DHL Provides Integrated Logistics Solutions Services

DHL Provides Integrated Logistics Solutions Services

It is undeniable that DHL's remarkable achievements in international air express delivery have turned it into a global market leader. However, slowly but surely the company has evolved into a logistics service provider in response to the growing demand for logistic services from customers whose needs are becoming increasingly complex and sophisticated.

When it comes to total logistic solutions, there are few companies that offer services which are as comprehensive as DHL.

Leveraging its more than 30 years of experience in the express delivery business together with a global network that comprises not just physical infrastructure but also industry experts, DHL has evolved into a provider of integrated logistic solution services. Whether customers need express delivery, distribution or warehousing management service, DHL has it all.

"We have transformed ourselves from being an air express company delivering documents into an integrated logistics solutions provider that can handle anything from a letter through to a shipment of containers and providing all the necessary services in between. Because we are good at distribution, we are often asked by customers if we can maintain stocks for them or do local and international distribution and so on. This prompted us to be a logistic solution provider," said Alan Cassels, Senior Technical Advisor of PT Birotika Semesta/DHL Worldwide Express.

DHL's strong commitment to providing logistic solution services can be clearly seen in its establishment of seven global Express Logistics Centers (ELC) in Bahrain, Brisbane, Brussels, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, Miami and Singapore. Each of these ELCs is strategically located in or close to a DHL gateway or hub allowing for fast and efficient international distribution via the DHL network.

For Indonesian customers, taking advantage of DHL's ELC in Singapore is a sensible and logical move since it is less than 1.5 hour away from Jakarta. The center offer a wide range of logistics services such as inbound receipt services and verification of good inwards; inventory management, plus access to DHL's global inventory management; storage and warehousing management; order processing; pick and pack; preparation of all shipping documentation; special handling capabilities or full track, consolidation and deconsolidation.

By using the Singapore ELC, customers can benefit from integrated services that include express distribution, track and trace and system integration. DHL's complete logistics services include receiving shipments and storing them in DHL's center until they are ready for door-to- door distribution.

An alternative to using the Singapore ELC is for customers to hold inventory in this country. For this purpose, DHL operates a Strategic Parts Center (SPC) in Jakarta. This allows delivery of emergency spare parts to customers' engineers in as little as two hours or within any specific time limit agreed with the customer. So, instead of having to maintain and manage their own warehouse, customers can rent space and store emergency stock in DHL's SPC and have DHL do the delivery as and when required.

"The real added value that we offer to our customers is our ability to respond to the marketplace," said DHL's Technical Advisor for Global Customer Logistics, John Benschop. He added that in the case of warehousing, DHL is looking at managing supply chains from raw materials to finished products.

"Anyone can build a warehouse but meaningful logistics services can only come about if this is accompanied by the experience and ability to provide tailored solutions that fit perfectly with the customers' needs," he said. "The solutions we provide are supported by services such as the tracking of shipments via DHL's network so that customers know the exact status of their goods. We also have regional and international experts with the experience to provide industry-specific solutions to customers."

DHL aims at providing integrated solutions to customers to sharpen their competitive edges. These integrated solutions, also called Advantage Solutions are tailored to meet specific needs of different customers so that they can achieve the best possible cost-efficiencies. These solutions include Planned Production Support, Spare Parts, Direct Distribution, Repair Exchange, Good Samples, Financial Services, Strategic Inventory Management and Direct Express Inventory. On the Planned Production Support, for instance, the service provides just-in-time delivery of raw materials to support manufacturing processes with minimal or no inventory stock holding production. With this strategic solution, customers can reduce production cycles, increase efficiency through better control of materials flow, increase revenue and improve their cash flow.

DHL's transformation into a major logistics solution provider - especially for companies operating just in time- and mission- critical environments - is supported by state-of-the-art technology, dedicated and skilled personnel and years of experience in the air express delivery industry. Throw in DHL's existing infrastructure and extensive distribution networks and this adds up to a powerful set of global assets that can provide customized solutions regardless of the customer's size, needs or industry.

DHL began operating in Indonesia in 1973. Since 1982 its operations have been carried out through PT. Birotika Semesta/DHL Worldwide Express. Currently, it has 88 outlets spread across every major town and city throughout the archipelago, and five gateways (Jakarta, Medan, Denpasar, Batam and Balikpapan). To improve service and to be closer to its customers, DHL has six sales and operations centers in Jakarta located at Five Pillars, Grogol, Kelapa Gading, Tangerang and Cikarang. There is also a Gateway at Soekarno-Hatta airport Jakarta.

Providing the best logistics solution service is a top priority at DHL. Not surprisingly, the company puts a lot of emphasis on getting the right people and making sure they continue to develop the right skills through local and overseas training.

It has been said that "experience is the best teacher". DHL's years of experience has indeed taught its people valuable lessons in delivery and logistics management. The end result is a skilled pool of experienced and talented professionals who are able to develop and implement the best logistic solutions for their customers.