Articles
Thought Leaders
Internet of Things on Your TMS
Q: The Internet of Things has been discussed in detail in the supply chain world. Does this have an impact in transportation? A: The Internet of Things (IoT) is the physical network of vehicles, buildings, devices, and other items that are increasingly connected. I also consider people, as well as legacy applications like ERP and […]
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Addressing Vendor Management and Shifting Global Trade Currents
Q: What are the most important aspects of good vendor management? A: Fairness is the first element that always comes to mind when this subject arises. Both parties need to be satisfied and gain benefits in each deal that is agreed upon. If not, deals tend to end faster than planned and turn into a […]
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Advantages of Waveless Order Fulfillment
Q: What is waveless order fulfillment? A: It is a software-driven order fulfillment processing methodology that continuously pulls orders into a fulfillment operation based on the availability of the resources, people, and inventory needed to fulfill orders. Q: How does waveless order fulfillment differ from wave processing? A: In traditional wave processing, a warehouse management […]
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Unleash the Full Potential of Your Supply Chain
Q: What are the compelling reasons a shipper seeks outsourced logistics support? A: Companies are realizing the differentiated value their supply chains provide in the areas of customer retention, brand reputation and overall bottom-line performance. However, the focus and commitment to enhance supply chain programs are often viewed as a distraction from core functions. Shippers […]
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An Incremental Approach to TMS Acquisition
Q: If savings from a TMS deployment can be significant, what are the benefits of an incremental approach to acquisition? A: It’s true, studies show that savings from a TMS deployment can exceed eight percent of annual freight spend in some verticals. These savings are derived from visibility, analytics, optimization, process improvement and enforcement. In […]
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Best Practices for Effective Carrier Management
Q: Can you share some best practices for effective carrier management? A: There are three that I always recommend. First, seek a TMS platform supporting the use of carriers of all sizes—small to mid-sized to large. It should support EDI and other contemporary technologies utilized by the larger carriers, but also deliver things like a […]
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Freight Audit and Payment: An Untapped Source of Working Capital
Q: You said recently, "The art of working capital management has declined." Why isn’t it a focus? A: The no- to low-interest-rate environment following the 2008 market crash made it easy. Debt wasn’t as big of a concern, so many companies let their attention to working capital management slip. Now that the Federal Reserve has […]
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Leveraging a TMS for Domestic and Global Transportation
Q: What are the biggest challenges facing shippers in today’s economic environment? A: In today’s market, managing transportation domestically and globally in one system with a single workflow is a key factor for a more efficient and cohesive supply chain. Many businesses still use manual methods or multiple systems to manage freight, with no way […]
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Customized and Integrated to Create One Strategic Logistics Platform
Q: Why is it important for businesses to create a customized and integrated strategic platform for logistics operations? Why are businesses struggling to achieve this? A: Changing freight from a tactical necessity to a strategic asset is possible if you have a customized platform for logistics. A customized and strategic platform provides a company with […]
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SaaS Breathing Life Into Yard Management Systems
Q: How has SaaS rejuvenated Yard Management? A: Cloud-based systems have been an enabler in many industries and yard management is no exception. The type of operations that are looking to better manage their yards today don’t want to be bothered with installing complicated infrastructure and initiating the type of complex projects that go along […]
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Should I Work With a Third-Party Logistics Provider Offering Foreign Trade Zone Services?
As products continue to be sourced globally, companies that import goods are always looking for ways to make their supply chains more efficient. Working with a 3PL partner who also offers foreign trade zones (FTZs) can provide big benefits in the right scenarios. Q: What is an FTZ? A: An FTZ is a designated area, […]
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Facilitating a Software Switch
Q: We bought our TMS over 10 years ago and have upgrades coming up. We’re considering something cloud-based. What is it like to switch software? The last time it took one year. A: There are a lot of factors that play into this, but generally it’s a lot easier than it used to be. Even […]
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Avoid Pricing Pitfalls When Selecting a Logistics IT Solution
Q: One of the common gripes voiced by organizations implementing logistics IT solutions is that the solution ends up costing more than expected. Why does this seem to happen so frequently? A: The roots of this complaint can be traced back to improperly managed expectations during the sales process. Pricing between providers competing for the […]
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Leveraging Collaborative Logistics for Increased Visibility
Q: How can value chain partners cooperate to create and share efficiencies? A: Significant efficiencies can be realized across the supply chain when all stakeholders (enterprise, vendors, carriers) can collaborate in real time through a standardized logistics execution platform. This type of interaction is also known as collaborative logistics. The cornerstone of collaborative logistics is […]
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Improve Your Supply Chain’s Stability During the Next Procurement Event
Q: Why is now the right time to consider a transportation procurement event? A: The transportation industry consistently faces capacity volatility, demands for improved service, and relentless focus on cost containment. Two years ago, shippers witnessed on-time delivery fall as low as 80 percent while the spread between contracted and spot rates exceeded 25 percent. […]
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Realizing the Power of a Leveraged Platform
Q: How can today’s manufacturers deal with increasing regulations, demand volatility, and shifting global trade currents? A: One way a manufacturer can mitigate the effects of increasing regulations and demand volatility is by working with a third-party logistics (3PL) provider with a leveraged platform. When a 3PL provider utilizes a leveraged platform, it is employing […]
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Doing Business in China
Q: What do I need to know about doing business in China? A: Most companies today know why China is a great place for business for manufacturing, regional distribution, and domestic consumption. What companies may not know is that the logistics costs of doing business in China are quite high. China’s trade rules and regulations […]
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Opening a Dialogue on Freight Payment
Q: A recent report revealed that only 18 percent of shippers discuss best practices in freight payment processing with outside organizations. Were you surprised by that number? A: As a company that works hard to help our clients think strategically—and views payments as a strategic function of any company—we’d love to hear that shippers are […]
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Temporary Bills and Lack of Investment Threaten U.S. Infrastructure
Q: The House just passed a three-month highway bill. Will that impact infrastructure investment? A: On July 28, 2015, the House voted to approve a temporary $8-billion bill extending federal transportation funding until the end of October. They sent it to the Senate only two days before the nation’s road and transit spending would have […]
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Leveraged Platforms: The More Efficient Road Ahead
Q: What is a leveraged platform? A: A logistics services provider leverages its platform to employ the same best practices to manage its own supply chain needs as it does for its own client base of direct shippers. By augmenting their global scale with a vast network of local stations, these service providers are better […]
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