You're on the right track. Cross-docking is a logistics strategy designed to minimize or completely eliminate storage time. The basic flow is that inbound goods from a supplier are unloaded at a terminal, immediately sorted and consolidated based on their final destination, and then directly reloaded onto outbound trucks. The product "crosses the dock" from one transport vehicle to another, often in under 24 hours. From a logistics standpoint, the magic is in the coordination. It requires rock-solid Advance Shipping Notices (ASNs) from suppliers, a facility layout designed for this rapid sort-and-transfer, and tight synchronization with your outbound carrier schedules. The payoff is huge: dramatically reduced warehouse costs, less product handling (which means less damage), and much faster speed to market for time-sensitive goods. It's a core tactic for modern, efficient supply chains. If you want a deep dive into the operational models, requirements, and benefits, this is a fantastic resource on cross dock logistics. It breaks down everything you need to know to evaluate it for your operation.