Articles
Supply Chain

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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Lifting the Fog on Extreme Caution Driving
Inclement weather such as rain, snow, and fog is a constant feature of motor vehicle travel. During poor conditions, commercial truck drivers and their dispatchers must use discretion when deciding whether travel should continue and in what manner. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (49 C.F.R. § 392.14) specifically address driving in adverse weather conditions and […]
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Is Your Company Millennial Friendly?
When it comes to attracting millennial job candidates, the supply management sector has a decided advantage. College students say they’re attracted to our profession because of the number of different disciplines within it, the breadth of responsibility, and its impact on sustainability and the global footprint. We may have an easier time drawing in millennials, […]
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Goodbye, Linear Supply Chain. Hello, Digital Supply Network
Ready or not, the death of the linear supply chain is upon us. Supply chains built to deliver reliable, cost-effective results are no longer fit for purpose in today’s digitally driven world. Enter the digital supply network (DSN). DSNs intertwine, even harmonize, four supply chains—physical, information, talent, and financial—that businesses have operated separately for decades. […]
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Supply Chain Sustainability Takes Root
Whether the motive is saving the environment or saving money, companies are embracing supply chain sustainability from the ground up.
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Chemical Logistics: Formula for Success
As the chemical industry continues to grow, shippers and their service partners work hard to keep product moving, trouble-free.
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30 Under 30 Rising Supply Chain Stars: Defining a New Generation
Inbound Logistics, ISM, and ThomasNet honor 30 professionals who are 30 or younger, and already making their mark in supply chain and purchasing management.
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Cloud-Based Route Planning? That Would Be Ideal!
For a wholesale distributor of electrical supplies, auto parts, and industrial products, the best delivery routes run through the cloud.
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The EU’s Union Customs Code: New Opportunities for Greater Efficiency, Transparency, and Simplicity
On May 1, 2016, traders in the European Union (EU), North American companies that trade with the EU, and North American companies with operations in the EU, witnessed the beginning of the largest change to European customs procedures in the past 20 years with the introduction of the Union Customs Code (UCC). The UCC brings […]
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A Head in the Cloud?
The migration to web, cloud, and SaaS solutions continues, and it’s a good thing for shippers. Here’s why you’ll love getting ahead in the cloud.
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INTTRA CEO John Fay: Trading Stocks for Ships
John Fay made his name on Wall Street, at companies that operate digital platforms for trading securities and other financial instruments. In 2014, he moved into the logistics world, taking the helm at INTTRA, a global marketplace for ocean transportation. That’s not as big a leap as it might sound. MORE TO THE STORY: Time […]
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Dave Christensen: A Spirited Approach to Supply Chain Management
Dave Christensen is vice president of supply chain with Glazer’s Inc., a Dallas-based distributor of alcoholic beverages. He has been with Glazer’s since 2004. Responsibilities: Demand planning, replenishment, logistics, and master data management. Experience: Supply chain consultant, Accenture. Education: BS, industrial engineering, Purdue University, 1998. Dave Christensen: A Spirited Approach Growing up, math and science […]
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Trends—May 2016
Robots Coming Soon to A Warehouse Near You Even with the rise of the Internet of Things and the advancement of automation technologies, 80 percent of global logistics facilities still operate manually, according to Robotics in Logistics, a report by Deutsche Post DHL. But the time for robots in logistics is upon us. "Robots work […]
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Global Logistics—May 2016
Earthquakes Shake Up Global Supply Chains The global supply chain is still feeling the aftershocks of a 6.5-magnitude earthquake that struck Japan on April 14, 2016, followed by a 7.3-magnitude earthquake two days later on Japan’s island of Kyushu. With property and local infrastructure severely damaged, many companies will continue to feel the effects in […]
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Changing the Shape of Supply and Demand
Demand sensing and demand shaping have become important strategies when considering customer collaboration and downstream visibility to improve supply chain efficiency. Demand sensing refers to forecasting methods that use mathematical techniques and real-time information to create more accurate demand forecasts (a variety of supply chain analytics), while demand shaping is the act of influencing demand […]
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CBP’s ACE Reporting Will Reduce Global Trade Risks
Even though the rollout of the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) has had a bevy of delays, quicker and easier data access will benefit government agencies and the trading industry. As the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) continues to roll out the ACE Single Window program throughout 2016, the goal remains the same: to eliminate […]
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Three Key Points to Communicate to Become Your Customers’ Dream Provider
Communication and transparency are key to being a good partner to your clients. If your logistics organization is in the process of responding to RFP questions from a plum potential customer, positioning your logistics organization as the ideal fit for that customer depends on clear communication of three defining factors of your business: specialization, size, […]
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Managing Warehousing Requirements During Peak Periods (Without Committing to Long-term Contracts)
Managing peak period shipment volume is a structural challenge in the U.S. economy. Those preoccupied with executing order fulfillment services spend much of the year thinking about and planning for it. The surge is a three- to four-month peak in first inbound, and then outbound shipments, with overlap. Shipments to retailers come first, followed by […]
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TMS: Time to Make Your Move?
Transportation management systems are becoming less expensive and easier to own. Now, companies of any size can get in the game.
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