Explain briefly the components of physical distribution.

Physical distribution refers to movement of products from the place of production to the place of consumption. The following are the components of physical distribution.

(i) Processing of Order: Processing of order comprises of a number of steps such as placement of order, transmission of the order by the intermediaries to the manufacturer, maintenance of inventory as per the requirement, delivery of goods, etc. As all such processes take time, a physical distribution system should be such that it should ensure speedy and proper order processing. Generally, there exists a direct relationship between speed and accuracy of order processing and customer satisfaction. Fast and accurate order processing results in greater consumer satisfaction.

(ii) Transportation of Products: Transportation of products refers to the physical movement of goods from the place where they are manufactured to the place where they are consumed. To make the goods physically available to the consumers they must be transported from the place of production to the place of consumption.

(iii) Warehousing: Warehousing refers to the process of storing the produced goods before the final act of sale. If a company has a larger number of warehouses, it will be able to readily provide the goods on time at different locations. However, maintaining warehouses involves its own cost. Thus, a company must weigh the relative benefits and costs associated with warehousing and maintain a balance between the two as per the requirement.

(iv) Maintenance of Inventory: The firms maintain inventory so as to ensure timely supply of products. Similar to warehousing, maintenance of inventory also shares a positive relation with customer service. However, maintenance of inventory involves a cost as a huge amount of capital remains tied up in the stock unless it is sold. Thus, the firms must strike a balance between customer service and cost.

The main components of physical distribution are as follows:

1. Order Processing If a firm takes more time to process the order, then the consumer remains dissatisfied. Therefore, order processing has to made faster by using information technology.

2. Inventory Control Inventories ensure the availability of the product as and when consumer demand arises. There are various factors that influence a firm decision regarding the level of inventory e.g., degree of accuracy of sales forecast, cost of blocking of the working capital, etc.

3. Warehousing It refers to the storage of goods from the time of production to the time of consumption, Warehousing is important as it creates time utility. 

4. Transportation It creates place utility, It refers to the carrying of raw materials or finished goods from one place to another, The most important thing to be kept in mind is that the value-added by transportation should be greater than the cost of transportation.