Aim
The course provides basic knowledge about the logistics system within a company, i.e. approaches and principles used to plan, organize, coordinate, develop, control and manage the flow of material from supplier through the company to its customers. In addition, the course provides an overview of the flow of information that is related to the physical flows, and gives the student awareness of how logistics can affect results and profitability within an organization. Furthermore, the course gives the student fundamental skills in analyzing, designing and selecting logistic solutions for the manufacturing company. The student will be able to identify and understand the problems (and possibilities!) that are common in logistics. The course will develop the students’ holistic view of operations at companies and will, hopefully, contribute to a lasting interest in logistics issues.

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

• have acquired a comprehensive view of logistics and the logistics system

• have acquired knowledge about the role logistics play in the company with an emphasis on both structure and on-going business

• independently provide details about logistics terminology

• independently use common logistics methods and models

Skills and abilities
For a passing grade the student must

• have the ability to identify, describe and analyse the materials and information flow within the company

• have the basic skills to analyse and assess how logistics changes affect the company's profitability

• have gained self-confidence and sufficient knowledge to master the basics of logistics

• have gained a general view in order to choose more extensive logistics courses

• be cognizant of the possibilities of logistics

• be able to use engineering methods to analyse a logistics system

• be able to pass both an oral and a written examination and have the ability to discuss one's own as well as other students' analyses

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

• be able to apply critical and creative thinking and, hopefully, acquire a lasting interest in logistics. The student should have obtained a professional attitude towards a firm's logistical challenges and opportunities.

Contents
The course consists of three parts: The Logistics System, Logistics Tools and The Possibilities of Logistics. The first part contains topics such as ”what is logistics”, parts of the logistics system, logistics activities and basic planning and controlling of flows within a company. The second part of the course covers various methods for analyzing the current state of the company, lead time analysis, basic inventory control, classification and segmentation of products and customers, and the total cost concept.

The final part of the course deals with logistics development and contains, among other things, holistic view, purchasing, structural changes and supply chains.

Literature
Jonsson, P. & Mattsson S.A.: Läran om effektiva materialflöden. Studentlitteratur 2005. ISBN 9789144041827.