UNIQUE SERIES AKTU Syllabus
BMLS404

Warehouse Automation and Advance Logistics

L-T-P3-0-0 Credits3 Session2025-26 TypeTheory
Appears in 1 semester

MBA Logistics & Supply Chain Management · Sem 4 (Core)

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Syllabus

5 units · 36 lecture hours
Unit1

Unit 1: Warehouse Management

8 hrs

Importance of Warehousing and Warehousing Functions, Types of Warehouses, Specialized Warehouse Services, Developing Warehouse Strategies, Establishing Warehouse Standards, Receiving and Stocking, Order Picking and Shipping. Sizing the Warehouse, Warehouse Layout, Stocking Inventory in Warehouse Locations. Warehouse Automation: Introduction to Robotics and AI in Warehouse Management, Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS), Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), Drones in Warehousing. Warehouse Management and Environmental Sustainability, Today’s Warehouse Challenges. Case Studies and Latest Updates.

Unit2

Unit 2: Warehouse Management Process

6 hrs

Receiving and Put Away, Picking Strategies and Equipment, Order Pick Methods, Replenishment, Stock Counting, Cycle Counting, Return Processing and Dispatch, Documentations. Integration of Automation Tools in Warehouse Operations. Case Studies and Latest Updates.

Unit3

Unit 3: Warehouse Costs and Performance Management

8 hrs

Types of Costs in Warehousing, Return on Investment, Traditional vs Activity-Based Costing, Logistics Charging Methods, Selecting Right Performance Measures, Traditional and New Productivity Metrics, Integrated Performance Model, Benchmarking and Balanced Scorecard. Health and Safety Issues in Warehousing. Case Studies and Latest Updates.

Unit4

Unit 4: Distribution Management

7 hrs

Defining the Distribution Function, Basic Supply Chain Distribution Formats, Alternative Distribution Channel Formats, Role of Distribution Channels, Service Outputs and Functions of Distribution Channels, Distribution Channel Transaction Flows, Distribution Channel Inventory Flows, Substituting Information for Inventory. Reverse Logistics, Sustainability in Distribution. Last-Mile Delivery Innovations and Urban Logistics: Challenges, Technologies (e.g., Electric Vehicles, Drones), Crowd-sourced Delivery Models. Case Studies and Latest Updates.

Unit5

Unit 5: Various Modes of Transportation and Cold Chain Management

7 hrs

Importance of Various Modes of Transport - Rail, Road, Water, Air, Pipeline with their Characteristics and Cost Structure, The Carrier Selection Decision, Determinants of Carrier Selection, Legal Classification of Carriers, Role of Couriers as Carriers. Transportation Costs - Fixed, Variable, Joint and Common Costs, Product-Related & Market-Related Factors Influencing Transport Cost. Introduction to Cold Chain Management for Perishables and Pharmaceuticals: Temperature Control, Packaging Solutions, Regulatory Requirements, Technologies Used (IoT Sensors, Real-Time Monitoring). Case Studies and Latest Updates.

Course Objectives6 points
  • This course aims to:
  • Understand the core principles and functions of warehouse management to build foundational knowledge.
  • Explain the role and application of automation technologies such as robotics, drones, and AI in modern warehousing.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of key warehouse processes, including receiving, put-away, picking, and dispatch.
  • Analyse warehouse costs, performance metrics, and productivity models to evaluate operational efficiency
  • Evaluate distribution strategies, multimodal transportation, and cold chain logistics for perishable goods.
Course Outcomes (COs)5 outcomes

After completion of the course student will be able to:

  1. CO1Recall basic functions, types, and layout strategies in warehousing and automation tools.K1 (Remembering)
  2. CO2Describe core warehouse processes including receiving, put-away, picking, and dispatch.K2 (Understanding)
  3. CO3Apply suitable warehouse automation technologies and distribution formats to logistics scenarios.K3 (Applying)
  4. CO4Analyse warehousing costs, performance indicators, and sustainable practices in logistics operations.K4 (Analysing)
  5. CO5Evaluate multimodal transportation and cold chain logistics strategies to enhance advanced logistics efficiency.K5 (Evaluating)

Suggested Readings

  1. Mahadevan, B. (2023). Operations management: Theory and practice (4th ed.). Pearson Education India.
  2. Gwynne Richards, Warehouse Management: A Complete Guide to Improving Efficiency and Minimizing Costs in the Modern Warehouse (Kogan Press)
  3. David Frederick Ross, Distribution Planning and Control Managing in the Era of Supply Chain Management (Springer)
  4. David J. Bloomberg, Stephen LeMay: Supply Chain & Logistics, (Prentice-Hall)
  5. Donald J. Bowersox & David J. Closs : Logistical Management, (Tata McGraw Hill).
  6. Satish C. Ailawadi & Rakesh Singh : Logistics Management (Prentice-Hall)
  7. Donald Waters : Logistics. (Palgrave Macmillan)
  8. Sarika Kulkarni : Supply Chain Management, (Tata McGraw Hill)
  9. Krishnaveni, M., & Aruna, M. (2018). Logistics and warehouse management. Himalaya Publishing House
  10. Richards, G. (2021). Warehouse Management: A Complete Guide to Improving Efficiency and Minimizing Costs in the Modern Warehouse (3rd ed.). London: Kogan Page.
  11. Sharma, A. K., & Garg, R. (2020). Logistics and Warehouse Management: Concepts and Applications. New Delhi: Kunal Books.

Official AKTU syllabus

This subject is on page 25, 26 of the original AKTU PDF.

Official AKTU syllabus PDF ↗