PLS

Professional Designation in Logistics and
Supply Chain Management (PLS)

by
Information Booklet for 2014

Version 2014.01 effective from 01-Nov-2013
Career enhancement
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Brought to you in India by:
Developing People for Businesses to Succeed
KnoWerX Education (India) Private Limited
About KnoWerX
About AST&L
Since 1992, the founders of KnoWerX Education (India) Private

Limited (KnoWerX) www.knowerx.com have been relentlessly
working with a vision to be a leader in developing people for
businesses to succeed. The mission of KnoWerX is to empower
and recognize individuals and organizations to be successful
through life-long learning.
The
American
Society
of
Transportation & Logistics, Inc.
(AST&L) www.astl.org is a not-forprofit
premier
professional
organization for transportation and
logistics professionals. Founded in
1946 in the United States of
America by a group of industry
leaders, AST&L strives to promote
and ensure the highest level of
global
standards
through
professional certification in the
field of transportation and logistics.
KnoWerX is a resource for individuals for best-practices

knowledge and certification in respective areas. KnoWerX is also
a resource for organizations for providing training to their
employees and using consultancy services. KnoWerX is also
putting its efforts in collecting, sorting, organizing and making
available business process knowledge in easy to learn forms. The
benefits to individuals are better ability to perform, better pay
and faster growth. The benefits to organizations are better
operational efficiency, more profit, higher growth and better
ability to stay ahead than competition. The service providers
additionally benefit by improving skills of their employees and
having more satisfied customers.
More than 12,000 individuals have taken approx. 31,500
certification exams through KnoWerX in India spanning across
I.T. companies, consultancy firms, manufacturing companies,
distribution companies, logistics service providers, BPO service
providers, business schools, and other organizations. More than
90 corporate customers have tapped the knowledge of KnoWerX
constantly through various training and consultancy
assignments.
AST&L's mission is to promote and

facilitate
education
and
certification in the fields of
transportation,
logistics,
and
supply chain management. AST&L's
membership of shippers, carriers,
educators, students, consultants
and third-party logistics individuals
are dedicated to continuing
education and are committed to
raising the professional standards
in the transportation and logistics
industry.
About AST&L Certification

