Articles | September 2020

Feature Stories

Truckers Give It the Gas

Shippers look for truckers and partners that can shift gears quickly and provide dependable performance. Here are the strategies the best trucking companies use to meet—and even exceed—shippers’ expectations.

13 Keys to Choosing the Right Warehouse Management System

Following these guidelines can boost your chances for successfully implementing a warehouse management system.

WMS Buyer's Guide 2020

WMS solutions are top of mind now more than ever as customer buying patterns continue to change. These forward-thinking solutions can help your business react quickly to today’s new fulfillment demands.

2020 Top 100 Truckers

Selected by Inbound Logistics’ editors, the annual Top 100 Truckers directory is a comprehensive guide that matches you with carriers that will drive your company in the right direction.

Mining Data Insights

Here's how freight bill audit and payment firms unearth and leverage data from freight audits to provide shippers the mother lode of information they need to make intelligent, strategic decisions.

Case Studies

Casebook

GE Appliances Flips Its Smart Switch

GE recently launched its in-house SmartHQ Solutions suite. The SmartHQ Distribution module uses big data and smart warehouse technology to track real-time traffic, reduce product handling, and improve on-time delivery.

LeaderSHIP

Head of the Breakfast Club

To create an environment of collaboration and provide all employees with access to senior management, Paul Tessy, senior vice president at Purolator International, sits down for breakfast every Wednesday morning with employees at every level of the company.

Commentary

Online ExclusiveSydney Wess, Supply Chain Research and Content Lead, Clutch

5 Tips for Evaluating Logistics Service Providers

When selecting the best provider for your company, there’s a lot to consider to ensure that freight is handled efficiently and with great care. Keep the following five tips in mind when evaluating your partnerships.

Online ExclusiveVictor Chen, Principal, Supply Chain, Capgemini North America

The Great Freight Debate: What’s Next for the Industry?

With the shock wearing off and operations starting to stabilize, organizations shift their focus to the future. The overwhelming challenge is navigating the uncertainty. Here are four freight trends worth paying attention to moving forward.

Online ExclusiveChristopher J. Connor, President and CEO, American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA)

In Allocating Virus Crisis Relief, U.S. Policymakers Can’t Ignore America’s Ports

America’s seaports and essential workers deliver critical goods to the front line of COVID-19 battlegrounds every day. Policymakers cannot ignore U.S. ports in their time of need.

Online ExclusiveLior Sion, CTO and Founder, Bringg

Controlling Your Own Destiny: Why Shippers Must Find Ways to Ensure Supply Chain Resiliency

Supply chain disruptions may be a reality the world will continue to contend with. How can shippers weather the COVID-19 storm and maintain a semblance of business continuity during periods of such uncertainty? While there is no one-size-fits-all answer, shipping organizations must take more control of their own destinies. These key business strategies will help shippers secure their supply chain resiliency well into the future.

Online ExclusiveDoug Hoehn, Executive Vice President of Chassis & Containers, Milestone Equipment Holdings

Power Through Logistics Challenges with New, Modern Chassis

When COVID-19 rocked the world, many companies were utilizing pool chassis in major ports and inland rail locations. However, with many pool chassis ranging in age from 20 to 25 years old, this led to serious problems, such as breakdowns and lack of availability. Leasing new, premium chassis could help prevent these problems.

Checking InKeith Biondo

A Plan for Freight Excellence

Anyone who has been in our industry for a while has seen federal initiatives that address transportation inequities without moving the needle much. The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Freight Strategic Plan is different because it focuses squarely on freight. Here are the plan's four key goals.

E_CommerceMark Wheeler

Shopping for E-Fulfillment Efficiencies

Online grocery shopping has morphed from a temporary necessity to a new way of life. Retailers with the best order fulfillment process and the highest-quality customer service will gain the upper hand.

Good QuestionKatrina Arabe

Should the Emergency Suspension of Hours-of-Service Rules be Extended?

Supply chain leaders share their insight and opinions on whether the emergency suspension of Hours-of-Service rules should be extended.

The Lean Supply ChainPaul A. Myerson

Lessons Learned: Risk Mitigation Strategies for the Future

Companies can avoid some of the pitfalls of supply chain risk by developing risk mitigation strategies such as supply chain mapping and applying the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. To mitigate risk, your company should have these five capabilities.

Online ExclusiveViewpoint: Logistics & Supply Chain AnalysisKraig Foreman

Return-to-School Period Will Test Retailers and 3PLs

The return-to-school shopping period is an important dress rehearsal for the upcoming peak season.

How-To

Ten Tips

Cold Storage Efficiency

Cold storage facilities have their own unique challenges and, therefore, require unique tools for optimized efficiency and cost savings. Here are 10 tips for optimal cold storage efficiency.

Make It Disappear

Learn how digital freight matching companies can work together to solve the unique challenges presented by phantom data.

Above & Beyond

A Storehouse of Innovation—WMS for E-Commerce

Ramco Systems helps an e-commerce solution provider realize its vision of a robotic fulfillment center.

Solved!

Use Repeatable Best Practices and Experience Exponential Growth

Learn how Brilliant Fulfillment stopped juggling spreadsheets and used WMS automation to grow its order volume by 175% in just one year.

Solved!

Keeping Drivers and the Community Safe During the Pandemic

Syfan Logistics changed shipment pickup, verification, and receiving procedures for its truck drivers to ensure their safety, protecting their health and that of the community.

Thought LeadersThomas Griffin

Finding the Right 3PL Partner Delivers Key Benefits

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.

Online ExclusiveThought LeadersMark Scullion

Protecting Health, Safety, and Final-Mile Delivery During a Pandemic

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.

Thought LeadersDave Glancy

Building Resilience With Dedicated Transportation Solutions

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.

Thought LeadersAl Reisman

3 Critical Questions About Oversize/Overweight Shipments

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.