INDUSTRY INSIGHTS YOUR PEERS ARE READING
Technology is constantly changing and efforts to keep up with those changes can be both head-spinning and costly. Nevertheless, there are some technologies that must be adopted in today’s business environment. One of the most important areas for technology investment is the supply chain. MORE
Disruption is normally anathema in the supply chain. Formally defined as a disturbance or problem that interrupts an event, activity, or process, disruption means a supply chain that was once functioning smoothly is no longer doing so. MORE
Thirty years ago few people would have predicted a growing number of consumers would complete much of their shopping using a mobile phone. It was only 29 years ago Tim Berners-Lee invented hyperlinks which gave rise to web browsing and eventually led to e-commerce. MORE
In professional football, a quarterback can “take a knee” while holding the ball to end a play and down the ball. Once the quarterback’s knee touches the ground and referees blow their whistles, onrushing opponents must stop their onslaught. There are undoubtedly moments when risk managers would like to “take a knee” in order to find respite from the risks their supply chains face. Unfortunately, taking a knee is not an option. MORE
We’re all familiar with the adage “knowledge is power.” ” The quote finds its origins in Sir Francis Bacon’s book Meditationes Sacrae , which was published in 1597. Written in Latin, the actual quote was, “ipsa scientia potestas est,” which means “knowledge itself is power.” Today, consumers are empowered with more knowledge about the products they buy than at any time in history. This has emboldened them in new ways. MORE
Most often when people discuss artificial intelligence (AI), they are discussing a subset of that field known as machine learning. Louis Columbus ( @LouisColumbus ) explains, “Enterprises are striving to find greater meaning in the massive amounts of data they generate and save every day. Machine learning is providing the needed algorithms, applications, and frameworks to bring greater predictive accuracy and value to enterprises’ data sets and contributing to diverse strategies succeeding.”[1] MORE
An anachronism is “a thing belonging or appropriate to a period other than that in which it exists, especially a thing that is conspicuously old-fashioned.” ” People who live in Pennsylvania are familiar with anachronistic encounters with the Amish who still traverse busy streets riding in horse-drawn carriages. Their way of life survives, even thrives, because it connects to and is supported by the modern world. MORE
Artificial intelligence (AI) is undoubtedly an overhyped buzzword. Michael Watson, an instructor at Northwestern University and a founding partner at Opex Analytics, explains, “‘AI’ is a tech buzzword that seems to take on a new meaning each time you hear it. This causes confusion for many business leaders who struggle to put it into perspective for their specific needs.”[1] MORE
Humans yearn for a glimpse of the future. This yearning is why people visit oracles, study the stars, consult shamans, get their palms read, stare into crystal balls, turn over tarot cards, and/or study the writings of seers like Nostradamus. Business leaders are not immune to this compulsion; but, their methods for divining the future are different. For decades, companies have gathered smart people together to perform what-if analysis, identify trends, and produce forecasts. MORE
Improving supply chain visibility produces a number of beneficial results and Internet of Things (IoT) implementation has the potential to improve visibility dramatically. I deliberately use the word “potential” because the Internet of Things (sometimes referred to as the Industrial IoT) remains in its infancy. MORE
Discussions about blockchain technology generally fall into one of two categories: cryptocurrency or supply chain. Because the technology remains in its infancy, most discussions about blockchain in the supply chain are filled with hype and hope. Even so, most pundits believe there is substance to be found and that blockchain will find a natural home in supply chain activities. Anna Kucirkova writes, “Blockchain technology has the power to change everything. MORE
Most discussions about crossroads focus on decision-making and choosing a direction to head. For example, author Mary Buchan ( @MidLifestyleRN ) writes, “Life presents us with moments of decision — crossroads where we either choose a new direction and move on, or cling to what we already have and be miserable.” ” Much less discussed — but to me a more interesting topic — is what comes together at crossroads. MORE
Many supply chain pundits shake their heads in wonder as companies continue to operate with data locked up in silos. Data silos are a remnant of industrial age organizations and industrial age thinking which focused on optimizing various business functions. Siloed data and silo thinking are also found within the supply chain. MORE
Walmart recently made headlines when it toughened delivery demands for its suppliers. Reporting on this development, Jennifer Smith ( @jensmithWSJ ) and Sarah Nassauer ( @SarahNassauer ) write, “Looking to cut inventory while meeting e-commerce demands, the retailer wants more of the goods it orders delivered on time and in full. MORE
Nelson Mandela once stated, “Vision without action is just a dream, action without vision just passes the time, vision with action can change the world.” ” Occasionally, I read articles about autonomous or no-touch supply chains and I find myself wondering whether the autonomous supply chain is a vision or so far-fetched it’s only a silly daydream. Or is it something else? I’m not surprised someone came up with the concept. MORE
Today, much of the United States will experience a total solar eclipse. That hasn’t happened for nearly 100 years. Because … Continued. The post Solar Eclipses and Supply Chain Risk Management appeared first on Enterra Solutions. Business Risk Management Supply Chain Enterra Solutions Stephen DeAngelis MORE
