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Growing up in a small oilfield town, we didn’t have a McDonald’s; we had Joy’s Grill. Joy, the owner, and his wife, Wanda, ran a straightforward automated operation in their diner with one row of booths and a counter open to the grill. She took the orders and yelled out “mash one,” which queued Joy to throw another patty on the grill. He finished the order, Wanda served, and whoever had a free hand, rang up the checks at the register.
90, then 80, followed by 76. The highway rolls ahead of me. There are endless mile markers. It is a long day. Today, I am cruising major freeways traveling from Chicago to my new home in Pennsylvania. Against my friends’ advice, I decided to drive to speak to 120 business leaders at the Gains Systems event. The rain delays through the summer soured me on air travel.
by Jonathan Lofton I recently rented a car featuring steering assist and intelligent cruise control. Now, I’m used to driver assist technologies as my vehicle has blind spot warning and front and rear collision warning, and braking. My wife’s car has a heads-up display as well as steering wheel vibration when you stray onto the lane lines, but when driving this rental, I felt the car was actually steering itself back into the lane when it drifted astray.
Mike Reibsamen – the Director of Integrated Supply Chain – at Berry Global, spoke about Berry Global’s supply chain transformation at the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) annual conference in early October. Mr. Reibsamen’s primary point was that companies will get much better payback from their supply chain projects if they don’t do them in an ad hoc manner.
The $53 trillion manufacturing economy in the US is undergoing a major automation paradigm shift due to Artificial Intelligence (AI). Thanks to new practical frameworks, automation projects that were once impossible or inefficient to implement are now being fast-tracked, and robotics automation is becoming increasingly relevant to a growing number of users and scenarios.
The opportunities within the use of blockchain for bill of lading in international trade, especially e-commerce, are significant. According to The LoadStar, the first ocean container use of a blockchain-based bill of lading was released successfully in the port of Koper, Slovenia. This resounding trial and win signifies a new way shippers will be able to compete in the global market, speeding delivery of international shipments, enhancing existing supply chain operations, and more.
Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP), a process often focused around a monthly meeting, is evolving into a more continuous process. A recent whitepaper by supply chain planning and optimization firm Optilon explains why and how. S&OP is a process where decisions are traditionally made once a month as a part of an executive review. But the infrequent nature of the decision making often leads to a gap between S&OP and operations.
Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP), a process often focused around a monthly meeting, is evolving into a more continuous process. A recent whitepaper by supply chain planning and optimization firm Optilon explains why and how. S&OP is a process where decisions are traditionally made once a month as a part of an executive review. But the infrequent nature of the decision making often leads to a gap between S&OP and operations.
For most companies with supply chains to manage, the holiday season from Halloween through New Year’s Eve is an incredibly busy time. Shoppers stock up on everything from costumes to cranberry sauce to candy canes, and suppliers need to be prepared to meet the peaks and valleys of consumer demand. Unofficial holidays like Black Friday and Cyber Monday add to the huge spike in demand as retailers offer deep discounts to shoppers.
François-Régis Le Tourneau leads the efforts at L’Oreal for Standards & Prospective Process Improvement. At the Supply Chain Global Summit 2018 , Francois discussed the impact of digitalization, Industry 4.0, and L’Oréal’s approach to business that has allowed the company to continuously rank as a Supply Chains to Admire winner for four consecutive years.
by Ilyas Kucukcay Canada is a pioneering country when it comes to the use of cannabis for medical purposes , where it’s been available through a doctor’s prescription since 2001. So one might think Canada’s recreational cannabis supply chain would already be in place. Not quite. So what’s the holdup? On the heels of a 2015 Liberal Party of Canada federal election promise, which has led to making recreational possession and use of cannabis legal as of October 17, 2018, the
The world's most sustainable company is a supply chain software company - Dassault Systemes. The world's least? Amazon. Amazon is an incredibly innovative company that has devoted virtually no innovation to improving the sustainability of their supply chain. The post The Worst and Best in Sustainability: Amazon vs. Dassault Systèmes appeared first on Logistics Viewpoints.
Demand for e-commerce capability is increasing. E-Commerce requires intense coordination between supply chains and an understanding of how to achieve maximum efficiency in all modes of transportation, explains BigCommerce.com. When it comes to over-the-road (OTR) shipping, e-commerce becomes even more difficult, requiring advanced knowledge of various carriers, rates, HOS regulations, the ELD mandate and more.
Gartner’s most recent Magic Quadrant for Supply Chain Planning System of Record (21 August 2018, Amber Salley, Tim Payne, and Alex Pradha) calls out the concerns most often cited by users. These are the nine key issues users want to see addressed: Too much planner intervention and not enough automation, resulting in low planner productivity. Not getting timely plans/scenarios — plans are out of date by the time the planner sees them.
download the audio file. [0:43] Please tell us about your background. Andrew Kelley is a global technology executive focused on logistics and supply chain software. He is CEO of Bell Creek Partners consulting to lower middle market private equity firms and with the objective of buying a single platform business to run as CEO. Previously he was with Vista Equity-backed Omnitracs as President of Haulme and VP Corporate Development.
