Sponsored
Global Supply Chain Strategy: Decision Points
In strategic supply chain analysis, multiple groups of decision makers may have conflicting interests, since there can be an impact across departments and business units. Aaron Baker of Damco USA offers two global supply chain strategy examples that illustrate the decision makers and decision variables needed to ensure the chosen solution is optimal for the business.
Responsive and Flexible Logistics Management Solutions for 2012 and Beyond
Companies require a logistics technology platform and an integrated set of services that can adapt to the pressures of a changing market, writes Glenn Riggs of Odyssey Logistics & Technology.
The Role of Cloud-Based LTL Content in Smarter Supply Chains
On-demand content delivered via cloud-based tools such as CarrierConnect XL help shippers connect with less-than-truckload (LTL) carriers, writes Danny Slaton of SMC3.
Tough Economic Times Require LEAN Logistics Solutions
Forward-thinking organizations are pursuing lean assessments to evaluate their supply chain, combined with innovative lean solutions to help them design the future state of their value stream, writes Eric Lail of Transportation Insight.
Joplin is Rebuilding and Open for Business
In the wake of a destructive tornado, the Joplin, Missouri, community banded together to provide healthcare services and begin rebuilding, writes Rob O'Brian, president of the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce.
Dedicated Refrigerated Fleet Helps Food Distributor Keep Its Cool
Distributor United Natural Foods Inc. worked with third-party logistics (3PL) provider Cardinal Logistics to consolidate from a multiple carrier network for its inbound logistics transportation to a dedicated contract carriage arrangement.
Superior Service, Seven Days a Week
When Wells-Gardner Electronics Corporation outsourced its import and export shipping to Geodis Wilson, it reaped numerous supply chain benefits, such as reduced shipping times and improved shipment visibility, as well as avoiding duty and taxes.
Reliable In-Store Deliveries Fit to a Tea
Manufacturer Milo’s Tea Company outsourced its fleet to Ryder Supply Chain Solutions under a dedicated contract carriage arrangement. Benefits included reduced transportation costs, increased efficiency in managing seasonal surges, and improved fleet and driver reliability, which helped Milo’s better serve its customers.
Freight Consolidation Drives Auto Supply Chain Efficiency
Automotive component supplier IAC needed better control, visibility, and reporting to help weld its supply chain into a cohesive unit. ProTrans delivered innovation and customized solutions designed to control costs along IAC’s network.
How to Ship in Alaska
The variety of cargoes that fly in and out of Alaska—ranging from time-sensitive medical supplies and oil field equipment to perishable seafood—means companies must identify specific shipment needs and align them with asset and service requirements.
How to Balance Export Demand
Shifting global trade dynamics and emerging export markets with explosive growth potential present U.S. growers and other industries with new challenges—as well as opportunities to create more efficient solutions.
How to Improve Maritime Cargo Security
Shippers can ensure ocean cargo security by taking steps such as using C-TPAT checklists, performing random container inspections, applying security seals, shipping through secured ports, conducting security training, and following U.S. Customs and Border Protection guidelines.
How to Benefit from SaaS TMS
Transportation and logistics technology solutions such as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) transportation management systems (TMS) enrich and empower the user community by integrating partners and aggregating data.
How to Manage Peak Season Variability
Unpredictable consumer habits, the economic downturn, and limited ocean carrier capacity have transformed the traditional peak shipping season. Now shippers are preparing for a new reality: peak season variability.
How to Evaluate a 3PL Partner
Shippers, carriers, and small intermediaries that rely on third-party logistics (3PL) service providers to manage non-core logistics and supply functions, access capacity, and tap technology capabilities must review 3PL performance periodically to ensure quality service.
How to Ensure Successful Transportation of Your Project Cargo
Project logistics presents unique transportation challenges. Moving project cargo requires collaborative partnership, attention to detail, and constant communication across the supply chain.
Illinois-Missouri Bi-state Region: Logistics Center of Attention
A central location, well-developed transportation infrastructure, emerging trade connections with Asia and South America, and unified vision for economic development have made the bi-state metropolitan area around St. Louis a global intermodal crossroads.
The Panama Canal Expansion Will Be a Supply Chain Game Changer
The upcoming Panama Canal expansion will have a substantial impact on the U.S. supply chain and its efficiencies, writes Gary Forger, Material Handling Industry of America.
Strategic Logistics Sites: In the Right Place At the Right Time
Discover the logistics advantages of the Buffalo Niagara region; Joplin, Missouri; Southern California; and Nebraska.
