Articles
Supply Chain Management
Shipment Speed and Size: Why It Matters
The 2023 holiday season outlook is a bit more “merry and bright,” according to a recent DHL survey of 800 U.S. small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs), as respondents anticipate an increase in ecommerce buying activity over last year. Overall, the survey findings suggest that while challenges—such as inflation and supply chain disruptions—persist, a majority of […]
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Transloading vs Cross Docking: Definitions, Advantages, and How to Choose a Service
Navigating the complexities of the supply chain can be daunting for businesses looking to optimize their shipping performance. At the heart of a modern supply chain are services like transloading and cross-docking, which are vital for moving shipments efficiently. Understanding the differences between these services and how they can enhance or hinder your operation is […]
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What Is Sustainable Materials Management? Types and Benefits
In a world rapidly adapting to green initiatives, the concept of sustainable materials management (SMM) is gaining prominence. It is a systemic approach to using and reusing materials more productively over their entire life cycles. SMM represents a key shift in how society thinks and deals with materials. By focusing on the importance of conserving […]
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Operations Management vs Supply Chain Management: Their Key Similarities and Differences
In the dynamic worlds of business and manufacturing, efficiency, effectiveness, and improvement are key. One aspect where this becomes evident is when analyzing operations management vs supply chain management. Though distinct, these two integral components of business management are often intertwined, each playing a crucial role in ensuring that businesses operate smoothly, products meet quality […]
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GOOD QUESTION: What’s One Underrated Skill in Supply Chain Management?
From composure to the ability to handle objections, these skills may not be part of curriculums but they make for great supply chain managers.
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How to Navigate Your Supply Chain During Market Swings
Market conditions play a crucial role in shaping challenges professionals face when managing their organization’s supply chains. While bear markets are known for their economic uncertainty and declining stock prices, bull markets are characterized by investor optimism and rising asset values. Both markets present unique hurdles that supply chain professionals must adeptly navigate.
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10 Tips for Boosting Ecommerce Efficiency
There are endless opportunities for smart businesses to capitalize on the growing ecommerce trend. Processing high volumes of small parcels, however, requires flawless operations at every step of the supply chain to ensure maximum profitability.
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TAKEAWAYS: Shaping the Future of the Global Supply Chain
What does the current landscape of corporate sustainability efforts look like? Here’s a glimpse at top challenges for emissions reduction initiatives and other supply chain trending topics.
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Enterprise Resource Planning: Definition, Benefits, and Challenges
Struggling with managing your business operations efficiently? You’re not alone – about 25% of organizations implement Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) to increase their efficiency. This article will guide you through the myriad facets of ERP, its benefits, vulnerabilities, applications, ERP meaning, and much more. It will also show you how to define ERP and highlight […]
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Asset Management is Everyone’s Job
When it comes to keeping the supply chain as efficient as possible, asset management is a vital priority that mustn’t be overlooked. Keeping careful track not only of goods, but of the shipping containers and platforms needed to transport these goods, should be everyone’s responsibility.
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Vertical Integration: Definition, Examples, and Advantages
Companies can choose many business strategies to meet their supply chain and logistics needs. Each approach has advantages and disadvantages. The best method depends on a company’s specific needs, goals, and circumstances. Vertically integrated corporations, like those in the booming field of vertical aerospace, are giants with a grip on multiple stages of their production […]
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Bullwhip Effect: Example, Causes, and Impact on Supply Chain
The supply chain ensures that raw materials, parts, and finished products are delivered to customers promptly and efficiently. However, the supply chain is a complex system that various major factors, such as changes in demand, production delays, or supply chain disruptions, can easily disrupt. The bullwhip effect is one of supply chain management’s most significant […]
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Uniting a Fragmented Supply Chain Ecosystem to Harmonize Operations
Recent history has exposed the glaring weaknesses in our supply chains networks. One issue and it all comes crashing down like a house of cards. Resulting in expensive quick fixes to save the day. It’s time to build supply chains that are resilient, customer centric AND cost-effective. That’s what senior management is demanding. How do […]
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Your Supply Chain Reality in 5 Years: What ChatGPT Can’t Tell You
We asked our readers: How will supply chain management transform in the next five years? Here are the three major transformations supply chain managers can anticipate. 1. Adoption of advanced supply chain technology will be a major source of competitive advantage for companies. Platforms that improve human decision making and asset management will be areas […]
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IN BRIEF: New Services and Solutions
Products The new EFFER iQ.950 HP heavy loader crane from Hiab, part of Cargotec, lets operators perform a wide range of vertical and horizontal lifting jobs safely and precisely at high speeds. The multipurpose crane’s dimensions and weight make it suitable for installation on several trucks. The nestable Retail E5.3 order picking pallet from Cabka […]
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Supply Chain Education Kindles New Skills
Eager to turn the page on disruption and upheaval, supply chain programs bookmark critical skill sets and help prepare future leaders and logisticians.
Read MoreCollaboration and Connectivity Have to Come Before Technology
Supply chain disruptions are at an all-time high, so it’s no surprise that technology designed to solve problems is plentiful. It should be. With pressure on everyone in the supply chain, we need tools like digital bookings, automated invoicing, and instant integration of data into transportation management systems. Let’s give thanks for technology, because nine times out of 10, it makes a difference.
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Near Sourcing: Definition, Benefits, and Drawbacks
Near sourcing is a business strategy that has become increasingly popular in recent years. It involves shifting production and services closer to the point of sale or consumption rather than relying on global supply chains. It can offer numerous advantages such as reduced shipping costs, faster delivery times, and improved environmental sustainability; however, there are […]
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3 Ways Digital Transformation Enhances Capacity
After consecutive pandemic years, supply chains are a mess. As a result, businesses are running out of stock just as surging consumer demand drives up prices for remaining goods, contributing to record inflation and further disrupting consumer markets.
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Gaining Better Visibility: Where to Start
While the business-to-consumer (B2C) market has embraced sophisticated technology tools to enable a digital transformation across the supply chain, the business-to-business (B2B) industry has been slower to adapt, steadfast in a reliance on spreadsheets, phone calls and email.
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