The word "LogisticsCentre" is used the most in Asia, but it is also used in Europe and America, but less. Most of them use "distribution center", which is called "distribution center" in China. In the west, "distribution center" is more commonly used than "logistics center".
Logistics center is a node of logistics network, which has a series of functions of logistics network nodes. Grasping the meaning, type, function and position of logistics center is the basis for carrying out logistics activities and guiding logistics operation and management relying on different levels of logistics facilities.
According to the national standard "Logistics Terminology", the definition of logistics center is: "A place or organization engaged in logistics activities should basically meet the following requirements: mainly serving the society; Perfect logistics function; Perfect information network; Large radiation range; Few varieties, large quantity; Powerful storage throughput; Unified management of logistics business. "
The term logistics center is an important concept frequently used by government departments, many industries and enterprises at different levels of logistics systematization, but people in different departments, industries and enterprises have different understandings of it. To sum up, the understanding of logistics center can be summarized as the following expressions.
(1) Logistics Center is an open comprehensive logistics business infrastructure for goods storage, transportation, packaging, loading and unloading based on the requirements of the national economic system. This kind of logistics center is usually organized and operated by the group, and is generally called social logistics center.
(2) The logistics center is a cargo distribution center established under the social logistics center in order to realize the systematization and high efficiency of logistics. This logistics center accepts a large number of various commodities from suppliers, carries out classification, packaging, warehousing, distribution processing and information processing, and completes distribution and delivery operations according to the requirements of many users.
(3) The logistics center is a large-scale logistics stronghold for organizing, connecting, regulating and managing logistics activities. Because there are many kinds of logistics bases, most of them can be regarded as warehouses to provide extended services in all aspects of logistics. In order to be different from the traditional concept of static warehouse management, a new logistics stronghold involving dynamic logistics management is called logistics center. In this sense, there are many logistics centers and they are widely distributed.
(4) The logistics center is a cargo distribution center that operates social logistics business based on the transportation hub. As the freight hub is a networked operation system composed of several freight stations, it is actually a node of the social logistics network. When they have the infrastructure, mobile equipment, communication equipment, control equipment, and the corresponding organizational structure and operation mode to realize logistics services such as ordering, consulting, delivery, packaging, warehousing, loading and unloading, transit, stowage and delivery, they have the conditions to become logistics centers. This kind of logistics center is also an important part of building a regional logistics system. (5) The international logistics center refers to a large-scale distribution place established by relying on international freight hubs (such as international ports) and engaged in logistics activities such as open goods storage, packaging, loading and unloading and transportation. International logistics center must realize the organic unity of logistics, business flow and information flow. The rapid development of contemporary electronic information technology can provide important technical support for the organic unification of the "third-rate" of international logistics centers, greatly reduce the number of documents and the cost of document processing, and improve the efficiency of "third-rate".
To sum up, in a more general sense, a logistics center can be understood as a logistics stronghold that is at a hub or an important position, has a relatively complete logistics link, and can realize the integrated operation of logistics distribution, information and control functions. It is of theoretical and practical significance to study the concept of logistics center in logistics systematization or logistics network system. The logistics system is divided into several levels. According to the different objects, scope, requirements and operating subjects of logistics systematization, the emphasis of applying its concepts is also different. In addition, social, economic, geographical, institutional and other factors may have an impact on the organizational design, formation and operation of logistics centers, so it is necessary to make further analysis of logistics centers.