As supply chains adapt to rising complexity, automation has moved from an optional investment to a core operational strategy. Among the most impactful technologies supporting this shift are Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) and Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs). These systems are increasingly used to improve internal logistics, address labor challenges, and support responsive, data-driven operations. MORE
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Skip to content The Network Effect Beyond Supply Chains Menu Home Business Networks Supply Chain Management Logistics Resilience AI About Submit a Post Are Micro Fulfillment Centers the Next Frontier in Retail Logistics? July 24, 2025 Hariprasad Balasubramanium Distribution , Logistics , Warehousing This post has already been read 259 times! With customer demand for faster delivery rising and supply chains under pressure, retailers are exploring Micro Fulfillment Centers (MFCs) as a potential so
Subscribe Strategic Supplier Relationship Management – Do’s and Don’ts At any given time, working with the resources of any business depends on procuring the right materials at the right time and at the right cost. In today’s varying and dynamic business environment, sourcing and procurement have matured from approaches to securing inventory to becoming important arbiters of strategic advantage.
Logistics Viewpoints is offering a free executive summary of its market research report on Transportation Management Systems (TMS) , a core solution for managing today’s increasingly complex logistics and freight operations. As companies seek to reduce transportation costs, improve routing efficiency, and respond to market volatility, TMS platforms offer the visibility and control needed to succeed.
The proposed merger between Union Pacific (UP) and Norfolk Southern (NS) would fundamentally reshape the U.S. railroad landscape, creating a single-line transcontinental network poised to redefine freight transportation. If successful, the deal would blend the strengths of both carriers—UP’s western U.S. dominance and NS’s eastern operations—facilitating seamless coast-to-coast service.
Ensure your mid-year performance reviews are focused, productive, and growth-oriented with this practical checklist from Mitratech Trakstar. Designed for HR professionals, people managers, and team leads, this guide walks you through the full review process—from pre-meeting prep and feedback collection to action planning and follow-up. It also includes tips for creating a comfortable and effective review experience, plus ways to leverage tools like self-evaluations, PIPs, and development plans.
What Is Warehouse Order Picking? Warehouse order picking is a dynamic, multi‑step process that serves as the critical link between your on‑hand inventory and customer satisfaction. At its core, picking begins when a customer order is released and transforms digital order details into actionable pick lists that guide workers through optimized routes.
Advertise Contact Us Supplier Directory SCB YouTube About Us Login Subscribe Logout My Profile LOGISTICS Air Cargo All Logistics Facility Location Planning Freight Forwarding/Customs Brokerage Global Gateways Global Logistics Last Mile Delivery Logistics Outsourcing LTL/Truckload Services Ocean Transportation Parcel & Express Rail & Intermodal Reverse Logistics Service Parts Management Transportation & Distribution TECHNOLOGY All Technology Artificial Intelligence Cloud & On-Dema
Advertise Contact Us Supplier Directory SCB YouTube About Us Login Subscribe Logout My Profile LOGISTICS Air Cargo All Logistics Facility Location Planning Freight Forwarding/Customs Brokerage Global Gateways Global Logistics Last Mile Delivery Logistics Outsourcing LTL/Truckload Services Ocean Transportation Parcel & Express Rail & Intermodal Reverse Logistics Service Parts Management Transportation & Distribution TECHNOLOGY All Technology Artificial Intelligence Cloud & On-Dema
Whether you're shipping less-than-truckload (LTL) or truckload (TL) freight , one document keeps your shipment moving smoothly: the bill of lading (BOL). More than just paperwork, it serves as a contract, a receipt and a key legal reference throughout your freight's journey. Whether you're a seasoned logistics manager or shipping for the first time, understanding your shipping BOL is crucial.
In 2025, two ownership transition strategies are taking center stage in the manufacturing and supply chain sectors: strategic mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs). While M&A is a vehicle for growth, it’s equally driven by founder-owner succession, generational transitions, and liquidity needs. At the same time, ESOPs are gaining momentum as a compelling alternative for owners seeking to preserve legacy while rewarding employees.
