Ryan Robertson
Implementing a drop shipping solution comes with its share of challenges for a 3PL provider, as these types of orders differ from a standard parcel shipment. Here’s what to consider.
Russ Felker
Digital transformation cannot be considered in a silo; it needs to be approached from a holistic perspective. Data has to be linked to processes and action to be meaningful.
Geoff Kelley
By utilizing digital logistics platforms, businesses can address short-term needs while expanding and diversifying networks to better position themselves moving forward—no matter the market conditions.
Stewart Dunsmore
In today’s complex global supply chain, it never has been more difficult and vital to understand where you are spending your transportation dollars. Spend management visibility can help you see where every freight dollar goes, allowing you to identify opportunities for new savings.
Frank Dreischarf
Taking the time to develop meaningful and long-term relationships with transportation providers can eliminate so many headaches down the road for shippers.
Brian Meents
This past year presented extreme challenges for the supply chain. By providing the industry's leading supply chain solutions for more than 50 years, Hub Group supported its customers by leveraging experience in strategic planning across the supply chain, tailored solutions, dependable capacity, and advanced visibility.
George Kontoravdis, PhD
Whether you ship an envelope or an aircraft engine, Fortigo's system works in harmony with your carrier network to optimize its routing. Fortigo users quickly, easily, and confidently arrange and expedite shipments using their entire carrier network.
Jay Ganapathy
An adaptive unified logical data model augmented with semantics creates a real-time master data lake with a deep business context. It allows businesses to gain real-time supply chain insights from customers, markets, partners, production, distribution, logistics, and environments.
Brian Lawson
The expedited sector of the transportation realm brings value, capacity, service and yes, can reduce your transportation cost when used effectively.
Mike Glodziak
Outsourcing supply chain operations to a 3PL partner is a strategic decision that enhances multiple levels of a business’s value chain.
Clark Cassell
Automation, when correctly applied, should have two benefits: performing tasks with fewer people, and increasing the value of (remaining) employee tasks.
Tim Smith
Good cartonization software uses the weight and dimensions of objects to select the correct sized carton, assisting with accurate shipping cost calculations in near real-time when the customer places an order, essential for any e-commerce site.
Lee Rector
A warehouse management system should be adaptable, fast, affordable, and scalable to offer a low entry point into the warehouse, while providing a platform that expands exponentially according to the client's requirements, Mantis recommends.
Art Zipkin
Today’s motor carriers are constantly seeking ways to boost efficiency, such as having drivers capture bill of lading (BOL) data while on the move to reduce turnaround time. DDC Sync arms you with effective terminal management and actionable insights to optimize your logistics planning for a truly synchronized business.
Christine Taylor
Parcel via TMS is becoming a real game-changer. Teams can rate shop, execute, track and trace, audit and pay all within one platform regardless of the mode, leg, or partner they’re dealing with.
Marty Wadle
A low-cost provider may produce short-term savings but will not deliver sustainable efficiencies and the level of service shippers expect. Strategic partnerships that are mutually beneficial stand the test of time and drive waste out of shippers’ supply chains.
Ann Yates
Warehouse processes must respond to variable needs and can no longer be uniform or one-size-fits-all. Agile systems capable of adapting to change quickly must be implemented.
Todd Zegers
If companies critically examine legacy business models, follow a three-step process, and leverage a reverse logistics framework, they will arrive at a business model that will be both profitable and sustainable.
Julie Colona
Julie Colona, Director, Forwarding Solutions and NVOCC at UniGroup, discusses why shippers might need a special commodities carrier, what to look for in a carrier, and how the business is evolving.
Matthew Telesca
The inevitable trend of utilizing artificial intelligence in the supply chain has already started to pay forward. Here's what shippers should do to supercharge their supply chains.
Dave Maddox
With so much complexity and volatility for the foreseeable future, it’s never been more important to be able to have a holistic view of your supply chain. An integrated TMS provides a single solution for planning, executing, and analyzing your shipments, both inbound and outbound.
Ryan Frederiksen
Ruan’s approach to effective continuous improvement (CI) is centered around creating value within its partners’ businesses. CI begins with a clear understanding of each unique supply chain and baseline performance measures.
Currin McCarty
Forward-thinking 3PLs and retailers are making moves now to digitize their operations and prepare for possibly their best peak season yet. Locus’s Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS) model offers considerable flexibility as volumes and workflows change.
Nick Fisher
Pre-rating inbound shipments based upon purchase order information leads to too many required corrections and an improper month-end accrual. Here's how you can lower your inbound freight costs and improve your accounting.
Bob Tuchek
Rail rates are one area in which shippers, through proper management, can yield cost savings and minimize typical rail rate increases. A shipper needs to understand which lanes are competitive versus non-competitive.
Andrew Hooser
Logistics and transportation data are critical in enabling proactive decision-making that informs supply chain initiatives.
Dave Maddox
With an on-demand shipment-quoting tool with reverse auction capability, shippers can receive quotes within 30 minutes to 72 hours, depending on the mode, from transportation providers.
Nathan Schmies
Hub Group Vice President of Supply Chain Operations Nathan Schmies discusses the future of retail and implementing a strategic e-commerce fulfillment strategy for optimal success.
George Kontoravdis, PhD
TMS benefits are well documented, including routing compliance, cost containment, visibility, event management, and trade compliance. A cloud-based TMS with a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) delivery model can significantly accelerate the return on investment.
Doug Mefford
From variable allocation strategies to mixed demand consolidation needs, the warehouse management system can be a valuable tool to achieve resilience in the face of changing consumer demand patterns and delivery timelines.
Krenar Komoni
The Open Visibility Network adds in-transit visibility beyond what’s available today, benefitting customers and shippers.
Karen Leavitt
Q&A with Locus Robotics, discussing how shippers can gain the flexible automation needed to meet today's demands and position themselves for growth.
