We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.

Supply Chain Logistics

Have you ever wondered how goods get delivered to us so quickly as soon as we order them? One word: Logistics! In this introductory Supply Chain Logistics course, I will take you on a journey to this fascinating backbone of global trade. We cover the three major building blocks of logistics networks: transportation, warehousing, and inventory. After completing this course, you will be able to differentiate the advantages and disadvantages of different modes of transportation. You will understand what goes into designing and setting up a warehousing facility. Finally, you will be able to select the options that enable you to develop logistics networks, that minimize costs and deliver top customer service. This is an introductory course designed to provide you with a start on your learning journey in logistics. You do not need to have any background in logistics, but it would be beneficial if you had a basic understanding of business concepts. Join me and we will learn together about logistics!

Interested in learning advanced supply chain topics? Check out the Supply Chain Excellence MasterTrack™ Certificate: https://www.coursera.org/mastertrack/supply-chain-excellence-rutgers

Enroll now

Or subscribe to Coursera Plus

And get unlimited access to Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Transportation

Welcome to the exciting world of logistics! We are going to start by taking a look at transportation. But before we get there, I would like to introduce you to myself. We will cover the different modes of transportation: motor freight, air freight, intermodal, and express delivery. After completing this module, you'll be able to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of different transportation modes. Furthermore, you will demonstrate how transportation systems use different modes to facilitate the efficient movement of goods from origin to destination. Lastly, you will be able to recognize what transportation modes were used by a shipping company just by looking at the tracking statement.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Introduces core concepts of supply chain logistics

Taught by Dr. Rudolf Leuschner, a respected academic in the field

Focuses on key areas like transportation, inventory, and distribution

Provides a solid foundation for understanding logistics networks

Suitable for beginners with no prior knowledge of logistics

May not cover advanced concepts for experienced professionals

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.

Save

Reviews summary

Solid introduction to logistics fundamentals

According to learners, this is an excellent starting point for anyone new to logistics. Students report it provides a strong foundational understanding of the field, with particular praise for the clear explanations and knowledgeable instructor. The course covers the fundamental building blocks of transportation, warehousing, and inventory effectively. However, some found the content too basic and felt it lacked depth or sufficient practical case studies, suggesting the need for supplementary learning for those seeking more advanced or hands-on skills.

Course builds logically, pace is good.

"The course content is well-structured and easy to follow."

"The pace is good for beginners."

"The structure builds nicely from transportation to warehousing to inventory."

"The pace is manageable for beginners."

Thoroughly covers transportation, warehousing, inventory.

"Covers the core concepts well - transportation, warehousing, inventory."

"It provides a comprehensive overview of logistics principles."

"The content covers the fundamental building blocks of logistics effectively."

"The key areas (transportation, warehousing, inventory) are explained clearly."

"Now I have a solid grasp of transportation, warehousing, and inventory basics."

Explanations are clear and engaging.

"The instructor is knowledgeable and explains complex topics clearly."

"Dr. xxxx is an excellent instructor."

"The instructor is engaging, and the material is presented in a clear, digestible format."

"The instructor explains things well."

"The instructor is easy to understand."

Provides a strong start in logistics.

"This course is excellent for beginners entering the field."

"Recommended for anyone starting out."

"Fantastic course for anyone new to logistics."

"This course is perfect for beginners."

"Solid for getting started."

Some explanations were academic or dry.

"...found some of the explanations a bit dry and academic."

"...the delivery is a bit dry."

"It feels like a textbook translated into lectures."

Stays high-level, needs more practical examples.

"Some parts could be more in-depth..."

"As someone with some prior business knowledge, I was expecting more depth..."

"My only critique is that it stays fairly high-level."

"Felt it lacked practical application. It's very theoretical."

"I felt the course could benefit from more case studies or hands-on exercises."

"...the lack of deeper dives into specific areas like supply chain technology..."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Supply Chain Logistics with these activities:

Review transportation concepts

Show steps

Refresh your understanding of transportation concepts to better grasp the content of this introductory logistics course.

Browse courses on Transportation

Show steps

Review the different modes of transportation
Read articles and case studies on transportation best practices
Attend a webinar or workshop on transportation logistics

Review the Basics of Transportation

Show steps

Review the basics of transportation networks, including rail, truck, air and intermodal, in order to get a stronger foundation of the topics covered in this course.

Show steps

Read the introduction to a transportation textbook or online resource
Review the different modes of transportation
Determine the pros and cons of each mode

Participate in a logistics discussion group

Show steps

Engage with peers to exchange ideas, ask questions, and enhance your understanding of logistics concepts.