AST&L certification is a way to validate your knowledge and experience. AST&L provides transportation and
logistics industry professionals with globally recognized credentials, the PLS (Professional Designation in
Logistics & Supply Chain Management) and CTL (Certification in Transportation and Logistics).
AST&Ls basic certification, the Professional Designation in Logistics & Supply Chain Management (PLS),
is targeted at the professionals seeking a basic understanding of the key strategies for improving
customer service and increasing the efficiency of their logistics and supply chain operations. The level of
certification requires a bachelors degree or three (3) years of industry experience. The purpose of PLS is
to recognize individuals who have completed a course of study examining the strategies for improving
logistics and supply chain operations and are seeking to apply this knowledge within their profession. The
PLS consists of one exam and requires recertification within five years. The PLS acts as a waiver toward
the CTL certification.
AST&Ls advanced certification, Certification in Transportation and Logistics (CTL), requires a bachelors
degree or three (3) years of industry experience along with passing six (6) of the ten (10) exam modules.
In the ten (10) exam modules, three (3) are required modules and seven (7) are optional modules. The
three required modules are: Transportation Economics and Management, Logistics Management, and,
International Transportation and Logistics. The seven (7) optional modules are: General Management
Principles and Techniques, Lean Logistics, Logistics Analysis, Logistics Finance, Logistics and Supply Chain
Strategy (waiver available for PLS designee), Supply Chain Management, and, Creative Component (a
3,000 to 5,000 word paper).
I find that PLS has been a very relevant program. It helped me to standardize and organize my experiences
about transportation and logistics. Now I am able to converse about problems and opportunities in transport,
logistics and related stages of supply chain in internationally relevant terminologies.
Shashank Tilak, CPIM, CSCP, PLS
(Mr. Shashank Tilak is a B. Tech. from I.I.T. Bombay and G.I.I.I.E. from I.I.I.E. Mumbai. He has more than
three decades of experience in project management, application development, etc. Currently he is a
consultant and a trainer.)
PLS has helped me to understand the basics of supply chain and open the doors of opportunities in supply
chain field. PLS also helped to me explore more and more in supply chain management.
Jitendra Bhawsar, PLS
(Mr. Jitendra Bhawsar is a B. E. from COEP Pune. He has more than 12 years of experience in
manufacturing, supply chain, ERP consultancy and IT (domestic as well as international). Currently he is
working in Wipro Technologies as Associate Consultant.)
PLS is truly focused on the complete supply chain. The study material is about finance, marketing, logistics,
materials, manufacturing and every business function that can have an impact on the supply chain
performance. Every person in an organisation where SCM is a business driver, will benefit from the
certification.
Piyush A. Shah, CPIM, CSCP, PLS
(Prof. Piyush Shah is a B.E. and an M.M.S. from Mumbai University. Currently he is an Associate Professor
in Operations Management with the Durgadevi Saraf Institute, Mumbai. Prior to this, he was Assistant
Professor in S. P. Jain Institute, Mumbai and NMIMS University, Mumbai.)
Logistics will be the key to future growth of industry in India. There was no formal education available in India
for supply chain professionals and PLS is the answer. PLS gives in-depth knowledge about different facets of
logistics and how it is a key link in the supply chain. It gave me an opportunity to further enhance my skills and
make use of the knowledge in improving the supply chain in my company. I recommend this certification to all
the SCM professionals who want to improve their knowledge base and add value to their organizations.
Pratik Attray, CPIM, PLS
(Mr. Pratik Attray is a B. Tech. from NIT, Jalandhar. Currently he is working as Manager, Supply Chain in
Federal-Mogul India.)
During my post graduation at NITIE, I learned various tools and techniques on Human Effort Engineering,
Systems Efficiency Engineering, and Systems Design, Installation & Improvement Management. Yet for me
there was dearth of more structured, rational approach toward logistics and supply chain management. PLS
course acted like a catalyst to synchronize all tools and techniques I learned in silos. PLS gave me a great sense
of achievement and provides the confidence I need to move forward in the domain of logistics and supply
chain management.
Prashant Shivsharan, PLS
(Mr. Prashant Shivsharan is a B.E. and P.G.D.I.E. (MBA) from NITIE, Mumbai. Currently he is involved in
managing the demand chain of his organization, Hindustan Motors Ltd., Chennai.)
PLS is really a valuable certification course for all those who want to make career in supply chain because it
really makes you understand the fundamentals of supply chain which is really important in the long run. So I
will suggest all of you should go for this certification.
Akash Mishra, PLS
(Mr. Akash Mishra is currently pursuing his MBA degree in supply chain as his specialization in the
University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun.)
Table of Contents
Table of Contents ...................................................................................................................................... 5
Professional Designation in Logistics and Supply Chain Management............................................................. 6
Prerequisites.......................................................................................................................................... 6
PLS Designation ..................................................................................................................................... 6
Recertification ....................................................................................................................................... 6
Exam Requirements ................................................................................................................................... 6
Exam Schedule ....................................................................................................................................... 9
Exam Preparation Method ...................................................................................................................... 9
Exam Registration ...................................................................................................................................... 9
Exam Registration Fee ............................................................................................................................ 9
Fee Structure ................................................................................................................................... 10
Late Registration Fee ............................................................................................................................ 10
Volume Rebate .................................................................................................................................... 10
Important Dates ................................................................................................................................... 10
Exam Centres ....................................................................................................................................... 11
Exam Registration Procedure ................................................................................................................ 11
After You Have Registered .................................................................................................................... 12
Confirmation Notice ......................................................................................................................... 12
Changes ........................................................................................................................................... 13
Cancellations .................................................................................................................................... 13
Medical or Other Emergencies on Exam Day ....................................................................................... 14
On the Day of the Exam ........................................................................................................................ 15
What You Must Bring ........................................................................................................................ 15
What You May Not Bring................................................................................................................... 15
During the Exam ............................................................................................................................... 16
After the Exam is Over .......................................................................................................................... 16
Pass-Fail Information ........................................................................................................................ 16
Rescore Policy .................................................................................................................................. 16
Retaking Exams ................................................................................................................................ 16
AST&L PLS Certificate ........................................................................................................................ 17
Frequently Asked Questions ..................................................................................................................... 17
Who Should You Contact?..................................................................................................................... 20
All policies and procedures in this information booklet are subject to change without notice.
Professional Designation in Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Due to an overwhelming request for an entry level industry certification, the American Society of
Transportation and Logistics (AST&L) now offers the Professional Designation in Logistics and Supply
Chain Management (PLS) to professionals seeking an understanding of the key strategies for
improving customer service and increasing the efficiency of their logistics and supply chain
operations. The purpose of the PLS is to recognize individuals that have completed a course of study
examining the strategies for improving logistics and supply chain operations and are seeking to apply
this knowledge within their profession.
You may also want to visit http://www.astl.org and http://www.knowerx.com.
Prerequisites
You must have a bachelors degree or three years of professional experience.
PLS Designation
This designation is granted to those who have successfully passed the comprehensive examination.
Either the full expression or the initials may be used after the individuals name on business cards,
stationery, etc.
Recertification
The PLS designation requires recertification every five years. Requirements for recertification include
attending an industry-related conference, industry-related education program or completing a
module in the AST&L CTL Certification Program.
Exam Requirements
Professional Designation in Logistics and Supply Chain Management (PLS) consists of only one
examination. Exam questions are in multiple choice format. There is a four-hour time limit to
complete the exam, although it may be completed in a shorter time period. A score of 70% or higher
is required to pass the exam; a candidate who scores below 70% may take the exam again.
The text book for PLS exam is:
Logistics and Supply Chain Management, 4th edition, Martin Christopher, FT Press / Prentice
Hall / Pearson Education, 2011, ISBN 9780273731122, 276 pages.
Other
suggested
readings
include
CSCMP
definition
of
logistics
(http://cscmp.org/aboutcscmp/definitions.asp), SCOR Overview (http://www.supply-chain.org), and
a limited number of readings available on the Internet (such as http://www.ascet.com).
The table of contents of the above text book given below reflects the exam content:
Chapter 1
About the author

