Logistics Viewpoints

FEBRUARY 12, 2024

5G promises high bandwidth, low latency, and massive IoT device connectivity. For industry, the ability to better connect machines, objects, and devices is what is driving excitement for this technology. Patrick Arnold, a research analyst at ARC Advisory Group, says that suppliers of industrial solutions are responding by investing in new product design and incorporating 5G into their portfolios. “5G” is the 5th generation mobile network.

Supply Chain Design Software 212

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Software Supply Chain Design Cost Reduction Strategies 212

Logistics Viewpoints

FEBRUARY 2, 2024

Today is Groundhog Day, a day that lets us know if we will endure six more weeks of winter or enjoy an early spring. In some sort or another, Punxsutawney Phil has been predicting the weather since 1890, and let’s just say that his record is iffy at best. During the “ceremony,” which begins well before the winter sunrise, Punxsutawney Phil emerges from his temporary home on Gobbler’s Knob, and according to the tradition, if Phil sees his shadow and returns to his hole, he has predicted six

Cost Reduction Strategies 234

Cost Reduction Strategies Inventory Reduction Logistics Network Optimization Software Manufacturing Procurement 234

Logistics Viewpoints

JANUARY 15, 2024

The much-delayed Tesla Semi has finally hit the road. The Semi started its first consumer deliveries in 2022. The vehicles have only been delivered to one customer – PepsiCo. Since then, the PepsiCo’s Tesla Semi fleet has grown to almost 100 vehicles. The Tesla Semi is a battery electric Class 8 semi-truck built by Tesla. Unlike Tesla’s electric cars the Semi does not support an upgrade to Enhanced Autopilot.

Logistics Network Optimization Software 272

Logistics Network Optimization Software United States Study Just-in-Time 272

Logistics Viewpoints

DECEMBER 11, 2023

I’ve completed research on supply chain planning (SCP) boutiques. My colleague Clint Reiser has completed a study on warehouse management system (WMS) boutiques. We are teaming up to bring you the coolest supply chain boutiques, listed alphabetically, that we identified through those studies. What is a boutique? A boutique is a small, regionally focused system integration and consulting firm.

Supply Chain Design Software 244

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Software Supply Chain Design 244

Logistics Viewpoints

DECEMBER 1, 2023

To say that Black Friday weekend shopping was a success would be an understatement. In fact, to kick off the holiday shopping season, a record 200.4 million shoppers hit the stores and the internet to capitalize on Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, according to a survey by the National Retail Federation. The turnout topped last year’s figure of 196.7 million shoppers and the NRF’s forecast for about 182 million people during the five-day weekend.

Logistics Network Optimization Software 231

Logistics Network Optimization Software Albuquerque Logistics Cost Reduction Strategies 231

Logistics Viewpoints

NOVEMBER 2, 2023

Note: Today’s post is part of our “ Editor’s Choice ” series where we highlight recent posts published by our sponsors that provide supply chain insights and advice. This article is from James Canham-Ash at Manhattan Associates and looks at the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. The latest research from Manhattan shows that 89% of consumers have altered their spending habits in response to cost-of-living challenges.

Retail 223

Retail Supply Chain Software Omnichannel Logistics Network Optimization Software 223

Logistics Viewpoints

NOVEMBER 1, 2023

Ten years ago, an ARC Advisory Group colleague described the China residential telecommunications landscape to me as one that advanced from traditional in-person communication (think Rocky Balboa saying “ I’ll just call you…I’ll go ‘Hey yo! ’ ”) directly to cellular networks – virtually skipping the entire 20th century paradigm of landline telephone communications.

China 241

China Cost Reduction Strategies Warehousing Supply Chain Network Software 241

Logistics Viewpoints

OCTOBER 11, 2023

A couple of weeks ago I wrote an article outlining how cargo theft is on the rise. In the United States alone, cargo theft is a $15 to $35 billion industry. The most common type of theft in recent years has been what is called strategic cargo theft, which uses deceptive means to commit theft, including the use of fraud and deceptive information to trick brokers into giving up a load.

Packaging 221

Packaging Oklahoma Arkansas New Hampshire 221

Logistics Viewpoints

OCTOBER 9, 2023

Global food companies are increasingly promising to make progress in reducing emissions across their end-to-end value chain. But some companies are struggling. The New York Times reported that McDonalds and PepsiCo, who have set ambitious sustainability goals, are actually going backwards when it comes to emissions. McDonalds had pledged to eliminate their emissions – “to reach net zero” – by 2050 across their value chain.