Show steps

Join a logistics discussion group or forum
Actively participate in discussions and ask thought-provoking questions
Share your insights and experiences with other group members

Ten other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all 13 activities

Read 'Introduction to Logistics Systems Management'

Show steps

Supplement your understanding of logistics concepts with this in-depth book that covers various aspects of logistics management.

View Introduction to Logistics Systems Management on Amazon

Show steps

Read Chapters 1-4, focusing on the fundamentals of logistics systems
Complete the end-of-chapter exercises to test your comprehension

Calculate Logistics Network Costs

Show steps

Practice calculating the costs associated with building and operating a logistics network in order to apply in-class concepts.

Show steps

Gather data on transportation costs
Calculate the cost of each mode of transportation
Compare the costs of different modes of transportation
Determine the most cost-effective mode of transportation

Follow tutorials on inventory management techniques

Show steps

Deepen your understanding of inventory management techniques through guided tutorials and practice exercises.

Browse courses on Inventory Management

Show steps

Search for online tutorials or courses on inventory management
Follow the tutorials and complete the exercises
Apply the techniques to a practical scenario or project

Attend a logistics workshop or conference

Show steps

Expand your knowledge and network with industry professionals by attending a logistics workshop or conference.

Show steps

Research and identify relevant logistics workshops or conferences
Register and attend the event
Actively participate in sessions and engage with speakers and attendees
Follow up after the event to connect with new contacts and explore opportunities

Warehousing and Inventory Management Plan

Show steps

Develop a comprehensive plan for warehousing and inventory management to optimize logistics operations.

Show steps

Identify the types of inventory that will be stored in the warehouse.
Determine the optimal inventory levels.
Design the warehouse layout.
Develop inventory management procedures.
Implement the warehousing and inventory management plan.

Solve logistics case studies

Show steps

Enhance your problem-solving skills by practicing with real-world logistics case studies.

Browse courses on Case Studies

Show steps

Analyze the case study and identify the key issues
Develop and evaluate alternative solutions
Present your findings and recommendations

Learn About Lean Logistics

Show steps

Research and learn about the benefits of implementing lean principles within a logistics network to further optimize performance after completing the course.

Show steps

Read articles and watch videos about lean logistics
Identify ways to implement lean principles in your own logistics network
Develop a plan to implement lean principles in your logistics network

Create a Logistics Network for a Local Business

Show steps

Build a real-world logistics network to apply the concepts learned in the course and gain practical experience.

Show steps

Identify a local business that needs logistics support.
Analyze the business's current supply chain and identify areas for improvement.
Design a logistics network that meets the business's needs.
Implement the logistics network.
Monitor the performance of the logistics network and make adjustments as needed.

Design a logistics network model

Show steps

Apply your understanding of logistics network design by creating a model for a specific industry or business case.

Show steps

Identify the key components of a logistics network
Research different network design methodologies
Develop a logistics network model using appropriate software or tools
Analyze the results of the model and identify potential improvements

Develop a logistics improvement plan

Show steps

Apply your knowledge of logistics to a practical project by developing a plan to improve the efficiency or effectiveness of a logistics operation.

Browse courses on Project Management

Show steps

Identify an area for improvement in a logistics system
Gather data and conduct analysis to understand the current situation
Develop and evaluate alternative improvement plans
Create a detailed implementation plan

Career center

Learners who complete Supply Chain Logistics will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Transportation Analyst

Transportation Analysts design and manage the physical movement of goods from one place to another. This course provides a strong foundation in the three major building blocks of logistics networks: transportation, warehousing, and inventory. You will learn about the different modes of transportation, how to design and set up a warehousing facility, and how to select the options that enable you to develop logistics networks that minimize costs and deliver top customer service.

See salaries and explore the career path for Transportation Analyst

Warehousing Manager

Warehousing Managers oversee the day-to-day operations of a warehouse. This course provides a strong foundation in the three major building blocks of logistics networks: transportation, warehousing, and inventory. You will learn about the different modes of transportation, how to design and set up a warehousing facility, and how to select the options that enable you to develop logistics networks that minimize costs and deliver top customer service.

See salaries and explore the career path for Warehousing Manager

Inventory Manager

Inventory Managers oversee the flow of goods into and out of a warehouse. This course provides a strong foundation in the three major building blocks of logistics networks: transportation, warehousing, and inventory. You will learn about the different modes of transportation, how to design and set up a warehousing facility, and how to select the options that enable you to develop logistics networks that minimize costs and deliver top customer service.

