IT Matters
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Performance-Based Negotiations: Simulation as Support for Decision-Making
Using an advanced logistics simulation tool to analyze system performance and lifecycle cost can help logisticians negotiate better performance-based logistics contracts, writes Justin Woulfe of WPI Services.
Leveraging Technology to Accelerate Productivity and Profit
With the right investments in technology, 3PLs can make their business more attractive to current and potential clients by offering additional value-added services, superior inventory control, and overall cost reduction, writes Chuck Fuerst of HighJump Software.
You’re Faced With a Recall. Can You Find That Product?
Automated traceability technology allows companies to locate products anywhere in the supply chain, minimizing the impact of product recalls, writes Tom Kozenski of JDA Software.
Yard and Dock Management Tools: An Extra Set of Eyes in Your Facility
Yard and dock management systems use real-time and physical data to assist facilities in efficiently managing operations such as loading dock visibility, live and staged trailer coordination, and turn time management, writes Eric Breen of 4SIGHT.
Measuring the Value of Collaboration
In a true collaborative relationship between purchasing and logistics, order and routing pattern planning comprises a single, optimized decision process that yields measurable results, writes Bill Michalski of ArrowStream.
Why Innovation Matters for Rugged Mobile Technology
Advances in consumer technologies such as smartphones and tablets are driving a new generation of rugged mobility innovation for logistics and supply chain applications, writes Tim Eusterman of Intermec Technologies.
Why Supply Chains Need Business Intelligence
Business Intelligence within the supply chain improves internal efficiencies and accountability while saving time and eliminating costs with metrics-driven decision-making and change management, writes Steve Dowse, International Asset Systems.
Embarking On an IT Modernization Journey
Modernizing information technology infrastructure helps companies save money and provide better value for their customers, writes Steve Biondi of Micro Focus.
“Sell By” Dates Cost Shippers Billions in Wasted Perishable Goods
Shippers and business logistics professionals can easily use bar codes rather than ink stamps to ensure fresh food items are delivered to customers, writes Mark Croxton of Aldata.
3PL Value-Adds Mean Millions
By identifying the value-adds that brand and retail shippers want, logistics providers can position their offerings to bring millions in benefits to their customers and make the relationship stick, writes Greg White of Blue Ridge.
Filling the Cloud with High-Quality Data
Cloud-based supply chain networks allow for real-time data sharing among companies, but rely on high-quality data for effectiveness, writes Greg Kefer of GT Nexus.
Handling Change: There's an App for That
An open business planning platform allows business planners, partners, and others to build simple apps that enhance their master Sales & Operations Planning system to adapt their S&OP process for unique – and changing – needs, writes Nari Viswanathan, Steelwedge Software.
Can Your Global Supply Chain Withstand a Crisis?
Risk management strategies must address the everyday sources of supply chain disruption, and managers must incorporate the identification of potential supply chain risk into their daily practices, writes Mark Humphlett, Infor.
Wireless Workstations Unplug Savings
Choosing the right mobile powered workstations for your warehouse or distribution center will energize your workforce, and deliver improved accuracy and efficiency, writes Christine Wheeler, Newcastle Systems.
Mobile TMS Applications Improve Supply Chain Visibility
Mobile applications give carriers and shipper instant access to transportation management system (TMS) data, resulting in improved supply chain visibility, write Mike Skinner of VistaLogix Global.
Improving Logistics and Distribution Processes at International Subsidiaries
By automating distribution and logistics processes of subsidiaries via an integrated business system using a two-tier enterprise resource planning (ERP) model, a large company can increase the distribution and logistics operational performance at these subsidiaries, improve customer order delivery metrics, and gain an ability to compete in the local markets more effectively and efficiently, writes Mike Morel, SAP.
Discovering the Value of Analytics
To better define analytics and develop better analytics strategies, consider the three different types of analytics: descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive. IBM’s Michael Watson explains each type.
Containerization’s Benefits Can’t Be Contained
By incorporating containerization into downstream transportation and upstream supply chain workflows, companies can improve asset utilization, use fewer trucks, drive fewer miles, reduce fuel costs, and enhance distribution center operations, writes Fabrizio Brasca, JDA Software.
Sharing Data Creates Optimal Supply Chain Visibility
Supply chain visibility is a valuable result of trading partner collaboration, writes Bobby Kaemmer, Cadre Technologies. On-demand and cloud-based solutions can help supply chain partners share data.
Benchmarking Keeps Logistics IT Outsourcing On Track
By highlighting the differences between an organization’s performance and a comparative reference standard, benchmarks can identify improvement opportunities and identify activities required to achieve superior performance.