Larry Hargreaves
The effectiveness of a transition, from switching 3PLs to moving facilities, depends on how well the change is managed. It is essential to have a documented project plan and a dedicated project manager with experience across multiple disciplines.
Vijay Natarajan
Today's technology empowers brands to offer a range of diverse, quality products, as well as customizable delivery or omni-channel fulfillment options to their customers.
Clark Cassell
Automation is the answer when it comes to adjusting supply chain operations to support increasing e-commerce fulfillment. It’s a tool set to make your employees more productive, and more effective. Instead of bringing on more people, you increase the value of the people you have.
Raul Alfonso
As U.S.-Mexico trade is flourishing, Port Tampa Bay is well positioned to accommodate the continued strong growth of its container business.
Hannah Testani
An advanced solution that marries both technology and people through business intelligence reporting and automation is the only way forward for today's supply chains.
Dave Maddox
Adopting an integrated transportation management system delivers consistent ROI and helps create a resilient supply chain.
Chad Crotty
By leveraging DDC FPO's expansive range of programming languages and skill levels, carriers can offer a consistent experience regardless of each shipper’s individual IT investment.
Matt Turner
Advances in data integration, IoT, machine learning, and artificial intelligence are changing every part of the supply chain.
Senthil Murugaiyan
Modernizing the ecosystems while keeping up the ongoing business operations is the reality of every business. The current ecosystem, future solution expectations, and resource models are the drivers that determine the program's pace.
Tara Meier
Ruan believes in developing strong partnerships by understanding our customers’ stories and continuing to improve our service as their needs evolve. And the best way to know if we are achieving that goal is to ask them.
Lori Harner
Control tower capabilities help companies make better supply chain decisions across all industries. Any business that experiences supply chain disruption and wants fast and accurate resolutions to benefit all parties stands to benefit, says Lori Harner of E2open.
Keri Corbin
Information technology leaders should focus on these three key areas in their warehouse operations to stay competitive in 2021 and beyond.
Michael Eastabrook
With better visibility into loading dock activity, companies can bring significant improvements to their warehouse operations.
Thomas Griffin
Thomas Griffin, president at DLS Worldwide, discusses how partnering with a large, experienced logistics company can offer technology, agility, and customer service benefits.
Peter Zalinski
The latest industrial printers offer a new set of features and advantages, so end-users will not be upgrading just to ensure continued performance and support – they will enable new productivity and efficiency benefits.
Emily Burns
Through robotic process automation, Ruan has significantly improved service to its customers.
Justin Turner
COVID-19 upended supply chains, increased costs, and tightened capacity, leaving shippers struggling to deliver high-quality service. Shared truckload could be the answer.
Al Reisman
When a project or load requires expertise beyond your realm, particularly when it comes to something as complex as shipping oversize/overweight freight, make sure to rely on the support of a qualified and experienced carrier to get your shipment delivered safely.
Dave Glancy
In an volatile economic environment, shippers need reliable, cost-effective solutions to meet customer demand. Dedicated transportation solutions, which mitigate capacity risk and improve on-time delivery, can offer a solution.
Mark Scullion
When the pandemic hit, supply chains around the world were impacted. With a robust safety and quality program in place prior to the pandemic, Suddath was able to respond and adapt immediately to ensure supply chain continuity.
Matt Tiedens
Matt Tiedens, director of logistics solutions with Ruan Transportation Management Systems, discusses how to manage the RFP process and attract the best results.
George Kontoravdis, PhD
George Kontoravdis, president at Fortigo, discusses how the transportation management solutions provider adjusted its feature set in response to changing customer needs resulting from COVID-19.
Thomas Griffin
Thomas Griffin, president with DLS Worldwide, discusses how finding the right 3PL partner is more important than ever in the transportation sector as companies recover from COVID-19.
Mark McArthur
Companies are looking for ways to manage more efficiently with less—while reallocating resources to more productive activities and maximizing freight spend value. Logistics operations are a great place to start as even the smallest percentage savings could mean triple digit impact to bottom lines.
Shannon Vaillancourt
Decisions made with incorrect data lead to no cost savings and compounding incorrect data throughout the supply chain. Here's how to make sure your data is sound.
Dan Sanker
With retail stores being one of the few businesses that remain open to the general public, supply chains operations have had to embrace creativity to deliver effectively.
Andrés Lopera
Andrés Lopera, chief executive officer of LFS, discusses how reliable supply chain partners can help manufacturers tackle challenges and provide innovative solutions.
Michael Eastabrook
With new technology that assembles objective information to support well-informed decisions, warehouse managers can base decisions about their loading docks on data rather than assumptions.
Brian Thompson
Automated bidding tools bring benefits to shippers and carriers alike. Carriers that receive complete shipment history and future volume forecasts from shippers are able to make the most competitive offers, which can lead to shipper savings.
Eleke Ukpabi
Supply Chain 4.0 is an integrative approach to operational digitization, where existing and nascent technology applications are leveraged to transform the supply chain ecosystem. This is seen as an essential response to evolving business requirements and the gradational manifestation of industry 4.0 evolution.
Rob Brasher
Leaving a job to start a company is a high-risk/high-reward decision. For those transportation and logistics professionals who have been toying with the idea of entrepreneurship, there are some points to take into consideration to help make the right choices.
Scott Fisher
Estes Forwarding Worldwide’s Net Promoter Score Program directly supports its mission statement: to deliver the EFW Experience by exceeding expectations each and every time.
Eric Mautner
Interested in selling your business? This article explores the most common hurdles and key considerations in completing this transaction.
Tara Meier
Choosing the right third-party logistics provider (3PL) can make or break your goal of achieving supply chain excellence. Here’s how to select the right 3PL.
George Kontoravdis, PhD
Deploying a transportation management system (TMS) can be time-consuming. Here's how to save time and money.
