Describe the concept of an "integrated logistics management" that begins with the supplier's supplier and ends with the final consumer, including both outbound-related factors and inbound-related factors. What are the benefits to considering outbound and inbound logistics as a whole?

Supply chain management can be viewed as a pipeline or conduit for the efficient and effective flow of products, materials, services, information, and financials from the supplier's suppliers through the various intermediate organizations or companies out to the customer's customers, or a system of connected networks between the original vendors and the ultimate final consumer. Some of the factors related to inbound logistics include more efficient transportation planning and global sourcing of materials and supplies. The extended enterprise perspective of supply chain management, which considers inbound and outbound logistics as a whole, represents a logical extension of the logistics concept, providing an opportunity to view the total system of interrelated companies for increased efficiency and effectiveness.