The Three Pillars of Effective Returns Management
Software solutions can help shippers maximize value recovery from inbound shipments of returned material, writes Tamara Dwyer of TAKE Solutions.
Managing Supply Chain Disruptions
Supply chain disruptions become more manageable when shippers have supply chain technology that provides shipment visibility, writes Henry Hicks, Progress Software.
Use Transportation Planning for Competitive Advantage
Logistics can now be aligned with supply chain and manufacturing through solutions that create daily transportation need forecasts by lane/mode/carrier. Robert F. Byrne of Terra Technology outlines the benefits.
5 Steps to Improving Food Product Traceability
Retailers can implement technology and processes to increase traceability and gain greater visibility into their supply chain, which helps track and retrieve products in the event of a product recall, writes Brendan Lowe, Aldata Solution.
Safeguarding Your Supply Chain Against Rising Fuel Prices
Shippers can protect their supply chains against rising fuel costs by optimizing distribution networks, creating a flexible infrastructure, and managing shipping practices.
RFID and Supply Chain Visibility: You Can’t Manage What You Can’t See
Radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology helps transportation and logistics organizations gain visibility into their global supply chains and boost return on investment (ROI), writes Ralph Lieberthal, Motorola Solutions.
Building Operational Excellence Through EDI
Companies that limit their use of EDI to fundamental transactions, such as purchase orders and invoices, are missing an opportunity to strengthen their customer service and overall competitiveness, writes Chad Collins, HighJump Software.
Inventory Intelligence: The Key to Unlocking Omni-channel Retailing
Retailers who succeed at integrating their inventory intelligence can cut costs, accelerate turns, and build revenue by driving high-fidelity information back into the supply chain, aligning it with shopper demand, write Tyco Retail Solutions’ Karen Bomber and Jim Caudill.
Cloudy Days Ahead for Global Logistics
Cloud-based logistics technology systems offer the speed, accessibility, efficiency, and shared data necessary for success in an increasingly global business environment, writes Echo Global’s Doug Waggoner.
Maximizing TMS Resources Helps Achieve Sustainable ROI
When it comes to transportation management systems, a combination of SaaS plus managed services represents the next step in supply chain optimization, writes Jordan Kass, TMC.
Rallying CFO Support for Your Supply Chain Initiatives
Steve Ford, CFO of TradeCard, outlines strategies for enlisting your chief financial officer’s support for supply chain initiatives.
Going Mobile: Optimizing Inventory Management
Rick Pontin, CEO of Airclic, explains how to improve inventory management through better visibility.
Retail Recovery Depends on an Integrated Supply Chain Strategy
To successfully manage multi-brand and multi-channel selling, retailers need to optimize customer order fulfillment across all brands and channels, writes Jim Bengier of Sterling Commerce.
Who’s Comparing Your Import Data?
If you don't file accurate import data with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, you put your company at risk for penalties and fines, warns Kevin Shoemaker, director, global solutions for Integration Point Inc.
Top Five Ways Warehouse Management Systems Deliver ROI
Here are five areas where supply chain executives can find additional return on investment opportunities from their Warehouse Management Systems (WMS).
Navigating Global Supply Chain Risks
Danny Halim of JDA Software offers strategies for minimizing risk in the global supply chain.
Managing Labor Boosts Warehouse Operations
Labor management tools can help you determine if your workforce is performing at the level necessary to deliver cost-effective service to customers.
The Power of Flexible Transportation Management
Flexible transportation management systems empower shippers by integrating inbound and outbound transportation throughout the supply chain management process.
Crack the WIP for a Leaner Supply Chain
Zebra Technologies' David Phillips explains how eliminating excess work-in-process waste improves your supply chain.
Crossdocking: A New Vision for an Old Idea
Jason Howton, TAKE Supply Chain, outlines strategies for achieving best-in-class crossdocking performance.
Getting Off the Bench and Into Benchmarking
Benchmarking before negotiating carrier rates can be a money-saving opportunity, writes Niko Michas of BridgeNet Solutions.
Web-Based WMS Solutions Drive Automotive Supply Chain Efficiency
For the aftermarket auto parts business, where materials handling is as important to the bottom line as execution, planning begins with implementing a Web-based warehouse and inventory management system, writes Jim Burleigh of SmartTurn.
Warehouse Metrics: Measure What Matters
Managers should identify and focus on the most useful warehouse metrics to gather, report, and apply, writes Eric Allais of PathGuide Technologies.
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