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What Does World-Class Supply Chain Planning Look Like?
Omnichannel customers, increased product customization, and the emergence of non-traditional competitors all demonstrate that the old methods of brute force execution and elbow grease will no longer suffice when creating a supply chain. Relying on a “can-do” spirit is not enough—businesses must excel at operational planning across multiple dimensions to not just win, but to […]
Read MoreSupply Chain Productivity Boosters: Three Technologies Making Maximum Impact
In today’s perpetually advancing and highly competitive modern marketplace, it is vital for businesses to stay ahead of the industry and maintain an edge, starting by reviewing current processes and identifying what can be automated or require less time, labor, and costs by utilizing technology. Embracing new technological trends will streamline workflow and optimize productivity […]
Read MoreWindows Mobile Migration: Three Ways to Ensure Business Continuity and Minimize Supply Chain Disruption
Microsoft’s 2015 decision to curtail support of mobile devices included, to the company’s credit, a sustained transition period. While this provided some breathing room for supply chains dependent upon Microsoft mobile platforms to transition to alternative operating systems, the days are numbered for companies that have yet to complete the OS transition. In June 2018, […]
Read MoreUPS Doesn’t Want Your Large Items in Its Small Parcel Network
A warning to shippers was sounded during the current UPS earnings report when it was asked to explain its strategy regarding balancing volume and price. UPS Chief Sales and Solutions Officer Kathleen Gutman stressed the importance of continuously looking for pricing initiatives which align to revenue to cost to serve as well as the value […]
Read MoreSupply Chain Commentary: 4 Steps to Increasing Visibility
When companies speak of wanting more visibility within their supply chain, what they are ultimately hoping for is to have more control. To reduce supply chain complexities and gain more authority, a business must be willing to implement tools to establish a connection to its own real-time data and information throughout its network. Establishing an […]
Read MoreInvest in Logistics IT in a Grow Economy
Now is the time for all supply chain management professionals to come to the financial aid of their logistics IT. In the Information Age and the Internet of Things (IoT) era, the need for speed and flexibility in sharing accurate information both internally within your business units and externally with your customers, vendors, and suppliers, […]
Read MoreBetter Together: How AI and Social Media Can Be a Supply Chain Manager’s Best Friend
Supply chain managers have one of the most challenging yet integral jobs in our global economy: juggling a variety of data streams to make sure people and materials get to where they need to go. The value of this data is instrumental in making sure disruptions don’t become full-fledged disasters that negatively impact market share, […]
Read MoreSupply Chain Commentary: How Blockchain Brings New Efficiencies
The logistics sector faces immense pressure—to be better, faster, and less expensive. A significant amount of pressure has been applied to nearly all industries by disruptive conglomerate Amazon, which has single-handedly changed expectations of consumers everywhere. While competing with Amazon represents a major pain point, it’s not the only challenge. The U.S. Department of Transportation […]
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IATA Automates Dangerous Goods Compliance Checks
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched an innovative new solution that will enhance safety and improve efficiency in the transport of dangerous goods by air and support the industry’s goal of a fully digitized supply chain. Dangerous Goods DG AutoCheck is a digital solution that allows the air cargo supply chain to check […]
Read MoreIoT Goes Green
The Internet of Things (IoT) will play a pivotal role in enabling the transport and logistics sector to reduce its carbon footprint and minimize any negative impact on the environment. According to research from Inmarsat, a provider of global mobile satellite communications, 95 percent of companies in the sector are actively implementing IoT technologies to […]
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Switching On The Smart Grid
A radical new charging technology that overcomes the challenge of simultaneously recharging an entire fleet of electric vehicles (EVs) without the need for an expensive upgrade to the power supply grid has been deployed in London by a UPS-led consortium. The breakthrough signals the beginning of the end of a reliance on traditional combustion engine […]
Read MoreAlibaba Ties Thailand To Online Commerce
Thailand and Alibaba have signed a letter of intent to cooperate on initiatives to develop e-commerce in the country—from providing training to small and mid-sized companies and individuals to exploring ways to enhance the country’s logistics capabilities to support Thailand 4.0 and Digital Economy strategies. The agreement covers four key areas. First is e-commerce training […]
Read MoreIndia Loses GDP To Poor Logistics
India is losing 14 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) due to inefficient logistics, which impacts the competitiveness of the country’s products, according to CR Chaudhry, Minister of State for Commerce & Industry. "Logistics is an important sector and it is clear that the government is giving importance to the development of better connectivity […]
Read MoreNoted: The Supply Chain in Brief-May 2018
In Memoriam D. Allen Lund, founder of truck brokerage firm Allen Lund Company, passed away on April 7, 2018. He was 77. In 1976, with $1,000 in his bank account, Lund founded the Allen Lund Company, now headquartered in La Cañada, California. Over the past 42 years, he saw the company grow to offices in […]
Read MoreHow to Manage Supply Risk in Uncertain Times
Although disruptions are inevitable, transportation management teams are often not prepared to respond. Organizations that can quickly anticipate, diagnose, and resolve supply disruptions will be in the best position to weather future storms. Case in point, as shippers geared up for the 2016 holiday season, most had no way to anticipate the massive breakdown in […]
Read MoreProduct Spotlight: Warehouse Workhorses
Raymond High-Capacity Reach-Fork® Truck This new, integrated high-capacity reach truck from the Raymond Corporation lifts up to 4,500 pounds and reaches 542 inches. Applicable for cold storage and freezer usage, the high-capacity truck allows pallet storage from eight to 10 levels for potentially 25-percent more warehouse storage. The truck offers integrated telematics capabilities to increase […]
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XPO Logistics Taps Mobile Technology in Europe
XPO Logistics, a global provider of transportation and logistics solutions, will expand its Drive XPO mobile technology to Europe in spring 2018, following a successful launch in North America. The app, designed for carriers, supports real-time visibility across transportation modes, and integrates carrier operations with daily productivity tools in one technology. The company’s proprietary Freight […]
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Vertical Focus: The Agriculture Supply Chain
FARM AID The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will make disaster payments of up to $2.36 billion, as provided by Congress, to help America’s farmers and ranchers recover from hurricanes and wildfires. The funds are available as part of the new 2017 Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program. The USDA’s Farm Service Agency will make these […]
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Turn Up the Volume on Omnichannel Fulfillment
Customers are changing the way manufacturers, transportation and logistics firms, and retailers operate, finds the Future of Fulfillment Vision Study conducted by Zebra Technologies with research partner Qualtrics. Among the study’s key findings are these three factors to consider when preparing your company for omnichannel fulfillment: Omnichannel is difficult to attain. If you feel like […]
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