第三方物流 Third-Party Logistics
A third-party logistics provider (abbreviated 3PL) is a firm that provides outsourced or "third party" logistics services to companies for part, or sometimes all of their supply chain management function. Third party logistics providers typically specialize in integrated warehousing and transportation services that can be scaled and customized to customer’s needs based on market conditions and the demands and delivery service requirements for their products and materials.
Types of 3PL providers
Hertz and Alfredsson (2003) describe four categories of 3PL providers:[1]
Standard 3PL provider: this is the most basic form of a 3PL provider. They would perform activities such as, pick and pack, warehousing, and distribution (business) – the most basic functions of logistics. For a majority of these firms, the 3PL function is not their main activity.
Service developer: this type of 3PL provider will offer their customers advanced value-added services such as: tracking and tracing, cross-docking, specific packaging, or providing a unique security system. A solid IT foundation and a focus on economies of scale and scope will enable this type of 3PL provider to perform these types of tasks.
The customer adapter: this type of 3PL provider comes in at the request of the customer and essentially takes over complete control of the company’s logistics activities. The 3PL provider improves the logistics dramatically, but do not develop a new service. The customer base for this type of 3PL provider is typically quite small.
The customer developer: this is the highest level that a 3PL provider can attain with respect to its processes and activities. This occurs when the 3PL provider integrates itself with the customer and takes over their entire logistics function. These providers will have few customers, but will perform extensive and detailed tasks for them.
[edit] Non Asset-based Logistics Providers
This 3PL performs duties such as quoting, booking, routing, and auditing, but doesn't need to own warehousing facilities, vehicles, aircraft, or any other transportation assets. This type of 3PL may possess only desks, computers, and freight industry expertise.
To be useful, this type of provider must show its customers a benefit in financial and operational terms by leveraging exceptional expertise and ability in the areas of operations, negotiations, and customer service in a way that complements its customers' preexisting physical assets.
[edit] On-Demand Transportation
On-Demand Transportation is a relatively new term coined by 3PL providers to describe their brokerage, ad-hoc, and "flyer" service offerings.
On-Demand Transportation has become a mandatory capability for today's successful 3PL providers in offering client specific solutions to supply chain needs.
These shipments do not usually move under the "lowest rate wins" scenario and can be very profitable to the 3PL that wins the business. The cost quoted to customers for On-Demand services are based on specific circumstances and availability and can differ greatly from normal "published" rates.
On-Demand Transportation is a niche that continues to grow and evolve within the 3PL industry.
Specific modes of transport which may be subject to the on-demand model include (but are not limited to) the following:
FTL, or Full Truck Load
Hotshot (direct, exclusive courier)
Next Flight Out, sometimes also referred to as Best Flight Out (commercial airline shipping)
International Expedited
[edit] Fourth-party logistics
Fourth-party logistics (4PL), Lead Logistics Provider or 4th Party Logistics, is a term coined by global consulting firm Accenture:
“ A 4PL is an integrator that assembles the resources, capabilities, and technology of its own organization and other organizations to design, supply chain solutions. ”
of their supply chain management function. A 4PL uses a 3PL to supply service to customers, owning only computer systems and intellectual capital.[2]
It has been argued that a 4PL is the same thing as a Non Asset-Based 3PL.
第三方物流(Third-Party logistics,3PL)，也称作委外物流(logistics outsourcing) 或是合约物流(contract logistics),第三方物流一直是物流和供应练管理中最容易被误解的名词。
第三方物流目前没有公认的定义，不过原则在於，某"专门公司"提供另一家公司(比方说制造商)一项或多项的物流功能。 (如仓储、对外运输)知名的第三方物流供应商包DanzasAEI、Exel Logistics、Menlo Logistics、Penske Logistics等...
第三方物流公司需具备下列几点： 1.与使用者之间备有正式的合约，期限至少一年 2.强调双方关系式，而非交易式。 3.强调双方的利益以及客制化的可行性。 4.与客户维持长期的关系。 5.会主动寻求可能的政策和实务
物流系统也可像互联网般，促进全球化。在贸易上，若要更进一步与世界连系，就得靠良好的物流管理系统。我们手上的商品很多是『游历』各国后才来到的。原料可能来自泰国，加工可能在新加坡，生产却在台湾，最后才入口到美国。产品的「游历」路线就是由物流师决定，目标就是要快且低开销。物流师 (Logistician）即是负责物流系统管理的专才。物流师就是一个专家，地位与会计师、律师、医生或工程师同等。