Articles
Logistics I.T.
Visibility is the Key to Mitigating Supply Chain Risk
As last year’s tsunami in Japan and massive floods in Thailand demonstrated, natural disasters and other events a world away can wreak havoc on supply chains, forcing sudden and major disruptions in business operations. While it may be impossible for a company to entirely escape the consequences of a widespread deluge, volcanic plume or labor […]
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SaaS-Based Transload Management Systems Enable Transport Efficiencies
Q: Why are rail shippers turning to transload facilities to ship products to receivers? A: Transload facilities bring significant economic advantage to shippers who are not directly served by railroads, but desire the cost-effectiveness of rail shipping. Transloading operations provide the capability to transfer products between transport modes—primarily truck to rail. Typically, products are transported […]
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Shared Technology Resources Hold the Key to Supply Chain Optimization
Q: How can value chain partners cooperate to create and share efficiencies? A: While it is understandable for each supply chain partner to maintain its own information technology, many companies rely on more than one IT system—along with spreadsheets and email—to manage supply chain operations. To further complicate matters, every transaction in the complex global […]
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Information Access Differentiates Transportation Providers
Q: What are the most important elements of an information technology (IT) strategy for participants in the transportation chain? A: Strategically, there is only one IT goal: to differentiate your service from your competitors. Tactically, you need to figure out how to deploy mobile computing for customer- and employee-facing iPad and smartphone applications. Today, information […]
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Putting Labor Management Systems to Work
Many companies dismiss labor management systems as too expensive or unnecessary. But these misconceptions may cause them to miss out on big benefits.
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Handling Change: There’s an App for That
Eighty-nine percent of business leaders are either experiencing or anticipating external volatility or change to impact their business, according to a recent survey. And 91 percent expect internal change in products, channels, services, or markets to create planning challenges. Given that most business leaders must manage some sort of change within their demand-supply networks, why […]
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Can Your Global Supply Chain Withstand a Crisis?
Natural disasters, fluctuating oil prices, and other global factors continue to disrupt the flow of essential equipment and goods for manufacturers worldwide. For many companies, it has triggered a critical question: Can our organization’s supply chain withstand a major upheaval? It is an important question, because the flow of money through a supply channel determines […]
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Trucking Communications: Goin’ Mobile
Mobile communications technology signals new productivity gains for truckers.
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Managing Mobile Devices By Remote Control
Far-flung warehouses in western Canada created mobile device upgrade issues for wholesaler Federated Co-operatives Limited, but remote support solutions provided instant access.
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Collaborative Visibility for Optimum Efficiency and User Experience
Q: Why is collaborative visibility important? A: Supply chains have become extremely complex and fluid. The number and variety of products has exploded, lifecycles have shrunk, and interdependencies between organizations are at an all-time high. Natural disasters such as Japan’s tsunami in March 2011 showed that a major global event can have a far-reaching impact […]
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With WMS, Small Businesses Can Do It All
Q: How can smaller companies respond to the supply chain demands of their large customers? A: The best way for suppliers to respond is to manage their own segment of the supply chain as efficiently as possible. They must optimize their inventory and distribution operations by applying the proper resources—human, financial, and technological—to drive excellence […]
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Choosing the Right WMS For Your Business
Q: The WMS selection process seems to be based on spreadsheets and feature-driven lists of requirements. Is this the best place to start? A: Many consultants and professional organizations suggest companies can select a WMS by reviewing standard feature lists, conducting a conference room pilot, and adding customization as needed to deliver the design and […]
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Wireless Workstations Unplug Savings
Thanks to wireless technology, carts with on-board power supplies are opening new frontiers of efficiency, productivity, and profitability in distribution centers (DCs). These mobile- powered workstations (MPWs) carry computers, bar-code scanners, and printers, reducing paperwork and operator travel. DC employees can waste countless hours walking to and from deskbound computers to perform tasks such as […]
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Mobile TMS Applications Improve Supply Chain Visibility
Online applications for mobile devices are emerging in ways that can finally close or reduce many of the information gaps in the supply chain between transportation planning, the shipping/receiving dock, customers, and even accounts payable. These mobile applications are enabling shippers to interface directly and more effectively with logistic partners; access logistics information in non-traditional […]
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Discovering the Value of Analytics
Many companies are building analytics strategies, which use data to facilitate better decisions. To develop improved analytics strategies, consider the three different types of analytics: descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive. Each type uses data in a different way to provide a different type of value. Descriptive analytics: Using data to improve how you describe or report […]
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Data Warehousing System Puts an End to Paperwork
Paper distributor and converter Roosevelt Paper wraps up manual information processes, and implements an automated data collection and management system to streamline operations.
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Harnessing the Power of Information Technology
Q: How do you squeeze the most reliability, accuracy, and cost efficiency out of today’s supply chain? A: Smart information technology (IT) is fundamental to success. Leading manufacturers know the importance of effective logistics management. Getting your product to the right place, just in time, and exactly as the retailer demands is crucial to the […]
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Tech Tools Serve Retailers’ Diverse Needs
Q: What do retailers need to know about working with 3PLs today? A: Retailers are challenging third-party logistics (3PL) providers to supplement their offerings with a broader range of services. To obtain and retain business, 3PLs must meet retailers’ diverse reporting, visibility, and delivery needs—yet not increase their cost structure. Achieving this goal is particularly […]
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Opening the Door To Real-Time Visibility
The WHITING Group replaced siloed systems with integrated ERP, ushering in transparency and real-time decision-making across its multiple divisions.
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Sharing Data Creates Optimal Supply Chain Visibility
In the past decade, analysts have written volumes about the value of supply chain visibility and execution systems. It’s hard to argue with the concept. When all supply chain partners’ systems work together to fulfill orders perfectly, execute on-time shipments, and provide early alerts to problems, life is good. Many companies have turned to on-demand […]
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