Third-party logistics (3PL) involves outsourcing elements of distribution, warehousing, and fulfillment to third party businesses. There are four types of 3PL: standard provides basic logistics, service developer offers additional IT and tracking, customer adapter takes over existing operations, and customer developer inherits and adapts systems. Benefits of 3PL include leveraging professional expertise, strong resource networks, freeing up time and capital, utilizing flexible scalable services, and continuously improving supply chains.