Articles
How-To
Getting ROI from RFID
With so many companies providing RFID systems, and so many expensive choices, how do you buy smart? Here are 10 tips on selecting an RFID system that provides a return on investment, according to a customer survey by Waltham, Mass.-based OAT Systems Inc., an RFID software and services provider. 1. Get educated. Learn best practices […]
Read MoreBoosting Loading Dock Safety and Productivity
The loading dock is a critical component of the Material Transfer Zone (MTZ), whic. reaches from the drive approach into the shipping/receiving/staging area. The MTZ covers a broad range of concerns including: dock positioning and design, trailer design, load configuration, dock equipment systems, and the interaction between material handling vehicles and product shipments. A smooth-flowing […]
Read MoreSelecting a Freight Broker
The truck capacity shortages shippers experienced last fall are sure to continue as the year goes on. But armed with a good freight broker, you can weather the storm. Many shippers turn to brokers when freight demand far outstrips carrier capacity. Shippers using a broker can access increased capacity without the hassle of managing new […]
Read MoreNegotiating With Railroads
How can you get the best bang for your buck when negotiating with railroads to ship your products? Following a systematic approach and developing a list of priorities helps ensure good rail service at a good price, according to Todd Hoyt, director of business development, supply chain services, BNSF Logistics. 1. Prepare a history. Before […]
Read MoreSelecting a 3PL Without an RFP
Eleven years ago, Chuck Franzetta, president of logistics consulting group Franzetta Associates, was asked to consult for a major transportation entity trying to to jump-start its struggling third-party logistics division. He discovered that the 3PL was primarily focused on preparing detailed responses to a slew of RFPs (Request for Proposal), which cost the company a […]
Read MoreChoosing an SCM Graduate Program
An increasing number of companies now expect their top executives to understand supply chain management. To feed this need, many universities have added supply chain education programs to their curriculums. For some executives, a professional certification program is all they need, but for many, a full-fledged graduate degree program is appropriate. And executives now have […]
Read MoreManaging a Transportation Bid Event
MORE TO THE STORY: Create a Bid List It’s that time again. The market has shifted and your current transportation solution is not meeting one or more of your key goals—service, capacity, and/or cost. Or, perhaps your company’s strategy has changed and so have your transportation requirements. Either way, you need a better transportation solution. […]
Read MoreSelecting an International Freight Forwarder
Price, security, and compliance rank high on the list of criteria for selecting an international freight forwarder. Auctions have gained popularity, with freight contracts going to the lowest bidder. But choosing on price alone can leave a company shortchanged. In the decision-making process, factors such as value, IT support, and service capability should be considered […]
Read MoreChoosing Your Next Forklift Truck or Fleet
If buying forklift trucks were as simple as comparing truck features, performance statistics, and prices, then you might be able to buy them over the Internet. But it’s not that simple. Lift trucks are complex, application-specific products and you need to choose carefully to meet your business and warehouse needs. The right lift truck can […]
Read MoreAvoiding Transportation Chargebacks
Chargebacks are a fact of life that manufacturers have to deal with. For many of these shippers, how they get the product to their customers’ door is no longer under their control. Consignees and their routing guides are king. If shippers don’t comply with routing guide instructions, they pay, and pay big. Between five and […]
Read MoreRunning an Effective VMI Program
One way to reduce capital outlay within the supply chain is through deferred ownership of inventory—letting vendors manage the inventory of their products in your distribution center. With a Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) program, vendors receive stock information from their customers, then calculate what product they should ship to maintain adequate inventory levels at the […]
Read MoreSuccessful RFID Implementation
The good news is that Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) will be one of the best things to happen to the supply chain. The bad news is that the road to implementation is sure to be bumpy. Jon Chorley, senior director, Oracle Inventory and Warehouse Management, offers 10 tips for successful RFID implementation. 1. Get educated. […]
Read MoreHow to Source Transportation
Identify and prioritize sourcing of your carriers and you will contain transportation costs as well as meet customer service levels. Pete Stiles, vice president of LeanLogistics, a provider of web-native transportation management systems, offers these tips on how to design and execute a market-specific bid process to foster better relations with carriers, ensure an optimized […]
Read MoreSelecting a Load and Route Optimization System
It doesn’t matter if you utilize local route and delivery carriers or nationwide truckers to move your goods. Load and route optimization software systems offer an efficient way to find the best delivery routes and schedules. The key is knowing how to get to the right vendor and picking the best system for your business. […]
Read MoreSelecting a Bar-Code System
If you are looking to purchase a bar-code system, do your homework first. Many suppliers offer all types of systems that can provide you with more than you need, or less than you need. John Caltagirone, vice president, supply chain strategy for Illinois-based Revere Group, offers these 10 tips to make selecting a new bar-code […]
Read MoreSuccessful Global Data Synchronization
Data synchronization is a crucial component of e-commerce. As companies increasingly communicate via computer, organizing and synchronizing data with all trading partners poses a greater challenge. Here are 10 tips to undertaking a successful data synchronization initiative, from Craig Bednarovsky, global retail marketing manager, Global Exchange Services. 1. Get educated. Understand the standard bodies relevant […]
Read MoreChoosing A Warehouse Racking System
A racking system can make or break your warehouse or distribution center. Even if you plan to make some changes and reclaim space in an existing facility, you must consider physical constraints and unique operating requirements before selecting a rack system. Here, Bill Hillebrenner, director of consulting services, CEI Logistics, demystifies the rack selection process. […]
Read MoreAdapting to Hours of Service Rules
On Jan. 4, 2004, the Hours of Service (HOS) rules, adopted in 1939, are changing. The idea behind the changes is to permit commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers more time and opportunities for quality rest and restorative sleep, and to reduce the number of crashes caused by drowsy, tired, or fatigued CMV drivers. Dave Bouchard, […]
Read MoreManaging Truckload Transportation
To successfully manage truckload transportation, transport buyers must begin thinking of transportation procurement as a tactical planning process consistent with their supply chain strategy and not as an operational detail, says Bob Belshaw, vice president of INSIGHT Inc., a supply chain planning and transportation solutions vendor. Here, he offers 10 tips on managing truckload to […]
Read MoreShipping Temperature-Sensitive Products
Moving temperature-sensitive products can be a hassle. Delays and shipping snafus can wreak havoc on your bottom line. Jim Snider, vice president and general manager of FedEx Custom Critical White Glove Services, knows how crucial it is to guarantee that product arrives cool to the customer. Here are his 10 tips for shipping temperature-sensitive products. […]
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