Resource Reduction 215

Resource Reduction Beverage Food Industrial 215

Logistics Viewpoints

SEPTEMBER 20, 2023

My colleague Fox Chen and I just kicked-off the update to ARC Advisory Group’s research on the global mobile warehouse robotics market. Fox is located in Singapore, and I am in Boston. With a solid 12-hour time zone difference between him and me, together we should be able to speak with any robotics provider at virtually any time – we are the around-the-clock research team.

Research 248

Research Warehousing Inventory Management Software Logistics Network Optimization Software 248

Logistics Viewpoints

SEPTEMBER 19, 2023

Supply chain resiliency and sustainability are top priorities for CEOs today. To achieve these goals, corporate leadership must focus on two key areas: shift from internally focused supply chains to collaborative supply networks and actively design their supply chains. Resiliency, which is the ability to withstand supply chain shocks and bounce back quickly, has become the most important requirement for supply chains.

Supply Chain Design Software 231

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Logistics Viewpoints

SEPTEMBER 1, 2023

As Labor Day approaches, I can only think about kids going back to school. And when I think of going back to school, I think of a rite of passage that most kids enjoyed: watching the Price is Right on a sick day. Earlier this week, longtime host of the Price is Right, Bob Barker, passed away at the age of 99. Barker started his career with a radio show before becoming the host of Truth or Consequences in 1956.

Logistics Network Optimization Software 223

Logistics Network Optimization Software Pricing Training Los Angeles Purchasing Training 223

Logistics Viewpoints

AUGUST 31, 2023

Note: Today’s post is part of our “ Editor’s Choice ” series where we highlight recent posts published by our sponsors that provide supply chain insights and advice. Today’s article comes from Kyle Franklin, Senior Solutions Consultant, Lucas Systems, and looks at warehouse distribution errors. Being a veteran of the warehouse industry throughout my career has given me a unique insight into many aspects of distribution interaction.

Warehousing 224

Warehousing Distribution Vendor Strategies How To 224

Logistics Viewpoints

AUGUST 30, 2023

A transportation management system ( TMS ) helps companies move freight from origin to destination efficiently, reliably, and cost-effectively. The primary reason companies buy a TMS is for freight savings. These freight savings can be attributed to simulation and network design, load consolidation and lower cost mode selections, and multi-stop route optimization.

Optimal Sourcing 194

Optimal Sourcing Optimization Software Supply Chain Network Software Modeling Software 194

Logistics Viewpoints

AUGUST 9, 2023

This year’s research on the global WMS market has revealed many of the perennial factors influencing demand for WMS solutions – such as e-commerce fulfillment needs. However, there is one dynamic that became ubiquitous across market segments this year. I refer to this dynamic as demand for “WMS-plus.” — I have now completed ARC Advisory Group’s research on the global warehouse management systems (WMS) market , and it is currently in editing.

Demand Planning Software 195

Demand Planning Software Warehousing Supply and Demand System 195

Logistics Viewpoints

JULY 21, 2023

Seven years ago, I wrote that Cyberdyne Systems’ Skynet division was working on teleportation capabilities that will eliminate the need to wait for products to ship entirely. While still in the early stages of development, the emerging technology will instantly transport an item once it is picked at a warehouse or store to your living room. According to Dr.

Logistics Network Optimization Software 193

Logistics Network Optimization Software Purchasing Skills Pricing Training Procurement Analytics 193

Logistics Viewpoints

JULY 6, 2023

The marijuana supply chain is an interesting market to follow. Like any agricultural product, there are ebbs and flows to its supply and demand. However, there is one caveat in the marijuana supply chain that makes things a bit trickier: in most states, cannabis products can only be sold and consumed within the state that the original plant was grown.

Supply Chain Design 180

Supply Chain Design Supply Chain Strategy Supply Chain Warehousing 180

Logistics Viewpoints

JULY 5, 2023

I engaged in numerous discussions with robotics executives last year as I was developing ARC Advisory Group’s mobile warehouse robotics (AMR) research. I noticed that many of them obtained valuable experience at Kiva Systems (Amazon Robotics) prior to their current roles. One such executive credited Mark Messina with Amazon’s ability to scale its rollout of Kiva Systems subsequent to its acquisition of the company.

Supply Chain Design Software 226

Supply Chain Design Software Warehousing Supply Chain Planning Software Optimization Software 226

Logistics Viewpoints

JUNE 19, 2023

Experts have recently warned about the possibility that artificial intelligence (AI) could lead to the destruction of 400 million jobs by 2030. These same pundits also predict that AI could lead to increases in global GDP by trillions of dollars in the same time frame. However, AI’s inability to solve the very limited problem of ensuring that inventory is located in the right place in a warehouse suggests that planners don’t have to worry too much about job security.

