Glossary

A storage area, usually near the loading or shipping operations, designed for large items and those handled by the palletload.

Cargo shipped loose, unpackaged, not in a container. Can be dry or liquid. Examples include coal, grain, sand, and oil.

See Bulk Cargo.

A small change at one end of the supply chain that results in an extreme change in another part of the supply chain. Also called the Whiplash Effect.

To fasten together a group of items for convenient handling.

Combining two or more pieces of cargo into one shipment unit or pricing the shipment of one or more items into one transaction price.

Negative cash flow, usually on a monthly basis. The speed in which cash reserves are spent, or needed, to cover the gap between income and expenses.

A computer program or package of programs created to solve a business problem or function.

A plan to minimize or recover from potential threats to a company such as natural disasters, labor unrest, cyber attacks, and unexpected changes in key personnel.

To plan and implement the efficient flow and storage of goods, services, and related information from origin to destination so as to meet customer requirements.

A method of using goals and metrics to monitor and improve performance. Key Performance Indicators (KPI's) are often used as part of a BPM plan.

A detailed written document that describes the objectives of a business, how the business will be organized, and how the business will achieve its goals.

The outsourcing of non-core internal functions to third parties.

Reviewing, rethinking, and redesigning business processes to achieve significant quality, cost, and service improvements.

A division or segment of an organization that produces revenue and is responsible for costs. It is generally treated as a separate profit-and-loss center.

B2B describes the market segment of companies that focus on selling products or services to other businesses through the internet (web).

Business-to-Consumer. Describes the market segment of companies that focus on selling products or services to consumers through the internet (web).

A business or person that purchases goods or services and agrees to payment terms for the goods or services.

How a potential buyer thinks and acts. The decision making process involved in analyzing and selecting a product or service.

See Cost and Freight (CFR).

An abbreviation for Capital Expenditure. A capital expenditure is an investment in physical assets such as machinery and buildings.

Computer-Aided Planned Stowage and Networking system.

Cargo Agents Reservation Air Waybill Issuance and Tracking.

U.S. federal government agency responsible for border management and control, including facilitating lawful trade.

Canada Border Services Agency.