3PL
Third-party-logistics companies provide outsourcing for logistics services including inventory storage and management, order fulfillment, and shipping and transportation.
BOL
A bill of lading is a detailed list of a shipment of goods in the form of a receipt given by the carrier to the person consigning the goods.
Carrier
A company that transports goods by land, sea, and/or air.
Consignee
In a contract of transportation, the consignee is the entity who is financially responsible for receiving the shipment, usually the buyer.
Consigner
In a contract of transportation, the consignor is the person or entity sending a shipment to be delivered. Carriers often refer to this as the “sender” or “shipper”.
DIM
Abbreviation for dimensional weight. DIM weight is the weight of a package based on its size rather than its “actual weight”. Some carriers, such as UPS, FedEx, and USPS calculate a DIM weight for their services. They will then charge the greater of the actual scale weight or the DIM weight for shipping.
EDI
Electronic Data Interchange is the electronic exchange of business information using a standardized format, allowing one company to send information to another company electronically instead of by paper.
First Mile
The movement of products from a production facility to a courier or logistics company managing the delivery to the end user.
FTL
Also called TL, full truckload (FTL) shipments take up the space or weight limit of an entire trailer.
Gross Weight
The total weight of a load. In shipping, this includes the product being shipped as well as the packaging.
Interline
Refers to the transport of goods synchronized between two or more transportation carriers.
Intermodal
The use of two modes of freight, such as air and truck, to transport cargo.
Inventory Allocated
Inventory that has been designated to fulfill open orders.
Inventory Available
The total amount of an item available for use or sale. This does not include the amount of inventory that is already allocated for fulfillment for pending orders.
Inventory Management Software
A software tool that allows tracking of goods across your business’s supply chain. It optimizes the entire process from order placement with a vendor to order delivery to the customer, providing a map of the complete product journey.
Inventory On Hand
Also referred to as stock on hand. This is the usable stock in inventory at any particular point in time.
Kit / Kitting
Process where separate SKUs are combined in a package to create one new SKU that is shipped as a unit.
Last Mile
The movement of products from a transportation hub to the final delivery destination, typically a personal residence or place of business.
Linehaul
Linehaul refers to the movement of freight between distant destinations of any volume, from small documents to heavy pallets, with any mode of transport by land, air, or water.
LTL
Less-than-truckload is a shipping service for relatively small quantities of freight, typically offered by large parcel services as well as logistic providers.
Net Weight
The net weight is the weight of goods being shipped without any packaging, just the goods themselves.
Pack
Placing picked inventory into boxes or envelopes addressed to specific customers for shipment.
Picking
Collecting individual items in a specified quantity from master cartons on warehouse shelves before shipment to satisfy customers’ orders.
POD
A proof of delivery is a document signed by the recipient of an order to confirm the delivery of goods.
Receiving
The process a warehouse goes through when receiving an order to replenish stock involving checking the quantity and condition of incoming inventory followed by its proper storage.
Return Processing
Sometimes called reverse logistics. Return processing is the process of moving materials back from their consumer destination to their distributor or manufacturer in order to use them for redistribution or to dispose of them properly.
SKU
A stock-keeping-unit (SKU) is a unique identifier or code that refers to a distinct item for sale.
TL
Also called FTL, full truckload (TL) shipments take up the space or weight limit of an entire trailer.
TMS
A transportation management system (TMS) is a platform that uses technology to help businesses plan and optimize the physical movement of goods, incoming and outgoing, and making sure shipments are compliant.
WMD
A warehouse management system. This is a software system designed to support and optimize warehouse functionality and distribution.
