The document discusses various aspects of supply chain and logistics management. It explains that logistics is increasingly being viewed as a strategic function that can provide competitive advantage through efficient supply chain design and material flow organization. It then discusses the benefits of automated material handling systems over manual systems, including reduced costs, improved quality and safety. Finally, it defines Incoterms, listing several common terms like FOB, FCA, CFR and CIF, and explains the roles and obligations of buyers and sellers under each term.

1. SUPPLY CHAIN
SECTION –B JANUARY 2012
1. WHY HAS LOGISTICS RECENTLY BEEN RECEIVING MORE ATTENTION AS A STRATEGIC
FUNCTION OF THE ORGANIZATION?
Logistics has been receiving more attention as a strategic function of an organisation because more
and more, it is being viewed as an avenue for gaining competitive advantage over a firm¡¦s
competitors and less as simply a necessary passive tool that simply exists to support marketing
Old company organizational setup usually has 3 divisions, namely - Finance & Administration,
Marketing and Operations. Competing companies rivaled through marketing. Finance &
Administration and Operations still did what they normally did, but always for the better.
As the industry grew, companies learned that sales does not only come in through marketing.
Even the best quality products and can be out-sold by lower quality products even though the
better quality producer marketed better.
Sales will start materializing not from operations, but rather when the product reaches the client.
Advancing the competition, promptness of delivery became another factor for sales. So came
ordering lead-time vying also for the major factor. In total, these things can be called service
levels. Companies now are rated based on their service level.
So to give more focus on the service levels, Logistics is now emerging as another major division
in the company. Also taking the limelight currently……….
No matter the size of a business, the concern for logistics can help any effort
utilize the supply chain more efficiently by cutting costs when appropriate and
by avoiding waste of time and materials.
The two main functions of logistics can be described as designing supply chains and then
organising the flow of materials through them.
2. EXPLAIN THE FIVE PRINCIPLES OF EFFECTIVE VALUE CHAIN MANAGEMENT?

2. 3. COMPARE THE ADVANTAGES AND BENEFITS OF AUTOMATED MATERIAL HANDLING SYSTEM
WITH MANUAL SYSTEM?
Automation is rather more than a simple reduction of labor costs. Indeed, the most important aspect is
to completely eliminate manual handling and its inherent problems, thereby achieving high product
quality.
The benefits of an Automated Handling System (AHS) are:
Complete "from production line to shipping" automation process
Total elimination of manual handling, leading to dramatic and immediate improvement of product
quality
Safe and efficient product flow in a compact and fluid system configuration
Sharp reduction of labor costs guaranteeing prompt return on investment (3-4 years payback)
Considerable factory floor space gain
Clean, orderly, efficient production environment
Fully computerized operation affording real-time system control, comprehensive data processing
facilities, and just-in-time flexibility
Product traceability resulting in better customer service
Full compatibility with trend towards larger and heavier product units
High efficiency packing process
Last but not least: safe and physically effortless operation
4. WHAT IS MEANT BY INCOTERMS? LIST A FEW TERMS
Trade terms published by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) that are
commonly used in both international and domestic trade contracts.
Incoterms, short for "International Commercial Terms," are used to make
international trade easier by helping traders in different countries understand one
another
Incoterms are internationally recognized and thus help to prevent confusion in terms
of foreign trade contracts, by helping sellers and buyers understand their obligations
in any transaction.
To avoid conflicts and difficulties, importers and exporters – or buyers and sellers –
must have a common understanding of the terms and conditions under which they
trade. The latest issue was released in 2000, and the mention of “Incoterms 2000” in
a contract determines the obligations of the buyer and the seller and greatly
contributes towards eliminating causes of disagreement.
Incoterms not only describe seller’s and the buyer’s obligations and specify the point
when the responsibilities for the transportation costs shift from the seller to the

3. buyer; it also determines the point when the risks associated with transportation
transfer from the seller to the buyer.
`
FEW Incoterms include
“FOB” (Free on Board)
"FCA" (free carrier)
“CFR" (cost and freight),
"CIF" (Cost, Insurance and Freight).
 Free on Board (FOB) “Free on Board” means that the seller delivers when the
goods pass the ship’s rail at the named port of shipment. This means that the buyer
has to bear all costs and risks of loss or damage to the goods from that point. The
FOB term requires the seller to clear the goods for export. This term can be used
only for sea or inland waterway transport.
Seller must:
Prepare and pack the goods as required;
Deliver the goods on board the vessel designated by the contract;
Bear all costs and all risks of the goods until they have effectively passed ship’s rail;
Bear costs of counting, measuring, weighing;
Provide the buyer at the seller’s expense with the usual document of proof of
delivery.
Buyer must:
At own expense, reserve space on board a vessel and give all the required
instructions to the seller enabling it to deliver in time for shipment
Bear all expenses and risks of the goods from the time they have effectively passed
ship’srail;
Bear the cost of obtaining documents required for the export of the goods;
Pay demurrage incurred at the port of shipment unless the detention is attributable
to the seller;
 Free Carrier (FCA)
This term has been designed to meet the requirements of modern transport, particularly such
“multimodal” transport as container or “roll on-roll off” (RO/RO) traffic by trailers and ferries.
It is based on the same main principles as FOB except that the seller fulfills his obligations when
the goods are delivered into the custody of the carrier at the named point (and not loaded onto
any means of transport used for the main voyage).