Thomas Griffin
When a shipper finds a 3PL who can be a true partner, the choice should be easy and the benefits evident, from letting team members focus on core competencies to leveraging the 3PL’s expertise.
John Carroll
Visibility to actions and status at the loading dock can be challenging, but providing that visibility, such as through the Kelley Digital Master Control Panel, can create powerful advantages to maximizing throughput.
Ryan Brown
To optimize their supply chains, shippers should leverage warehouse innovations, implement an optimal TMS and WMS, and determine the best warehouse site.
John Carroll
Sectors such as food and beverage, industrial, and cold storage emphasize using data and metrics to improve efficiency, and loading dock control systems such as Serco Digital Master Control Panels can play a crucial role in that pursuit.
Steve Barber
To navigate an increasingly challenging supply chain landscape, shippers must have an optimal mix of managed services, strategic consulting and technology, such as real-time visibility solutions, machine learning and artificial intelligence.
Mahmoud J. Alabbasi
Growth presents some new and sometimes unique challenges to overcome, regardless of your industry. Here’s how to optimize your supply chain during a growth period.
Shannon Vaillancourt
Track & trace data allows for the shipping process to move smoothly and expectedly and provides opportunities for remedies when things don’t go smoothly.
Thomas Griffin
DLS Worldwide’s CRM System provides customers with a simple interface in which shippers can find multimodal quoting, booking and reporting, shipment tracking, and invoice management with online payment options.
Graham Page
Knowing how to quickly set up and configure supply chain technology so the solutions work for individual customers is the key to getting the most flexible and powerful performance from industry leading package applications.
Ken Pehanick
How to overcome the challenge of data management—integrating multiple data sources in a transportation management system (TMS)
Brad McBride
A digital transformation is quickly and quietly sweeping the industry, and shippers could be left behind if they’re not among the early adopters.
Joe Beacom
In selecting a specialized carrier, a shipper should evaluate people, processes and performance.
John Sell
In recent years, a rise in e-commerce sales has led to an increase in the amount of items returned. This increase in returns creates a challenging situation for retailers and an opportunity for their 3PL providers.
Thomas Griffin
With an integrated TMS platform, customers can feel confident that they will get a variety of shipping options and correct pricing based on where they are shipping to.
Martin Hubert
We are evolving to the point where we can share information between members of the supply chain, automate processes such as ordering, quotation and route optimization, and collaboratively work together to manage the exceptions.
George Kontoravdis, PhD
Use this advice to navigate the process of selecting and deploying a TMS solution in a fraction of the time and cost of traditional solutions.
George Mimikos
Time will tell if subscription retail is a viably long-term innovation for the retail industry as a whole, or merely the next iteration of online shopping. But it’s a retail trend that has certainly not yet reached its peak.
Ed Moran
To find additional capacity, strategic, proactive sourcing methods based on technology specifically created for transportation procurement can uncover hidden carrier capacity by connecting shippers to logistics service providers.
Frank McGuigan
Supporting a multi-channel delivery model requires an agile supply chain and exceptional planning and execution processes and technology to make it work.
Andrew Cheung
When we said 2017 was one of the most disruptive years for global supply chains in recent years, thanks to natural disasters, geopolitical conflicts, and regulatory upheaval, we couldn’t have foreseen the twists and turns that would take shape in 2018.
Shannon Vaillancourt
It's no secret that data is the foundation for a world class logistics strategy. It's also no secret how to find the right data, yet many companies struggle to find the data they’ve been looking for.
John Sell
Providers that specialize and target a specific industry, geographical market, or will limit their service offering are referred to as niche 3PL’s. Here are some of the advantages to using a niche 3PL over a traditional provider.
Gary M. Barraco
With a digital model of the global supply chain, companies can realize collaboration, automation, analytics and flexibility. The result is a transformed global supply chain with improved margins, greater agility, and reduced risk.
LeAnne Coulter
Visibility is more than just the latest buzzword on everyone’s mind and tip of the tongue. LeAnne Coulter of Schneider explains what visibility means and its value in your supply chain.
Martin Hubert
Exploring the advantages of using a state-of-the-art API solution
Andrew Slusher
Jump Start 2018 provides shippers, carriers, 3PLs, and other supply chain professionals with indispensable insights about trends and challenges in the wider logistics arena.
Vin Ramundo
Shipment-level visibility is just step one. Decisions, at any stage of the product life cycle, can have a direct impact on the cost and on the time it takes for goods to be sold and delivered.
Thomas Griffin
DLS Worldwide President Thomas Griffin reveals the 3PL efficiencies in highest demand as shippers face capacity constraints in 2017.
Rick Erickson
With increasing access to data, it can be difficult to hone in on the information relevant to shippers. Here’s how to determine what data to analyze.
Eric Meyer
Here’s how trends in U.S./Mexico cross-border operations are shaping today’s supply chain.
Jeff Luthman
An experienced and knowledgeable 3PL provider can help life sciences and pharmaceutical customers adopt VMI as a supply chain management practice.
Nick Boland
By transforming the global supply chain via digitization, fast fashion manufacturers can stay on pace and improve margins, agility, and risk management.
George Kontoravdis, PhD
Use this advice to navigate the process of selecting and deploying a TMS solution in a fraction of the time and cost of traditional solutions.
Ian Tsai
The days of EDI connectivity is quickly becoming outdated and replaced with real-time data feeds that benefit both shipper and their shipping partners.
Adam Compain
Silicon Valley and the logistics industry can help each other, and there’s great value to be gained through partnership.
John Costanzo
John Costanzo of Purolator International discusses the latest trade trends between the United States and Canada.
Greg Braun
Here is what you should be looking for in a dock scheduling solution.
Nikhil Aurora
Network optimization studies help simplify supply chain operations and provide continual year-over-year savings.
Tony Coletto
To compete in today’s environment, small to medium players need to offer competitive supply chain and delivery services.