APIs Enrich Software Users’ Experience
Tom Heine, CEO, Aljex Software Inc., explains how application programming interfaces (APIs) enrich software users’ experience by connecting them to Web tools.
Getting a Handle on Specialized Transportation Costs
Specialized carriers can help shippers cut transportation and fuel costs when moving heavy equipment, writes David Lowry, Bennett Motor Express.
Coordinated Transportation Improves Margins for Wholesalers
Leading wholesalers understand the limitation of planning transportation in a silo, writes Manhattan Associates’ Mike Mulqueen.
Freight Payment and Auditing Services: Finding the Hidden Gold
Freight payment and auditing services can unlock money-saving operations data.
Nebraska: Lasting Logistics Appeal
Nebraska’s central location, dedicated workforce, and affordable industrial power combine to create an ideal site for logistics operations.
Reverse Logistics: The Untapped Revenue Stream
Reverse logistics has become an area of high priority for companies looking to reduce costs, add efficiencies, and improve the customer experience, writes Steve Sensing, Ryder Supply Chain Solutions.
Utilities & Site Selection: A Powerful Partnership
Energy resources often spell the difference between an adequate location and a great one. Energy utilities may therefore serve as a valuable partners in the site selection process.
Technology Provides Visibility into Global Supply Chains
Access to transportation network data allows companies to benchmark with better business intelligence, enabling smarter decisions for continuous improvements, says Matt Ahearn, LeanLogistics.
What Makes a Great TMS?
With the improved visibility supplied by transportation management systems, shippers can leverage shipment data internally to generate top-line revenue, says Geoff Comrie, Transite Technology.
Cloud Computing: Think Globally, Leverage Locally
Cloud computing provides companies productivity gains and improved supply chain visibility, says TradeTech's Bryn Heimbeck.
Managing the Logistics Lifecycle
Transportation procurement provides the greatest opportunity to create efficiency in the the Logistics Management Lifecycle, says Martin Hubert, Freightgate.
The Perfect Time to Optimize Labor Management
A comprehensive supply chain labor management solution that automates processes such as hiring, time, and attendance, and scheduling can help control costs, minimize compliance risk, and improve productivity, says Malysa O'Connor, Kronos.
3PL Capability is Key to Logistics Cost Reduction
Capable third-party logistics (3PL) providers can help you manage rising logistics costs because they have highly developed processes and critical infrastructures in place, writes Brad Constantini, Comprehensive Logistics.
Due North: U.S.-Canada Trade Flows Steady
For many manufacturers and logistics professionals, preparation and opportunity are meeting right now at the U.S.-Canadian border, as North American companies on both sides of the boundary reexamine, redefine, and realign their global supply chain strategies.
Chemical Logistics: Smart Strategies For Uncertain Times
After years of uncertainty, chemical shippers and service providers are getting back on the right road.
Upgrading Order Fulfillment Systems Boosts Warehouse Efficiency
Peter Hartman of Retrotech offers strategies for optimizing product flow through warehouse automation to achieve better order fulfillment performance.
Excellence in Supply Chain Execution
These elements of good supply chain management must come together to achieve exceptional execution, according to John Williford of Ryder Global Supply Chain Solutions.
Mobile Robots Expand Warehouse Automation Options
Mobile-robotic systems are easy to design and install, with overall lower installation and operational costs than traditional warehouse automation systems, says Mick Mountz of Kiva Systems.
Tracking Warehouse Inventory on the Move
Warehouse operations visibility means knowing the real-time location of your materials handling vehicles, drivers, and inventory so operations can be optimized for maximum productivity, says Phil Van Wormer of Sky-Trax.
RFID Delivers the Power to Transform Markets
RFID technologies allow computers, objects, and individuals to interact in new ways, supplying logistics providers and materials handlers with predictable and actionable data to enhance their service offerings and operations, explains Ravi Pappu of ThingMagic.
U.S. Intermodal Gets a Lift: America’s Great Rail Sites & Services
Intermodal connections help shippers move product quickly and efficiently. Get on track with some locations, utilities, and service providers that are helping intermodal grow.
Data in a Flash: Utilizing EDI
EDI can reduce labor costs, cut data-entry error, and ties you to your customers and vendors, cementing your place in the supply chain.
Third-Party Services Can Simplify Global Trade Complexity
The complexities of global trade management, sustainability and business intelligence technology call for the help of a third-party logistics provider.
