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1960s/70s: Physical distribution management (PDM)

PDM focussed upon the physical movement of goods by treating stock management, 

warehousing, order processing and delivery as related rather than separate activities. 

Although information systems were developed to manage these processes they were 

often  paper‑  based and not integrated across different functions. However, some lead‑

ing companies started using EDI at this time. EDI was mainly used on a point‑to‑point 

basis for document automation with electronic purchaser orders sent to suppliers who 

responded with shipping notes and invoices. PDM was essentially about the manage‑

ment of finished goods but not about the management of materials and processes that 

impacted upon the distribution process. PDM was superseded by logistics manage‑

ment which viewed manufacturing storage and transport from raw material to final 

consumer as integral parts of a total distribution process.