Creating an Exceptional Customer Experience
Deliver poor customer service and you’ll lose business. But you can improve the customer experience by committing to meaningful change across your enterprise.
Supply Chain 4.0 Needs Order-to-Cash 4.0
Industry 4.0 has been given a renewed sense of urgency following the pandemic. Industry 4.0 refers to the massive changes we see across every industry as a result of new technologies, such as smart sensors, predictive analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI). By extension, we see a technological shake-up with supply chain 4.0 and cash management 4.0.
Ensuring a Successful 3PL Partnership
With companies embracing a new normal and reimagining supply chains, many turn to third-party logistics (3PL) providers. Here’s how to optimize your 3PL relationship.
Career Moves that Pack a Punch
Here’s your ring-side seat to knockout advice from supply chain professionals who boosted their careers by coming out swinging.
E-Shoppers: It’s a Mall World
Online shoppers across the globe are buying from marketplaces and international retailers, relying more on digital devices and seeking alternate delivery options, according to the latest UPS Pulse of the Online Shopper study. Almost all online shoppers in the markets surveyed shop at marketplaces—third-party e-commerce sites that let multiple merchants sell products. In Mexico, 99 […]
The New (Ab)Normal: Reshaping Business and Supply Chain Strategy Beyond COVID-19
What businesses have done during the chaos of the pandemic, and what they are likely to do in the coming months and years to ensure they survive the virus and thrive afterwards.
Food Packaging: That’s a Wrap
Environmental impacts, cost concerns, and technology advances drive food packaging innovation.
Energy Management: The Next Step in Supply Chain Optimization
When considering new ways to optimize their supply chain, many large enterprises—like UPS, Amazon, Walmart, and FedEx—first focus on technology enhancements. Hyperautomation, artificial intelligence (AI), edge computing, 5G, and virtual reality are the latest ways to fine-tune transportation, shipping, and logistics to meet customer demand and improve profitability.
Amping Up the CX
Shippers and their logistics partners deploy supply chain and customer experience strategies to rock their customers’ world.
Think Big, Act Small
Business disruption is creating disproportionate opportunity for mid-size forwarders, logistics solutions providers, and 3PLs. The maxim “He who is closer to the customer wins” is in play here. Says who? A recent survey by Barclays/BOD on the state of logistics confidence levels finds that “larger companies have generally found things more difficult than smaller ones, […]
Taylored Fulfillment Services Acquires U.S. Operations of Toll Global Logistics
Taylored Fulfillment Services, a national third-party logistics (3PL) provider based in New Jersey, acquired the U.S. operations of Toll Global Logistics, a $8.7 billion Australian logistics company, boosting its position as a top provider in the United States. The acquisition triples Taylored’s footprint in key distribution areas, which are located near the ports of Los […]
Collaboration Provides Unification, Visibility, and Reporting on Key Factors
TForce Worldwide partnered with a large manufacturing client, building a system that met its needs and a unified platform that provides complex data to support better business decisions.
Freight Does a Forward March
Most professionals say they expect COVID-19 to shape their supply chain into the medium term. The pace of change will be unlike anything since 2008, accelerating existing trends and shifting priorities, says a Ti and Bollore Logistics survey. Key findings include: 28% of respondents say they plan to shift volumes away from air freight in […]
What Makes a Go-To Ecommerce Partner? Ask Baboon To The Moon
With command over inventory as well as every order, return and exchange in the bag, backpack maker Baboon To The Moon is over the moon about their e-commerce fulfillment partner Port Logistics Group.
Rolling Out a Major Product Transition Across the Globe
For C3 Solutions, customer success equals company success. The industry leader in yard and dock management solutions eased the transition for users to a new HTML5 platform, providing exceptional support.
Home Improvement on a Winning Streak
The pandemic continues to boost sales for home improvement retailers as consumers spend much of their time at home. Total retail sales in the category were up 11% in July 2020 year over year according to the Department of Commerce (see chart), and consumer spending in the home category soared in April 2020 after stimulus […]
How to Prepare Your Warehouse for a Second Wave of COVID-19
Warehouses and fulfillment centers should take these precautions to mitigate COVID-19 risks, keep the workforce safe, and avoid costly downtime.
What Is the Best Method to Measure Customer Satisfaction?
