Since inception of the industrial era logistics existed in one form or the other. The journey of the logistics from farm-to-market era logistics to total integration of logistics has gone through various phases of development. 1990s saw the emergence of a total integrator logistics function i.e., concept of supply chain management. The future agenda is to create a platform where everyone would view supply chain as a single entity, which converges all the capabilities as well as share risks. The article discusses the evolution of logistics function and looks into the future agenda for Supply Chain Management, a post totalintegration phenomenon.

Undoubtedly logistics is perceived as a totally integrated function today. However, a thorough study of the evolution of logistics function reveals that three distinct phases can be noticed in the evolution of logistics1 viz., total fragmentation (of the 1960s), commencement of integration efforts (in 1980's) and achievement of total integration (by 1990). Studies have also revealed that further consolidation of various functions in the later part of 90s and early 2000 have led to the evolution of Supply Chain Management, an all-encompassing function. Additional support for this increasing integration of logistics throughout the firm comes from 1981 AT Kearney studies too.