See salaries and explore the career path for Inventory Manager

Logistics Manager

Logistics Managers oversee the entire supply chain, from the sourcing of raw materials to the delivery of finished goods to customers. This course provides a strong foundation in the three major building blocks of logistics networks: transportation, warehousing, and inventory. You will learn about the different modes of transportation, how to design and set up a warehousing facility, and how to select the options that enable you to develop logistics networks that minimize costs and deliver top customer service.

See salaries and explore the career path for Logistics Manager

Supply Chain Manager

Supply Chain Managers oversee the entire supply chain, from the sourcing of raw materials to the delivery of finished goods to customers. This course provides a strong foundation in the three major building blocks of logistics networks: transportation, warehousing, and inventory. You will learn about the different modes of transportation, how to design and set up a warehousing facility, and how to select the options that enable you to develop logistics networks that minimize costs and deliver top customer service.

See salaries and explore the career path for Supply Chain Manager

Transportation Planner

Transportation Planners develop and manage the movement of goods and people. This course provides a strong foundation in the three major building blocks of logistics networks: transportation, warehousing, and inventory. You will learn about the different modes of transportation, how to design and set up a warehousing facility, and how to select the options that enable you to develop logistics networks that minimize costs and deliver top customer service.

See salaries and explore the career path for Transportation Planner

Warehouse Supervisor

Warehouse Supervisors oversee the day-to-day operations of a warehouse. This course provides a strong foundation in the three major building blocks of logistics networks: transportation, warehousing, and inventory. You will learn about the different modes of transportation, how to design and set up a warehousing facility, and how to select the options that enable you to develop logistics networks that minimize costs and deliver top customer service.

See salaries and explore the career path for Warehouse Supervisor

Inventory Control Analyst

Inventory Control Analysts manage the flow of goods into and out of a warehouse. This course provides a strong foundation in the three major building blocks of logistics networks: transportation, warehousing, and inventory. You will learn about the different modes of transportation, how to design and set up a warehousing facility, and how to select the options that enable you to develop logistics networks that minimize costs and deliver top customer service.

See salaries and explore the career path for Inventory Control Analyst

Logistics Engineer

Logistics Engineers design and manage the physical movement of goods from one place to another. This course provides a strong foundation in the three major building blocks of logistics networks: transportation, warehousing, and inventory. You will learn about the different modes of transportation, how to design and set up a warehousing facility, and how to select the options that enable you to develop logistics networks that minimize costs and deliver top customer service.

See salaries and explore the career path for Logistics Engineer

Supply Chain Analyst

Supply Chain Analysts analyze and improve the efficiency of supply chains. This course provides a strong foundation in the three major building blocks of logistics networks: transportation, warehousing, and inventory. You will learn about the different modes of transportation, how to design and set up a warehousing facility, and how to select the options that enable you to develop logistics networks that minimize costs and deliver top customer service.

See salaries and explore the career path for Supply Chain Analyst

Transportation Manager

Transportation Managers oversee the movement of goods and people. This course provides a strong foundation in the three major building blocks of logistics networks: transportation, warehousing, and inventory. You will learn about the different modes of transportation, how to design and set up a warehousing facility, and how to select the options that enable you to develop logistics networks that minimize costs and deliver top customer service.

See salaries and explore the career path for Transportation Manager

Freight Broker

Freight Brokers arrange for the transportation of goods. This course provides a strong foundation in the three major building blocks of logistics networks: transportation, warehousing, and inventory. You will learn about the different modes of transportation, how to design and set up a warehousing facility, and how to select the options that enable you to develop logistics networks that minimize costs and deliver top customer service.

See salaries and explore the career path for Freight Broker

Procurement Manager

Procurement Managers oversee the purchasing of goods and services for an organization. This course may be useful for Procurement Managers who want to learn more about the logistics of transportation, warehousing, and inventory.

See salaries and explore the career path for Procurement Manager

Operations Manager

Operations Managers oversee the day-to-day operations of an organization. This course may be useful for Operations Managers who want to learn more about the logistics of transportation, warehousing, and inventory.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Project Manager

Project Managers plan and execute projects. This course may be useful for Project Managers who want to learn more about the logistics of transportation, warehousing, and inventory.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Reading list

We've selected 25 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Supply Chain Logistics.

Supply Chain Logistics Management

Save

This textbook provides a detailed look at the global supply chain, with a focus on the challenges and opportunities of managing logistics in a globalized economy.

Supply Chain Logistics

What's inside

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Solid introduction to logistics fundamentals

Activities

Career center

Reading list

Share

Similar courses