Q: How is Ruan’s Customer Satisfaction Program structured? A: At Ruan, customer satisfaction is one of our five guiding principles. Ruan believes in developing strong partnerships by understanding our customers’ stories and continuing to improve our service as their needs evolve. And the best way to know if we are achieving that goal is to […]
Air Cargo’s Gradual Takeoff
The gradual movement toward recovery to pre-COVID market conditions continues for the global air cargo industry (see chart), according to data from CLIVE Data Services and TAC Index. Year-on-year growth for the full four weeks of August 2020 showed a further narrowing of the gap in international air cargo volumes to -17% versus August 2019. […]
Procurement Practices That Pay Off
How do you know you’re paying the right price for the right level of service? Accurate business intelligence will drive sound strategies that deliver on core business goals.
Control Tower Capabilities—Redefined
Q: What is a control tower? A: There are many definitions of a control tower in the market today. Some are analytics overlays without a network to get data or application intelligence. Some provide one functional area (e.g. planning) and encompass internal operations and maybe tier 1 providers. These can sound helpful but won’t get […]
Shaping Future Supply Chains
Supply chains face an evolution that will change how chief supply chain officers (CSCOs) operate, according to a Gartner report. The following trends will shape the supply chain’s future, the report says: 1. The rise of digital business. Many CSCOs struggle to create a holistic digital roadmap. At the same time, they face pressure from […]
Macy’s Parades Digital Lead
Digitally mature retailers better reacted to COVID-19 disruptions, finds a study by tech company Incisiv. Based on performance along the customer journey, the study names the top North American apparel retailers in digital maturity: Overall 1. Macy’s 2. Kohl’s 3. Neiman Marcus 4. Target 5. Nordstrom 6. Ann Taylor 7. Chico’s 8. J.C. Penney Co. […]
The Need for Shipping Speed
Consumers now make 58% of their purchases online since COVID-19 began compared to just 32% before the pandemic, and many will spend more for expedited shipping, says a LaserShip survey. The study reveals: Gen Z and millennials are more likely to shop at new retailers if expedited shipping is provided compared to older generations. 40% […]
Reshoring Starts with Mapping Suppliers
When the book How COVID-19 Changed Supply Chains is written, it will include chapters on reshoring—bringing manufacturing back to the United States—and nearshoring—bringing them closer to home. But there won’t be a chapter titled “How COVID-19 Ended China’s Manufacturing Dominance.”
Expedited Carriers Guide 2020
Demand for expedited shipments has exploded during the past decade, thanks to e-commerce growth and the Amazon Effect. That demand has accelerated even quicker during the pandemic.
Picking an Inventory Solution
With the right inventory management solution in place, businesses can flex and adapt quickly regardless of market conditions, challenges or shifts in their business models. These 8 tips by Oracle NetSuite will help you pick an inventory management solution that positions your business for success.
Airfreight Update: Managing the Turbulence
The air cargo sector has flown up, down, and sideways during the past half year. How are carriers and airports stabilizing?
Easing E-Commerce Pain Points
Although key logistics capabilities are needed to build and maintain successful e-commerce operations, few brands excel at them, according to a study from Geodis and Accenture Interactive. The study highlights: E-commerce acceleration: Brands estimate that e-commerce in 2020 will represent nearly half of their sales. Before COVID-19, companies were making 34% of their sales online. […]
Supply Chain Checklist for a COVID-19 World
While the uptick in revenue from online sales during the pandemic has been positive, shippers still face ongoing challenges acquiring raw materials and tackling last mile delivery. Companies are now in a position where they need to hedge against having too much inventory and working capital tied up, while seeking the necessary agility and resilience […]
USMCA FAQ
The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement to drive mutually beneficial trade among the three countries. Thomas Insights answers some key questions about the agreement. Why is a North American trade deal so important? Mexico and Canada are the United States’ biggest export market, supporting 12 million American jobs and […]
NOTED: The Supply Chain in Brief-December 2020
Sealed Deals COVAXX, which developed a synthetic peptide-based vaccine to fight COVID-19, partnered with Maersk for transportation and supply chain services to deliver the vaccine around the world once it receives regulatory approval. BMW Manufacturing selected Penske Logistics as the lead logistics provider at its South Carolina plant. Penske will help optimize inbound and outbound transportation of parts to and […]
IN BRIEF: New Services & Solutions-December 2020
Products The new XG4 rugged mobile computer from Janam Technologies is designed for scan-intensive applications. The lightweight device is ideal for workers performing supply chain functions, including inventory management, stocking and replenishment, shipping, receiving, and cross docking. The OpteBulk from ORBIS consists of a pallet, sleeve, and top cap to keep product loads safe and secure. Allowing for maximum […]
What’s the most unusual or unexpected transportation move or logistics project you’ve been involved in?