Anyone who has served in the armed forces knows the military loves its acronyms. For years the military has used the acronym VUCA to describe what, in wartime, is often referred to as the fog of war. VUCA stands for Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity. MORE
Retail Shrinkage is a serious retail challenge, especially when its causes can’t be accurately determined. Somewhere between 1.5% and 2.5% of revenue can be lost depending on the channel. For the last few years, inventory shrinkage has annually cost U.S. retailers just under $50 billion combined. Worldwide losses are believed to be north of $100 billion. That’s a big bite out of potential profits. MORE
Amazon recently announced a push to provide its Prime members with one-day rather than two-day free shipping. In a cheeky bit of journalism, Todd Bishop ( @toddbishop ) and Nat Levy ( @NatJLevy ) call one-day shipping Amazon’s new “Prime number.”[1] ”[1] They go on to note, “Amazon’s moves are often followed by its retail rivals, like Walmart and Target, so this strategy could set a new standard for delivery speeds around the world.” MORE
We live in a risky world. Supply chains, especially extended ones, are subject to an almost infinite number of risks. … Continued. The post Supply Chain Resilience in a Risky World appeared first on Enterra Solutions. Business Cognitive Computing Risk Management Supply Chain Enterra Solutions Stephen DeAngelis MORE
An apocalypse is defined as an event involving destruction or damage on an awesome or catastrophic scale. Over the past several years, thousands of brick-and-mortar retail stores have closed in what has been called the Retail Apocalypse. A couple of years ago, Robin Wigglesworth ( @RobinWigg ) charted the beginnings of the Retail Apocalypse and noted it shouldn’t have been a surprise “given the vast overbuilding of stores and shopping malls in recent decades.”[1] MORE
Gone are the days when a consumer decides they need something and their only choice is to head to the store to buy it. Even when a consumer concludes making an in-store purchase is their best option, they are likely to have used their smartphone to search for other options or to compare prices. The digital path to purchase is becoming the norm for many consumers and both retailers and manufacturers are taking notice. MORE
Manufacturing has been the lifeblood of the global economy for hundreds of years. Because manufacturers have historically moved factories to regions featuring cheap labor and few regulatory restrictions (sometimes referred to as outsourcing or offshoring), a misconception has arisen about the importance manufacturing to national economies. MORE
As the United States continues to recover from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, it seems unnecessary to warn supply chain risk … Continued. The post Weather Disasters Usher in New Era of Supply Chain Risk Management appeared first on Enterra Solutions. MORE
Every business person who deals with inventory management is involved in a balancing act. Keep too little inventory on hand and you risk losing sales and, on occasion, customers. Keep too much inventory on hand and the costs add up resulting in lower profits. It’s little wonder inventory management systems have gained popularity. MORE
Blockchain is an enigma. The technology can simplify business transactions but it can also be difficult to use. “There’s no question that blockchain technology has enormous potential,” writes Preethi Kasireddy ( @iam_preethi ), Founder and CEO of TruStory. “Decentralized exchanges, prediction markets, and asset management platforms are just a few of the exciting applications being explored by blockchain developers.”[1] MORE
Evolution has demonstrated that the most important traits for survival are adaptability and resilience. It’s a lesson that must be continually learned, especially in the business world. Former IBM executive Irving Wladawsky-Berger writes, “The belief that efficiency is fundamental to competitive advantage has turned management into a science, taught in every business school on the planet, whose objective is the elimination of waste, whether of time, materials or capital. MORE
By any measure, today’s supply chains are remarkable accomplishments. They often span the globe and, despite often requiring hundreds of transactions, shipments move through the supply chain keeping store shelves stocked and consumers happy. Supply chains have been around since the earliest human settlements began trading goods. Each succeeding generation of supply chain professionals builds on the hard work and wisdom of professionals in preceding generations. MORE
We all know planning is important. Benjamin Franklin once declared, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” While that concept seems straight forward, supply chain planners are faced with a constellation of articles talking about sales & operations (S&OP) planning, demand planning, integrated business planning, periodic planning, continuous planning, concurrent planning, and the list goes on. MORE
Thanks to the popularity of e-commerce, warehouses are some of the hottest properties in real estate. Erica E. Phillips ( @EricaEPhillips ) reports some retailers were so desperate to find warehouse space this past holiday season they created pop-up warehouses in vacant suburban lots and parking garages.[1] MORE
Enterra Insights
JUNE 25, 2019
Retail Shrinkage is a serious retail challenge, especially when its causes can’t be accurately determined. Somewhere between 1.5% and 2.5% of revenue can be lost depending on the channel. For the last few years, inventory shrinkage has annually cost U.S. retailers just under $50 billion combined. Worldwide losses are believed to be north of $100 billion. That’s a big bite out of potential profits.
