Glossary

A collection of electronic devices, such as computers, connected together in the same physical location, such as an office building or manufacturing facility.

A raw material not available widely and found only in certain locations.

A rate published between two points served by one carrier, includes the carrier’s base rate plus a fuel surcharge and accessorial charges.

The factors that determine where to locate a facility such as access to materials, access to markets, labor, transportation, storage, taxes, etc.

In trucking, the daily record of the hours a driver spends on duty (driving, etc.) and off duty. Also, the official record book of a ship or an aircraft.

The management of the supply chain. Includes purchasing, warehousing, manufacturing, and transportation (external and internal). See Logistics Management.

The network of supply chain businesses that provide storage, handling, transportation and related services that contribute to the efficient flow of goods.

Expenses associated with the acquisition, storage, movement, and disposition of goods.

A computerized system that electronically transmits logistics information, such as inventory levels, shipping schedules, customer orders, and status reports.

See 3PL and also 4PL.

The planning, implementing, and controlling the distribution of goods and services from start to finish in order to consistently meet customer requirements.

See 3PL and also 4PL.

See Lift on, Lift off (LO/LO).

2,240 pounds, or approximately 1,016.05 kilograms.

The tracking of materials in batches (e.g., by assigning unique batch numbers) to maintain visibility from the supplier through manufacturing to consumers.

The amount of items ordered for delivery or manufactured in a single production run.

See Less-Than-Truckload (LTL).

A cargo shipment larger than parcel and smaller than truckload. See Less-Than-Truckload (LTL).

The loading and/or unloading of the contents in a trailer. Involves physical labor and sometimes a "lumper" is hired for it. Common in the food industry.

The times when a machine cannot be used, such as during breakdowns, scheduled maintenance, changeovers, etc.

The conditions that exist in the economy as a whole, rather than in a particular sector or region and which influence a business but the business cannot control.

Items used in support of general operations and maintenance, such as machine parts, electrical parts, and consumables used in the manufacturing process.

Determining whether to produce an item internally or buy it from an outside supplier. Factors include costs, capacity, knowledge, quality, skills, volume, and timing.

A production strategy where the trigger to begin the manufacture of a product is an actual customer order or release rather than a market forecast.

A production strategy where finished product is maintained in plant or warehouse inventory to meet expected incoming orders or releases based on a forecast.