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Site Selection: Think Globally, Act Locally
The globalization of commerce has created a new infrastructure that is fast becoming the backbone of our information economy. This change also affects worldwide logistics operations. Because of the global economy, companies have a greater need to operate their supply chains at maximum efficiency. To achieve these results, many Fortune 500 corporations—along with small and […]
Read MoreTransportation as Corporate Change Agent
For many years, transportation was considered the backwater of the business world. Over the last decade, however, forward-thinking companies have identified transportation as a driving force for change. As a result, they realized increased profits and improved customer service throughout the supply chain. Wal-Mart, for example, uses its distribution savvy to dominate the retail field—and […]
Read MoreRestricted Party Screening: Who Are You Doing Business With?
Exporters and financial institutions historically used Restricted Party Screening (RPS) solutions to determine whether the names and addresses of their consignees appeared on any “denied parties” lists. Today, companies recognize that they may not deal in any way with certain blacklisted parties. Since Sept. 11, 2001, regulatory agencies have made clear their expectations that companies […]
Read MoreForklift Fleet Cost Management: It’s a Question of Time and Savings
Abundant questions and costs surround forklift fleet management; finding the answers and controlling those costs can be illusive. Many forklift fleet managers have a difficult time providing accurate answers to the myriad questions that need to be addressed (see sidebar, below). But accurately answering these questions can mean the difference between saving tens of thousands […]
Read MoreCustomers Handle the Final Mile for Wal-Mart?
The first job of my post-college career included replenishing inventory at a large book distributor’s New York City warehouses. Like many urban warehouses, the multi-storied building took advantage of a vertical footprint, rather than the horizontal footprint of today’s warehouses. All inventory moved in and out via the dreaded “freight elevator.” Dim lights, no air, […]
Read More3PLs and Carriers: Desperately Seeking Tech Solutions
Shippers are a demanding bunch. They want their goods picked up and delivered at the right time and to the right place—every time. They expect shipments to be transported without damage, while complying with security regulations and customer mandates. They need reporting capabilities, online access to data, and superior customer service. Oh, and they want […]
Read MoreTMS Shopping Made Simple
During my 15 years as a transportation technology professional, I have stood on both sides of the trade show aisle—shopping for and selling transportation management systems (TMS). Navigating the technology marketplace, as I have learned, is no easy task. It can make purchasing a TMS downright frustrating. If you are in the process of selecting […]
Read MoreEasing the Pain of Product Proliferation
Product proliferation—the explosion in the number of individual stock-keeping units (SKUs) that has occurred over the past decade—poses a major challenge to supply chain managers and adds millions of dollars to logistics costs. In large part, product proliferation stems from the trend toward mass customization—providing consumers with custom-designed, personalized products at affordable prices. Other trends […]
Read MoreIT’s Unexpected Benefits
When you invest in logistics IT, you expect to net the obvious results: implement a TMS and transportation operations run without a hitch; buy a WMS and goods flow smoothly in and out of the warehouse. But when shippers and logistics service providers adopt demand-driven ideas, and implement the technology and/or services to put that […]
Read MoreFiling Claims: Time Is Not on Your Side
Q: My company imports ceramic products from around the world. One shipment arrived at our warehouse filled with crushed boxes – inside, the contents were completely shattered. It appeared that the container was mishandled and possibly dropped during transit. We took inventory of the damaged items and submitted a claim to the ocean carrier. We […]
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