Articles
Logistics I.T.
How to Use a TMS for Shipment Visibility And Connectivity – Manhattan Associates
Medium to large shippers may have millions of dollars of materials and inventory on the highway and often do not know exactly where it is located. Delayed shipments can have a significant economic impact on shippers and receivers, and the lack of visibility from a legacy transportation management system (TMS) into shipment status only exacerbates […]
Read MoreIN BRIEF: New Services & Solutions-November 2018
Transportation The Belgium-to-UK lane gains a new dedicated short-sea service with Samskip‘s latest offering. The service connecting Antwerp and Hull is operated by a 508-TEU capacity vessel, sailing from Associated Terminal Operators’ multimodal terminal in Antwerp on Tuesday and Saturday and ABP Port of Hull on Thursday and Monday. Airfreight shippers can take advantage of a […]
Read MoreSetting New Standards: Six Key Trends Reshaping Enterprise Software User Experience
Businesses are increasingly realizing that user experience (UX) correlates closely to user engagement. The implications of a successful UX make it way more than just a satisfaction ranking. Here are six key trends that I see reshaping enterprise software UX. Mobile is the new norm: The increased use of mobile devices has raised the bar […]
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IoT: Where We Are, What Comes Next
The Internet of Things (IoT) is set to disrupt all industries, including the supply chain. While excitement around this disruptive technology is enticing, IoT still has a long way to go. Supply chain executives must be thoughtful and selective when it comes to investing in it. Let’s break down some benefits and drawbacks of IoT […]
Read MoreThe Key to Logistics Visibility: Connecting Things
The Internet of Things (IoT) attempted to improve logistics visibility by connecting fleets to help gain control over shipments. However, these solutions miss the mark on other logistics issues including end-to-end transport, shipment conditions other than location, stolen cargo recovery, and overall accuracy. Instead of connecting the fleets themselves, the key is to connect to […]
Read MoreAn Open Ledger: Six Ways Blockchain Will Change Supply Chains
With e-commerce giants fueling a spike in shipping volumes, logistics companies need to increase efficiency, while reducing costs. One of the biggest roadblocks to doing so, is improving communication and transparency between manufacturers, freight companies, and buyers. With the global market expanding and consumer demands increasing, it is more challenging than ever to ensure quality […]
Read MoreIt’s Supposed to Be, But ACE Isn’t Simple
Importing will always and forever be complex. Efforts to simplify some of the processes have, unfortunately, not always borne fruit. The aftermath of the overhaul of U.S. customs admissibility program – Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) – has created a heavier administrative burden on importers, not a lighter one. One has to believe the agencies see […]
Read MoreWhat 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 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 MoreUnblocking the Blockchain: Beyond the Hype
For the logistics sector, blockchain is taking center stage in 2018. In the first three months of the year, we have seen Buffett’s BNSF Railway, UPS, and GE among a whole host of others join the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA), which has dedicated itself to developing the industry standards for blockchain use. We have […]
Read MoreRobotic Process Automation: Raising Expectations in Logistics
Digital progress drives service improvements in 3PLs
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2018 Top 100 Logistics IT Providers
Need logistics IT solutions? These leading providers, presented alphabetically, offer the services that match your supply chain needs. Search the Logistics IT Decision Support Tool for an even deeper dive.
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2018 Top 100 Logistics IT Market Research Survey
Inbound Logistics surveys the supply chain technology market to evaluate the latest trends and uncover the most innovative providers in their respective fields.
Read MoreIoT and Security in the Supply Chain: Making Smart Choices
There’s a lot of confusion about the Internet of Things and security in enterprise environments. In reality, IoT is not just one thing, and the type of IoT solution as well as the environment in which it is used should dictate security requirements. To make informed security decisions regarding an IoT solution for your organization, […]
Read MoreSupply Chain Commentary: Boost Productivity, Efficiency, and Security in Your Warehouse
Smoothly running logistics—a key factor in successful warehouse operations—depends on a three-legged stool of productivity, efficiency, and secure operations. Today, software underpins many warehouse functions, giving leaders a new source of productivity and efficiency insights—and a new concern for corporate security. Measuring and Optimizing Productivity Optimizing labor productivity is the number one goal within warehouse […]
Read MoreAI Ushers Supply Chains Into Data-Driven Future
Over the years, organizations have deployed an array of transactional and analytic systems for supply chain operations. While gains have been made, supply chains remain far from the ideal of real-time visibility and data-driven decisions that define the supply chain of the future. Supply chains have grown infinitely more complex in today’s faster digital environments. […]
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10 Ways To Play IT Safe
State-sponsored and individual bad actors will escalate supply chain cybersecurity risks. Here are 10 threats and trends to look out for across business, governmental, and personal arenas: 1. Software updates—the new Trojan Horse. Criminals use the normal software update process to get companies to infect all their clients, which then affects everyone down their software […]
Read More5 Things to Consider When Choosing an ELD Provider
Now that the ELD Mandate has taken effect, fleet operators and logistics managers have a lot to consider. Many—still around one million—trucks still do not have an ELD (electronic logging device) installed and many fleet operators are still evaluating whether or not to roll the dice and even adhere to the mandate. Those who do […]
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