This section mainly emphasizes on the interpersonal and interfunctional synchronization between the logistics and the three core areas namely the production, marketing and the finance. The finished product requires achievement of raw materials, parts and components that sets off and influences the purchasing behavior and the activities (Slack, 2015.

The quantity of the incoming resources and parts obtained by purchasing is often influential in determining the quality if the finished product regarding sales and distribution. In this case, with reference to the logistics, the production and the supply chain of Apple is exceptionally strong. The reason for this is Apple chooses to focus in developing the hardware, software and the connected digital services rather than just focusing in one aspect. This helps in providing an unparalleled user experience, allowing Apple to capture higher boundaries in terms of its products and services. Frequently the equipment that are used in production are exclusive in nature due to the special contracts or because Apple is large enough for a accumulation for the machines and equipments becomes extremely long.

Apple makes itself exceptional in terms of production since it asks its supplier for a price quote and a detailed accounting for how the manufacturer would meet the quote, which includes the labor, material charge and the projected profit. The suppliers can be probably hit with a penalty concerning about the quality related issues and the warranty claims.

On the brighter side, owing to this strategy Apple does not gets demand predictions for new products and they have a section of loyal clientele who are willing to wait for the new products. This is tremendously decisive in creating huge marketing buzz (Chandler & Werther, 2013). In terms of logistics with the production, Apple works in confidentiality in terms of the supply of the key element and in particular the tailored components that are being used to protect the distinctiveness of the products in order to avoid outflow.

The main objective of this technique is to protect the design and ensure an enormous marketing sensation when the product in reality hits the market. In this manner, Logistic management is interconnected with the marketing strategy of Apple (Eden & Ackermann, 2013).

Theoretically, Logistics and finance of any organization are completely unlike sides, where logistics is an entirely customer centralized management whereas the finance is the management that does not believe in blocking the flow of cash through creditability and inventory.

Apple has made a status through its management and logistics so almost certainly the finance management would not be much affected by the Logistics management due to the brand name it has earned through marketing and manufacturing quality (Hill, Jones & Schilling, 2014). Apple has always maintained its stand by the worthy pricing of its products and the customers are also keen to purchase its products at any price tag and administer the favorable cash flow by its well maintained management and pricing strategies (Chen, Li, & Zhou, 2012).

From the point of view of cost efficiency, with an effort to subordinate logistics operating expense by consolidating smaller consignment and using a slower mode of hauling would amplify the lead-time and accordingly augment the inventory incurring costs. This would in turn injure the client services due to the delayed delivery. Therefore, it can be justified that the modification in logistics behavior directly influences the efficiency and competence of production and marketing. In particular, logistics are closely related to marketing through their involvement in client services.

Order cycle

The cluster of the distribution network has been formulated in such a approach that the warehouses and the retail store of Apple get enough supply to meet soaring levels of order at times. The stocking up of the inventory in the retail stores in a 24 hours window foster an proficient technique of eliminating the out of stock crisis in the retail outlets. Apple obtains the key resources from its vendors and transports the components to the manufacturing plant in China that carries out assembling actions (Mangan & Lalwani, 2016).

On receiving orders from the customers, Apple ships and delivers the product straight to the clients. The idea or concept of supplying through online portal is about quicker delivery of the products to the customers who are not able to reach out to the retails stores. In order to help perform better in terms of supplying its products, Apple has invested heavily in websites, to facilitate in this technique of easier availability.

Apple is questionably one of the best companies in terms supply chain management (Stadtler, 2015). Apple makes every promising attempt to deliver its products to the customers who order their products via online. This process is facilitated by one click feature that has been integrated by Apple. Customers who are ordering their products via online can avail the mentioned facility by signing into the Apple account that is necessary to be created. This feature needs to be activated and the selection of the desired product to be made, then in order to purchase click the “Buy with one click” option.  With no valid Apple account in existence, the customers cannot avail this special and rapid facility.

Apple tries to make its order dispensation in time and prompt and in spite of that, it faces repercussion due to weighty ordering and climax times surrounded by holidays that results in the delay. Apple makes every probable exertion to transport its products to the customers in time, to uphold a excellent relation with the customers. Even though the lead-time of the delivery is provided at the time of ordering, the delivery time may vary depending upon the stocks and availability of the products. To make the process efficient, the customers are appropriately informed about every step of processing and progress in the order (Tayur, Ganeshan & Magazine, 2012).

