Logistics manages the flow of product and information from manufacturing to a customer. Logistics integrates packaging, inventory, transportation, warehousing, delivery, and technical sales support. Every one of these arenas folds into the ultimate management of the development of embedded systems; their operations and parameters directly affect the final cost of the system.
The chapter addresses distribution logistics, support, maintenance and repair, and disposal. Distribution logistics looks at the delivery of the finished products to the customer and focuses on order processing, warehousing, and transportation. Support is the timely distribution of correct information to fix or implement the function of the embedded system. It is also that intangible perception that the supplier knows the situation and is there to help the customer.