Gartner Research

Managing Inbound Logistics to Improve Supply Chain Performance

Published: 06 June 2011

ID: G00213245

Analyst(s): Greg Aimi

Summary

Managing inbound transportation not only helps companies reduce total transportation costs, but also achieve supply chain improvements beyond logistics. This research shows how companies approach the problem, tackle the challenges and implement an inbound logistics execution program.

Table Of Contents
  • Overview

Analysis

  • Understanding the Opportunity
  • Assessing Which Inbound Freight to Control and Changing the Freight Terms
    • Taking Over Inbound Transportation Isn't an All-or-Nothing Decision
    • Sometimes Suppliers Are More Efficient or Effective Than Their Customers
    • Cost Is Not the Only Factor to Consider When Taking Over Supplier Freight
  • You've Got the Terms — Now What?
  • Developing and Executing an Effective Inbound Logistics Program
    • Routing Guides Are Easier to Implement
    • Dynamic Routing Is Harder to Do, but Provides More Benefit
    • Process Steps for the Dynamic Routing Approach
    • Onboarding Suppliers Has Its Challenges, but the Suppliers Surprisingly Like the Program
    • Baseline Costs Are Required If You Want to Show the Benefits of the Program
  • Additional Initiatives Providing Further Supply Chain Improvements
  • Closing Comments

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