Macrologistics

Macrologistics applies to logistics systems on the national and supranational levels (e.g., Japan, the European Union). Its focus is transport-related and transport-standardizing issues.

Mail service

Mail service is a separate segment of logistics. As system service providers, mail services concentrate on wide-scale, regular and partially scheduled delivery of letters.

Main leg

The main leg is the highly efficient transport of large quantities (typically by rail or ship) as the central element of combined transports.
The main leg, first leg and subsequent leg form the fundamental processes of distribution logistics. In the first leg, goods are picked up at various senders and then consolidated. In the main leg, the goods are jointly distributed to other warehouses. The subsequent leg covers the detailed final sorting and the delivery to the recipient.

Make or buy

Make or buy is considered to be a company’s strategic decision to conduct business processes on its own or to outsource them to an external service provider or producer.

Make to order

Production of a product is initiated only after the customer orders it.

Make to stock

Production of a product is initiated even without a customer order as a way of replenishing inventories.

Marketing mix

The marketing mix involves the interaction and configuration of operational marketing tools.
In particular, the 4P model (product, price, promotion, place) is widely mentioned in literature and used in practice.
Logistics is especially affected by distribution policies (place).

Mass customization

The mass-customization concept is based on the postponement of the determination about variations (customizing) and the use of size and synergy effects in the production of standardized modules. This can result in high customer value created by variety (differentiation) and cost leadership.

Master production schedule

The master production schedule (MPS) is the basis of production planning and determines the time- and quantity-based course of production.
The basis of the master production schedule is the sales program consisting of customer orders on hand in job-order production. In warehouse production, demand forecasts form the foundation for the sales program. Taking the rough performance levels of maximum-capacity machinery and installations into consideration, a company determines the type, quantity and schedule for products to be manufactured (primary need).

Mate’s receipt

The mate's receipt is a temporary receipt (intermediate document) of the ship operator about the goods delivered for loading on a ship. The mate’s receipt is generally associated with the entitlement that the ocean bill of lading should be handed to the bearer. Although the mate’s receipt is a valid on-board receipt, it does not have the legal validity of the ocean bill of lading. It is frequently used in transit trade and for loads in which the supplier is not supposed to know who the third-party recipient is and this recipient is not supposed to know who the actual shipper is.

Material supply

Material supply encompasses the management and physical supply of production with necessary materials.
A distinction is drawn between the principles of physical material supply (delivery and pick-up principle) and the principle of management (needs- and consumer-driven material supply).

Material requirements planning

MRP I (material requirements planning)
MRP I is a program system used in production planning and management for quantity planning which is based on a pre-determined production program.
MRP II (manufacturing resource planning)
MRP II is a higher integration stage of planning than MRP I because the results flow into additional operational plans. By transmitting the planning results to the previous planning steps, they can be further used for the planning of the production program.

Micrologistics

Micrologistics applies to logistics systems of organizations and primarily addresses the flows of materials and goods through the organization.

Milk run

The milk run is a special form of direct transport. The route, time and the quantity of goods to be transported are pre-determined. The recipients along the route are served directly, with a good either being picked up or dropped off. Generally, no transshipping facilities are used. The principle results in balanced utilization during the course of the day and enables safety stocks to be reduced.

MIME

See multipurpose Internet mail extension

Modular sourcing

Logistics complexity is alleviated through the use of modular sourcing. Under this concept, entire modules, i.e., functional groups (assembly groups or components) with complex structures, are provided by module suppliers (system suppliers) instead of individual parts.

MPS

See master production schedule

MRP

See material requirements planning

MTO

See multi-modal transport operator

Multi-modal transport operator

The MTO is the overall hauler for transports with several carriers and multiple transfers. For this purpose, the forwarder issues the negotiable FIATA combined transport bill of lading.

Multiple sourcing

The focus of multiple sourcing is usually the provision of industrial raw materials, auxiliary supplies and operating supplies from several suppliers. The procurement strategy is extremely market focused because it is based on the competition among suppliers. On the one hand, competition is encouraged and dependency on only one supplier is avoided. On the other hand, the strategy is time intensive because contact must be maintained with several suppliers and prices must be constantly compared.

Multipurpose Internet mail extension

MIME is an expansion of the traditional Internet protocol for e-mail. It enables multimedia objects like graphics, audio and videos to be sent in e-mails.

Multi-story warehouse

In a multi-story warehouse, the various floors are usually connected by elevators. The transition from a low-storage warehouse to a multi-story warehouse can be required when the storage space must be increased because a limited amount of land is available.

Multi-user warehouse

A multi-user warehouse is a special distribution center used by several manufacturers or companies. The center is frequently located at a strategically important location.