Preface
Publisher's acknowledgement
Logistics, the supply chain and competitive strategy
v
x
xi
1
Supply chain management is a wider concept than logistics

Competitive advantage
The supply chain becomes the value chain
The mission of logistics management
The supply chain and competitive performance
The changing competitive environment
2
4
9
11
13
15
Chapter 2
Logistics and customer value

The marketing and logistics interface
Delivering customer value
What is customer service?
The impact of out-of-stock
Customer service and customer retention
Market-driven supply chains
Defining customer service objectives
Setting customer service priorities
Setting service standards
27
28
29
31
33
34
38
42
46
50
Chapter 3
Measuring logistics costs and performance

Logistics and the bottom line
Logistics and shareholder value
Logistics cost analysis
The concept of total cost analysis
Principles of logistics costing
Customer profitability analysis
Direct product profitability
Cost drivers and activity-based costing
57
58
62
66
67
70
72
78
80
Chapter 4
Matching supply and demand

The lead-time gap
Improving the visibility of demand
The supply chain fulcrum
Forecast for capacity, execute against demand
Demand management and planning
Collaborative planning, forecasting and replenishment
83
83
85
87
89
89
94
Chapter 5
Creating the responsive supply chain

Product push versus demand pull
The Japanese philosophy
The foundations of agility
A routemap to responsiveness
99
104
109
112
116
Chapter 6
Strategic lead-time management

Time-based competition
Lead-time concepts
Logistics pipeline management
121
121
125
129
Chapter 7
The synchronous supply chain

The extended enterprise and the virtual supply chain
The role of information the virtual supply chain
Laying the foundations for synchronisation
141
142
144
147
Quick response logistics

Production strategies for quick response
Logistics systems dynamics
150
153
154
Chapter 8
Complexity and the supply chain

The sources of supply chain complexity
The cost of complexity
Product design and supply chain complexity
Mastering complexity
159
161
165
166
167
Chapter 9
Managing the global pipeline

The trend towards globalisation in the supply chain
Gaining visibility in the global pipeline
Organising for global logistics
Thinking global, acting local
The future of global sourcing
171
173
178
180
184
185
Chapter 10
Managing risk in the supply chain

Why are supply chains more vulnerable?
Understanding the supply chain risk profile
Managing supply chain risk
Achieving supply chain resilience
189
190
193
198
206
Chapter 11
The era of network competition

The new organizational paradigm
Collaboration in the supply chain
Managing the supply chain as a network
Seven major business transformations
The implications for tomorrows logistics managers
Supply chain orchestration
From 3PL to 4PLTM
211
212
214
217
218
220
222
223
Chapter 12
Overcoming the barriers to supply chain integration

Creating the logistics vision
The problems with conventional organisations
Developing the logistics organization
Logistics as the vehicle for change
Benchmarking
227
228
228
232
236
237
Chapter 13
Creating a sustainable supply chain

The triple bottom line
Greenhouse gases and the supply chain
Reducing the transport-intensity of supply chains
Peak oil
Beyond the carbon footprint
Reduce, reuse, recycle
The impact of congestion
241
241
243
245
247
248
250
252
Chapter 14
The supply chain of the future

Emerging mega-trends
Shifting centres of gravity
257
258
259
The multi-channel revolution

Seeking structural flexibility
2020 vision
Index
261
264
266
269
Please also refer to the Professional Designation in Logistics and Supply Chain Management (PLS)
Study Guide. The PLS Study Guide is available on request from KnoWerX on no charge basis once you
register for the PLS exam.
Exam Schedule
On an exam date, the four-hour exam can be taken in a morning administration. The schedule of
each administration is as follows:
Exam Begins
Exam Ends
Reporting Time
(Approx.)
(Approx.)
08:30 a.m.
09:00 a.m.
01:30 p.m.
Exam Preparation Method