The most unusual thing I’ve transported is rhodium “dust.” Rhodium is a precious metal 7 times more expensive than gold. The rhodium was used in an industrial chemical process and dust generated from the process was collected and transported to a special recovery facility. It required an escort because each drum was valued at more than $1 million.
E-Fulfillment Picks Up Speed
How e-commerce companies and transportation services meet demand when fast delivery isn’t fast enough.
Fleet Electrification Offers Opportunity in Shipping, Logistics
Electrification is driving transportation to become more sustainable and innovative. For shipping and logistics managers, electric trucks (e-trucks) offer opportunities to advance supply chain efficiency, decrease operations and maintenance (O&M) costs, improve driver safety, adhere to carbon emission regulations, and potentially monetize energy by establishing predictable long-term costs and grid services. The market for e-trucks […]
How to Protect Your Supply Chain from Cyberattacks
Supply chains have been stretched to their limits by COVID-19 lockdowns, border closures, and sudden shifts in consumer demands. Now, they’re facing a growing threat from hackers. According to the FBI, cyberattacks have surged by 400% during the pandemic. One of the top targets: supply chains. In 2019, there were around 300 major hacks on […]
Omnichannel and Supply Chain Work Together for Competitive Advantage
The days of going to a department store to shop for a TV, viewing the options, and making a purchase now seem quaint. The emergence of the internet, smartphones, social media, and other technologies has opened a world of new options for consumers and businesses to review, research, and buy online with ever-increasing delivery choices.
Preparing to Automate Your Warehouse
Before investing in the latest automation trends, optimization is crucial. These steps can help you effectively optimize, connect, and—only then—automate operations.
Innovator of the Year
How much does Dave Cox believe in building partnerships with clients? Enough to walk away from a million-dollar account that wasn’t interested in the same goal.
Top Priorities for 3PL Warehouse IT in 2021
Q: When looking ahead to 2021, what’s the number-one priority companies should make to stay competitive? A: Since labor is the most expensive component of the business, we say start there. Smartly planning your resources to best suit the needs of the company and the company’s digital transformation and customer experience goals is paramount. Barcoding […]
Vertical Focus | Healthcare
The global clinical trial supply and logistics for the pharmaceutical industry is expected to grow from $16.6 billion in 2019 to $25.9 billion by the end of 2025.
Do You Like Raspberries?
Initial and erroneous reporting on a Wuhan wet market renewed a focus on food supply chain management, or FSCM. The virus episode reminds us that reputations of food value chain partners—vendors, transport providers, governments, buyers, and retailers—can and will be severely damaged by any food chain fail. Twenty-three million people get sick from unsafe food […]
What’s the Holiday Sales Scenario?
The holiday retail season will play out in one of two ways—a relatively stable year-over-year sales increase of 0% to 1%, or a jump of 2.5% to 3.5%—both of which are lower than prior years, according to Deloitte. Scenario one: Consumers experience growing anxiety about their health and finances. This reinforces the current high savings […]
How Cold Chains Can Be Optimized for the Delivery of a COVID-19 Vaccine
Cold chains need to be able to provide the right vaccines in the right condition and at the right time to be successful. Pharma companies can successfully distribute the COVID-19 vaccine if they can achieve true visibility and collaborate to creatively solve cold logistics issues.
