Articles
Logistics
Serialization: It’s the Real Thing
To help combat counterfeiting, the premium beverage industry is taking advantage of serial numbers on product packages to uniquely identify products for increased connectivity throughout packaging operations and the supply chain. Premium beverages such as expensive wine, whiskey, and cognac have become an increasingly active market for counterfeiters in China, India, and Russia. It’s easy […]
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Steering with a Clear Vision and Open Mind
Bob Shellman, CEO, Odyssey Logistics & Technology
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Eight Ways to Find and Retain Qualified Supply Chain Talent
The burgeoning need for talent to operate today’s complex supply chains has begun to garner significant attention. Not only are supply chain management roles expanding at a rate outpacing qualified new graduates, but supply chain is also rapidly becoming more complex, creating the need for existing personnel to dramatically retool their skill sets. These trends […]
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Trends—January 2016
Of Potholes and Politics Transportation infrastructure became a hot topic at the end of 2014. So hot, in fact, that it was on the short list of items that had Congress prepared to shut down the government again. This was an interesting development for those who depend on our nation’s highways and waterways—especially because there […]
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Building Strong Supplier Relationships: Procurement Takes the Lead
As external forces change the expectation of procurement to be more than just the cost police, it’s up to procurement professionals to embrace the role as strategists and advisors. As a leader, it is important to cultivate and maintain good supplier relationships to ensure profitability. Companies struggle in relationships with suppliers for many reasons. For […]
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It’s All About Risk: The Case for the Cloud
Use cloud software, buy enterprise software, or write your own—which is the best choice for your company? Companies in the transportation business traditionally bought enterprise software or built their own. That has changed. Over the last 10 years, cloud software has become a popular alternative, and for good reason. It’s the choice that exposes your […]
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How to Stand Out in a Crowded Marketplace
Whatever your business, the success of any company depends on its ability to define its value proposition, and then execute the vision precisely and consistently throughout the organization. Defining a company’s core value proposition requires patience, as well as a deep understanding and appreciation of your customers’ needs and your core competencies. Nearly 30 years […]
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A Five-Step Blueprint for 3PL Success
Companies are always on the lookout for ways to enhance their supply chain operations and make them more efficient. But 3PLs, in particular, face the unique challenge of regularly improving how they work with shippers, and, in the face of regular rate increases, finding new ways to reduce freight costs to keep prices down for […]
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The Automotive Aftermarket: Time for a Tuneup?
By diagnosing and responding to three service alerts—omni-channel retail migration, Mexican plant expansions, and the Trans-Pacific Partnership—automakers, parts suppliers, and 3PLs keep the aftermarket engine purring like a kitten.
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Multinational Diversity Drives Measurable Success in Logistics Operations
The logistics industry is international by its very nature. Logistics providers—particularly freight forwarders—manage relationships with companies around the world as shipments are moved globally. As a result, the United States is more diverse than ever before, which presents an opportunity for companies to partner with a logistics provider that hires staff from many countries and […]
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Keeping Partnerships Strong in a Shifting Landscape
In a 3PL market defined by rapid consolidation and growth, shippers and providers are ensuring seamless transitions.
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Using Data Analysis to Minimize Transportation Costs
In today’s data-rich world, the logistics industry as a whole is surprisingly behind the times. It’s been said that there are two ways to increase profits: raise prices or reduce expenses. Moving product around spends money. Whether a shipper is taking inbound deliveries of raw materials or sending a finished product to an end user, […]
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Liquor Logistics: Solutions on Tap
To keep customers in good spirits, beverage companies need their liquor to move quicker. Here’s how they keep the drinks flowing.
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Spring Clean Your Trade and Compliance Processes
This is the time of year when many of us begin our spring-cleaning projects around the home. Yet it is a good idea to also consider some spring cleaning of your organization’s trade compliance processes, perhaps dusting off some plans set earlier and readying programs for developments coming in the remainder of the year. Prep […]
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A New Rx for Pharma Cold Chains
Pharmaceutical supply chains are adjusting to meet the demands of fast-changing biologics medicine.
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The Future Is Now: Strategic Technology Thinking for Shipping and Logistics Facility Managers
All over the world, forward-thinking shipping and logistics facility management (FM) professionals are frequently turning to next-generation, FM software to efficiently manage their facilities and real estate portfolios. It’s being used to streamline business processes, reduce facility costs, and simplify space and maintenance management. Simply put, it is revolutionizing overall workplace performance and helping businesses […]
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The Perfect Order Has Evolved—Has Your Workforce Management Strategy?
If you’re like most shippers, maximizing customer satisfaction and loyalty is at the top of your list of business goals. To accomplish these objectives, your organization must be dedicated to the pursuit of the “perfect order.” The question remains: What really is a perfect order? The perception of the perfect order continues to evolve and […]
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Global Logistics—October 2015
Today’s Digital Economy: What’s in Store for Retailers? Retailers are currently pressured to adjust their internal and customer-facing strategies to meet consumer demands, which are evolving at a rapid pace. But they must be willing to evolve as well, according to SAP’s inaugural Retail Index survey conducted in partnership with global forecasting firm Oxford Economics. The survey […]
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Azteca Foods Craves Inventory Management System
Azteca Foods spices up inventory tracking with an advanced automated system that doesn’t cost too much dough.
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Whatever It Takes
So you’re a retailer, and out of stock on a particular item. Then, of course, a customer orders it. What do you do? When outdoor gear retailer Backcountry was faced with an out of stock that would disappoint a customer, an employee went shopping on a competitor’s website, purchased the item with a personal credit […]
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