Supply Chain Design Software 237

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Network Software Optimization Software 237

Logistics Viewpoints

JUNE 5, 2023

Manhattan Associates, a supplier of supply chain management software solutions and the market share leader for warehouse management systems (WMS), had their Momentum user conference a couple of weeks ago. Sanjeev Siotia, the chief technology officer at Manhattan, spoke about the role of ChatGPT for supply chain management in one of the keynotes on day one of the conference.

Supply Chain Software 205

Supply Chain Software Predictive Analytics Software Modeling Software Supply Chain 205

Logistics Viewpoints

MAY 23, 2023

In early May, I participated in one of the supply chain industry’s premier events, which attracted more than 3,500 logistics professionals. I attend this conference every year, but this time, strolling the exhibition floor and surveying the 110+ technology providers’ latest wares, I was struck by a dichotomy. On the one hand, technology has undeniably helped the supply chain industry solve a multitude of previously intractable problems, making supply chains significantly less fragile in the proc

Real-time Visibility 184

Real-time Visibility Sourcing Strategies Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software 184

Logistics Viewpoints

MAY 22, 2023

A Supply Chain Design Solution from Coupa Imagine you’ve just received the job offer of your dreams. The company is willing to relocate you thousands of miles away from home and your family is in full support. The interview process is over, but more challenges are ahead. Which school are your children going to attend? Are you going to rent a house or an apartment?

Supply Chain Design Software 179

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Design Supply Chain Software Modeling Software 179

Logistics Viewpoints

APRIL 28, 2023

I’m back after a quick family vacation to New Orleans. The trip was amazing, as we experienced a zipline swamp tour, a second line parade on our street, the opportunity to see the greatest clarinet player in the world (Doreen Ketchens), as well as a full culinary tour of the city. While it was a bit tough to jump right back into the swing of work, I saw an interesting article about workplace conditions when I got back.

Material Savings 202

Material Savings Purchasing Skills Logistics Network Optimization Software Logistics 202

Logistics Viewpoints

APRIL 27, 2023

Note: Today’s post is part of our “ Editor’s Choice ” series where we highlight recent posts published by our sponsors that provide supply chain insights and advice. Today’s article comes from Eric Mcpherson at Open Sky Group and looks at a WMS budget and preparing for implementation. When you begin researching Warehouse Management System ( WMS ) software, you’re probably running into some difficulties in the budgeting process because pricing is not always readily available.

Supply Chain Planning Software 203

Supply Chain Planning Software Modeling Software Logistics Network Optimization Software Supply Chain Software 203

Logistics Viewpoints

APRIL 12, 2023

I recently attended Körber Supply Chain’s user conference, Elevate 2023. I was in the midst of updating ARC Advisory Group’s research on the independent WMS consultancy market at that time. I therefore took the opportunity to meet with a few of the independent consultants in attendance. I also met with some the consultants’ customers that adopted Körber solutions.

Maryland 244

Maryland Warehousing Inventory Management Software Supply Chain Network Software 244

Logistics Viewpoints

APRIL 11, 2023

Companies and supply chains continue to face unprecedented challenges and, in some cases, unprecedented opportunities. The post-COVID-19 (if we can claim to be post COVID) “new normal” will continue to be defined by new challenges and more importantly by the ability of the supply chain executives to manage disruption and their ability to power organization strategy and growth.

Supply Chain Planning Software 204

Supply Chain Planning Software Modeling Supply Chain Design Software Prescriptive Analytics Software 204

Logistics Viewpoints

MARCH 24, 2023

A few weeks ago I wrote that Little Brown Bakers, the manufacturer behind Girl Scout Cookies , is warning of unforeseen supply issues that will be impacting both manufacturing and distribution of its treats. The company said that digital orders could take longer than normal to fulfill due to unforeseen supply chain shortages, but in-person distribution of cookies will not be impacted by the supply chain issues.