Candidates may prepare for the examinations in various ways. Candidates usually prepare
individually by means of home study using text books. Other methods of preparation include group
studies and corporate trainings. Please order a free document titled How to Prepare for an Exam
from KnoWerX that may help you decide the strategy suitable to you.
Considering that you have to study materials contained in approx. 276 pages in the text book having
approx. 46 lines per page that is approx. 75% filled and approx. 13 words per line, your study load is
approx. 165,048 words. Considering a hypothetical average learning capacity of approx. 6,000 words
per hour (an adult can read approx. 250 to 350 words per minute of a fiction and non-technical
material), on an average a person may have to spend approx. 28 hours to learn the subject matter in
this text book. The learning capacity, and therefore the time you require to learn the subject matter
in this text book to prepare for this exam, will significantly vary depending on your learning style,
your reading speed, your grasping speed, your familiarity with the subject (e.g., your work
experience in similar field, if you have studied similar subject in the past, etc.), your concentration
level at the time of studying, etc. What you may want to do is to study few sample pages, determine
your learning speed, and then recalculate the approx. time you will need to study this entire text
book. Add additional time for enhanced learning if you want to attend an instructor-led course, have
discussions, solve problems and answer practice questions (not supplied by AST&L/KnoWerX).
Exam Registration
Exam Registration Fee
The following fee is payable in advance before the registration deadline. It is required that the fee
must get deposited in KnoWerX bank account and the transaction must get cleared by the bank
before the registration deadline. A proof of remittance, receipt of cheque/draft by KnoWerX before
a registration deadline, non-transfer of funds timely by bank for whatever reasons, delay by courier,
delay caused by any other reason including but not limited to any delay attributable to
KnoWerX/AST&L, etc. will not be accepted as payment of fee.
Fee Structure
Normal (with Book)##
Individual
NonMember
Mem
`
`
32,250
35,800
Retake (Without Book)
Corporate
NonMember
Mem
`
`
36,200
Individual
NonMember
Mem
`
`
Corporate
NonMember
Mem
`
`
40,190
25,330
28,180
28,460
31,660
## Prices of imported books change every day and therefore fee amounts are only indicative.
Please check for correct fee amount on day of paying the fee.
All AST&L and APICS members enjoy a discounted fee under the column Mem. Others pay NonMem fee. You must be a member on the date of registration for exam(s) with KnoWerX.
Corporate fee is applicable if the fee is paid by an organization, e.g., a company.
Late Registration Fee

After an exam registration deadline but before a late registration deadline, an exam can be
registered by paying an additional late fee of `2,500 per exam.
Volume Rebate
5% volume rebate is offered if 25 or more exam fees are received for the same exam date from the
same organization. The following table shows the rebate amounts:
Normal
Individual
Volume rebate for

25 or more exam
fees received for
the same exam date
from the same
organization
Retake
Corporate
Individual
Corporate
Mem
NonMem
Mem
NonMem
Mem
NonMem
Mem
NonMem
1,580
1,760
1,780
1,980
1,270
1,410
1,420
1,580
If an excess fee is received by KnoWerX, please note that due to cost of administrative overheads,
the excess fees paid will be refunded only if the excess amount is above `200.
Important Dates
Exam Date
08-Feb-14
Corporate
Registration
Deadline
13-Dec-13
Individual
Registration
Deadline
20-Dec-13
Late Fee Registration

Deadline
27-Dec-13
10
10-May-14
14-Mar-14
21-Mar-14
28-Mar-14
02-Aug-14
06-Jun-14
13-Jun-14
20-Jun-14
01-Nov-14
05-Sep-14
12-Sep-14
19-Sep-14
Exam Centres
The Exams can be given in the following cities of India:
Bengaluru
Chennai
Delhi
Kolkata
Mumbai
Nasik
Hyderabad
Pune
Exam Registration Procedure
Fill in the AST&L Examination Registration Form (in the prescribed MS-Excel sheet) & send it
as an e-mail attachment to one of the e-mails nearest to your city bengaluru@knowerx.com
| chennai@knowerx.com | delhi@knowerx.com | hyderabad@knowerx.com |
kolkata@knowerx.com
|
mumbai@knowerx.com
|
nagpur@knowerx.com
|
nasik@knowerx.com | pune@knowerx.com. If you do not have the MS-Excel form, send a
request through e-mail. We will e-mail you immediately.
Use one of the following three methods to make the payment:

o
Make the payment by Mumbai or at par cheque / DD payable at Mumbai, favouring

KnoWerX Education (India) Private Limited & courier it along with the filled-up
Examination Registration Form. OR
Deposit the cheque/DD (please do not deposit cash) favouring KnoWerX Education
(India) Private Limited, in the bank account mentioned below & send your filled-up
Examination Registration Form by e-mail to one of the e-mails nearest to your city
bengaluru@knowerx.com | chennai@knowerx.com | delhi@knowerx.com |
hyderabad@knowerx.com | kolkata@knowerx.com | mumbai@knowerx.com |
nagpur@knowerx.com | nasik@knowerx.com | pune@knowerx.com. Please
mention the payment details in your mail (cheque or DD number). OR
Make the payment by Electronic Fund Transfer from ICICI/HDFC bank to the
respective bank account of KnoWerX. Send the filled-up application form with
transaction details, by e-mail to one of the e-mails nearest to your city
bengaluru@knowerx.com | chennai@knowerx.com | delhi@knowerx.com |
hyderabad@knowerx.com | kolkata@knowerx.com | mumbai@knowerx.com |
nagpur@knowerx.com | nasik@knowerx.com | pune@knowerx.com. Please
mention the payment details in your mail (transaction number in case of EFT).
Bank Account Details:
ICICI Rupee Account for making payment in Indian Rupees:

Bank name
: ICICI Bank Limited
Branch
: Mumbai Kandivali East Thakur Complex
Branch code
: 1074
MICR Code
: 400229056
IFSC
: ICIC0001074
Account number
: 107405000014
11
Account name
Account type
: KnoWerX Education India Private Ltd

: Current
HDFC Rupee Account for making payment in Indian Rupees:

Bank name
: HDFC Bank Limited
Branch
Branch code
: 0182
MICR Code
: 400240035
IFSC
: HDFC0000182
Account number
: 01822320000422
Account name
Account type
: Current
HDFC Dollar Account for making payment in US Dollars:

Bank name
: HDFC Bank Limited
Swift code
: HDFCINBB
Branch
Account number
: 50200001866969
Account name
Account type
: EEFC
HDFC Euro Account for making payment in Euros:

Bank name
: HDFC Bank Limited
Swift code
: HDFCINBB
Branch
Account number
: 50200002554201
Account name
Account type
: EEFC
As we send all communications by courier, while specifying your mailing address in the Examination
Registration Form, please be sure that someone is always there in the daytime to receive courier
documents at that address, and hand-over to you the same day. Please avoid giving the address of a
large organisation, as our experience shows that courier documents may get lost, or reach late, or
handled carelessly. If a document returns back for whatever reason, we will resend it only after
recovering a shipping and handling charges of `100 from you.
If you stay outside India and want us to courier to an address outside India, the courier charges will
be charged extra. We prefer that you give us an address in India for couriering.
After You Have Registered

Confirmation Notice
After your registration has been processed, KnoWerX will provide you with a registration
confirmation. If you have not received your confirmation within two weeks before the scheduled
exam date, contact KnoWerX immediately. Each confirmation lists the candidates name, address,
and KnoWerX ID number; the test location; reporting time; and other important information. You
12
should verify that the information on the confirmation is correct. If any information is not correct,
you should contact KnoWerX immediately.
Changes
To change your exam centre within India, send a written request to KnoWerX no later than 29 days
before the scheduled exam date (no fees is required to be paid).
To reschedule your registration to the next available examination date in India (if the registration
deadline for the next examination date has not already passed), send a written request to KnoWerX
along with a processing fees of `3,740 no later than 29 days before the scheduled exam date. You
may reschedule an exam registration for the next available examination date only once.
The rescheduling and/or change deadlines are as follows:
Exam Date
Rescheduling /
Change Deadline
08-Feb-14
10-Jan-14
10-May-14
11-Apr-14
02-Aug-14
04-Jul-14
01-Nov-14
03-Oct-14
Cancellations
To cancel your exam registration, send a written request to KnoWerX no later than 15 days before
the scheduled exam date.
The cancellation deadlines are as follows:
Exam Date
Cancellation
Deadline
08-Feb-14
24-Jan-14
10-May-14
25-Apr-14
02-Aug-14
18-Jul-14
01-Nov-14
17-Oct-14
You will be refunded as per the following table. You will receive the cancellation amount after 4 to 6
weeks after the exam date.
Normal
Individuals
Normal
Cancellation
Refund
Retake
Corporate
Individuals
Corporate
Member
NonMem
Member
NonMem
Member
NonMem
Member
NonMem
13,080
14,920
15,100
17,170
9,830
11,310
11,450
13,110
13
Medical or Other Emergencies on Exam Day