California Clears the Air
To help commercial providers invest in clean truck and infrastructure technology in an effort to improve the region’s air quality, the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC) and the Southern California Association of Governments created a new match-funding program for last-mile transportation. The project comes as e-commerce increases the frequency of truck deliveries. […]
Creating a Smart Asset-Tracking Solution for Pallet Monitoring and Beyond
Corporations around the world are acknowledging the importance of the Internet of Things (IoT) and the need for a solution that has the ability to identify, locate and track assets. This year, Gartner predicts that over half of major new business processes will incorporate some element of the IoT, and the industry where increased internet-connected […]
IN BRIEF: New Services & Solutions-November 2020
Products Letting conveyors run quietly and smoothly when moving light goods, the new roller from daRoller requires just 12 g (0.026 pounds) of turning effort to start the conveyor roller. The light-running roller is built with ABEC precision bearings and a grease/oil combination for lubrication, allowing the conveyor to run easily, quietly, and smoothly. Mezzanine Safeti-Gates offers a […]
Consumers Set Their Sights on Visibility
With COVID-19 disrupting the traditional retail model and more consumers expecting to find, buy, and receive products wherever and however they desire, the need for retailers to optimize and elevate their supply chain capabilities is imperative for maintaining sales and brand loyalty, finds a survey by enVista. Other key findings in the survey include: 87% […]
How IoT Solves Global Supply Chain Challenges
Today’s supply chains are more complex than ever before, with goods changing hands multiple times between global suppliers and consumers before they reach their final destinations. Such a high scale of production can quickly present logistical challenges, like how to keep track of returnable industrial packaging (RIP), the loss of which can significantly harm a […]
5 Must-Take Actions to Prepare for the 2020 Holiday Season
This year has been, and continues to be, unprecedented. Not since the Second World War have global supply chains been so dramatically interrupted. And given the integration of these global supply chains (thanks to the marvels of the integrated circuit) and advances in modern transportation, the disruption caused by COVID-19 is, arguably, unprecedented in modern […]
West Pak Avocado Grows a Ripe 3PL Partnership
Between 2007 and 2018, average avocado production around the globe grew by 5.3% annually, to about 6.4 million tons in 2018, according to Research and Markets. West Pak Avocado, an avocado grower and distributor based in Murrieta, California, has helped drive this increase.
Top Hat and Tales
Stephanie Carter is the co-founder, president, and chief executive officer of Wallaroo Hat Company, a Boulder, Colorado-based manufacturer of stylish sun-protective hats, founded in 1999. Responsibilities: Supply chain logistics, overall operations, design, manufacturing, marketing, and human resources. Education: B.A. in Spanish and French language and literature, cum laude, New York University, 1989; J.D., University of […]
If you could switch jobs with someone for a day, who would it be?
A presidential debate moderator. What a thrill it would be to channel creativity with a journalistic flair to craft questions for some of the most powerful leaders in the world to discuss. What an adrenaline rush…until the candidates don’t observe the rules.
Solving Distributor Liquidity Shortages
The pandemic is inflicting financial hardship on the supply chain—from manufacturers down to the end consumer—with particular pain for distributors, who are the critical intermediary agents responsible for delivering goods from producers to retailers and other businesses that sell to consumers.
How to Leverage Rail/Intermodal…Now and Later
When used smartly today and tomorrow, rail/intermodal can give supply chains a lift.
The World Is Your Warehouse 3.0
In a column I wrote 20 years ago called "Millennium Musings," I used the phrase "make the world your warehouse." It took two decades, but it appears that we may be on the cusp of that actually happening, not just in developed countries, but across the entire world. How? Enter Space Exploration Technologies, or SpaceX, […]
Serving Up Sustainability
PepsiCo and General Mills plan to reduce their carbon footprint during the next 10 years, following similar initiatives by food manufacturing giants such as Kellogg’s and Smithfield Foods. New York-based PepsiCo, which owns Frito-Lay, Tropicana, and Quaker Oats, aims to use 100% renewable electricity across all its company-controlled operations by 2030 and across its franchise […]
Maritime Logistics: Automate & Innovate
Marine ports load up on automation and digital innovation for fast, safe, and more efficient operations.
NOTED: The Supply Chain in Brief-Nov 2020
Recognition Transportation equipment lessor Milestone Equipment Holdings received the award for Best Overall Chassis Provider in the Port of New York & New Jersey from the Association of Bi-State Motor Carriers for providing drivers with high-quality equipment and offering responsive customer service. The East Bay Economic Development Alliance honored the Port of Oakland with the […]
Warehouse Automation Prognosis
While revenue for the global warehouse automation market will likely decrease in 2020, order intake will grow significantly, according to Interact Analysis’ forecast. Other predictions in the report show: Market Growth Significant market growth in 2021 as project completion dates push from 2020 to 2021. Compound annual growth rate will increase by 11.9% in 2019-2024. […]
How Election Results Will Impact Supply Chain Stakeholders
The coronavirus, and the associated lockdowns, has brought a great deal of logistics activity – and many business decisions – to a grinding halt. Especially when it comes to international trade, it’s hard for business decisions-makers to decide at the moment if they want to invest heavily in a certain market, or to make commitments […]
Untangling Supply Chain Challenges
Digitization and complexity present overwhelming challenges, finds a new Körber study. 91% of supply chain professionals cannot stay ahead of their challenges as manufacturing and fulfillment complexities continue to grow. 51% of businesses can only tackle one supply chain challenge at a time. 48% of supply chains saw complexity grow in the past year, driven […]
Brexit Baffles Freight Forwarders
Most freight forwarders doubt they can handle changes to the United Kingdom’s trading relationship in 2021, including new customs documentation and procedures, according to a study by the British International Freight Association. Key findings from the report reveal: Lack of understanding: More than half of freight forwarders say they have no knowledge or need to […]
Searching for the Perfect Site
New site selection challenges magnify the importance of finding not only the right spot on the map, but also one that offers technology, transportation, and opportunities. The right logistics partners can help focus your search.