Autonomous trucking company Bot Auto and Steves & Sons, a leader in door manufacturing and millwork, have announced a strategic partnership to utilize autonomous trucks to haul freight. The collaboration was made possible through J.B. Hunt Transport, its managed logistics provider. Bot Auto is an autonomous trucking company focused on revolutionizing freight logistics through Level 4 (L4) autonomous driving technology.
Subscribe How Artificial Intelligence (AI) Will Change Decision Making! In an age where supply chains stretch across continents and rely on increasingly complex data streams, the ability to present data clearly and effectively is no longer a luxury—it’s a strategic necessity. From procurement to delivery, supply chain leaders are expected to make faster, smarter decisions based on volumes of performance indicators, forecasts, and reports.
Product lead time is crucial in the life sciences industry and represents a key consideration for customers’ purchasing decisions. For this reason, BD Biosciences aimed to optimize its global supply and distribution network to reduce delivery lead time to customers and optimize its global inventory. How BD Biosciences was successful in reducing global distribution lead times between 30% and 60% in addition to: Increasing agility to prioritize urgent and ad-hoc customer requests Increasing global
E-procurement is a digital process spanning the entire procurement lifecycle, from sourcing and contracting to ordering, invoicing, and payment. Unlike basic online purchasing tools, a sophisticated e-procurement system provides an integrated solution that connects all procurement functions. This connectivity helps to eliminate spreadsheets, email threads, and manual approval bottlenecks that can slow down processes and drive up costs.
In today’s complex logistics landscape, shippers are demanding more than just periodic tracking updates. They want granular, real-time insights into every leg of the journey. End-to-End visibility —once a buzzword—is now a business imperative, unlocking the power of data analytics to improve performance, reduce costs, and manage risk with confidence.
AI in Supply Chain: Transformative Technologies and Strategies Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the supply chain landscape, offering powerful tools to help streamline operations, boost resilience, and increase visibility across every link in the chain. From predictive analytics that forecast demand with remarkable accuracy to automation that accelerates warehouse and logistics workflows, AI is enabling supply chain leaders to make smarter, faster decisions in real time.
A new report from NATO’s Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE) warns that global ports are vulnerable in the wake of escalating cyber threats. The policy brief highlights that ports, which handle approximately 80% of international trade, “face unprecedented cybersecurity threats from state-linked actors” from Russia, Iran, and China.
Robots are a cornerstone of a smart factory, automating a wide range of manufacturing tasks that are monotonous, physically straining, or even hazardous. However, real-world robotics deployments have not lived up to the revolutionary potential the industrial sector had originally envisioned. Robot implementations are typically confined to specific applications, carry high costs, and are time-consuming.
Subscribe A Brief History of Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) Codes! Freight and cargo tariffs are essential components of international trade, especially in a global hub like Dubai. Navigating these charges can be challenging for businesses, but understanding them is critical for cost-efficient shipping. This guide will break down the various elements of freight tariffs, providing insights into how businesses can manage and predict shipping costs more effectively.
AI-powered automated order allocation helps supply chain leaders reduce costs, improve fulfillment accuracy, and protect margins by replacing manual processes with intelligent, real-time decision-making. Look around, and nearly every company is talking about AI. It’s on every boardroom agenda, woven into annual reports, and showcased at industry events.
With steady fulfillment rates, on-time deliveries, and few customer complaints, it can be easy for an e-commerce brand to assume that its logistics operations are performing well. But an e-commerce system that functions isn’t necessarily efficient. It might be overstaffed. It might rely on manual processes and redundant steps. It might be doing more work than needed to get the same result.
The golden age of offshoring is over, and simply bringing production home isn’t enough. This eBook breaks down why smart factories are the essential path to successful onshoring in a volatile global economy. You'll explore a shift from nostalgia to reinvention: how digital-first systems, real-time feedback loops, and empowered frontline teams make onshore production faster, more adaptive, and more resilient.