Only the following documented excuses are acceptable reasons for missing your scheduled exam:
a serious illness (either yourself or an immediate family member)
a death in the immediate family (spouse, children, siblings, parents or grandparents only)
a disabling traffic accident
If you miss an exam for one of the reasons listed above, send a written explanation to KnoWerX
within 10 days following your exam date. One of the following should accompany your written
explanation:
complete admission and discharge documentation from a large and recognised hospital
including internal case papers, medical records, diagnosis, treatment, hospital bills, medical
bills, pathology testing reports, receipts of all payments made, a certificate from attending
doctor with his/her title, address, telephone number, and registration giving the reason for
your absence and completion of treatment, certificate of absence from work/study from
company/organization/institute/college/school on official letterhead signed by HR
head/Director
in case of domiciliary treatment, a certificate from attending doctor with his/her title,
address, telephone number, and registration giving the reason why an admission in a
hospital was not deemed necessary, dates of your first and follow-up visits to your treating
doctor, medical records kept by the doctor, receipts of payments made to doctor,
prescriptions, details of medicines given by doctor, bills of medicines purchased, reports of
pathology testing reports, written reason from doctor if pathology tests not done, receipts
of payments made to pathology lab, medical certificate from treating doctor giving the
reason for your absence and completion of treatment, certificate of absence from
work/study from company/organization/institute/college/school on official letterhead
signed by HR head/Director
a simple certificate from a physician with prescription and medical bills will not be
acceptable. Diseases like cough, cold, mild fever, stomach upset, etc. will not be acceptable
as excuses for absence. Please note that the request will be denied if solid and fool-proof
evidence is not produced to KnoWerX. The decision of KnoWerX will be final.
the appropriate death certificate, certificate of absence from work/study from
head/Director
an FIR of an accident lodged with local police, certificate of absence from work/study from
head/Director
The deadlines for submitting complete documentations for medical or other emergencies are as
follows:
Exam Date
Medical Emergency
Deadline
08-Feb-14
18-Feb-14
10-May-14
20-May-14
02-Aug-14
12-Aug-14
01-Nov-14
11-Nov-14
You have two choices after you have missed the exam:
Reschedule your exam to the next exam date. For doing this, you must pay a processing fee
of `9,990 to KnoWerX.
14
Cancel your exam and take the refund. You will be refunded as per the following table. You
will receive the cancellation amount after 4 to 6 weeks after the exam date.
Normal
Individuals
Medical or
Other
Emergency
Cancellation
Refund
Retake
Corporate
Individuals
Corporate
Member
NonMem
Member
NonMem
Member
NonMem
Member
NonMem
16,380
18,220
18,400
20,470
13,130
14,610
14,750
16,410
On the Day of the Exam

What You Must Bring
A primary identification, which must include a recent photograph and signature, such as a
o Valid drivers license
o Valid passport
o Valid voters identification card
o Valid UID/Aadhaar card
o Valid PAN card
o Valid company identification card
o Recent notarized passport photograph with signature.
If you do not bring these items on exam day, you will be denied admission to the
examination. You will be considered as absent or failing to appear for the exam, and you will
forfeit the full exam fee. There are no exceptions to this policy.
A secondary identification, which must include your signature, such as a

o Valid credit card
o Valid debit card
Ballpoint pen with an extra blue/blank ink refill.
A simple, nonprogrammable calculator.
What You May Not Bring
You may not bring books or papers of any kind into the exam room. Candidates can use the
exam booklet to do all the necessary calculations.
Electronic devices, including mobile phones, are not allowed.
Protractors, compasses, rulers, stencils, digital assistants, and other aids are not permitted.
You may not eat, drink, or use tobacco during an exam.
Visitors are not permitted at the test centre.
15
During the Exam

No breaks are scheduled during any exam. If you must leave the room during an exam, notify the
test centre manager before doing so. Timing will not stop during a break.
The specific rules pertaining to the conduct of the examinations are printed on the front of the
examination book. Read them carefully before answering the first question. Candidates are expected
to exercise honest and ethical behaviour during the exams.
Misconduct: The test centre manager is authorized to dismiss you from a test session for
creating a disturbance
giving or receiving help
using notes, books, wristwatch calculators, digital assistants, or other aids
using electronic devices, including mobile phones
attempting to remove scratch paper from the testing room
attempting to remove test questions (in any format) from the testing room
failing to follow the test centre managers directions.
If you engage in any of these forms of misconduct, your exam will not be scored and your fees will
not be refunded. Furthermore, acts of misconduct may result in
cancellation of your prior or current exam scores
revocation of your certification
In addition, because the entire question data bank, each exam form, and all exam materials are
copyrighted and are the legal property of AST&L, legal action will be taken against anyone who
violates the copyright laws by distributing examination content or materials through any form of
reproduction. Oral or written communication during the exam is strictly prohibited.
After the Exam is Over

Pass-Fail Information
You will receive your exam results approximately four to six weeks after the exam date through an email. If you have not received your results after eight weeks, contact KnoWerX. A score of 70% or
higher is required to pass the exam; a candidate who scores below 70% may take the exam again.
Rescore Policy
The exams are scored using a high quality process that is audited each time. So, there is hardly any
possibility of an error in scoring. However, all candidates have 30 days from the receipt of their score
to challenge their score results. If you would like to request a rescore, please send an email to
KnoWerX requesting for a rescore.
Retaking Exams
If you fail an exam, you must wait 30 days before retaking the same exam. The procedure for
retaking an exam is the same as the new exam except that there is a reduced fee for retaking an
exam.
16
AST&L PLS Certificate

Candidates who attain AST&L PLS status will receive a personalized certificate approximately six to
eight weeks after receiving the passing score.
Frequently Asked Questions

Q:
A:
Why should I do AST&L certification?

Individuals go through AST&L certification programs for one or more of the reasons listed
below:
o Career enhancement
o Tangible measurement of professional accomplishment
o Learn the language of your customers
o Global recognition
o An opportunity to acquire management qualification
o Demonstrate your understanding of the fundamentals of the profession
o Validate your knowledge
o Validate your experience
o Keep current with changes occurring in the field
o Waiver for AST&L CTL Logistics and Supply Chain Strategy (LSCS) module
Q:
A:
What are the benefits to organizations from AST&L certification programs?

