Information logistics is organizing data flows that accompany material values in the process of their movement. It allows you to link supply, production and marketing. Information flows in logistics is a tool for managing the processes of movement and storage of products. Due to this, timely delivery of goods in the right quantity, specified equipment and the necessary quality is ensured at the lowest cost and optimal service.
general information
When analyzing the concept and classification of information flows in logistics, it is necessary to initially touch on the main elements. These include:
- Flow.
- System.
- Technology.
Information flows in logistics are transport arteries through which data goes to the control system, as well as from it. All necessary information must be received within the required time frame. For this, information logistics performs the following functions:
- Data collection.
- Analysis.
- Moving.
- Storage and storage.
- Filtering the data stream to select exactly what is needed in a particular case for a particular control level.
- Consolidation and separation of information.
- Performing elementary transformations.
- Data flow management.
And all this is carried out with information - a set of various information that exists and can be recorded, transmitted, transformed and used in the interests (or against them) of an economic object. Most often they are used to implement such management functions as planning, accounting, economic analysis and regulation.
What are they and what are they?
It should be noted that the material and information flow in logistics is closely related. So, the data circulating in logical systems allows you to manage and control the operations performed. At the same time, a large number of classification features are considered. So the types of information flows in logistics, depending on the direction of relations can be:
- Horizontal. Messages are transmitted through economic relations between partners of the same management level.
- Vertical. The message flows from the management to the subordinate links of the system.
Depending on the place of their passage:
- External The flow of messages goes in an environment external to the system.
- Internal A message flow circulates within the system.
Depending on the direction of travel:
- Input. The flow of messages is transmitted to the logical system itself or one of its constituent parts.
- Weekend. The flow of messages is transmitted outside the logical system or one of its constituent parts.
Depending on the degree of secrecy:
- Ordinary.
- Representing trade secrets.
- Containing state secrets.
Depending on the scope:
- Local.
- Nonresident.
- Distant.
- International
Here is a brief classification of information flows in logistics. But that's not all. When talking about the material and information flow in logistics, the degree of synchronization should also be indicated. For example, data can be ahead of, follow along with or after values. Moreover, these flows can be either directed in one direction or in opposite directions. There are such nuances:
- The leading information flow is a preliminary message on the arrival of the goods, which usually contains only information about the order.
- At the same time, information is provided on quantitative and qualitative characteristics.
- The data coming after the material flow are information about the results of the transfer of goods, confirmations, various claims and the like.
Features of information transfer
It should be noted that the paths along which the flows move may not coincide. In this case, the circulating information is affected by:
- The source of their occurrence.
- Direction of travel.
- Flow rate.
- The speed of reception and transmission.
In order to create high-quality information systems, it is necessary to study flows in the context of certain indicators. What does this mean in practice? Suppose we need to solve the problem of providing a workplace with computer equipment. At the same time, there is no data on how much information passes through it, and the processing speed of incoming information is not determined. To get an idea of the flows, you need to evaluate them using several characteristics:
- Sources of occurrence. Information can be created by both participants in logical circuits and related organizations.
- In the direction distinguish direct, indirect, horizontal and vertical. In the first case, it is assumed that the message contains requirements that must be fulfilled. Indirect is the transfer of data to familiarize yourself with a matter. Horizontal flows are created between participants at the same level, and vertical flows are created when managers and subordinates interact.
- The amount of data transfer. To account for it, several methods are used. The most popular involves determining the number of documents or sheets (pages) in the stream. In addition, the assessment is carried out in special units of computer systems. For small flows, the number of lines in the document or the words (letters) used can be used.
- Frequency, that is, how often the transmitted data is formed.
The interconnection of material and information flows in logistics is very close, and all necessary data must be transmitted on time, otherwise this entails a delay in the business processes.
Bureaucratic moments
All information flows with a documentary nature must go through the approval process. So, for example, planned messages are approved by the management of the enterprise and transmitted to the management of the workshops. Each document must be signed by a specific person. This is done to distinguish between the powers and responsibilities of individuals for specific sectors of activity. If there is no signature, the document is recognized as having no effect. It should be noted that if there are no problems with this, then questions arise about the validity and storage periods. This fully applies to informational messages. Some of them can be collected in packs, others are stored on electronic media.
Information flows and systems in logistics - to ensure material movements. It is optimal if all changes occur synchronously. But in practice, delivery often occurs before the necessary documents and vice versa. In the first case, the recipient is considered the custodian of the goods until all the papers have been received. But it is preferable to be ahead of the information flow rather than the material one. Its size is measured by the amount of information that is processed or transmitted in one unit of time. This is studied in more detail by cybernetics. The unit of measurement of information flow in logistics is a bit. If electronic computing technology is used, then byte is taken as the basis. It includes eight bits. Why so? The fact is that a byte is part of a machine word and is used as a whole when processing available information by an electronic computer. It should be remembered that in addition to logistics operations, others are also carried out that lead to the emergence and transmission of data flows.
