Digital Logistics Fundamentals – Foundation is an entry-level course that introduces the essential concepts, processes, technologies, and business practices used in modern logistics operations.

The course explains how goods move from suppliers to customers through transportation, warehousing, distribution centers, fulfillment networks, ports, terminals, and digital logistics platforms. Learners examine how information, physical goods, documents, payments, and operational decisions connect across the logistics chain.

Logistics includes the organization and management of flows related to purchasing, production, warehousing, distribution, disposal, reuse, and value-added services. It is an essential part of supply chain management and may be managed internally or outsourced to third-party logistics providers.

Learners will develop a practical understanding of transportation planning, shipment execution, warehouse activities, inventory visibility, order fulfillment, delivery performance, customer service, and logistics risks. The course also introduces the difference between logistics and supply chain management: logistics focuses primarily on the movement and storage of goods, while supply chain management covers the broader network of sourcing, planning, production, coordination, and relationships.

The course emphasizes the growing role of digital systems, including transportation management systems, warehouse management systems, enterprise resource planning systems, barcode and RFID technologies, GPS and tracking tools, electronic documents, dashboards, APIs, and digital freight platforms.

It also introduces electronic freight transport information, or eFTI. The European eFTI framework is designed to support the shift from paper-based freight documentation to standardized electronic data across road, rail, inland waterway, and air transport. The regulation is scheduled to apply in full on July 9, 2027, when EU Member State authorities must accept information shared electronically through certified eFTI platforms.

The course covers multimodal and intermodal logistics, including the use of road, rail, maritime transport, inland waterways, and air cargo. European transport policy promotes better integration and interoperability among transport modes to support more efficient, connected, and sustainable freight systems.

This course is designed for beginners and does not require previous logistics, transportation, warehouse, or technology experience. It is especially relevant to small and medium-sized enterprises, transport operators, freight forwarders, warehouse teams, e-commerce businesses, and professionals who need a practical introduction to digital logistics.

This is an educational foundation course. Completion does not constitute a professional license, transport authorization, safety certification, customs qualification, or regulatory certification.

Course metadata

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, learners should be able to:

• Define logistics and explain its role in supply chain management.
• Identify the main participants in a logistics network.
• Describe the basic flow of goods from supplier to customer.
• Distinguish between transportation, warehousing, distribution, fulfillment, and supply chain activities.
• Explain the basic functions of transportation management systems and warehouse management systems.
• Identify common logistics documents, records, and data flows.
• Explain the purpose of shipment visibility and track-and-trace systems.
• Recognize the difference between multimodal, intermodal, and single-mode transportation.
• Identify common logistics performance indicators.
• Recognize basic logistics costs, risks, delays, and service failures.
• Explain how digital tools can improve logistics coordination and decision-making.
• Describe the purpose of eFTI at an introductory level.
• Identify basic cybersecurity and data-quality risks in logistics operations.
• Explain how sustainability can influence routing, loading, warehousing, and mode selection.
• Create a basic digital logistics improvement plan.

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