Enterra Insights
AUGUST 21, 2017
Today, much of the United States will experience a total solar eclipse. That hasn’t happened for nearly 100 years. Because … Continued. The post Solar Eclipses and Supply Chain Risk Management appeared first on Enterra Solutions. Business Risk Management Supply Chain Enterra Solutions Stephen DeAngelis
Enterra Insights
JUNE 20, 2019
Nelson Mandela once stated, “Vision without action is just a dream, action without vision just passes the time, vision with action can change the world.” ” Occasionally, I read articles about autonomous or no-touch supply chains and I find myself wondering whether the autonomous supply chain is a vision or so far-fetched it’s only a silly daydream. Or is it something else? I’m not surprised someone came up with the concept.
Enterra Insights
JUNE 14, 2019
Artificial intelligence (AI) is undoubtedly an overhyped buzzword. Michael Watson, an instructor at Northwestern University and a founding partner at Opex Analytics, explains, “‘AI’ is a tech buzzword that seems to take on a new meaning each time you hear it. This causes confusion for many business leaders who struggle to put it into perspective for their specific needs.”[1]
Advertisement
Network design as a discipline is complex and too many businesses are still relying on spreadsheets to design and optimize their supply chain. As a result, most organizations struggle to answer network design questions or test hypotheses in weeks, when results are demanded in hours. This Buyer’s Guide helps you find easy-to-use technology to become more proactive and less reactive when it comes to network design and optimization.
Enterra Insights
JUNE 18, 2019
Discussions about blockchain technology generally fall into one of two categories: cryptocurrency or supply chain. Because the technology remains in its infancy, most discussions about blockchain in the supply chain are filled with hype and hope. Even so, most pundits believe there is substance to be found and that blockchain will find a natural home in supply chain activities. Anna Kucirkova writes, “Blockchain technology has the power to change everything.
|
Enterra Insights
APRIL 30, 2019
Thirty years ago few people would have predicted a growing number of consumers would complete much of their shopping using a mobile phone. It was only 29 years ago Tim Berners-Lee invented hyperlinks which gave rise to web browsing and eventually led to e-commerce.
Enterra Insights
JUNE 12, 2019
Many supply chain pundits shake their heads in wonder as companies continue to operate with data locked up in silos. Data silos are a remnant of industrial age organizations and industrial age thinking which focused on optimizing various business functions. Siloed data and silo thinking are also found within the supply chain.
Enterra Insights
JUNE 11, 2019
Every business person who deals with inventory management is involved in a balancing act. Keep too little inventory on hand and you risk losing sales and, on occasion, customers. Keep too much inventory on hand and the costs add up resulting in lower profits. It’s little wonder inventory management systems have gained popularity.
Enterra Insights
JUNE 6, 2019
Amazon recently announced a push to provide its Prime members with one-day rather than two-day free shipping. In a cheeky bit of journalism, Todd Bishop ( @toddbishop ) and Nat Levy ( @NatJLevy ) call one-day shipping Amazon’s new “Prime number.”[1] ”[1] They go on to note, “Amazon’s moves are often followed by its retail rivals, like Walmart and Target, so this strategy could set a new standard for delivery speeds around the world.”
Advertisement
Learn which supply chain applications are the best for your organization.
|
Enterra Insights
FEBRUARY 20, 2019
Anyone who has served in the armed forces knows the military loves its acronyms. For years the military has used the acronym VUCA to describe what, in wartime, is often referred to as the fog of war. VUCA stands for Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity.