Work example
So, we have more or less considered what information flows are in logistics. This is a good foundation, but not enough. To consolidate the information, another example should be considered. Input: there is a large grocery store. It has a significant cumulative information flow. Most of its volume (over 50%) is made up of data from suppliers. As a rule, these are documents that accompany the received goods. They form an incoming information stream. But logistic operations are not limited to this. There is also an in-store trading and technological process. It includes numerous logistics operations, which are constantly accompanied by the created and transmitted information intended for use within a commercial structure. Moreover, its share in the total volume is approximately 20%. In general, approximately 2/3 of all the data processed in the store is needed in order to ensure control and management of logistics operations.
Information flow research methods
The choice is quite large, therefore, you can choose exactly what you like best:
- The method of analysis of the norms of decision making. He is engaged in the study of external factors, personal characteristics of people, alternatives, selection criteria, stages of preparation and adoption, and so on. It involves the active use of charts and graphs.
- Module method. Used to analyze the existing structure of the information flow after applying other tools. So, in this case, it is supposed to draw up standard cards that are sent to the channels of interest. Thanks to him, you can get information about the amount of data, computing power, bandwidth. This approach is also used to identify duplication, determine the frequency and frequency of receipt of information and other quantitative / qualitative characteristics.
- Graphical method. The main elements here are the documents. The relations existing between them are depicted by means of a graphic diagram. The coordinate system is two-dimensional. Used to identify the moments of formation of documents, tracking their path, operations.
- Graphoanalytical method for studying data streams. It allows you to get information about the activities of the planning authority, indicates the types of transformations that are being carried out, their sequence, direction and address of movement. It is based on the construction of an information graph and the subsequent analysis of the adjacency matrix. Engaged in work with inputs, outputs and internal memory of the control system.
- Functional-operational analysis method. Designed to collect and process information. It has more functional purpose.
Different types of information flows in logistics, depending on the purpose, will be studied by various methods.
About Management
The concept of information flow in logistics will not be fully considered unless attention is paid to various aspects of management. Management in this case is divided into external and internal. It should be noted that the company is an independent entity with great freedom of action. Therefore, external control is limited to a certain set of situations. Its essence lies in the fact that the company either fell into a certain given situation, or carries out regulated behavior. External management is expressed in the transfer of information products, as well as the monitoring and control of behavior. But at the same time there is a very important specific point: the influence is not directed directly to a specific commercial structure, but to the information field of the whole sector. Internal management to a certain extent focuses on external. In this case, this assumes that the leader sets goals, predicts, plans, organizes, stimulates and motivates, regulates and controls, evaluates the quality of execution and interprets the results. Each of these steps requires a balanced management decision. This is facilitated by the logistics of information flow management, which is responsible for ensuring that all the necessary data is provided on time.
About Influence and Interweaving
Revealing the topic completely, it is simply impossible not to mention the information and financial flows of logistics. That is, monetary resources and their accompanying data movement. Their creation and placement is not consistent with the needs and desires of managers. Nevertheless, with their help, a basis is created for collecting primary financial information, which can be either momentary or time-delayed use. At the same time, the better cooperation between different flows is configured, the faster the data is transmitted to the desired recipients, the higher the competitiveness of the enterprise in the external environment. In this case, it is necessary to take into account information that comes from outside and is formed within the enterprise. Information flows in logistics - this is what can lead both to success and prosperity, and to the ruin of the enterprise. It is necessary to pay close attention to them. But at the same time, the question arises of their understanding and subsequent use.
So, in practice, a situation is very common where the recipient needs to have a certain amount of knowledge in order to successfully cope with the information load that flows provide. At the same time, training of specialists is constantly carried out, which is carried out by a constant change in the internal and external environment. It is carried out on the basis of acquired knowledge and skills within a certain range of possibilities. To expand it, most often specialists are sent to preparatory courses, although this can also be done individually.
Information Service Systems (SIO)
This is a convenient and functional method for improving the quality of management. Consider another example. Let's say we have information flows of transport logistics. At the same time, there are a large number of lanka, points of receipt and sending information. For example, customers may be asked to track shipments using the company’s website or mobile application. At the same time, drivers are noted in them where and what cargo was delivered (if several orders are delivered by one machine). That is, SIO allow you to obtain the required information with minimal cost. It also allows you to track the situation with the data used. So, if there are a lot of them, then they slow down the speed of access to storage and transfer, transfer, processing and removal. Therefore, all these points must also be worked out. It should be remembered that information service systems alone do not affect the quality of decisions made in the field of logistics. They only allow to simplify, facilitate and accelerate this process.
Conclusion
When working with information flows, the adequacy of the overall organization plays a large role. That is, documents should be received only by those people to whom they are intended, and not all. It would be desirable to separate them according to the level of priority. For example, a copy of the instructions for the device can not be sent, while an invoice for payment is a must. If you create an adequate structure of information flows, this will have a very good effect on the activities of the commercial structure and will make it easier to occupy your niche in the market.