Brad Hollister
The future of TMS systems is not only to monitor service in real-time, but to properly audit the carrier’s invoice through settlement.
Shannon Potter
Here is what you need to know about pushback from IT when proposing a TMS implementation.
Martin Rothe and Jonathan Sturtz
While some companies have chosen to rely on 3PLs to manage their logistics, others have found other alternatives.
Shannon Vaillancourt
Stephen Wilson
Rishi Parti
The right data can create the intelligence required to know where to begin to solve many common problems.
Doug Surrett
Companies are realizing they must change their mindset to remain competitive. Embracing a global trade network model removes some of the constraints that make global trade management a challenge
Rick Erickson
Shippers are increasingly learning that to uncover efficiencies and forecast effectively they need visibility into their supply chains—including their payment process.
Diane Mitchell
Use this advice to ensure your mid-market supply chain is supported at the level it deserves.
Jeff Luthman
In the life science and pharmaceutical area, an inefficient supply chain can cause serious problems. Here are the benefits in adopting innovative approaches to the pharmaceuticals supply chain.
Inna Kuznetsova
Digitization is no longer an option. It is a competitive necessity.
Darrell Ortiz
Use these insights to meet the challenges of global shipment compliance.
Jim Blohm
By managing inbound freight spend, shippers can decouple transportation costs from suppliers’ product charges and gain visibility to the lanes, volumes and synergistic opportunities that exist within their outbound network.
J. P. Wiggins
As a first-time TMS buyer, educate yourself on what a modern TMS can do – and come to the table with high expectations.
Dave Albanese
Effectively mitigate demurrage and detention fees by taking an integrated approach to logistics, contract management, and supply chain visibility using a global trade management system.
Brian Easton
The door to an automated brokerage process opens up when a broker strengthens relationships with carriers and customers.
Rick Erickson
Rick Erickson of U.S. Bank explains how to deal with increasing regulations, demand volatility, and shifting global trade currents.
Danny Slaton
As transit times shift and service areas are updated, customers need a reliable source of data that delivers a standard messaging output that can be easily understood.
Thomas Griffin
Customer retention in today’s competitive marketplace is important. Thomas Griffin of DLS Worldwide offers the keys to customer retention.
Jon Russell
When a company initiates a nearshoring program, it is critical to have a partnership with a transportation and logistics company that understands the dynamics of logistics in that country.
Ryan Kelly
With the growth of e-commerce, retailers have identified a potential opportunity to reduce working capital by thinning inventory at brick-and-mortar stores—opting instead to maintain major portions of inventory at distribution centers upstream.
J. P. Wiggins
Your TMS is the perfect place to start making sense of IoT–giving you the ability to make smarter decisions faster.
Thomas Griffin
Thomas Griffin of DLS Worldwide explains the most important aspects in good vendor management and how manufacturers can deal with increasing regulations and security concerns.
Jay Moris
Waveless fulfillment consistently maximizes warehouse productivity by assigning orders on a real-time basis as resources and fulfillment opportunities become available.
Michael Kukiela
By tapping into outsourced logistics support, shippers arm themselves with the technology, talent, and experience at a lower price than employed resources, which allow companies to invest and focus on their core competencies.
Alan Miller
Savings from a TMS deployment can be significant. Here are the benefits of an incremental approach to acquisition.
Rich Chrzanowski
The best solutions provide clear, regularly reported metrics not just to the shipper, but also to the carriers themselves.
Rick Erickson
To compete in this fast-paced economy, companies must look for every efficiency possible within their supply chain.
Chris Timmer
To support global initiatives, shippers should consider leveraging a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) TMS with domestic and global functionality.
Shannon Vaillancourt
A customized and strategic platform provides a company with a competitive edge over their competition.
Greg Braun
Operators want their solutions to be collaborative and easily integrated with other systems, and providing visibility in the yard should be easy.
Mark Sell
Working with a third-party logistics partner who also offers foreign trade zones can provide big benefits in the right scenarios.
Tom Heine
Consider these factors and advice when considering switching software.
Chris Noble
One of the common gripes voiced by organizations implementing logistics IT solutions is that the solution ends up costing more than expected. Use this advice when looking at prospective providers.
George Kontoravdis, PhD
The cornerstone of collaborative logistics is timely visibility. Data about orders, inventory, transportation, and spend need to all funnel into a common denominator big data repository and be readily accessible.
Michael Kukiela
Now is the right time to improve your supply chain’s stability, scalability and resiliency. Transportation providers are seeking collaboration with shippers as their networks have also experienced significant change.
Chuck Fattore
One way a manufacturer can mitigate the effects of increasing regulations and demand volatility is by working with a third-party logistics provider with a leveraged platform.
Kae-Por Chang
While doing business with China, many companies face a wide range of challenges trying to navigate the country’s complex trade programs.
Rick Erickson
Shippers get the most out of freight payment services when they make it a primary discussion topic internally and among peers.
Tom Heine
Temporary bills and lack of investment threaten the future of U.S. roads, bridges, tunnel, and rail infrastructure.
Chuck Fattore
Core carriers participating in leveraged platforms typically receive consistent, attractive internal freight volumes and specific lanes of business.
Steve Syfan
From a shipping perspective, manufacturers can best address today’s increasing regulations and demand volatility by outsourcing shipping to a third-party logistics provider.
John Sell
Value-added services that fall outside the realm of traditional supply chain solutions can save millions of dollars and create mutually beneficial, collaborative relationships.
Nathan Pieri
Digital Business integrates the value chain to realize a constant stream of operational data and transform it into balanced, end-to-end metrics that improve decision making.
Edward D. Greenberg
The equitable assessment of demurrage and detention charges will have a great impact on shippers, carriers and ports.
Doug Waggoner
Shippers should consider partial shipping when looking for faster transit times, less handling, and a more cost-effective solution.