Supply Chain’s Rising Stars
“Supply chain is an untouched territory of future developments,” says Charlotte de Brabandt, megawatt winner, Rising Supply Chain Stars program. Saving more than $10 million, updating technology across 8,900 stores, explaining results from a 27-country region to top management, and increasing forecast accuracy with new digital tools are just some achievements of the latest winners […]
Shining New Light on Dock Operations
The loading dock is a complicated place, with many people and a lot of equipment working together. With better visibility into dock activity, companies can bring significant improvements to their warehouse operations. Q: What important challenges do warehouse operators face because they lack access to crucial real-time and historical data about what’s going on at […]
Shooting for the Moon
In another step toward making the world your warehouse, the FCC awarded SpaceX nearly $900 million in federal subsidies to support broadband customers in remote U.S. areas through its Starlink satellite internet network. The subsidies are an incentive for broadband providers to bring service to underserved areas, and will be distributed in the next 10 […]
Top Packaging Innovations Enable E-Commerce Growth and Sustainability
Working with a 3PL such as DHL Supply Chain can help you develop packaging that improves sustainability, lowers costs, and delivers the desired customer experience.
TMS Enables Shippers to Manage Exceptions and Navigate Disruptions
Utilizing a transportation management system for tracking exceptions increases visibility for shippers and lets them more effectively allocate resources.
Finding the Sweet Spot for Export Resin Weights
Gulf Winds provided a lightweight equipment solution for a major chemical shipper that maximized product loading and achieved significant savings.
Partnering with a Logistics Specialist Brings Major Benefits
Q: What are the customer’s benefits of working with a large, experienced logistics company versus one that is part of a diversified organization? A: The most obvious benefit to the customer is that logistics is their specialty. When you work with a logistics company that is part of a large, diversified business, their focus is […]
3 Signs a Warehouse Needs a Wireless Site Assessment
A properly designed wireless network, as well as enhancements made to an existing network, can maximize benefits of the Wi-Fi system and enhance efficiencies across all areas of a business. Connectivity poses a unique challenge for warehouse operations given constantly shifting inventory, shelving, racking and vehicles, along with potential interference from other wireless equipment. Ensuring […]
Vertical Focus Retail-Oct
Weaving Blockchain into Data Sharing Blockchain can solve the errors and inefficiencies that exist in data exchange between suppliers, retailers, and other stakeholders in the retail supply chain, according to results from the Chain Integration Project proof of concept. If retailers want to incorporate blockchain into their supply chain, the study recommends these steps: 1. […]
NOTED: The Supply Chain in Brief-Oct 2020
Recognition Total Distribution is the First Place Fleet Safety Award winner of the Florida Trucking Association’s Safety Management Council in the Truckload Shipping Division—Under 5 Million Miles category. James McMaster, director of transportation, and Doug Sibila, CEO of parent company Peoples Services, accepted the award. Transportation and logistics provider Werner Enterprises was named to U.S. […]
IN BRIEF: New Services & Solutions-October 2020
Products To address the safety issues in chocking trailer tires, Rite-Hite has released a Global Wheel Chock that, when paired with Approach-Vu, audibly and visibly alerts personnel that a trailer is approaching. The chocking system integrates with the Dok-Lok Style Light Communication System and is available with Rite-Vu auxiliary communication lights, approach detection system, and camera engagement […]
13 Keys to Choosing the Right Warehouse Management System
Following these guidelines can boost your chances for a successful WMS implementation.
GE Appliances Flips Its Smart Switch
Do you think about how big appliances, such as refrigerators, washing machines, and dishwashers, move through the supply chain—from the factory to a homeowner’s property or a commercial apartment building? Mark Shirkness does, every single day.
Truckers Give It the Gas
When it’s time to deliver, the best trucking companies put the pedal to the metal.
Head of the Breakfast Club
To foster an environment of collaboration and trust, Paul Tessy sits down for breakfast once weekly with employees across the company, at every level.
