Feature Stories
Tying the 3PL Knot
Shippers and service providers discuss their experience building a strong working relationship.
The Top 10 3PL Excellence Awards
Inbound Logistics readers select the top third-party logistics (3PL) providers.
3PL Perspectives 2010: A Paradox Bound by Demand
Inbound Logistics' exclusive market research compiles shipper and 3PL input to illustrate the outsourcing sector's rapidly changing dynamics.
Ties That Bind: Sewing Up U.S.-Canada Trade
A steady stream of goods passing north and south across the U.S.-Canada border stitches the two nations tightly together, complicated by factors such as customs regulations, security protocols, data exchange, and infrastructure projects.
Amazing Race: Questions & Answers with Brigadier General John O’Connor
Inbound Logistics goes behind the scenes of a five-month pursuit to move the U.S. military from Iraq to Afghanistan with Brigadier General John O’Connor, director of logistics, Third Army, and commanding general of the Army Materiel Command.
Inbound Logistics’ 2010 Summer Reading Guide
Recent books shed light on various aspects of supply chain, logistics, and transportation management.
Case Studies
Casebook
Humanitarian Aid: The Logistics of Doing Good
Nonprofit organization MedShare distributes recovered medical supplies to the places of greatest need.
Reader Profile
Flower Power: John Kuehn
ProFlowers' time- and temperature-sensitive shipments create plenty of challenges for John Kuehn, senior vice president of supply chain operations. Here's how he nips problems in the bud.
Commentary
How-To
Ten Tips
Choosing the Right Product Packaging
Packaging decisions can be complex. Here are 10 tips on choosing the right packaging for your products.
Trends
The 21st Annual State of Logistics Report: Beating the Recession
The State Of Transportation: 2010 Trends by Mode
Global
Prince Rupert’s Princely Returns
EU Rolls Out Tarmac For Garuda Indonesia
Southeast Asia’s Diamond in the Rough
U.S., Switzerland Eye Open Skies Pact
“Cargo Needs the Night” Sees Light
UPS Lauds U.S.-South Korea Free Trade
Sponsored
Knowledge Base
Warehousing Firm Thrives on Modernization
Ferber Warehousing's 650 clients benefit from the firm's innovative total business distribution software solution, Conveyor.
Knowledge Base
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.
Thought Leaders
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.
Thought Leaders
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.
Thought Leaders
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.
Thought Leaders
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.
Thought Leaders
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.
Thought Leaders
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.
Thought Leaders
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.
Digital Editions
3PL LineJim Butts
10 Paths to Supply Chain Innovation
To move your business along the road to supply chain improvement, take a journey down these 10 paths to innovation.
Carriers CornerSimon Kaye
Freight Forwarders: The Vital Link in Logistics Communication
A professional freight forwarder that represents the interests of all supply chain participants can serve as the missing link in supply chain communication.
Checking InFelecia Stratton
Are You Talkin’ to Me?
To be successful, a close relationship between third-party logistics providers and their shipper customers requires a great deal of communication.
Checking InKeith Biondo
What We’ve Got Here is Failure to Communicate
A failure to communicate is the primary reason that 3PL relationships fall apart, according to Inbound Logistics' annual third-party logistics survey.
IT MattersJoe Caston
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.
Smart MovesJeffrey R. Brashares
How to Run a Logistics Job Fair
Holding a local job fair is an innovative approach to helping displaced logistics professionals find new jobs.
ViewpointDr. Jim Giermanski
Digitizing the Global Supply Chain
Global supply chain visibility and detail can only be achieved by modern electronic data transmissions that are already available and can reduce the costs of international cargo movement.