Articles
Trends
IoT Clears the Air for Transportation Companies
The Internet of Things (IoT) is set to help transportation and logistics providers significantly reduce emissions, enabling compliance with clean air targets. It will also improve worker health and safety while maximizing resource efficiency and reducing expenses. That’s according to Inmarsat’s 2018 research project, which analyzes IoT adoption across the transportation and logistics sector. The […]
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7 Ways to Integrate Demand and Supply
Companies can achieve cohesive demand and supply integration (DSI) by following seven fundamental rules, recommends a recent University of Tennessee Global Supply Chain Institute study. The paper, based on the work of Mark Moon, PhD, a UT professor and global supply expert, focuses on 18 companies in a range of sectors with successful DSI as […]
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What Do the New UPS Surcharges Mean?
To help shippers understand UPS’s recent surcharge increases, Spend Management Experts, a supply chain spend management consultancy, outlines the carrier’s new fees and their potential impact. The Increases: Effective June 4, 2018: The fee for over maximum limits and the oversize pallet handling surcharge increased by $150 and a new shipping charge correction audit fee […]
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Anatomy of Hospital Supply Chain Disruptions
The aftermath of Hurricane Irma, which hit Puerto Rico in September 2017, created a severe shortage of IV bags in the continental United States. The reason: Baxter International, one of the major suppliers, manufactures the products in the U.S. territory and was crippled by the loss of electricity to the island. As a result, many […]
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U.S. Seaports Need Multimodal Funding
U.S. port authorities identify more than $20 billion in projected multimodal port and rail access needs over the next decade, while one-third cite pressing rail project needs costing at least $50 million for each of their ports, according to a new American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) survey, The State of Freight III. Funding and […]
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Disruptive Technologies Shake Up Supply Chains
When efficiency is the primary focus in integrated supply chain management, every little bit that helps to tighten both front- and back-end processes helps. Increasingly, companies in a variety of verticals are achieving such efficiencies by leaning on disruptive technologies. These envelope-pushing solutions could take the form of artificial intelligence used in automation software, robotics, […]
Read MoreBridging the Gap Between Women and Funding
Thirty women have become small business owners in the trucking industry thanks to the efforts of Expediter Services (ES), in conjunction with the Women in Trucking Association. To bring more women into the transportation industry, ES set a goal of supporting 150 total women-owned small businesses through the 150 Business Challenge within 12 months. Through […]
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Fleet Operators Get No ELD Satisfaction
Slightly fewer than half of fleet operators responding to a Coretex Electronic Logging Device (ELD) satisfaction survey say the mandate is good for the transportation industry. Coretex surveyed 303 U.S. trucking companies of various sizes. More than two-thirds (69 percent) of responding companies say ELDs do not improve driver satisfaction, and 33 percent indicate it […]
Read MoreManufacturers Take on Amazon
In response to the “Amazon effect” and today’s consumer demands, manufacturers are reprioritizing and focusing their technology investments on inventory optimization solutions (43 percent) and integrated planning and execution technologies (41 percent), according to findings from JDA Software’s 2018 Intelligent Manufacturing Survey. The survey suggests manufacturers are embracing a new retail-like role and willing to […]
Read MoreTo 3PL or Not to 3PL?
Retailers may face significant challenges when expanding further into the online/e-commerce business. Some challenges may involve supply chain management issues. One of the largest obstacles is developing an effective fulfillment strategy. When it comes to making this decision, it is advisable to review the possible benefits of using a third-party logistics (3PL) provider. Self-performing fulfillment […]
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J&J Uses Sustainability to Strengthen Carrier Relationships
Shipper of choice and sustainability are trending terms among supply chain managers but they’re nothing new to the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies in North America. The company’s logistics operation has a long track record of attracting carriers that share a commitment to customer service, efficiency, and sustainable transportation. With for-hire trucking capacity in […]
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Demand Segmentation Drives Forecast Accuracy, Customer Service Improvements
How companies are adopting demand segmentation and leveraging its benefits in tackling demand volatility and channel shifts is the subject of a new report, Demand Segmentation Users are Better Equipped to Manage Their Channel Challenges. Authored by Bryan Ball, vice president and group director, Aberdeen, and sponsored by Logility, the report examines how the ability […]
Read More10 Ways to Drive Supply Chain Performance With Big Data
Is more always better? When it comes to a shipper’s supply chain and big data, more data doesn’t necessarily equate to better productivity. How you leverage and utilize the influx of data is what’s key. Use these tips to utilize big data to drive performance in their supply chains. 1. Eliminate silos. With various divisions […]
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IoT, Robotics, Machine Learning to Transform the Supply Chain
Transport and logistics businesses are investing in Internet of Things (IoT)-based smart technologies to help them take advantage of the wealth of opportunities the Fourth Industrial Revolution offers. The sector is prioritizing IoT, machine learning, and robotics to increase efficiencies across the supply chain, according to research data collected by Inmarsat, a provider of global […]
Read MoreWhat Drives Supply Chain Investment?
Trying to keep up with customer expectations is driving retailer investment, while agility and innovation are driving manufacturers’ investment in their supply chains, according to a joint survey of supply chain executives from JDA Software and KPMG LLP. The 2018 Digital Supply Chain Executive Survey conducted by Incisiv finds one force remains constant across manufacturers […]
Read MoreDigital Logistics: From Trend to Norm
Microsoft has entered a partnership with ocean carrier OOCL to develop artificial intelligence (AI) in shipping, with the goal of helping Microsoft better understand and predict shipping patterns and variables. This partnership comes at a time when traditional players in the logistics sector have worked to streamline and automate wherever possible in hopes of becoming […]
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The Logistics Long(er) Run
The current expansion phase for U.S. industrial and logistics real estate appears poised to surpass the typical lifespan of an economic cycle due to demand from e-commerce companies, according to a new report from CBRE. U.S. economic cycles tend to run for seven to eight years. Yet the current expansionary cycle, which started in 2009, […]
Read More5 Ways Warehousing is Going Green
The future looks bright for warehousing. This is especially true when it comes to taking a green approach to procurement and manufacturing. Eco-friendly warehouses present a tremendous upside for the planet and for your pocket. If you are interested in these revolutionary changes, now has never been a better time to act. Tom Reddon, of […]
Read MoreAn Awesome Supply Chain Scholarship
To attract women who want to pursue graduate degrees in supply chain management, the MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics announced a new scholarship in partnership with AWESOME (Achieving Women’s Excellence in Supply Chain Operations, Management, and Education), an industry-wide organization for senior-level women in the supply chain field. The AWESOME/MIT AWE Scholarship will offer […]
Read MoreTeaching Logistics Excellence
The talent gap continues to be a concern in the supply chain/logistics sector. To help combat it, many universities and educational institutions are working to attract new students to the sector, and provide appropriate training. One such school is the University of Washington, College of Engineering-Supply Chain Transportation and Logistics master’s program. Inbound Logistics recently […]
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