Logisticians have an impossible, but feasible task to design, optimize and permanently re-adjust a global utility function. The function embraces the customers' major interests, the functional enterprise's components and all the stakeholders.

The Essentials of Logistics and Management presents a broad spectrum of the knowledge required for a logistician's practice and for his contribution to the company's growth. The book is built upon a conceptual framework in which all stakes and themes of logistics should be analyzed in a systemic approach : customer relationship management, interactive information support, production optimization and process development, vision, strategy and operations management as well as human resources and resource allocation. All these aspects are critical for the logistical strategy.

The purpose is to bring the reader a methodology allowing him/her to use the critical factors embedded in the design of the strategy. The book combines both conceptual and practical illustrations. Transversal vision and detailed case studies highlight the main themes of modern logistics and daily preoccupations of logisticians. This book is a practical reference for all professionals of logistics : managers, planners and engineers as well as postgraduate students. It is based on the main topics taught at the International Institute for the Management of Logistics (IML).