Joe Johnson
Recent improvements in wireless cellular technology and mesh networks provide solutions that can be adapted for warehousing space, easing startup challenges and costs.
Marty Ready
Shippers making simple, but meaningful changes can go a long way with helping carriers attract and retain drivers.
Rick Erickson
In the face of increasing capacity issues, carriers prefer to work with shippers that will support their business needs
Shannon Vaillancourt
Predictive modeling and big data help develop efficient shipping solutions to lower shippers’ freight spend and overall supply chain costs.
George Kontoravdis, PhD
Today’s supply chain environment is more complex than ever, and it is important for business partners to work together across the value chain with the intent to maximize the benefit to their customers .
Chad Crotty
Many transportation and logistics professionals hear outsourcing and think offshoring, but there is a big difference.
Tom Heine
Providing technology solutions helps third-party logistics providers stand out from competitors and adds value to their services.
Nathan Harris
A yard management system allows greater visibility with key yard information at a glance, and reporting metrics to improve the operation and save money.
Joseph Hoban
Freight forwarders provide value-added services beyond just transportation and logistics. Here's advice for choosing the right one for your business.
Bob Richard
The United States Postal Services has revised domestic mail regulations for shipping lithium batteries. Here’s what shippers need to know.
John Sell
Online and mobile commerce has shifted consumer behavior, as well as how products flow through the supply chain to the end user.
Scott Byrnes
Global Trade Management Systems (GTM) can help automate and optimize international supply chains. Here’s some advice for successful implementation.
Dan Vertachnik
Shippers, carriers, 3PLs and brokers who are not fully utilizing their transportation management systems to secure capacity and manage global trade may be leaving money on the table.
Kevin Hickey
Kevin Hickey, Vice President, North American Customer Service for Maersk Line outlines the benefits of performance metrics, and the impact they have on carrier relationships and ongoing improvements.
Paul Boothe
The trucking industry faces capacity constraints, but there are solutions available to help shippers minimize the impact.
James R. Hertwig
Creative use of intermodal and multimodal options enables cost-effective transportation, boosts capacity, and reduces highway congestion delays.
Kimberly Lorimer
Establish training and mentoring programs to ensure employees have the knowledge they need.
Jim Syfan
Motor carrier safety standards dictated by state courts create confusion. National safety standards are more effective.
Tom Heine
Software-as-a-Service transportation management systems offer many advantages over enterprise software.
John Deris
Expanding beverage product lines are generating new stockkeeping units (SKUs) - and supply chain management challenges.
Jim Preuninger
Midmarket companies can benefit from using automation to create a strategic export compliance program.
Ray Greer
Regulations and tight capacity lead shippers to employ brokers or 3PLs with the resources to protect their interests.
Eric Meister
SaaS TMS solutions allow shippers, carriers, suppliers, and consignees to conduct business on a single platform.
Tom Heine
3PL websites should offer tools that offer shippers information they need, and make working with carriers easier.
Bill Fraser
An integrated warehouse management system improves data flow, efficiency, and accuracy, reducing operational costs.
Chad Crotty
To better manage freight spend, track key performance indicators and build strong provider partnerships.
Luther Brown
Managing loss and damage claims can be challenging for shippers. Claims processing providers can facilitate and educate.
Nicholas Carretta
A transportation management system with fleet management tools facilitates transportation planning for private fleets.
Kerry Loudenback
Logistics managers support inbound supply chains by informing company leaders about the effect of vendor non-compliance.
Tom Kroswek
Auto aftermarket shippers use supplier ship direct programs and high-velocity DCs to meet demand.
Bruce Moore
Mobile technologies are helping secure and more effectively manage the supply chain.
Daniel Vertachnik
An automated transportation management system can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and create competitive advantage.
Rick Erickson
Freight payment services allow shippers to pay all their freight transactions and get full visibility into the process.
George Kontoravdis, PhD
Supply chain partners must work together to maximize the benefit to their customers – and boost their own bottom line.
Shannon Vaillancourt
Using a TMS for carrier selection allows shippers to load standard business rules to achieve predicted outcomes.
Nicholas Carretta
Companies interested in automating their transportation management processes should examine their current capabilities.
Steve Wilson
Companies avoid common obstacles to successful TMS implementation by partnering with an experienced solutions provider.
James Meares
Companies that effectively integrate trade agreements will gain a competitive edge in the marketplace.
Tom Sproat
Supply chain partner collaboration improves supply chain performance, create capabilities, and increase efficiencies.
Forest Himmelfarb
Technology tools help hazardous materials shippers manage hazmat compliance and maintain efficient shipping operations.
Tom Griffin
Partnering with third-party logistics providers offers shippers numerous advantages for stronger supply chains.
Jeffrey R. Brashares
Flexible tanks turn dry vans into bulk liquid transportation, creating capacity and increasing backhaul opportunities.
Darin J. Cooprider
Positioning product packaging downstream in the supply chain offers food manufacturers varied selling opportunities.
Greg Syfan
Freight management technology strengthens partnerships between third-party logistics (3PL) providers and carriers.
Steve Martin
Integrated transportation solutions allow shippers to optimize modes, and meet capacity and service requirements.
Chris Giltz
Technology such as onboard recording devices help trucking companies gain insight and cut costs.
Bruce Moore
Companies can use the visibility big data provides to improve supply chain processes and meet organizational goals.
Joe Baker
Leveraging transportation management system (TMS) capabilities help shippers make better real-time carrier decisions.
Michael Greco
Collaborating with a global logistics provider helps small and medium-sized businesses ensure regulatory compliance.
Ty Bordner
Global trade management solutions give shippers control of compliance, supply chain finance, and global logistics.
Mike Albert
Third-party logistics (3PL) providers can consolidate freight from multiple companies shipping to the same destination.
Steve Dollase
Trading partners share sales and inventory data to support mutual benefits such as optimized inventory and productivity.