The New Breed of Cloud-Based TMS
Today’s new cloud-based transportation management systems empower companies to connect in real-time with their global supply chain partners, helping supply chain managers streamline their processes and save significant time, costs, and resources.
TMS Helps Shippers Rise Above the Status Quo
Move out of your comfort zone and into a multi-functional, cost-saving, online transportation management system.
Achieving Air and Ocean Freight Flexibility
To be operationally flexible, freight forwarders need one “go-to" resource for information about what is in the shipment pipeline as well as quick access to customer and shipment data.
Enhanced Visibility: The Future of TMS
Software-as-a-Service (Saas) transportation management systems encourage collaboration so that all supply chain partners view the same permission-based data to identify mutually beneficial solutions and improvements.
Ensuring Successful System Integration
As volumes increase and deadlines get shorter, it’s imperative that logistics software systems have out-of-the-box communication with other companies using the same system, and easy setup of communications with companies using other systems.
Global Trade Management Software: International Trading Made Easier
With the advent of cloud computing, companies can collaborate with trading partners around the globe with minimal startup costs and headaches, using a pay-as-you-go model.
Voice Technology Frees the Warehouse Workforce
Integrating voice-enabled logistics with hosted ERP solutions and warehouse management systems can improve productivity and accuracy.
The Secrets to a Successful Global Trade Management Program
The complexities of global trade management call for the help of a third-party logistics provider.
Benchmarking Data Supports Pricing Decisions
Measuring against industry benchmark data allows you to identify areas for improving transportation spend.
South Carolina: The Logistics Advantage
Boasting proximity to major U.S. markets and a wealth of transportation resources, the Palmetto State leads the Southeast in serving the nation's distribution needs.
Northern Exposure: Navigating the Alaskan Supply Chain
Intermodal transportation stitches together Alaska's 663,268 square miles of rugged terrain, presenting challenges and opportunities for intrepid shippers.
Harnessing the Winds of Change
The wind power industry blows gusts of opportunity for project sites, equipment manufacturers, and specialty transportation providers.
Global Air Service That Inspires Customer Confidence
Choose a global air transportation services provider that both you and your customers can trust to deliver time-sensitive inventory on schedule.
Achieving Competitive Advantage: How the Right 3PL Partner Can Help You Dominate Your Market
Chris Baltz of Transportation Insight explains how the right 3PL partner can help you achieve competitive advantage and dominate your market.
Protect Your Supply Chain From Merger Mania
Third-party logistics provider mergers can disrupt shippers' supply chain performance. Brad Constantini of Comprehensive Logistics Inc. suggests strategies for preventing these problems.
Nexus Distribution: A Fresh Sheet of Customer Service
When Boise Paper wanted to consolidate five Northeast region facilities into just one, it turned to Nexus Distribution for customer service excellence built on a sound implementation process.
Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM): Plus-Sized Customer Service
Women’s apparel retailer Charming Shoppes praises the red-carpet treatment it gets from logistics partner Hyundai Merchant Marine.
How to Select Expedited Services
Shippers must consider multiple factors when they work with service providers to move expedited freight.
How to Drive Collaborative Distribution
Collaborative distribution lets manufacturers, especially consumer product goods (CPG) companies, merge loads destined for the same end point to maximize trucking efficiency.
How to Develop a Direct-to-Store Delivery Model
A Direct-to-Store Delivery (DSD) delivery model helps consumer goods manufacturers gain speed and increase inventory turns.
How to Find the Best EDI Solution For Your Operations
Electronic data interchange (EDI) technology and infrastructure is adapting to help businesses more quickly and accurately share information within the corporation and across the supply chain.
How to Enable a Proactive Supply Chain
Transaction and shipment exceptions are common, so businesses must be able to account for these variables by enabling a proactive supply chain.
How to Leverage Rail/Intermodal For Refrigerated Freight
The emergence of refrigerated container units provides more cost-effective rail and intermodal shipping for perishable and temperature-sensitive goods.
How to Ship to Alaska
The key to successful shipping in Alaska is to partner with a transportation provider that knows how to manage Alaska’s many obstacles.
How to Select a Transportation Management Solution
Selecting a new transportation management solution (TMS), whether fully outsourced, hosted, or internally installed, requires much due diligence to pair functional need with strategic vision.
How to Ship Air Freight in Alaska
Moving cargo by air in Alaska requires expertise in transportation and logistics management.