Some of the benefits to organizations from AST&L certification programs are listed below:
o Create a common understanding, vocabulary, processes, and frameworks within
their entity to address their transportation and logistics challenges and
opportunities
o The proven knowledge and organizational skills to strategically streamline
operations
o The tools to effectively manage global supply chain activities where suppliers, plants,
distributors and customers are located around the world.
o The ability to interact with existing resources and your ERP system to increase the
efficiency of the workplace environment
o Boost productivity, collaboration, and innovation
o The skills to create consistency and foster collaboration through best practices,
common terminology, and corporate-wide communication.
Q:
A:
What is the recognition of AST&L certification in India?

You can gauge the recognition by looking at the list of companies / institutes in which
individuals are/were working/studying who are doing/have done APICS certification. Since
this is a big list of approx. 150 organizations, please send a request to KnoWerX for a
document titled List of Organisations AST&L Candidates by sending an e-mail to one of
the e-mails nearest to your city bengaluru@knowerx.com | chennai@knowerx.com |
delhi@knowerx.com
|
hyderabad@knowerx.com
|
kolkata@knowerx.com
|
mumbai@knowerx.com
|
nagpur@knowerx.com
|
nasik@knowerx.com
|
pune@knowerx.com.
Q:
A:
Will I get a job, an increment or a promotion after completing AST&L certification?

AST&L certifications help you increase your knowledge, like any other qualification, in
management stream. So, it should lead to a new job, an increment or a promotion but this
cannot be said with certainty as these sway heavily in both positive and negative directions
with changes in demand and supply equation of skilled man-power in the job market. In
17
general, AST&L certified professionals are preferred over non-certified professionals in the
relevant fields. This should in turn lead to better opportunities for you, compared to others,
in the job market, increments and promotions, in the relevant fields.
Q:
A:
For which class of industry the AST&L knowledge is most useful?

The AST&L knowledge is useful to many classes of industries, including but not limited to:
o Mining and Quarrying
o Construction
o Manufacturing
o Wholesale Trade
o Retail Trade
o Transportation
o Warehousing
o Express Delivery Services
o Information (Media)
o Real Estate and Rental and Leasing
o Computer Systems Design and Related Services
o Management Consulting Services
o Business Schools
o Computer and Management Training
o Education
o Health Care
o Accommodation and Food Services
o Other Services, including Civic Organizations
Q:
A:
What is the difference between APICS and AST&L certification programs?

While APICS certification programs are more tilted towards materials management aspects
of supply chain management and operations management, AST&L programs are more tilted
towards logistics and transportation management aspects of the supply chain management.
It is obviously better that an individual demonstrates knowledge of all aspects.
Q:
A:
Which certification program is suitable for me CTL or PLS?

PLS is basic certification and CTL is advanced certification. It is recommended to complete
PLS first and then go for CTL. By doing PLS first, you not only get an additional designation,
but you also get waiver for one of the CTL exams.
Q:
A:
For which level of management the AST&L knowledge is most useful?

The AST&L knowledge is useful at all levels of management starting from junior managers to
presidents. This knowledge helps to manage the transportation and logistics in most
optimum way.
Q:
A:
Is AST&L education appropriate for me?

AST&L education is appropriate for individuals working in:
o Transportation
o Logistics
o Distribution
o Operations
o Supply chain management
o Procurement
o Materials management
o Purchasing
18
o
o
Q:
A:
Finance and cost accounting

Manufacturing information systems
In which companies/institutes the individuals are/were working/studying who are

doing/have done AST&L certification?
Since this is a big list of more than 150 organizations, please send a request to KnoWerX for
a document titled List of Organisations AST&L Candidates by sending an e-mail to one of
the e-mails nearest to your city bengaluru@knowerx.com | chennai@knowerx.com |
delhi@knowerx.com
|
|
kolkata@knowerx.com
|
mumbai@knowerx.com
|
nagpur@knowerx.com
|
nasik@knowerx.com
|
pune@knowerx.com.
Q:
A:
Do I have to be an AST&L member for taking AST&L certification exams?

No, you need not be an AST&L member.
Q:
A:
Do AST&L members get a discount on the exam registration fees?

Yes, both, AST&L and APICS members get a discount on the exam registration fees.
Q:
A:
Do APICS members get a discount on the exam registration fees?

Yes, both, AST&L and APICS members get a discount on the exam registration fees.
Q:
A:
What is the passing rate in AST&L PLS exams in India?

The passing rates for AST&L PLS exams in India are:
Year
PLS
2011
68.75%
2012
78.26%
2013 100.00%
Q:
A:
What is the age profile of AST&L PLS certification candidates in India?