Jeffrey R. Brashares
Intermodal shipping offers benefits such as reduced transportation costs, reduced carbon emissions, and safety.
Michael P. Dolan
Shippers’ needs dictate if a third party logistics provider or transportation management system is the best choice.
Jason Mathers
Natural gas fuel can help the trucking industry reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but only if gas leaks are minimized.
Richard G. Piontek
Mid-market shippers who use Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) transportation management systems (TMS) can improve visibility, access report data, and enable EDI carrier integrations while automating the transportation cycle, says Richard G. Piontek of 3PLogic.
Steve Sensing
Shifting manufacturing operations in Asia back to North America provides companies more control of their supply chains, says Steve Sensing of Ryder Supply Chain Solutions.
Rick Erickson
Managing freight spend and payments challenges many shippers because rules and regulations vary by geography. Supply chain professionals benefit most from a global solution built for freight spend, says Rick Erickson of Syncada.
Scott Vanselous
Maximizing truck utilization, managing Hours of Service regulations, and finding enough drivers pose major challenges for trucking companies, says Scott Vanselous of TMW Systems.
Kerry Loudenback
Transportation management systems (TMS) provide the ability to accurately predict shipping costs and manage shipment execution. A comprehensive TMS solution can also manage inbound shipments, serve as an RFP analysis tool, or facilitate real-time spot market quoting for appropriate modes, says Kerry Loudenback of TransportGistics Inc.
Nicholas Carretta
Best practices for transportation management dictate that shippers contact all their carriers and ask for accurate rates per mile for multiple lanes before performing an optimization, says Nick Carretta of Ultra Logistics
Mitch Weseley
Transportation management systems (TMS) have evolved to serve shipper needs, but few options exist for mid-size shippers. New offerings for this market balance ease of use, rapid implementation, and big return on investment, says Mitch Weseley of 3Gtms.
Shannon Vaillancourt
Gathering transport spend data during the freight payment process, then marrying it with transportation management system data, arms shippers with valuable information for monitoring transportation key performance indicators (KPIs), says Shannon Vaillancourt of RateLinx.
Tracey Leonard
Global customs agencies and trade regulations require shippers to obtain and communicate more shipment data. Technology tools help shippers manage and exchange shipment information, says Tracey Leonard of Choice Logistics.
Jim Preuninger
Import compliance programs facilitate restricted parties screening, recordkeeping, monitoring, review, and audit processes. A quality import compliance solution by a reputable logistics technology provider can help, says Jim Preuninger of Amber Road.
Chuck Fattore
To avoid overpaying for transportation, shippers should audit freight bills to ensure the correct National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) is applied to their less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments, says Chuck Fattore of RR Donnelley Logistics.
Greg Brady
The cloud-based Real Time Value Network enables trading partners to plan, execute, monitor, and synchronize in real time all of the business processes and events that take place throughout their extended supply chains, says Greg Brady of One Network Enterprises.
Bill Johnson
The Panama Canal expansion, to be completed in 2015, will impact global commerce and affect trade patterns to the U.S. East Coast. Ports such as PortMiami are preparing themselves to accept the new class of mega cargo ships, says Bill Johnson of PortMiami.
Howard Finkel
Supply chain partners are taking cues from U.S. Customs and Border Protection and making concerted efforts to share and apply security best practices throughout their organizations and supply chain operations, says Howard Finkel of COSCO Container Lines Americas.
Erv Bluemner
Transload facilities find great benefits from Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions that deploy quickly, and easily integrate with existing systems to provide seamless inventory and operations management, and network transport coordination, says Erv Bluemner of RMI.
Krishna Rallabhandi
Supply chain managers must determine the best technology for their supply chain based on their specific organizational needs, says Krishna Rallabhandi of Four Soft.
Gregory Bellows
Carriers can stand out in the market by providing superior shipment tracking that gives shippers and supply chain partners insight into order status, says Gregory Bellows of Trans-i Technologies.
John Reichert
To move ahead of competitors, it is critical that organizations collaborate using electronic, real-time information sharing, merged from multiple partners in a single actionable environment, says John Reichert of TECSYS Inc.
Nick Weaver
Having a financing partner that specializes in the transportation industry is important for trucking companies because it will understand their capital needs, collateral values, and financing alternatives, says Nick Weaver, Regions Bank.
Ralph Hess
Once cost-prohibitive to all but the largest enterprises, warehouse management systems (WMS) are now available to small and mid-sized companies, offering benefits such as improved inventory accuracy and labor savings, says Ralph Hess, N’Ware Technologies.
Terrence M. Gilbert
When capacity becomes tight, maintaining relationships with asset-based carriers gives shippers the peace of mind of knowing their supply chain and service will remain seamless and fluid, says Terrence M. Gilbert, CEO, New Century Transportation.
Kevin Reader
Choosing the right warehouse management system (WMS) for your business requires a firm understanding of its needs and processes, says Kevin Reader of Invata Intralogistics.
Matthew "Bo" Bates
Unless the trucking sector adds drivers and equipment, shortages will continue, says Bo Bates, The Evans Network of Companies.
Chad Burke
Co-locating reverse and forward logistics functions for consumer electronics instead of using a centralized returns model reduces transportation miles, touches, and facility overhead while increasing turn times.
Dan Vertachnik
A rich and robust transportation management system (TMS) plays an important role in a company’s inbound transportation strategy.
Jon Kuerschner
The collaborative environment of a Software-as-a-Servivce (SaaS) transportation management system (TMS) enables connectivity and supports seamless collaboration with global supply chain partners, says Jon Kuerschner of LeanLogistics.
Jim Syfan
Third-party logistics (3PL) providers can inspire shipper confidence by using technology tools to control loads and properly insuring their loads.
Garry Neeves
Information technology tools provide actionable data for supply chain improvements, cost efficiencies, on-time performance, and customer satisfaction, says Gary Neeves, Regal Logistics.
