This program is designed to produce professionals in the field of logistics, supply chain management, and transportation. Global Logistics and supply chain management deals with managing the flow of material from suppliers of a business firm, through its facilities, and on to its customers all over the world. Professionals in this field coordinate activities in this global pipeline to achieve an effective and efficient flow of goods and information from the time a need arises until it is satisfied and beyond. Success in managing supply chain and logistics functions can contribute to both lower costs and enhanced customer service. While transportation is the heart of the field, quality control, inventory management, plant and warehouse location, materials handling, and customer service are also important logistics activities. These logistics activities comprise 20 to 30 percent of total costs for many U.S. businesses. The cost of freight transportation alone is about 8 percent of the nation's annual domestic product. For instance, the Port’s activities provides 1 out of every 24 jobs in Southern California and contributes $1.4 billion to the state and local revenues annually.