Articles

How-To

Optimizing Ocean Transport

The growth in e-commerce orders and strong economy mean companies are extending their supply chains to reach a global audience. Ocean transportation is a complex mode with unique considerations. To streamline your ocean freight process: 1. start consolidating Minimize less-than-containerload shipments by consolidating multiple products coming from the same area into a single container. Shipping […]

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Defending Against Supply Chain Hackers

While your company may have excellent cyber security practices in place, your suppliers may not. These best practices will help protect your company from hackers who attack your supply chain partners. 1. Review Incident Response Plans. Always make sure vendors have an incident response plan in place before conducting business with them. If there is […]

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Moving Cross-border Shipments

As your suppliers and customers become more geographically diverse, more of your supply chain and customer experience depends on moving shipments through Customs accurately and without delay. 1. Create a dashboard for incoming orders. A visual tracker of inbound shipments may help simplify the importing process. Tracking where orders and shipments are while in transit, […]

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Mitigating Cargo Theft Risk

Cargo theft continues to be a challenge to shippers, totaling an estimated $145 million in losses each year in North America. 1. Develop a plan. Establish security procedures for carriers hauling your freight. Ask drivers not to stop within the first 250 or 300 miles of pickup unless there is a real emergency. It’s not advisable […]

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Implementing Blockchain Technology

Blockchain technology creates a global and trustworthy history of a product—from transaction to production to consumption. It has the potential to revolutionize workflows across international borders, empowering an automated, connected supply chain with simplicity and traceability. 1. Flip your thinking. Many consider blockchain a solution seeking a problem. It’s actually the answer to an array […]

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Leveraging Big Data in Your Organization

Big data is a hot buzzword, and the phrase has different meanings for different organizations. But no matter how you define it, there is no doubt that using statistical science and data analytics can help drive operational growth and supply chain efficiency. Robert Daymon, senior vice president of operations at Transplace, offers these tips to […]

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Competing With E-Commerce Giants

Despite the highly competitive environment, it is possible for small and mid-sized companies to compete with the e-commerce giants. It just takes creativity, a strong, optimized supply chain and, of course, exemplary customer service. Paul D’Arrigo, vice president of information technology for Spend Management Experts, offers this advice. 1. Provide excellent customer service. Ensure the […]

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Increasing Supply Chain Visibility

In our "now" economy, consumers demand real-time visibility, along with the near-immediate delivery of goods. This has created a great deal of supply chain disruption, causing businesses to reevaluate the way they operate. Gary Allen, vice president of supply chain excellence at Ryder, provides tips on how to achieve end-to-end visibility, and ultimately ensure a […]

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Choosing a Third-Party Logistics Provider

A strong performing third-party logistics (3PL) provider can help you increase efficiency, control costs, and improve customer service. However, not all 3PLs are created equal. Tom Patterson, senior vice president of warehouse operations at Saddle Creek Logistics Services, recommends taking these steps and looking for certain characteristics to ensure you select a provider that can […]

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Improving Supply Chain Network Strategies

Today’s world of disruptors and changing consumer behaviors drives companies to continuously revisit their network strategies. Social media ads, mobile purchases, and same-day delivery changed the way we shop, and keeping customers happy has become a challenge. Jason Deloach, vice president of engineering at Americold, offers these tips to create a flexible,demand-driven supply chain. 1. […]

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