Chandra Allred
For both third-party logistics providers (3PLs) and retailers, investing in a technology partner that supports customization and flexibility at a moderate cost is a strategy for long-term adaptability and growth, says Chandra Allred of PSCTrac.
Nathan Pieri
Companies are increasingly realizing that supply chain must become a core competency. Adding a supply chain control tower and taking on the fourth-party logistics (4PL) role offers them the ability to accelerate collaboration and achieve higher performance levels.
Jeff Pepperworth
Maintaining a nationwide network of reverse logistics facilities and skilled team of supply chain field analysts allows shippers to reduce transportation and handling costs and support sustainability efforts, writes Jeff Pepperworth, Inmar.
Keith Snavely
Global freight audit and payment providers can help shippers gain valuable insight into their global supply chains while overcoming challenges such as harmonizing multiple currencies, capturing data in foreign languages, data cleansing, and meeting archival requirements.
Chris Wright
Tablets offer several advantages over notebook computers and handheld devices, says Chris Wright, DRS Technologies.
Laura Kelleher
Warehouse managers are using a mix of consumer-grade smartphone technology and rugged mobile devices to optimize their workflow, says Laura Kelleher of Honeywell.
Robert Arndt
Applying lean principles to materials handling equipment purchases and configurations helps companies cut costs, writes Robert Arndt, Ryder Supply Chain Solutions.
Tom Heine
New logistics technology makes supply chain data accessible around the clock, says Tom Heine, Aljex Software.
Nathan Pieri
Adopting global trade management (GTM) technology helps standardize business processes and facilitate communication, says Nathan Pieri of Amber Road.
Chris Jones
Supply chain executives must think differently about their logistics processes, and implement multi-party technology that gives them and their logistics partners greater control of the supply chain, says Chris Jones of Descartes.
Martin Hubert
Reviewing your current transportation spend management processes and identifying opportunities is an excellent way to start logistics cloud computing, as these initiatives pay for themselves very quickly, says Martin Hubert, Freightgate.
Chris Johnson
Global logistics technology enables companies to successfully manage all modes of transportation under a common umbrella while providing complete visibility, says Chris Johnson, LeanLogistics.
Scott Fenwick
Having better supply chain visibility improves a business’s ability to sense and react to change faster and more efficiently, says Scott Fenwick of Manhattan Associates.
Steven Shoemaker
Using actionable data provided by key performance indicators (KPIs), businesses can automate shipping decisions and identify areas for improvement, writes Steven Shoemaker of Ratelinx.
Jeff Boudreau
Using lean components as a foundation for labor management is a powerful way to increase productivity and reduce costs in a warehouse or distribution center, according to Ryder Supply Chain Solutions’ Jeff Boudreau.
Erik Kaas
A well-implemented enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution can help manufactures remain agile in the ever-changing, volatile economy, with its decreased spending, increased competition, and changing regulations, says Erik Kaas of Sage.
Mike Kositzky
Transportation network modeling isn’t necessary for operations, but it’s an invaluable tool for strategic supply chain decision-making and risk mitigation, writes TMW Systems' Mike Kositzky.
Bryn Heimbeck
Collaborative trade communities enable supply chains to react more quickly to strategy changes that are needed to keep the corporation competitive as it reacts market shifts, says Bryn Heimbeck, Trade Tech Inc.
Les Hamashima
Strategic and practical use of the right supply chain technologies enables sharp pricing competitiveness, creates better customer experiences, reduces expenses, and raises productivity, says Les Hamashima, Transite Technology.
Tom Heine
Tom Heine, CEO, Aljex Software Inc., explains how application programming interfaces (APIs) enrich software users’ experience by connecting them to Web tools.
David Lowry
Specialized carriers can help shippers cut transportation and fuel costs when moving heavy equipment, writes David Lowry, Bennett Motor Express.
Mike Mulqueen
Leading wholesalers understand the limitation of planning transportation in a silo, writes Manhattan Associates’ Mike Mulqueen.
Matt Ahearn
Access to transportation network data allows companies to benchmark with better business intelligence, enabling smarter decisions for continuous improvements, says Matt Ahearn, LeanLogistics.
Geoff Comrie
With the improved visibility supplied by transportation management systems, shippers can leverage shipment data internally to generate top-line revenue, says Geoff Comrie, Transite Technology.
Bryn Heimbeck
Cloud computing provides companies productivity gains and improved supply chain visibility, says TradeTech's Bryn Heimbeck.
Martin Hubert
Transportation procurement provides the greatest opportunity to create efficiency in the the Logistics Management Lifecycle, says Martin Hubert, Freightgate.
Malysa O’Connor
A comprehensive supply chain labor management solution that automates processes such as hiring, time, and attendance, and scheduling can help control costs, minimize compliance risk, and improve productivity, says Malysa O'Connor, Kronos.
Mick Mountz
Mobile-robotic systems are easy to design and install, with overall lower installation and operational costs than traditional warehouse automation systems, says Mick Mountz of Kiva Systems.
Peter Hartman
Peter Hartman of Retrotech offers strategies for optimizing product flow through warehouse automation to achieve better order fulfillment performance.
Phil Van Wormer
Warehouse operations visibility means knowing the real-time location of your materials handling vehicles, drivers, and inventory so operations can be optimized for maximum productivity, says Phil Van Wormer of Sky-Trax.
Ravi Pappu
RFID technologies allow computers, objects, and individuals to interact in new ways, supplying logistics providers and materials handlers with predictable and actionable data to enhance their service offerings and operations, explains Ravi Pappu of ThingMagic.
Tom Heine
EDI can reduce labor costs, cut data-entry error, and ties you to your customers and vendors, cementing your place in the supply chain.
J. Kenneth Hazen
The complexities of global trade management, sustainability and business intelligence technology call for the help of a third-party logistics provider.