Enterra Insights
JUNE 5, 2019
Most discussions about crossroads focus on decision-making and choosing a direction to head. For example, author Mary Buchan ( @MidLifestyleRN ) writes, “Life presents us with moments of decision — crossroads where we either choose a new direction and move on, or cling to what we already have and be miserable.” ” Much less discussed — but to me a more interesting topic — is what comes together at crossroads.
Enterra Insights
MAY 31, 2019
We’re all familiar with the adage “knowledge is power.” ” The quote finds its origins in Sir Francis Bacon’s book Meditationes Sacrae , which was published in 1597. Written in Latin, the actual quote was, “ipsa scientia potestas est,” which means “knowledge itself is power.” Today, consumers are empowered with more knowledge about the products they buy than at any time in history. This has emboldened them in new ways.
Enterra Insights
APRIL 25, 2019
Humans yearn for a glimpse of the future. This yearning is why people visit oracles, study the stars, consult shamans, get their palms read, stare into crystal balls, turn over tarot cards, and/or study the writings of seers like Nostradamus. Business leaders are not immune to this compulsion; but, their methods for divining the future are different. For decades, companies have gathered smart people together to perform what-if analysis, identify trends, and produce forecasts.
Advertisement
What does it mean to become a digital business or digital supply chain?
Enterra Insights
MAY 29, 2019
Technology is constantly changing and efforts to keep up with those changes can be both head-spinning and costly. Nevertheless, there are some technologies that must be adopted in today’s business environment. One of the most important areas for technology investment is the supply chain.
Enterra Insights
MAY 2, 2019
Thanks to the popularity of e-commerce, warehouses are some of the hottest properties in real estate. Erica E. Phillips ( @EricaEPhillips ) reports some retailers were so desperate to find warehouse space this past holiday season they created pop-up warehouses in vacant suburban lots and parking garages.[1]
Enterra Insights
MAY 20, 2019
An anachronism is “a thing belonging or appropriate to a period other than that in which it exists, especially a thing that is conspicuously old-fashioned.” ” People who live in Pennsylvania are familiar with anachronistic encounters with the Amish who still traverse busy streets riding in horse-drawn carriages. Their way of life survives, even thrives, because it connects to and is supported by the modern world.
Enterra Insights
MAY 22, 2019
Manufacturing has been the lifeblood of the global economy for hundreds of years. Because manufacturers have historically moved factories to regions featuring cheap labor and few regulatory restrictions (sometimes referred to as outsourcing or offshoring), a misconception has arisen about the importance manufacturing to national economies.
Speaker: Jon Leposky, Director of Operations and Logistics, Z Customization
Automation can be an incredibly powerful tool to lower costs, increase capabilities, and enable scaling. However the road to implementing automation can be long and challenging even when all the proper steps are taken. Being equipped with the proper tools and knowledge of common pitfalls when implementing automation can make the difference between a show stopping disaster and seamless success.
Enterra Insights
AUGUST 30, 2017
We live in a risky world. Supply chains, especially extended ones, are subject to an almost infinite number of risks. … Continued. The post Supply Chain Resilience in a Risky World appeared first on Enterra Solutions. Business Cognitive Computing Risk Management Supply Chain Enterra Solutions Stephen DeAngelis
Enterra Insights
APRIL 22, 2019
Walmart recently made headlines when it toughened delivery demands for its suppliers. Reporting on this development, Jennifer Smith ( @jensmithWSJ ) and Sarah Nassauer ( @SarahNassauer ) write, “Looking to cut inventory while meeting e-commerce demands, the retailer wants more of the goods it orders delivered on time and in full.
Enterra Insights
MAY 14, 2019
By any measure, today’s supply chains are remarkable accomplishments. They often span the globe and, despite often requiring hundreds of transactions, shipments move through the supply chain keeping store shelves stocked and consumers happy. Supply chains have been around since the earliest human settlements began trading goods. Each succeeding generation of supply chain professionals builds on the hard work and wisdom of professionals in preceding generations.
Enterra Insights
NOVEMBER 2, 2017
As the United States continues to recover from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, it seems unnecessary to warn supply chain risk … Continued. The post Weather Disasters Usher in New Era of Supply Chain Risk Management appeared first on Enterra Solutions.
