Logistics: Where Apple Got It Wrong

Martijn Graat

I love Apple for their products in terms of design and ease of use, but there is one thing that almost makes me want to throw out my iPod: iTunes.

The Logistics of an MP3

Let’s look at this from a Logistics point of view:

Apple forces me to keep my goods (my mp3s) in only one of my warehouses (my home pc), while I have several (home laptop, office laptop). If I want to move location and load product at another warehouse, I need to re-set the whole system (iPod) and start anew.

Well, that’s not entirely true. I can also store all my products in the big Apple warehouse (iCloud). While this sounds appealing, it forces me to use several third party delivery companies (internet service providers) to get my product where I want it. Also, Apple charges a storage fee for storing product not purchased with them.

And then there is my in transit/mobile inventory (USB harddrive). I need to be at my main warehouse to be able to load or unload any of my mobile inventory. The great thing about mobile inventory is that you have access to your products while on the road (at any computer).

And now I want to load some product at one of my suppliers (my friend’s laptop). Don’t even try.

See? While having a brilliant supply chain, they still got some Logistics to improve…