Logistics can be traced from the Greeks and Romans, where "Logistikas" were in charge of financial and supply distribution in the military ("Logistics" para. 2). Logistics management developed into a business concept in the 1950s (para. 7), and has been evolving ever since.
While much of logistics management has remained the same - freight still needs to be physically hauled via train, truck, ship, or air to its final destination - how quickly the shipment is arranged, shipped, billed, and paid for has changed drastically, basically due to the internet.
Because of the capabilities available via the internet, someone can start a widget selling business in St. Louis, Missouri, for example, where they set up a website and accounts with vendors. An order comes to the business in St. Louis from Concrete, Washington. The St. Louis business orders the widget from their vendor and has it sent straight to the customer in Concrete, Washington, thereby bypassing any need for storage, or even a store front. A step is cut out of the normal process, making the delivery quicker and cheaper, as well.
Amazon has done this for many vendors. While Amazon has a storage facility, they are also getting into print on demand, or POD (Ali para. 2). Either way, a customer can order a book from Lulu (for the POD material) or Barnes and Noble (traditionally published), those two business contact Amazon, which is both storing books, and is POD capable. Amazon ships the material.
Another way the internet has impacted logistics management is in the shipping itself. Federal Express, United Parcel Service, and USPS all have software online so customers can figure their cost, print the label, and then click to have someone pick up the box that needs to be sent. This capability has greatly extended the reach of the small businessperson, as well as increased the productivity of big business.
In regards to larg...