Featuring Our 10 Best Inventory Management Articles! Work in process (WIP) inventory is a crucial part of inventory management for businesses, yet many face complex challenges that impede smooth operations, create bottlenecks, and increase costs. However, with the right strategies and tools, businesses can overcome these obstacles and streamline their WIP inventory management processes.
While trans-Pacific shippers fatigued from the Great Tariff War step back, the market has seen a pause in plunging container rates just as the peak season is supposed to be getting underway. Spot rates on various trade routes have seen dramatic shifts, said analyst Xeneta in a market update, reflecting broader industry challenges and responses. Market average spot rates for container shipping on July 18 for the Far East to U.S.
On July 22, the U.S. and Japan finalized a trade agreement that lowers tariffs on Japanese vehicles and parts imported into the U.S. from roughly 25% to 15%. The adjustment comes after months of negotiation and removes uncertainty for automakers that had been planning around steeper costs. Direct Implications for Supply Chains Japanese OEMs, most notably Toyota, had been absorbing additional costs to remain competitive in the U.S. market.
Advertise Contact Us Supplier Directory SCB YouTube About Us Login Subscribe Logout My Profile LOGISTICS Air Cargo All Logistics Facility Location Planning Freight Forwarding/Customs Brokerage Global Gateways Global Logistics Last Mile Delivery Logistics Outsourcing LTL/Truckload Services Ocean Transportation Parcel & Express Rail & Intermodal Reverse Logistics Service Parts Management Transportation & Distribution TECHNOLOGY All Technology Artificial Intelligence Cloud & On-Dema
A Procurement System refers to a sophisticated framework or software designed to streamline and automate various stages of the procurement process within an organization. These systems come in diverse forms, ranging from best-of-breed solutions to comprehensive full-suite solutions. Best-of-breed solutions often specialize in specific aspects of procurement, while full-suite solutions seamlessly automate multiple process steps.
Subscribe The Future of Supply Chain Belongs to Those Who Can Find the Talent! The hunt for top-notch supply chain talent is as thrilling (sometimes as frustrating) as searching for buried treasure. You know those skilled, adaptable, problem-solving stars are out there. But in this competitive market, you’ve got to shine brighter than your rivals to win over Supply Chain talent – and then keep them committed.
As supply chains become more precarious, manufacturers—especially in the medical device space—face mounting risks. A single component shortage could critically delay or even halt a product launch. I recently caught up with Arena Account Executive Aubray Helm to learn about her previous role managing complex supply chains in the medical device industry.
“What should we do about the tariffs?” There’s no straightforward answer — every leader has a different expectation. CFOs want numbers. COOs want action. CEOs want strategy. And supply chain and procurement leaders need to be ready with the right response — fast. That’s why GEP has created a simple three-part framework that will help CPOs and CSCOs brief the board and C-suite with clarity and confidence.
Why Conversation Speed Shapes Supply-Chain Success Every shipment triggers a chain of micro-decisions, i.e. dock assignments, appointment tweaks, billing approvals, that cross company lines. When those details bounce through inboxes, small delays snowball into missed windows and overtime charges. A collaborative TMS collapses the gaps by letting brokers, carriers, and suppliers interact on a single live timeline.
As disruptions grow in frequency and complexity, f orward-looking supply chain leaders are prioritizing long-term transformation to build resilience and agility.
Here’s how you can quickly identify and take the right steps to improve your warehouse efficiency and performance with the Zebra Warehouse Maturity Model. If your warehouse is struggling to achieve better operational efficiency and manage orders and inventory with faster turnaround times, better accuracy, and better visibility, then there’s a good chance that you need to modernize.
As supply chains adapt to rising complexity, automation has moved from an optional investment to a core operational strategy. Among the most impactful technologies supporting this shift are Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) and Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs). These systems are increasingly used to improve internal logistics, address labor challenges, and support responsive, data-driven operations.
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