Los Angeles 162

Los Angeles Long Beach Logistics Network Optimization Software Logistics 162

Logistics Viewpoints

MARCH 8, 2023

According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York , nearly three years after Covid-19 was declared a pandemic, supply chains are back to normal. Actually, when looking a bit closer at the numbers, supply pressures actually fell below normal. Zero marks the historical average, and changes in either direction mark standard deviations from that trend. The February reading in the New York Fed’s Global Supply Chain Pressure Index was -0.26, reaching negative territory for the first time since August

Supply Chain Planning Software 220

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Planning Supply Chain South Korea 220

Logistics Viewpoints

MARCH 6, 2023

GEON Performance Solutions purchases plastic pellets and add plastic compounders to make products of different strength, resilience, and flexibility. When a company undergoes a digital transformation, the transformation should be based on an understanding of what they want to achieve. A transformation that is based on the idea that by putting in new applications the company will automate a process, or processes, and provide more and better data to make decisions, is a poor foundation for a true

Supply Chain Planning Software 235

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Transformation Modeling Scenario Planning 235

Logistics Viewpoints

FEBRUARY 16, 2023

Note: Today’s post is part of our “ Editor’s Choice ” series where we highlight recent posts published by our sponsors that provide supply chain insights and advice. This article is from Descartes and it discusses the pitfalls to avoid when choosing a Transportation Management System (TMS). The logistic environment is demanding and new challenges keep on rising to the surface.

Price Reduction 143

Price Reduction Optimization Software Demand Planning Software Cost Reduction Strategies 143

Logistics Viewpoints

FEBRUARY 15, 2023

There are numerous indications that supply chain is more critical than ever. Results from The Conference Board’s C-SUITE OUTLOOK survey showed supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, and rising inflation to be 3 of the 5 high impact external factors on the minds of CEOs. In addition, the Board asked executives what steps they were taking in response to the war in Ukraine.

Supply Chain Planning 198

Supply Chain Planning Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Optimization Supply Chain 198

Logistics Viewpoints

FEBRUARY 13, 2023

There are a handful of insightful reports I look forward to every year. The World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report is one of them. This year’s report is based on interviews with over 1,200 experts across academia, business, government, the international community and civil society. “’Global risk’” is defined as the possibility of the occurrence of an event or condition which, if it occurs, would negatively impact a significant proportion of global GDP, population or natural resources.

Government 201

Government Report Global Supply Chain Planning 201

Logistics Viewpoints

JANUARY 26, 2023

The international aviation industry accounts for 2-3 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions annually and can no longer operate in a sustainable manner without major transformation. In October 2022, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) met for their 41st assembly. 2,500 delegates from 184 States and 57 organizations adopted a collective long-term global aspirational goal (LTAG) of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Sustainability 202

Sustainability Expense Reduction Cost Reduction Strategies New York 202

Logistics Viewpoints

JANUARY 25, 2023

Last week I returned to the National Retail Federation (NRF) Big Show for the first time in 3 years. A crowd of nearly 37,000 people flocked to the Javits Center in New York City to see what new solutions and innovations software suppliers had in store for 2023 and beyond. The usual themes were still very present as solution providers and retailers alike were more than happy to talk about omni-channel, mobility, and machine learning, to name a few.

Supply Chain Planning Software 206

Supply Chain Planning Software Optimization Software Logistics Network Optimization Software Optimal Sourcing 206

Logistics Viewpoints

JANUARY 24, 2023

Survey Says: 86% of Consumers Willing to Delay E-commerce Delivery in Favor of Sustainability Note: Today’s post is part of our “ Editor’s Choice ” series where we highlight recent posts published by our sponsors that provide supply chain insights and advice. This article is from Logistyxlooks at the findings from a recent survey on sustainability. One of Logistyx’s long-time partners, Blue Yonder, published its 2022 Consumer Sustainability Survey, revealing retail consumer preferences related t

Sustainability 143

Sustainability Survey Shipping Retail 143

Logistics Viewpoints

DECEMBER 9, 2022

The chip shortage has been one of the hottest topics in 2022. I read an article earlier this week that broke it down pretty succinctly. At the beginning of the year, the global chip shortage had become so dire that large industrial companies were taking scarce chips out of washing machines to plug them into industrial modules. Since then, the worst of the global chip shortage has likely passed but the recovery is trudging along slowly and unevenly.

Logistics Network Optimization Software 206

Logistics Network Optimization Software GEP Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software 206

Logistics Viewpoints

DECEMBER 8, 2022

When it comes to executing mode-specific freight moves from origin to destination efficiently, reliably, and cost-effectively, transportation execution and visibility solutions play a critical role. Transportation execution solutions allow shippers to connect to multiple carriers and then tender, track, and pay in the system. Visibility solutions allow real-time asset tracking across the entire distribution network.

Rail Software 188

Rail Software Real-time Visibility Supply Chain Network Software Supply Chain Planning Software 188