How many times have you used supply chain in a statement when you mean to refer to logistics? Do you even consider that they could be different? You are not the only one who thinks this is confusing. Some professionals and blogs use these phrases interchangeably.

What is even more confusing is how in the United States, they use a different term to what they do in Europe, they use the term logistics management. It goes to show that they both mean the same thing, but this is not entirely right.

We’ll show you the major difference between supply chain and logistics in this article, so you can use them rightly.

Now, let’s have a look at the individual definitions.

What is Supply Chain?

A supply chain is the web of activities and businesses that transforms a product from its raw form to the end-users – the customers. This process is usually broad and would involve the use of  transport operations, and in some cases, sophisticated I.T. Some of these processes involve several distinct businesses that are linked together, while some involve a single company overseeing the diverse processing of its products.

An ideal supply chain will involve manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers, making it an entire vertical system of business. For example, one for coffee will start with farmers in Central America then move to the processing facilities that will process the product. When these facilities have packaged the coffee, the product moves to the distributors who transport it to the wholesalers. From the wholesalers, the product then moves to the retailers, coffee stores, and eventually the final consumers.

What is Logistics?

Logistics is the process of getting, moving, and storing resources along the supply chain. Simply put, it is the movement of goods from one point to another by performing the function of transportation and warehousing. This process can either be internal – within the company or external – from buyer to seller.

Finally, the process is looked at from a single company’s perspective. This means that it focuses on the movement of resources of a company both internally and to its customers.

What is Management?

Management deals with this process and how it operates. It is the optimization of the entire network – from the suppliers of the raw materials to the retailers of the finished products. The purpose of management is to ensure that the process is efficient through the smooth flow of products and information among the businesses along the process.

How Does Supply Chain Differ from Logistics?

From the definitions above, you can see that the two terms don’t mean the same thing. However, they supplement each other. Both processes exist to support the other. Now, let’s draw the line between supply chain and logistics via the following points:

• The supply chain links major business processes both within and across companies to form an effective business model, while logistics is the transportation and warehousing of goods and services, as well as the flow of information within and outside an organization.
• The process focuses majorly on gaining a competitive advantage, while the other simply facilitates meeting the requirements of the customers.
• Logistics is an ancient term originating from the military era, whereas this is a new term.
• Logistics is one of the activities that solidifies the supply chain.

Couples will commonly end up in two camps when designing their engagement party invitations.

The first group will be stressed and anxious about the process, trying to be perfectionists about the process or being concerned about cost.

The second group won’t have those inhibitions, enjoying the craft and creativity that these cards can showcase.

To fall into that second category, it is worthwhile embracing methods that are both fun and affordable.

1) Digital Templates

There is no better way to produce quality engagement party invitations that are entirely unique and customised than through free digital templates. A myriad of various websites and software programs will provide unique selections to meet the tastes of couples irrespective of their event location or theme. From traditional and classic to sleek and modern, sporting black and white to dense colour with all types of fonts, sizes and formatting choices, these programs empower couples to design a product that ticks all of the right boxes.

2) Recyclable Cardstock

There are a number of benefits to utilising recyclable cardstock for your own engagement party invitations. This is one of the most effective strategies of keeping logistical costs down, bypassing the glossy card collections that really increases the zeroes on the quote. It is also a way to create rustic traditional invitations that have a different look and feel to standard card copies. That texture is hard to achieve through other methods. Then there is the environment, ensuring that the couple is doing their bit to send out cherished cards to recipients without increasing their own carbon footprint in the process.

3) Online Invitations & RSVP Options

There are couples in 2020 who will bypass physical engagement party invitations altogether and simply opt for an email or social media design. While this does not have to be the strategy of choice, it does showcase what is possible for men and women who can direct their content to the recipients quickly and efficiently while keeping costs comfortably under control. Other couples will opt for a mix and match solution, sending out tangible cards to older constituents and sending out social media/email invitations to their younger peers. This is a great way of keeping costs down and providing more event information and additional RSVP options without having to condense the card any further.

4) Casual Wording

One of the domains in which couples can really get bogged down with their engagement party invitations is how they attempt to address their contemporaries. Especially for parents and older family members to young siblings and even colleagues, it can be hard to know what works best when switching between formal introductions (Mr., Mrs.) or just through a first name basis (e.g. Jack and Cassie). The best strategy in these instances is to stick with casual wording. It will allow everyone to be addressed universally, ensuring that the process can be less complicated and fast tracked.

5) Look For Seasonal Deals

For real fun and affordable ideas for engagement party invitations, it is always beneficial to be on the lookout for seasonal deals. This speaks to the cardstock selections that are available on the market and any potential engravings, embossing or envelope deals that can be scored during a particular window. Printers, post offices and news agencies are all outlets where these types of services are promoted, giving local constituents a chance to create their perfect set of invitations without having to break the bank in the process.

Engagement party invitations will be fun and affordable if couples decide to take note of these key tips. In 2020 there is every option to go digital or to stick with traditional printing methods, giving men and women the chance to get creative and leave a lasting impression for the recipients.

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