George Kontoravdis, PhD
Today’s new cloud-based transportation management systems empower companies to connect in real-time with their global supply chain partners, helping supply chain managers streamline their processes and save significant time, costs, and resources.
Shawn McCarrick
Move out of your comfort zone and into a multi-functional, cost-saving, online transportation management system.
Tom Zinner
To be operationally flexible, freight forwarders need one “go-to" resource for information about what is in the shipment pipeline as well as quick access to customer and shipment data.
Chris Timmer
Software-as-a-Service (Saas) transportation management systems encourage collaboration so that all supply chain partners view the same permission-based data to identify mutually beneficial solutions and improvements.
Jesus David Rodriguez
As volumes increase and deadlines get shorter, it’s imperative that logistics software systems have out-of-the-box communication with other companies using the same system, and easy setup of communications with companies using other systems.
Jim Preuninger
With the advent of cloud computing, companies can collaborate with trading partners around the globe with minimal startup costs and headaches, using a pay-as-you-go model.
Tim Wills
Integrating voice-enabled logistics with hosted ERP solutions and warehouse management systems can improve productivity and accuracy.
Tom Madzy
The complexities of global trade management call for the help of a third-party logistics provider.
David Schrader
Measuring against industry benchmark data allows you to identify areas for improving transportation spend.
Chris Kane
Small and mid-sized manufacturers lack the scale to ship in full truckloads, creating thousands of separate, inefficient lines of supply—all moving to the same mass retailers. Collaborative distribution reduces the number of trucks on the road and cuts distribution costs.
Lee Miller
Weather the driver shortage by keeping detention low and utilization high, practicing good communication, staying flexible in scheduling, and taking advantage of dedicated drivers and equipment.
Rick O'Dell
Shippers shouldn't assume all on-time performance is created equal. Make sure every dollar you spend counts by choosing carriers who provide honest, accurate metrics, and foster innovation to improve your business.
Robert F. Byrne
Transportation forecasts enable planners to shift from reacting to orders to proactively managing capacity. By synchronizing transport forecasts with manufacturing and distribution plans, your entire company can respond to the same demand signals.
Kurt Cavano
Supply chain strategies built around software-as-a-service (SaaS) or Cloud computing eliminate many headaches that often come with supply chain investments. They eliminate the need for presence overseas, cut the time spent integrating systems across internal departments, and greatly reduce the time spent integrating with hundreds of partners and suppliers.
Chris Timmer
It is interesting to witness the changes that have occurred in transportation purchasing. For one, the annual bid mentality is gone. With access and visibility to posting boards, SaaS transportation networks, and optimization technologies, transportation procurement has evolved to the point where it is truly a continuous management function.
Subhash Chowdary
Manual data inputs. Multiple data sources. Data latency. Point-to-point interfaces. These are just a few key obstacles to achieving supply chain visibility. But, there are solutions available that deliver visibility and intelligence as a service with process, security, and environmental monitoring.
James Stevenson
Third-party logistics providers that use advanced planning tools to model complex routing operations and streamline the bid process have a significant advantage in both demonstrating results and helping clients cut costs. When they cut modeling time to a fraction of what it was, and utilize new tools, 3PLs can uncover opportunities and quickly implement changes that provide benefit for their clients.
Donny Askin
Globally sourced, private label products allow merchants to maximize margins while maintaining price points, ensuring a good return on investment. But sourcing product globally is complex. By focusing on visibility, intelligence and collaboration, retailers, brand owners and wholesalers who globally source private label products can ensure a successful return on investment.
Ross Elliott
Sometimes it's easier than you think to find hidden profits in your warehouse or transportation operations. Many successful companies are doing more with less by simply optimizing their slotting practices, pick paths, truckloads and delivery routes.
Chris Timmer
LeanLogistics' Chris Timmer explains how collaborating with trading partners, aided by an on-demand transportation management system, helps increase supply chain efficiencies.
Don Mabry
Technology-enabled global trade management offers significant benefits for improving supply chain efficiency and increasing profitability, writes Don Mabry of ClearTrack Information Network.
Jim Caudill
Jim Caudill of Xterprise recommends strategies for matching retail demand to supply, enhancing enterprise scalability, and increasing supply chain efficiencies through sustainability initiatives.
J. Kenneth Hazen
Sharing key information with all parties can lead to decreased waste, increased orders, and new business, writes J. Kenneth Hazen, CTSI-Global.
Rich Wilson
Rich Wilson of CombineNet Inc. explains the value of strong shipper-carrier relationships.
Scott Vanselous
Ongoing cooperation with value chain partners is possible with integrated transportation management software for optimal resource utilization, business efficiencies, and cost control, writes Scott Vanselous, TMW Systems Inc.
Steve Brown
Fleet optimization software helps you maximize driver, vehicle, and fleet productivity while delivering superior customer service, writes Steve Brown, Intergis LLC.
Tim Higham
Tim Higham of Interstate Transport Inc. predicts that within a few years, many service providers will be offering free TMS technology to help their shipper customers move more freight.
Tom Barnes
As different countries implement both security and trade-led initiatives around the world, it is critical to improve global regulatory knowledge and visibility, writes Tom Barnes of Integration Point Inc.
Wayne Slossberg
A global trade management system can help support foreign trade zone operations, whether distributing from or manufacturing within the zone, writes Wayne Slossberg of QuestaWeb Inc.
Haitao Li, Ph.D.
Data-driven supply chain optimization applies prescriptive analytics in mathematical programming and operations research to provide decision support for supply chain decision-making at the strategic, tactical, and operational levels.
Fuad Hasanovic
Pallet companies can play a vital role in the sustainability of the supply chain. Kamps has placed an emphasis on reducing its environmental footprint, while aligning with its customers’ sustainability goals and offering solutions that provide positive environmental value to their supply chains.
Hannah Testani
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