Speaker: Irina Rosca, Director of Supply Chain Operations, Helix
Organizations need to focus on demand driven supply planning, utilizing real time information on customer orders from all marketplaces (e-commence, Amazon - or other online retailers, and point of sale data from brick and mortar). Focusing on this information once per month during the S&OP meeting is too late for all business units to align. Companies should have seamless integration between order entry, inventory management, forecasting and supply planning models and purchase order status to sense risk, pull levers to mitigate potential risk, and communicate within and outside the organization. This is especially important for new product releases, in store programs or promotions (sales, end caps, PDQ. etc) or online promotions (company run or 3rd party). Depending on total supply chain lead time, not having real time visibility and analysis of this information can significantly affect sales and the bottom line.
Enterra Insights
MAY 13, 2019
An apocalypse is defined as an event involving destruction or damage on an awesome or catastrophic scale. Over the past several years, thousands of brick-and-mortar retail stores have closed in what has been called the Retail Apocalypse. A couple of years ago, Robin Wigglesworth ( @RobinWigg ) charted the beginnings of the Retail Apocalypse and noted it shouldn’t have been a surprise “given the vast overbuilding of stores and shopping malls in recent decades.”[1]
Enterra Insights
MAY 8, 2019
Blockchain is an enigma. The technology can simplify business transactions but it can also be difficult to use. “There’s no question that blockchain technology has enormous potential,” writes Preethi Kasireddy ( @iam_preethi ), Founder and CEO of TruStory. “Decentralized exchanges, prediction markets, and asset management platforms are just a few of the exciting applications being explored by blockchain developers.”[1]
Enterra Insights
MAY 6, 2019
In professional football, a quarterback can “take a knee” while holding the ball to end a play and down the ball. Once the quarterback’s knee touches the ground and referees blow their whistles, onrushing opponents must stop their onslaught. There are undoubtedly moments when risk managers would like to “take a knee” in order to find respite from the risks their supply chains face. Unfortunately, taking a knee is not an option.
Enterra Insights
MAY 1, 2019
Improving supply chain visibility produces a number of beneficial results and Internet of Things (IoT) implementation has the potential to improve visibility dramatically. I deliberately use the word “potential” because the Internet of Things (sometimes referred to as the Industrial IoT) remains in its infancy.
Speaker: Sarah Gibson, Platinum Operations Manager
The order-to-cash (O2C) process is often considered the lifeblood of an organization. It’s why so many business leaders are looking to next generation of O2C solutions to unlock value across their enterprise — value that’s necessary to remain competitive. Join us for an educational webinar with guest speaker, Sarah Gibson of Parts Town, as she takes attendees through her company’s digital transformation journey.
Enterra Insights
APRIL 30, 2018
Disruption is normally anathema in the supply chain. Formally defined as a disturbance or problem that interrupts an event, activity, or process, disruption means a supply chain that was once functioning smoothly is no longer doing so.
Enterra Insights
APRIL 23, 2019
We all know planning is important. Benjamin Franklin once declared, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” While that concept seems straight forward, supply chain planners are faced with a constellation of articles talking about sales & operations (S&OP) planning, demand planning, integrated business planning, periodic planning, continuous planning, concurrent planning, and the list goes on.
Enterra Insights
FEBRUARY 13, 2019
Most often when people discuss artificial intelligence (AI), they are discussing a subset of that field known as machine learning. Louis Columbus ( @LouisColumbus ) explains, “Enterprises are striving to find greater meaning in the massive amounts of data they generate and save every day. Machine learning is providing the needed algorithms, applications, and frameworks to bring greater predictive accuracy and value to enterprises’ data sets and contributing to diverse strategies succeeding.”[1]
Enterra Insights
APRIL 18, 2019
Gone are the days when a consumer decides they need something and their only choice is to head to the store to buy it. Even when a consumer concludes making an in-store purchase is their best option, they are likely to have used their smartphone to search for other options or to compare prices. The digital path to purchase is becoming the norm for many consumers and both retailers and manufacturers are taking notice.
Speaker: Adam Robinson, Director of Marketing, Cerasis
In this educational webinar, Adam Robinson from Cerasis, a leading North American Transportation Management Solutions Company, will address how automation in the supply chain is allowing companies to empower their employees with a more strategic work flow aiding in overall collaboration with peers across departments, improved business operations, more efficient manufacturing, a healthier corporate culture, and more visibility to data and processes providing the ability to gain actionable insights that lead towards actions that impact the company’s bottom line.
100 
Let's personalize your content