Understanding Logistics

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According to Ghiani (2004), logistics can be defined as the planning and controlling of products and information in an organization. It aims at delivering materials to a given destination for another trying to optimize a particular measure and ensuring satisfaction of a particular set of constraints. These definitions can be simplified to mean the managing of the flow of goods as well as services from the point of manufacture to the point of consumption ensuring that the requirements of the consumer are observed. Activities under logistics include information integration, warehousing, packaging, inventory, security, transportation, as well as handling of materials. Logistics compliments supply chain by add value to place, as well as time utility.

Logistics are identified in different fields due to performance value. These fields include procurement, after sales, production, disposal, as well as distribution fields. This paper will identify the areas where organizations involve logistics as well as the essence of an effective logistics to an organization.

These fields of logistics determine specific activities. Procurement logistics involve make/buy decisions, supplier and other management, as well as market research. Production logistics’ key principle is to connect procurement to distribution logistics. This field of logistics determines the capacities of production under available resources in response to distribution logistics. Distribution logistics deal with delivering of finished goods to the consumer or rather customers. Its components include processing, warehousing, as well as transportation. This logistics is most essential since the time, place as well as quantity of production vary from the time, place, and quantity of consumption.

Today, logistics have been simplified through technological advancements. Complexities which hinder effective logistics management can now be visualized, modeled, optimized and analyzed through particular simulation software. These complexities have necessitated the use of this software. Successful businesses are using this software to case the work of logistics analysis and hence providing effective strategies of managing supply and demand. Problems in logistics majorly occur in organizations that engage in product delivery but they can also occur in firms producing services (Ghiani, 2004). Examples of this include garbage collection, after sales services, as well as mail delivery, among others. Maintenance and operational cost of logistics is another hindrance of its use. Research conducted in the United Stated in 1997 proved that organizations used 862 billion dollars as the total logistics expenditure. It is hence essential for organizations to understand how to minimize logistics cost (Rushton, 2000).

Reliability and sustainability are other factors which affect the efficiency of logistics. Reliable systems as well as equipment’s should be able to perform intended purpose for the identified period under stated conditions through effective logistics. Inefficient logistics will lead to a wrong probability on performance capabilities of systems hence causing massive losses. Reliability will thus project the probability of systems and equipment in an organization (Landford, 2006).

In conclusion, the main issue under logistics is deciding how and when raw goods and finished products will be shipped, transported, and stored. This unlike other operations management is most evident in modern societies. A logistics system comprised of facilities that have been corresponded to the transportation services. Facilities include locations where goods are processed, and they include manufacturing centers, distribution centers, transportation terminals, as well as dumpsites, just to mention a few. The transportation services move goods between the facilities.

The Aston Martin DB1 Sports Car

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The Aston Martin DB1 – A close look at this sports car including performance, technical data, features, comparing rivals, history, used prices

from Classic to Modern

THE CAR

The first sports car from Aston Martin appeared in 1914.

In 1939, the Aston Martin Atom, a two door, four seater coupe was introduced, powered by a 2 litre, four cylinder, SOHC engine, with two Zenith carburettors.

In the early 1940’s, this unit was replaced by a 2 litre, four cylinder, OHV engine, with two SU carburettors, and a compression ratio of 7.25:1.

Linked to a four speed semi-automatic gearbox, this developed 90 bhp at 4750 rpm.

There was independent front suspension, and leaf springs at the rear using Armstrong hydraulic shock absorbers. Production of the Atom ended in 1944.

In 1947, it was decided to design a new car but, by that time, the company was in financial difficulty, and required a cash injection.

History has it that when the industrialist David Brown drove the Atom in 1947, he was so impressed that he purchased the Aston Martin company, having already acquired the Lagonda company.

Using the Atom as a basis, David Brown felt that a convertible or drop head coupe variant, with long sweeping body styling, would be the most appropriate format for the production of the new car.

To withstand the additional stresses encountered by removing the roof section, the chassis would require additional strengthening.