Gaining Alignment With Your 3PL is Key to Supply Chain Success
Duane Sizemore of Total Logistic Control discusses how companies can build better relationships with third-party logistics providers through measurement, monitoring, and rewards.
Great Logistics Sites: Supply Chain Central
Here is a look at the attributes that rank high on the list for any company seeking a location for supply chain activities.
Integrate Contract Packaging Into Distribution Operations to Cut Costs by 30%
By integrating contract packaging into distribution operations, companies can cut costs by 30 percent.
Memphis: America’s Aerotropolis
Geography, transportation infrastructure, and a strong distribution sector make Memphis a natural logistics hub.
Freight Payment Systems: From Dollars to Data
Today's shippers have the ability to access information captured by their freight bill payment service providers to make more informed decisions about carrier selection, service utilization, and cost allocation.
Collaborative Distribution Eases the Capacity Crunch
Small and mid-sized manufacturers lack the scale to ship in full truckloads, creating thousands of separate, inefficient lines of supply—all moving to the same mass retailers. Collaborative distribution reduces the number of trucks on the road and cuts distribution costs.
Want Better Service? Take the Driver-Friendly Approach
Weather the driver shortage by keeping detention low and utilization high, practicing good communication, staying flexible in scheduling, and taking advantage of dedicated drivers and equipment.
The Best Partner Carriers Provide Transparency
Shippers shouldn't assume all on-time performance is created equal. Make sure every dollar you spend counts by choosing carriers who provide honest, accurate metrics, and foster innovation to improve your business.
Energy Security for the Future
When selecting a site for a new warehouse or distribution center, there's a second infrastructure that demands attention: the power generation and delivery system.
Ports-to-Plains Alliance Corridor: North America’s Energy and Agricultural Heartland
Spanning the U.S. heartland and reaching into Canada and Mexico, the Ports-to-Plains Alliance corridor links North America’s vital agricultural and industrial communities.
Warehousing Firm Thrives on Modernization
Ferber Warehousing's 650 clients benefit from the firm's innovative total business distribution software solution, Conveyor.
Value Added Services Bring Flexibility to the Supply Chain
A new wave of demand for value-added services requires more capabilities of retail vendors and their logistics providers.
What’s Ahead in Transportation Forecasting?
Transportation forecasts enable planners to shift from reacting to orders to proactively managing capacity. By synchronizing transport forecasts with manufacturing and distribution plans, your entire company can respond to the same demand signals.
Tap the Potential of SaaS and Cloud Computing
Supply chain strategies built around software-as-a-service (SaaS) or Cloud computing eliminate many headaches that often come with supply chain investments. They eliminate the need for presence overseas, cut the time spent integrating systems across internal departments, and greatly reduce the time spent integrating with hundreds of partners and suppliers.
The Evolution of Transportation Buying Practices
It is interesting to witness the changes that have occurred in transportation purchasing. For one, the annual bid mentality is gone. With access and visibility to posting boards, SaaS transportation networks, and optimization technologies, transportation procurement has evolved to the point where it is truly a continuous management function.
Can You See Me Now? Achieving Supply Chain Visibility
Manual data inputs. Multiple data sources. Data latency. Point-to-point interfaces. These are just a few key obstacles to achieving supply chain visibility. But, there are solutions available that deliver visibility and intelligence as a service with process, security, and environmental monitoring.
Getting the Most from Advanced Planning Tools
Third-party logistics providers that use advanced planning tools to model complex routing operations and streamline the bid process have a significant advantage in both demonstrating results and helping clients cut costs. When they cut modeling time to a fraction of what it was, and utilize new tools, 3PLs can uncover opportunities and quickly implement changes that provide benefit for their clients.
The 3 Elements of a Successful Private Label Program
Globally sourced, private label products allow merchants to maximize margins while maintaining price points, ensuring a good return on investment. But sourcing product globally is complex. By focusing on visibility, intelligence and collaboration, retailers, brand owners and wholesalers who globally source private label products can ensure a successful return on investment.
Finding Hidden Profits in Your Warehouse or Transport Operations
Sometimes it's easier than you think to find hidden profits in your warehouse or transportation operations. Many successful companies are doing more with less by simply optimizing their slotting practices, pick paths, truckloads and delivery routes.
Chemical Logistics—June 2010
As the economy drives change, chemical shippers adapt, making the move to intermodal service, developing leaner operations, and cutting transit times. Discover the latest chemical logistics developments in this informative resource from Inbound Logistics and Chemical Week.
