material losses. Help from the community and the government is especially needed to help victims who need food, clothing, and medicine.

However, it is undeniable that in terms of logistics distribution to disaster victims, it is not as easy as imagined. There are many obstacles that hinder the distribution of the logistics. The obstacle is the weather factor, the location is difficult to reach by road trip, and even the lack of transportation to reach the disaster site.

Weak coordination of related parties, such as at the sub-district or district level, has also resulted in a large amount of aid piling up at the post for disaster victims. This is due to the slow distribution of logistics. However, disaster victims really need help.

Logistics distribution is also attempted by air. But bad weather conditions are still an obstacle to the distribution of logistics. Volunteers, rescue teams and disaster evacuation teams will wait for the weather to improve before distributing logistics to disaster victims.

Importance of Logistics for the Military 

military-logistics

Logistics has a very important meaning in military strategy. The supply lines will be very well guarded by military soldiers for the sake of war against the enemy. At the same time, the enemy's supply lines will be disrupted as much as possible so that the distribution of logistics there will be hampered.

The delay in distribution will be able to weaken the enemy in terms of support needs and war readiness. After all, an armed force if it does not have the resources and transportation will be weak and powerless, Napoleon said. 

As the cause of the British defeat in the American War of Independence and the defeat of the Axis on the African field in World War II was none other than the failure of logistics distribution.

In the military a logistics officer must be able to manage when and how to distribute and move resources to where they are needed. It also regulates the amount of ammunition and fuel consumption needed during war and non-war times. Of course the logistics needs in times of war will be very large compared to times of peace.

The Role of Logistics in the Health Sector

The role of logistics in a company, organization, or other line of business is always a top priority. The reason is because goods or services are needed by operational units in carrying out their activities. Logistics provides efficiency and effectiveness to achieve the success of the goals of an organization or company.

Therefore, logistics must be managed properly by logistics management that is directed, disciplined and fully responsible for the success of logistics procurement. 

Logistics management can be defined as a summary of activities in terms of planning, organizing, staffing, leading, and controlling. These activities are related to the procurement, distribution, use, maintenance, and disposal of goods and services to support organizational activities.

So, if the role of management is not well directed, of course this will be one of the obstacles to other activities within a company. In the health sector such as in hospitals, it is necessary to examine what the scope of the logistics role is. This is to support the role of agencies so that they can provide good services to the community.

The role of logistics in the health sector is related to the supply of drugs, medical devices, food and beverages, logistics for medical and non-medical equipment, building facilities and infrastructure, and logistics for consumables. Drug logistics includes drug determination activities. The drug is used in health services in hospitals.

Drugs are one of the main components that are needed and become a source of hospital income. The challenges in implementing the logistics of this drug are very high. The selection of drugs for treatment should not be arbitrary, so at this point the management needs to give serious attention before deciding on the supply of drugs needed.

In terms of medical devices, logistics is related to the provision of medical devices. Tools that support health services are surgical equipment, thermometers, syringes or syringes, and others. Excess or lack of medical equipment often occurs in the field due to lack of funds and costs for the provision of these goods.

However, there is often an accumulation of medical equipment due to poor management of the regulation in its supply. Not only in the military, health sector, or companies engaged in various business fields, the role of logistics has always been part of the design of activities that are the main priority.

The success or failure of procurement and distribution of logistics depends on the management of arrangements within a company or organization. In general, the success of this logistics can be measured by the low costs incurred, but the quality is still good. 

This will be an achievement for a company or organization if it can balance the costs incurred in fulfilling logistics, with service and quality that remains number one.

But not infrequently in the field this imbalance becomes a complicated problem. More often we find high costs incurred in terms of logistics but low quality. 

But there is also a high cost in proportion to the quality and quality you get. This is where the important role of logistics management is to achieve success in an organization.

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