4. “Free Carrier” means that the seller fulfills the obligation to deliver at the point when the goods
are handed over and cleared for export into the charge of the carrier named by the buyer at the
named place or point. If no precise point is indicated by the buyer, the seller may choose within
the place or range stipulated where the carrier shall take the goods into their charge. When, ac-
cording to commercial practice, the seller’s assistance is required in making the contract with
the carrier (such as in rail or air transport) the seller may act at the buyer’s risk and expense.
This term may be used for any mode of transport, including multimodal transport.
“Carrier” means any company who, in a contract of carriage, undertakes to perform or to
procure the performance of carriage by rail, road, sea, air, inland waterway or by a combination
of such modes. If the buyer instructs the seller to deliver the cargo to a person, e.g. a freight
forwarder who is not a “carrier”, the seller is deemed to have fulfilled his obligation to deliver
the goods when they are in the custody of that company.
“Transport terminal” means a railway terminal, a freight station, a container terminal or yard, a
multi-purpose cargo terminal or any similar receiving point.
 Cost and Freight (CFR) Port of Destination
Seller must:
Contract and pay for the carriage of the goods to the port of destination on a sea-going vessel,
by the usual route unless otherwise stipulated in the contract of sale;
Obtain and pay for a clean B/L (a through B/L) for the goods;
Prepare and pack the goods as required;
Bear the cost of checking, counting, weighing, measuring;
Bear the cost of obtaining documents required for the export of the goods, and the cost of
demurrage if any at the port of shipment;
Bear all risks of the goods until they have passed ship’s rail at the port of shipment;
Provide, at buyer’s expense, consular/certified invoices and/or certificates of origin and assist in
obtaining other documents upon request of the seller to procure;
Notify the buyer without delay of the shipment; and
Unless otherwise agreed, at seller’s own expense provide the buyer without delay with theusual
transport document for the agreed port of destination.
Buyer must:
Bear all risks of the goods from the time they have passed the ship’s rail at the port of shipment;
Bear costs incurred in obtaining documents such as consular/certified invoices, etc. (not the cost
of B/L);

5. Accept, as proof of payment of freight, B/L stamped “freight paid” or “freight prepaid”, and
arrange payment on receipt of documents in accordance with terms of contract, even before
actual arrival of goods at destinations;
Bear the cost of unloading, lighterage, dock charges at destination, as well as all further
expenses such as customs clearance, duties and taxes, etc.;
Except freight and bear extra expenses that may be incurred during the course of the carriage by
sea (by reason of emergencies, back freight, etc.); and
Bear cost of inspection when inspection is required
 Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF)
The respective duties of seller and buyer are the same as for CFR contracts, with the addition of the
insurance coverage.
The additional obligations are the following:
Seller must:
Contract at own expense with an insurance company, a transferable insurance coverage for the
risks, duration and journey specified in the contract of sale or accepted purchase order (NOTE:
it is advisable that buyer includes in the solicitation document and in the contract, a provision
for additional coverage at seller’s expense, i.e. Institute Cargo Clauses A); and
Provide the insurance policy or certificate together with B/L and other documents, for the
buyer to receive them in time for collection of the goods upon arrival. NOTE: the seller buys
insurance on behalf of the buyer.
Buyer must:
Bear supplementary expenses of insurance against risks requested that the seller cover, and
which were not included in the contract of sale; and
Do their work in connection with an insurance claim

6. 5. WHAT IS IATA? WHERE ARE THE ROLES OF IT IN THE AIR CARGO MANAGEMENT?
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is an international industry trade
group of airlines headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, Canada
ROLE OF IATA:-
To promote safe, regular and economic air transport for the benefit of peoples of the
world.
To achieve recognition of the importance of a healthy Air transport Industry to
worldwide, social and economic development.
To develop cost effective, environmentally friendly standards and procedured to
facilitate the operation of international air transport.
To provide high quality value for money, industry required products and services that
meet the needs of the customers.