3 Ways Retailers Can Fully Prepare for the Holiday Season
Retailers know Americans will still be spending this holiday season, even if it is in a wildly atypical manner. Smart retailers are taking the following steps to ensure they’re not left with a lump of coal this holiday season. 1. Finalize any online fulfillment and inventory management decisions. Retailers of all sizes are aggressively wrapping […]
Shopping for E-Fulfillment Efficiencies
Online grocery shopping has morphed from a temporary necessity to a new way of life. Retailers with the best order fulfillment process and the highest-quality customer service will gain the upper hand.
WMS Buyer’s Guide 2020
3PL Central El Segundo, CA | 3plcentral.com | 888-375-2368 PRODUCT: 3PL Warehouse Manager DESCRIPTION: Manages inventory, automates routine tasks, and delivers complete visibility to 3PLs and their customers with best practices. ASC Software Beavercreek, OH | ascsoftware.com | 937-429-1428 PRODUCT: ASCTrac WMS DESCRIPTION: Advanced features and configurations solve complex distribution and manufacturing requirements. Off the […]
Should the Emergency Suspension of Hours-of-Service Rules be Extended?
Yes, the Hours-of-Service exemption should be extended until the country removes the emergency declarations for the pandemic and the CDC no longer declares the United States under a pandemic.
Serving Eye Surgeons During the Pandemic: Relying on Ingenuity and Partnerships
Flight cancellations, inconsistent supply, increased demands on our customer service teams…these aggravations are not about pleasure or business travel, but the urgent need to rush a cornea to someone waiting in darkness for a transplant.
Mining Data Insights
Here’s how freight bill audit and payment firms unearth and leverage data from freight audits to provide shippers the mother lode of information they need to make intelligent, strategic decisions.
Cold Storage Efficiency
Cold storage facilities have their own unique challenges and, therefore, require unique tools for optimized efficiency and cost savings.
3 Tips for Using Data-Driven Technology to Augment Worker Safety
The adoption of wearable technology in the supply chain space has accelerated during the past six months, as the COVID-19 pandemic ushered in a new wave of workplace safety concerns. Now, in addition to reducing worker injuries, IoT technology is increasingly used to protect workers from the virus with newly added social distancing and contact-tracing […]
Become a “Partner of Choice” to Unleash the Full Power of Procurement
Most procurement teams are familiar with the concept of customer centricity, and some years back this concept was translated into supplier-centric sourcing. Becoming a “customer of choice” became the new top goal in order to secure the best deals and guarantee great relationships through close collaboration with core suppliers. In many organizations, this meant identifying […]
Leveraging the Benefits of New Industrial Printers for Compliance
Q: What are the benefits of investing in the latest industrial printers? A: The latest industrial printers offer a new set of features and advantages, so end users will not be upgrading just to ensure continued performance and support—they will enable new productivity and efficiency benefits. This includes higher image resolutions, improved feeds-and-speeds, and user-replaceable […]
A Plan for Freight Excellence
The U.S. Department of Transportation took many by surprise recently when it introduced the first-ever National Freight Strategic Plan (NFSP), designed to upgrade the American freight system and maintain the country’s competitive edge. Anyone who has been around our industry as long as I have has seen federal initiatives that address transportation inequities without moving […]
3PLs Play Pivotal Role
Order volumes increased by 81% for third-party logistics (3PL) providers supporting e-commerce since the lockdown began, according to data from 3PL Central‘s customer base. These are the highest order volumes per 3PL ever, on par with Black Friday in 2019. 3PL warehouses fulfilling e-commerce orders experienced a consistent increase in order volume week over week. […]
Why Companies Should Consider Employing Robots
Q: What is robotic process automation? A: Modern robotic process automation (RPA) technology began forming 20 years ago, and has become the transformative tool it is today within the past five years. RPA is a high-tech solution where a process that was previously performed by a human is now performed by a computer. RPA “bots” […]
Cold Changes
Most cold chain businesses say that taking extra measures to protect the workforce is their No. 1 issue (see chart), according to the Global Cold Chain Alliance’s survey studying the ripple effects of COVID-19. Other key findings include: Common challenges. More than 50% of respondents say that supply chain disruptions, such as keeping up with […]
Lessons Learned: Risk Mitigation Strategies for the Future
Companies can help avoid at least some of the pitfalls of supply chain risk—including COVID-19—by developing risk mitigation strategies such as supply chain mapping.
A Storehouse of Innovation—WMS for E-Commerce
Ramco Systems helps an e-commerce solution provider realize its vision of a robotic fulfillment center.