The word "logistics" has many applications however only one intrinsic meaning. The word itself is a plural noun that can be treated as both singular and plural. The Oxford English Dictionary defines logistics as "the detailed organization and implementation of a complex operation". From this one definition two individual meanings can be derived, the former of these two involves organisation of the movement of equipment or people for a purpose. An example of this could be logistics within the army, where the logistics of moving troops needs to be addressed for an attack to be carried out effectively. The second is probably the more commonly used of the two meanings and it relates to the commercial activity of transporting goods to customers. UPS (United Parcel Service) who are one of the world's largest packaging and logistics company have recently had an advertising campaign based around the slogan "We ? Logistics". Many of their adverts show different parts of their shipping and distribution lines, demonstrating the wide variety of things that the term "logistics" can refer to. Ranging from packing in a factory to shipping on container ships or cargo flights.
The word logistics has its origins in Greek, coming from the word "logistiki" to mean financial organisation or accounting. It was originally used to mean military movement, and there was a position in the Roman, Greek and Byzantine armies with the title of Logistikas who had the role of organising financial matters in the army and distributing supplies. Later the term became used for the movement of raw materials.
The word logistics has its origins in Greek, coming from the word "logistiki" to mean financial organisation or accounting. It was originally used to mean military movement, and there was a position in the Roman, Greek and Byzantine armies with the title of Logistikas who had the role of organising financial matters in the army and distributing supplies. Later the term became used for the movement of raw materials.