As per data from 2011 to 2013:
Age group
Percentage
Below 25 years
22.62%
25 or above but below 30 years
44.05%
19.05%
10.71%
40 years or above
3.57%
Q:
What is the highest academic qualification level of AST&L PLS certification candidates in
India?
As per data from 2011 to 2013, 52.38% have bachelor's degree and 47.62% have masters
degree.
A:
Q:
A:
What is the academic background of AST&L PLS certification candidates in India?

As per data from 2011 to 2013, 55.71% are with engineering education, 41.43% are with
management education and rest have science education.
Q:
A:
What is the working area of AST&L PLS certification candidates in India?

As per data from 2011 to 2013, approximately 43.39% are students (mostly master's level in
management field), 32.08% work in the IT/ERP consultancy field, 16.98% in logistics/SCM
field, 3.77% work in the sales and marketing field and rest work in other fields.
19
Q:
A:
What is the industry of AST&L PLS candidates in India?

As per data from 2011 to 2013, approximately 30.43% work in the IT industry, 23.19% study
in academic institutions, 23.19% work in the manufacturing industry, 10.14% work in
consultancy firms, 5.80% work in logistics industry and rest in other industries.
Q:
A:
What percentage of individuals is sponsored by their companies for AST&L PLS?

No individuals were sponsored by their companies as per data from 2011 to 2013.
Q:
A:
Can I show up at the test site if I did not receive notification that I was registered?
No, you must contact KnoWerX first to confirm you are registered. No candidate will be
allowed in the testing centre if he/she is not registered.
Q:
A:
Is there any penalty for choosing wrong answers? Is there negative marking?
No, there is no penalty for choosing a wrong answer (i.e., there are no negative marks). You
should answer all exam questions. Leave no question unanswered even if you dont have
time to read it!
Who Should You Contact?

If you have any question, contact:

C-1 Avon Plaza-I, Thakur Complex
Kandivali (East)
Mumbai 400 101
bengaluru@knowerx.com
delhi@knowerx.com
kolkata@knowerx.com
nagpur@knowerx.com
pune@knowerx.com
(022)425 66 461
(022)425 66 463
(022)425 66 466
(022)425 66 467
(022)425 66 469
chennai@knowerx.com
mumbai@knowerx.com
nasik@knowerx.com
info.tcd@knowerx.com
(022)425 66 462
(022)425 66 465
(022)425 66 464
(022)425 66 468
(022)425 66 435
20
Developing People for Businesses to Succeed

C-1 Avon Plaza-I, Thakur Complex,
Kandivali (East), Mumbai 400 101
Tel: +91(22)425 66 400, Fax: +91(22)425 66 499
Web: http://www.knowerx.com

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Professional Designation in Logistics and

Supply Chain Management (PLS)

Information Booklet for 2014

Brought to you in India by:

Developing People for Businesses to Succeed

KnoWerX Education (India) Private Limited

Since 1992, the founders of KnoWerX Education (India) Private

KnoWerX is a resource for individuals for best-practices

AST&L's mission is to promote and

About AST&L Certification

Professional Designation in Logistics and Supply Chain Management

About the author

Supply chain management is a wider concept than logistics

Logistics and customer value

Measuring logistics costs and performance

Matching supply and demand

Creating the responsive supply chain

Strategic lead-time management

The synchronous supply chain

Quick response logistics

Complexity and the supply chain

Managing the global pipeline

Managing risk in the supply chain

The era of network competition

Overcoming the barriers to supply chain integration

Creating a sustainable supply chain

The supply chain of the future

The multi-channel revolution

Exam Preparation Method

Retake (Without Book)

Late Registration Fee

Volume rebate for

Late Fee Registration

Exam Registration Procedure

Use one of the following three methods to make the payment:

Make the payment by Mumbai or at par cheque / DD payable at Mumbai, favouring

Bank Account Details:

ICICI Rupee Account for making payment in Indian Rupees:

: KnoWerX Education India Private Ltd

HDFC Rupee Account for making payment in Indian Rupees:

HDFC Dollar Account for making payment in US Dollars:

HDFC Euro Account for making payment in Euros:

After You Have Registered

Medical or Other Emergencies on Exam Day

On the Day of the Exam

A secondary identification, which must include your signature, such as a

Ballpoint pen with an extra blue/blank ink refill.

A simple, nonprogrammable calculator.

What You May Not Bring

During the Exam

After the Exam is Over

AST&L PLS Certificate

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I do AST&L certification?

What are the benefits to organizations from AST&L certification programs?

What is the recognition of AST&L certification in India?

Will I get a job, an increment or a promotion after completing AST&L certification?

For which class of industry the AST&L knowledge is most useful?

What is the difference between APICS and AST&L certification programs?

Which certification program is suitable for me CTL or PLS?

For which level of management the AST&L knowledge is most useful?

Is AST&L education appropriate for me?

Finance and cost accounting

In which companies/institutes the individuals are/were working/studying who are