When there are few resources available, one solution that may be used is logistics. The importance of logistics was brought into sharp focus throughout both of the World Wars. In order to prevail in combat, all that was required was a steady supply of both soldiers and supplies. Because of the vast amount of study that has been done on logistics, this management subfield has developed into its own distinct subject.

Inventory management, storage, transportation, and distribution are all aspects of logistics that need a scientific approach. The primary goal is to facilitate the movement of products and services in such a way that it takes the fewest amount of resources feasible to get them from their points of production or origin to their final destinations.

In the United States, the logistics business is responsible for over $ 700 billion worth of annual sales. In terms of employment opportunities for recent college grads, it comes in second only to the government. The availability of more processing power and storage space has made it possible to develop software that can automatically analyze data and provide suggestions for actions that should be taken in the future.

Depending on the circumstances, a company has the option of either managing its own logistics or entering into a contract with a third-party supplier of logistics services. The majority of the time, the manufacturer will contract third-party organizations to handle product storage, shipping, and distribution on their behalf.