What is the relation in logistics?
In logistics, a relation describes a specific area to which a shipment is sent. Relations are mainly used in large distribution centers. If new goods and merchandise arrive there directly from a shipper or another logistics center, they are then reallocated according to their destination relations.
Each area is divided into both a coarse relation and a fine relation. For example, the coarse relation can be a city, while the fine relation describes a specific truck route. Although the relations are company-specific, they apply to almost all of them:
- They refer to postal codes
- You reproduce a tour number
Relations - An example
A shipment is picked up by the shipper and is delivered to a distribution center with destination relation 145. There, the shipment is bundled with all other shipments that have rough relation 1 and prepared for goods issue.
The 145 here stands for:
- 1 (coarse relation) = Berlin
- 45 (fine relation) = Neukölln tour number 45
Now the shipment can be picked up and transported with all other shipments destined for Berlin. Once it arrives at the Berlin distribution center, it is transported on Tour 45 to Neukölln.