Even though larger, alternative, six cylinder twin cam engines were available from Lagonda, it was decided to retain the same 2 litre unit, as used in the Atom, and fitted with a David Brown four speed, all-synchromesh, manual gearbox.

It had a steel body, with a highly distinctive three part grille, on a steel chassis, with a kerb weight of 1140 kg.

It used Girling 12 inch hydraulic drum brakes all round on 16 inch rims, with worm and roller steering.

An intriguing design feature was the presence of a compartment in one of the front wings in order to store the spare wheel.

The new sports car was designated the Two Litre Sports, and launched at the 1948 London Motor Show, when production would continue until the introduction of the DB2 in 1950, at which point the car would receive the alternative name of Aston Martin DB1.

Unfortunately, the presence of a heavy two seater, drophead-styled body, and an engine with only modest output, made for a car that was underpowered, which was reflected in the fact that only 13 units of the DB1 were built.

Furthermore, the chassis was only suitable for a limited production run, which meant that the car was expensive to produce, and hence not a profitable venture.

THE ASTON MARTIN SPA CONVERTIBLE

Prior to the launch of the DB1 sports car, it was decided that, as a means of thoroughly testing the chassis and engine, the car would be entered in the 1948 Belgian Spa 24 Hour race.

The existing body was replaced by a special version based on a small two seater convertible.

As a result, the car won the race outright, and was duly designated the Spa car.

After the race, this car was rebuilt, and displayed alongside the DB1 at the 1948 London Motor Show.

However, this single Spa Replica, as it was known, failed to produce sufficient interest to warrant actual production, and was subsequently exhibited at the Dutch Motor Museum.

COMPETITION

The market in which the Aston Martin was pitched included the following sports cars: Triumph 2000, Cisitalia 202 SMM Spider Nuvolari, Bristol 401, and Maserati A6.

This concludes my Aston Martin DB1 Sports Car Review.

Ballet Shoes – The Importance of Wearing the Right Ones

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The major reason which determines the purchase of the ballet shoes is comfort. Being a ballerina you always expect your feet movements to match with the theme of the dance and shoes are the major fact which influences it. If these are comfortable then the ballerina simply forgets the idea of wearing a shoe and concentrates more on her dance.

There are wide varieties of ballet shoes present in the market and it is often quite confusing to choose the ones which match your feet. Ballet shoes basically for foot support of the ballerina. If you are a beginner then go for the soft ballet shoes made up of leather, satin and canvas material made up of full sole or half sole. Full sole offers full support to the feet extending from the foot to the toe. Beginners are to wear the full sole shoes until their foot muscles are eligible to do the pointe step.

Pointe step is one of the important aspects of a ballet dance and one requires complete control over their legs to do this step. Through vigorous dance sessions and hard work the muscles present in the arch of the ballerina’s foot develops making it easy to do pointe steps. Now as the dancer advances to this stage they can wear split sole shoes. These set of shoes has a break between heel and ball of the foot and thereby brings in more flexible movements to the feet to bring in a stunning performance.

Performing pointe step indicates that there is good muscle and bone growth in the arch of the ballerina’s foot. During the dance and workout sessions often the shoes undergo a good amount of endurance causing wear. Hence it is important to choose the right fabric which is both light weight and resistant to wear. Ballet pointe shoes are available in leather and satin materials. Of the both leather is best as it offers good comfort and great resistance to wear. Maintenance is easy for leather shoes and also is more breathable. Satin is more delicate than leather shoes with the same features and if you prefer these set then use them during important stage performances. If you prefer for a cheaper purchase then go for satin shoes. Once you have decided the type of shoe and fabric then try wearing them on and the best ballet shoes is available in many leading stores, preferably choose the brands.

If you don’t find a good store nearby then shop online. Some portals are ready to offer discounts even for the branded ones and the only thing to do is to surf for them. Get the ballet shoes according to your foot size and there is also option of exchanging your shoe if you are not convinced or does not fit well.