One of the major backfires that Apple face is disruption of the online order supplying system. This incident usually takes place due to the failing of the AT&T’s online system due to congestion, account security breaches and due to the fluctuations in the server. This usually results in a total pandemonium where the orders cannot be taken online, thus disrupting the entire order processing system.

The order processing systems can be enhanced by dividing the servers through which the order process can be channeled instead of one central server, which can be venerable to unethical hacking and viral attacks. System crashes can be rectified with periodic debugging measures and creating an extra-secured platform. Rapid system of order dispensation and delivery can be facilitated by maintaining an excellent and vital connection with the suppliers. Proper action and efficient measures must be taken after the products have been supplied to the clientele to maintain a fine after sales report and a excellent relationship with the patrons (Goddard et al., 2012). Improvising older dispensation systems are essential to increase the efficiency of the company.

Inventory management

The crucial key to accomplishment of Apple is its inventory management. Apple has created a vast range of products and devices that were meant for diverse purposes. Some of the inventories include the ipad, Mac book, Mac book pro, I phone, smart covers and much more. Even though some of the products did not stand a possibility to thrive itself in the global market, yet it left its mark in the course.

The principle motto of Apple is to believe that humans and technological innovations are indivisible. In order to accomplish such a goal Apple emphasizes and takes an unlikely approach, the implementation of new innovative marketing methodology to set its mark in the global market. Apple applies the design concepts in an inventive way that is influential in determining the appearance of all the devices underneath the same brand. This concept focuses on the brand significance that is attained through the user orientation as Apple believes and follows the same value up to date.

Apple’s furtive to triumph lies with the sophistication of its inventories. Apart from meeting the customer demands, the performance of the company depends on the ability to create user-friendly interface that are demanded by the consumers (Osterwalder et al., 2014).

Apple in the current period has cut down its inventories, the reason being, inventories are depreciates quickly and tends to drop about 1% to 2% every week. The present CEO of Apple, Tim Cook adopted the similar tactic to cut down the inventories in order to help achieve better in the market struggle and slash down the warehouse cost (Myerson, 2012).

The theory at the back is to maintain the stocks at a lower rate. This is beneficial since the technology manufacturers cannot afford to keep many products in stock due to the highly competitive nature of the technology industry (Hitt, Ireland & Hoskisson, 2012). An innovation from a competitor organization can alter the dynamics of the entire industry and bring down the value of products in inventory.

Apple has one of the most flourishing inventories in the electronics industry. In order to achieve such the majority of the warehouses have been shut down. Almost ten warehouses have been locked out with only nine remaining. With the lesser number of warehouses and high number of key suppliers,

Apple was able to maintain a good strategic rapport with its vendors (Lambert & Schwieterman, 2012). This tactic has been used to make the company leaner by cutting the extra incurring expenses and plummeting the inventory overstocks, by keeping in mind the expiry date of the products. Keeping the inventories lesser ensure the entire selling of the goods without any depletion (Coelho & Laporte 2014).

The efficient ways to boost production is to reduce the inventory days and lesser number of days to sell out its products. This is achievable by having only one central warehouse with most of the inventory limited in the retail outlets. By taking the advantage of drop shipping or directly transporting the products from the producer to the consumer, online purchase can efficiently trim down the transport cost along with the depletion and the storage cost.

Conclusion

With the help of this report, the principles and theories of Logistics and Supply management are used to rationalize the tactic that is adopted by Apple.Inc in terms of Logistics, its production marketing, finance, order cycle, supply and the inventory management thus enhancing its productivity in the global electronics market. Apple productively administers the principles and strategies to influence the production, marketing, distribution and financial divisions. Apple maintains its manufacturing quality by controlling the supplies and the superiority of the parts  that are being used in the gadgets, making it so unique and esteemed. Apple’s concept of maintaining uncertainty in terms of its products manufacturing is one of the sturdy marketing strategies, helping it maintain a anonymity and eagerness among it loyal set of patrons. The burly logistics management is influential in the never-ending flow of cash despite the fact that Logistics and Finance management are two different ends within the same organization. The logistics and the brand status do the work of amplifying the selling of the products. The supply management of Apple is one of the paramount features and in spite of that, the order processing system of Apple face major backlash due to uncertain factors like crashing and corruption of online ordering systems, hacking and faulty network servers, improper order placed, overdue in deliverance due to unavailability of products. Clashing of the lead-time with holidays is also one of the factors of delayed delivery of the products. Apple has one of the strongest inventory management that is channeled through tactical development of invariable innovation and efficient diminution of the transportation cost, stockroom-incurring cost and effective reduction in product depletion due to over stocking. These factors are influential in an even revenue making.

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