Articles
Technology

Industrial IoT: Friend of the Environment
SOURCE: Inmarsat Adopting Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technologies to improve environmental sustainability ranks as a crucial priority for transportation and logistics companies, according to a new Inmarsat study. Across the transportation and logistics sector, the two largest drivers behind adopting IIoT-based solutions are monitoring environmental conditions such as emissions and air quality (61 percent) […]
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New App Drives Compliance
It can be challenging for rental trucks to meet the electronic logging device (ELD) mandate. One solution is to provide drivers with easier Hours of Service (HoS) functionality. To that end, Penske Truck Leasing has introduced Penske Driver, a fully integrated and ELD-compliant custom app for its commercial truck rental, contract maintenance, and truck leasing […]
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Pushing Blockchain Past the Hype
Businesses across the supply chain are finally embracing blockchain as an asset capable of unlocking tremendous value, especially as supply chains grow more globalized and susceptible to compromise. Yet many companies still approach blockchain with apprehension. Misinformation and lack of clarity loom over businesses curious about blockchain. Supply chain companies are understandably wary of having […]
Read MoreAutomation Is a Game Changer for E-tailers
E-commerce is on the rise and only gaining momentum. According to a report by eMarketer Retail, in 2017, retail e-commerce sales worldwide reached $2.3 trillion, a 25% increase over the previous year. Besides discounts on products and the availability of tools for comparing product features and prices, what has really helped boost e-commerce, is the […]
Read MoreThe Fastest Growing 3PLs Spell Success “C-L-O-U-D”
Third-party logistics (3PL) companies have it tough. Not only do they need air-tight control of their data, 3PLs need to prove to customers that their data is safer than Fort Knox. In today’s world where one person in a black hoodie sitting at a coffee shop can do more damage to a business than a […]
Read MoreHow the Cloud Creates Cost Savings—and Tax Benefits
Embrace the Flow of Innovation Modernizing your distribution business isn’t just about adopting the latest and greatest technology. From seamless scalability to cost-efficiency to tax benefits, the right solutions can pave the way to significant results. The cloud has introduced new levels of convenience, accessibility, and ease-of-management to enterprises everywhere. From any web-connected device, workers […]
Read MoreSelecting a Cloud-based TMS
Selecting and implementing a SaaS-based Transportation Management System (TMS) requires careful thought. Future users and decision-makers need to: 1. Establish clear goals and priorities in advance. Clearly understanding your priorities and goals in advance will help narrow your TMS search to only those SaaS platforms that meet your needs. Calculate the expected return on investment. […]
Read MoreAccuracy and Time Savings Through AI-Driven Forecasting
Despite a wealth of available solutions and methods, retailers still struggle to produce accurate and timely demand forecasts. Existing challenges are further complicated by the idea of unified commerce, as shoppers choose from a variety of more convenient fulfillment options. There are adverse effects throughout the supply chain resulting from inaccurate forecasts, but today’s retailers […]
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What Are The Possibilities?
As chief technology officer at Pilot Freight Services, Mark Baker’s mission is to lead the company through a digital transformation. “Like a lot of companies, Pilot has had some excellent technology solutions but still runs legacy back office systems using COBOL, FORTRAN, and RPG,” he says. A business that relies on mainframe-era technology can’t easily […]
Read MoreBuilding a Global Experience Through Connected Service
The Internet of Things (IoT) is bringing a new level of connectivity that is evolving the forklift service call and changing how companies approach equipment maintenance. Today’s connected service technicians, armed with new technology and increased connectivity, are helping to make service calls smarter and more proactive. As more data is gathered on forklift performance […]
Read More5 Ways a WMS Can Cut Supply Chain Costs
The right warehouse management system (WMS) can improve efficiency and cut supply chain costs. TECSYS, a supply chain management solutions provider, offers the following tried-and-true strategies. 1. Automate manual processes. Find every opportunity to automate repeatable and time-intensive activities, especially those prone to error. An electronic pick list is a good place to start. A […]
Read MoreVR Training Combats Trucking Industry’s Critical Driver Shortage
To many of us, truck driving and virtual reality (VR) using simulation are at the opposite end of the technology spectrum. However, VR using proper simulation is the solution to a major problem that exists in the world of trucking and freight movement.
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Next-Generation Innovations: Digital, On Demand, Always On
Manufacturing and supply chain professionals face many challenges but, according to the 2018 MHI Annual Industry Report, Overcoming Barriers to NextGen Supply Chain Adoption, the top ones are increasing customer demands on supply chains (73 percent) and hiring qualified workers (64 percent). Eleven technologies are working together to create next-generation supply chains that can meet […]
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2018: A Year to Remember
Most Likely to Have Lasting Impact The new NAFTA Jose Minarro Senior Vice President of Customs in Mexico Transplace “The rules of origin for several industries will change. Revisit eligibility to claim NAFTA or USMCA duty rates in the future and perform a comprehensive rules of origin and regional value content analysis for every product.” […]
Read MoreGood Question: What are your top supply chain predictions for 2019?
Uber Freight and other new platforms will power increasingly connected truckers and LTL providers into the gig economy. Steve Dowse SVP, Product Management Blume Global Supply chains will continue their evolution from the traditional lean standard strategy to more of a flexible and elastic supply chain to meet market and logistics fluctuations. These changes will […]
Read MoreHoliday Cargo Theft Q&A with Scott Cornell of Travelers
To learn more about holiday cargo theft, Inbound Logistics spoke with Scott Cornell, transportation business lead and crime and theft specialist at Travelers. Why is cargo theft more prevalent over the holiday season? With so many gifts being ordered, this time of year is holiday season for the bad guys, too. More shipments out on […]
Read MoreAutomated Material Handling Equipment Market Lifts Growth Projections
The growing presence of start-up companies offering robotic solutions for warehouse automation, the increasing popularity of automated material handling (AMH) equipment among leading industries, significant recovery in global manufacturing, and rising labor cost and safety concerns are among the key factors driving the growth of the AMH market, according to a new study from industry […]
Read MoreWhat to Expect in Transportation in 2019
Transportation has been on a transformative tear for the past few years, boosting the use of digital platforms to do more for shippers, carriers, logistics companies and other stakeholders. Here are a few ideas on what we should expect in 2019 and 2020 from expert Bob McQueen, Industry Consultant, Teradata Government/Transportation. The emerging smart cities […]
Read MoreSelf-Driving Trucks Are Set to Transform Trucking and Logistics
While much of the attention surrounding autonomous vehicles (AVs) is focused on self-driving cars, the real impact will be felt in the shipping, trucking, and logistics industries, where AVs will have a dramatic effect. Today, the shortage of truck drivers and the need to follow strict federal regulations covering working hours are disrupting status quo […]
Read MoreHoliday Shipping Guidance for 2018: Analyzing FedEx 2017 Holiday Ship-By Dates
To better understand when shippers should send their packages during the holiday season, GrandCanals, a provider of analytics-driven fulfillment, launched an AI-powered website, where companies can view holiday ship-by predictions for 2018, updated nightly. These predictions are determined by artificial intelligence and consider both historical and current shipping trends across the GrandCanals Delivery Performance tracking […]
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