A highly effective shipper will use metrics or key process indicators (KPIs) to monitor logistics performance. Not technology for the sake of technology, but value added tools that streamline the process for moving freight. Highly Effective Shippers. Highly effective shippers are successful because they have developed the right attitude and habits regarding shipping. Below is a list of the 7 habits of highly effective shippers: 1. Strategic view of shipping. MORE

Transplace delivered more than 50 customer solutions in 2012 using the CombineNet sourcing technology, in industries including consumer goods, chemicals, manufacturing, and retail. MORE

Transportation optimization is more than moving freight for the lowest cost or a short-term boost in performance; it’s also about continuous improvement delivered through smart, data-driven planning and efficient execution. What key metrics should they be driving for as an organization? MORE

The post Webinar: How to Measure LTL Carrier Performance and Save Money (November 21, 2012) appeared first on The Logistics of Logistics. In this free webinar, participants will learn a methodology for measuring LTL carrier performance. They will also learn specific actions for reducing LTL carrier shipping costs. Webinar topics will include: 1.) Key process indicators (KPI) for the most important aspects of LTL shipping. MORE

Q: What will be the role of the freight companies in the supply chain agility? Freight companies and alternate modes are key elements of agile networks. Q: What is the best metric to begin analyzing when starting to evaluate Supply Chain agility? My iphone buzzed on my nightstand. I groaned. I had gotten to bed late. It was 6:00 AM. This was before my wake-up call. I am not a morning person. MORE

According to the press release : The proposed standards are expected to lower CO2 emissions by approximately 1 billion metric tons, cut fuel costs by about $170 billion, and reduce oil consumption by up to 1.8 Here’s an excerpt from the article (emphasis mine): In 2012, IKEA lowered the price of its Textur lamp by 34% after slimming down the number of components to nine from 33. Last Friday, the U.S. MORE

In the first post our long tme guest blogger, Chuck Intrieri of The Lean Supply Chai n, gave us 5 core metrics to evaluate supplier performance using supplier quality management and a 4 step process to execute. Review of SQM Metrics and Issues Across 5 Core Industries. #1: MORE

The best logistics companies use measurements (metrics, KPIs, etc.) There should be key process indicators (KPIs) for the most important aspects of freight including: cost, delivery, damage, late fees, billing issues, etc. When evaluating a 3PL, the culture should definitely be considered. Every company has a culture, sometimes called organizational culture or corporate culture. The culture refers to the values and attitudes of employees in the business or organization. MORE

Editor’s note: This post originally ran in 2012. These are costs for supplementary services that are provided in connection with transportation; they are not always included in the freight charge. What you really want are meaningful metrics. MORE

Con-way Freight Raises the Bar on Mexico Service, Adds Door-to-Door Tracking, 24-Hour Customer Resource Center, Enhanced Web Tools. Overcapacity in the global air freight market, increasing customer preference for lower-yielding shipping solutions, and a slowing U.S. MORE

When you have chosen a 3PL partner, insure that you have an effective Service Level Agreement (SLA) with accompanying Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to manage the Service Level of the 3PL. This SLA/KPI has to be negotiated and agreed upon by you and your 3PL partner.This negotiation time can take three (3) to Six (6) months. If you do not want to start at the 3PL as a contact customer with a SLA/KPIs, you can ship your goods and become a public account. MORE

3PLs are being asked by shippers to create better metrics to provide both added understanding and a deeper perspective as to what’s occurring inside their business both yesterday, in real time and tomorrow. Transportation optimization is more than moving freight at the lowest cost or finding a short-term performance boost; it’s about continuous improvement delivered through smart, data-driven planning and efficient execution. MORE

A major freight company employs a team of meteorologists that works closely with its flight dispatchers and contingency coordinators, for example. When Cisco saw news of wildfires in Colorado in 2012, it wasn’t concerned, because it had no manufacturing or suppliers in the area. MORE

performance metrics to influence vendor behavior and impact sourcing choices. As performance reporting metrics capture vendor performance, the company can substantiate penalties for noncompliance and poor performance, recognize or reward high performers, and incent positive results and consistent behavior. Robinson through the acquisition of Phoenix International Freight Services in 2012. MORE