Mexico Takes Flight
A booming aerospace sector south of the border offers tremendous opportunities for U.S. and Canadian manufacturers.
Georgia: Fueling Logistics Competitiveness
A flourishing transportation and logistics sector keeps Georgia on the business community's mind.
TMS Evolved: Intelligent Execution Tools That Add Context
Transportation managements systems (TMS) have evolved into intelligent execution tools that add context, writes Steven Shoemaker, RateLinx.
Sharing Efficiencies Through Collaboration
LeanLogistics' Chris Timmer explains how collaborating with trading partners, aided by an on-demand transportation management system, helps increase supply chain efficiencies.
GTM Software: Read This Before You Buy
Technology-enabled global trade management offers significant benefits for improving supply chain efficiency and increasing profitability, writes Don Mabry of ClearTrack Information Network.
Keep Partners In the Loop
Jim Caudill of Xterprise recommends strategies for matching retail demand to supply, enhancing enterprise scalability, and increasing supply chain efficiencies through sustainability initiatives.
Drilling Down Into Supply Chain Data
Sharing key information with all parties can lead to decreased waste, increased orders, and new business, writes J. Kenneth Hazen, CTSI-Global.
Strong Relationships Net Long-Term Value
Rich Wilson of CombineNet Inc. explains the value of strong shipper-carrier relationships.
Ditch the Spreadsheets, Implement a TMS
Ongoing cooperation with value chain partners is possible with integrated transportation management software for optimal resource utilization, business efficiencies, and cost control, writes Scott Vanselous, TMW Systems Inc.
Be the Captain of Your Fleet
Fleet optimization software helps you maximize driver, vehicle, and fleet productivity while delivering superior customer service, writes Steve Brown, Intergis LLC.
Free TMS Software: The Price is Right
Tim Higham of Interstate Transport Inc. predicts that within a few years, many service providers will be offering free TMS technology to help their shipper customers move more freight.
Global Trade Compliance: See it All, Know it All
As different countries implement both security and trade-led initiatives around the world, it is critical to improve global regulatory knowledge and visibility, writes Tom Barnes of Integration Point Inc.
FTZ Solutions: Zoning in on the Right Fit
A global trade management system can help support foreign trade zone operations, whether distributing from or manufacturing within the zone, writes Wayne Slossberg of QuestaWeb Inc.
Wind Logistics: A Mighty Wind
Rapid change follows rapid growth in the wind power industry. Here's how logistics providers are working to go any way the wind blows.
Prime Location for Logistics: Nebraska
Centrally located and boasting a highly trained workforce and low industrial power rates, Nebraska offers an ideal site for logistics operations.
It's Time to Start Looking at the Future and Preparing for the Long Haul
As truckload prices starting to rise, more shippers are choosing stability over short-term cost advantages, writes Jerry DeMeuse of Schneider Logistics.
Ready for the Rebound
Smart companies are using the recession to address supply chain inefficiencies so they will be ready for the economic rebound, writes Kurt Cavano of TradeCard.
Immediate Steps Toward Supply Chain And Transportation Integration
To optimize transportation management into the supply chain, it's critical to integrate transportation management best practices, process management and people across the entire supply chain, writes Geoff Comrie of Transite Technology.
Chemical Logistics—June 2009
How are chemical shippers and carriers handling the economic crisis? What's the latest news in chemical logistics training and regulations? Find out in this informative resource from Inbound Logistics and Chemical Week.
Chemical Logistics—June 2008
What is the state of today's chemical logistics market? Find out in this informative resource from Inbound Logistics and Chemical Week.
One Good Turn (sponsored by SmartTurn)
SmartTurn gives Osteogenics Biomedical inventory insight while streamlining and expediting warehouse operations.
Industry Outlook: Faring Well, Despite Challenges
Advances in safety and technology contend with stubborn tactical challenges.
Taking Responsibility For Responsible Care
Shippers and industry organizations help push carriers and 3PLs to become RC partners.
Shippers and Carriers Commit to Best Practices
Best practices keep chemical shippers and carriers thriving.
A Study in Terra
Four questions for Joe Giesler, senior v.p. of commercial operations for chemical company Terra Industries, Iowa.
Outlook and Opportunities in Chemical Logistics
Today: getting goods to and from the warehouse; tomorrow: where to put the warehouse?
Digital Editions
