Warehousing & Logistics Glossary
Navigate the world of commercial warehousing with confidence. Our comprehensive glossary explains key terms and concepts in warehousing, logistics, and supply chain management—from cross-docking and transloading to inventory management and order fulfillment. Whether you're new to third-party logistics or an experienced logistics professional, this resource helps you understand the terminology behind the services we offer at our 77,760 square-foot Eugene facility.
A
- Automated Storage and Retrieval System technology
- Computer-controlled systems for automatically placing and retrieving loads from defined storage locations.
B
- Backhaul logistics
- The return trip of a transportation vehicle after delivering a load, ideally with cargo to maximize efficiency.
- Bill of Lading logistics
- A legal document issued by a carrier to a shipper that details the type, quantity, and destination of goods being carried.
C
- Cold Chain Logistics logistics
- Temperature-controlled supply chain for perishable products requiring specific temperature ranges from production to consumption.
- Cross-Docking logistics
- A logistics strategy where goods are transferred directly from inbound to outbound transportation with minimal storage time.
- Cycle Counting operations
- An inventory auditing procedure where a small subset of inventory is counted on a specific day, ensuring all inventory is audited over time.
D
- Deadhead logistics
- A truck traveling without any cargo, generating no revenue while incurring operational costs.
- Demurrage finance
- Charges applied when cargo containers or railcars are not unloaded and returned within the allotted free time.
- Dock Scheduling operations
- The process of managing and coordinating the arrival and departure of trucks at warehouse loading docks.
- Drayage logistics
- The transportation of goods over a short distance, typically from a port or rail terminal to a warehouse.
E
- Electronic Data Interchange technology
- Computer-to-computer exchange of business documents in a standard electronic format between business partners.
F
- Floor Loading operations
- The practice of loading goods directly onto the floor of a trailer or container without pallets.
- Freight Forwarding logistics
- A service used by companies that deal in international or multi-national import and export to arrange shipments for goods from manufacturer to market.
- FTL Shipping logistics
- Full truckload shipping where an entire truck trailer is dedicated to a single shipper's cargo.
I
- Intermodal Transportation logistics
- The use of two or more modes of transportation (truck, rail, ship) to move freight from origin to destination.
- Inventory Management operations
- The supervision of non-capitalized assets (inventory) and stock items from manufacturers to warehouses to retailers.
L
- Last Mile Delivery logistics
- The final step in the delivery process where goods are transported from a distribution center to the end customer.
- Lean Manufacturing manufacturing
- A methodology that focuses on minimizing waste within manufacturing systems while simultaneously maximizing productivity.
- Lot Traceability operations
- The ability to track and trace products by batch or lot number through the supply chain for quality and safety purposes.
- LTL Shipping logistics
- Less-than-truckload shipping where multiple shippers share space on the same truck, each paying for only their portion.
- Lumper Service operations
- Third-party workers hired to load or unload freight at warehouses and distribution centers.
N
- NMFC Classification logistics
- A standard freight classification system used to determine LTL shipping rates based on product characteristics.
P
- Parcel Shipping logistics
- Small package delivery typically handled by carriers like UPS, FedEx, or USPS for packages under 150 pounds.
- Pick-to-Light technology
- An order fulfillment system using lights and LEDs to direct operators to pick locations and quantities.
S
- SKU operations
- A unique identifier assigned to each distinct product and service that can be purchased, used to track inventory.
- Slotting Optimization operations
- The process of organizing inventory in a warehouse to maximize operational efficiency based on product characteristics and demand.
- Supply Chain Management management
- The management of the flow of goods and services from raw materials to final products delivered to consumers.
T
- Third-Party Logistics (3PL) logistics
- The use of an external company to handle all or part of a company's logistics and distribution services.
W
- Warehouse Management System technology
- Software application designed to support and optimize warehouse functionality and distribution center management.
- Warehousing operations
- The storage of goods in a warehouse before they are sold, distributed, or consumed.
Stay Informed
The warehousing and logistics industry continually evolves with new technologies, regulatory changes, and best practices. We update this glossary regularly to reflect current industry standards and emerging trends in supply chain management. For questions about specific warehousing terms or to learn how EWStorage's services can optimize your logistics operations, call us at (541) 626-6426 or email info@ewstorage.com.
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