I admit, I love to eat Halloween candy as much as most grade school children (maybe more). My favorite: candy corn of course! What’s not to like about candy that is sugar mixed with more sugar! I am not the only one with a sweet tooth, according to CandyStore.com, this year Americans will spend more than $2.6B on trick-or-treat candy. I have to believe dentists see this number as both scary and job security.
“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.
by Alexa Cheater Less than 15 percent of supply chain executives are female. Even fewer are women of color. That’s a sad state of affairs, and desperately needs to change. So how is it that with so many strong, courageous, talented women, so few have found a way to break through the glass ceiling? Kristen LeBaron , Director of Supply Chain at Lippert Components, Heather Mason , Inventory Program Manager at Applied Materials, Tonia Chu , Global Business Process Owner at Sanofi Genzyme and Pamela
What does it feel like to cycle in 29F weather going 17.2 mph for 27 miles? I found out this past Monday when I went out for my final training ride before shipping my bike to Santa Fe, NM for the JDRF Ride to Cure. Eight days to go until I and my Logistics Leaders for Type 1 Diabetes Cure teammates set out to cycle 100 miles in support of JDRF and its quest to create a world without T1D.
E-commerce has transformed how consumers shop and purchase their favorite products, as well as try new products and services. As explained by eCornerAssist , the web influences more than 80 percent of all sales in today’s age. Even customers shopping in brick-and-mortar stores must be conscious of how online platforms, responsible for e-commerce sales, may affect overall sales.
An experienced gambler might hedge their bet on multiple outcomes, rather than just the most likely "single number forecast". At ToolsGroup we have been big advocates of probabilistic forecasting (sometimes also known as stochastic forecasting). Understanding and employing this relatively simple principle can take your forecasting and supply chain planning from ‘good to great’.
Speaker: Andrew Skoog, Founder of MachinistX & President of Hexis Representatives
Manufacturing is evolving, and the right technology can empower—not replace—your workforce. Smart automation and AI-driven software are revolutionizing decision-making, optimizing processes, and improving efficiency. But how do you implement these tools with confidence and ensure they complement human expertise rather than override it? Join industry expert Andrew Skoog as he explores how manufacturers can leverage automation to enhance operations, streamline workflows, and make smarter, data-dri
I remember the call like it was yesterday. Four years have passed. On this cold day, I would like to walk on the beach with my friend Maddy. She is there. I am not. Let me tell you the story. In 2014, while sipping on an early morning coffee, Maddy called to ask me a question. It sounded simple, but she was frantic. Working for a large manufacturer, she was trying hard; but failing, to integrate Ariba, Elemica, and GT Nexus.
Last week I mentioned that the Panama Canal expansion has resulted in record breaking tonnage moving through the waterway. The expansion was surely an engineering feat, using the latest technology to improve the global supply chain. However, engineering feats such as building a massive canal did not always have access to this level of technology. Today marks the 193rd anniversary of the opening of the Erie Canal.
by Alexa Cheater It’s not about the future. It’s about what’s beyond it. And when it comes to what matters next for supply chains and supply chain management, it’s all about two things: digital, and the people enabling it. Hundreds of supply chain managers, planners, executives and experts gathered in National Harbor, MD on October 16 for the kickoff of Kinexions ’18, our annual user and training conference, to learn how to digitize, transform and revolutionize their supply chains.
Author’s Note: The following is an excerpt from an article I wrote for CSCMP’s Supply Chain Quarterly (2018 Special Issue) titled “ Always something new to talk about ” that highlights key trends and developments in the transportation management systems (TMS) market. After 19 years, what else can you say about transportation management systems that you haven’t already said?
Retailers know the clock is ticking–legacy SAP Commerce support ends in 2026. Legacy platforms are becoming a liability burdened by complexity, rigidity, and mounting operational costs. But modernization isn’t just about swapping out systems, it’s about preparing for a future shaped by real-time interactions, AI powered buying assistants, and flexible commerce architecture.
Warehouse management is not a simple task, and warehouse managers face difficult challenges. Even when orders are low, standard operations continue to grow with each passing day. Part of this derives from the expansion of e-commerce into new and emerging markets. Since consumers have the ability to shop online 24 hours/day and 7 days/week, the challenges of warehouse management do not stop when the brick-and-mortar stores lock their doors for the day.
Gartner says that future supply chain planning will look less like a "control tower" and more like a refinery "control room'" with many value-added analytics that automate, guide and control the supply chain. Gartner's recent research report entitled Don’t Believe the Control Tower Hype — Buyer Beware (August 2018) questions vendor messages that are “loaded with marketing hype”.
This is the first of a series of four posts that will explore common forecasting myths. In supply chain the impact of a single error can quickly derail an entire forecast. This creates a ripple effect across the entire value chain which can result in lost sales or worse, a lost customer. How can you avoid a disaster like this? The first step is to recognize there are several myths surrounding the forecasting process that can lead you down the wrong path.
When you drop by your local Walmart, you are witnessing one of history’s greatest logistical and operational triumphs. According to Supply Chain Digest , this global retail giant operates more than 11,700 stores under 59 company names, with 2.3 million employees in 28 countries around the world while managing an average of $32 billion in inventory.
What is Remote-Insourcing? Sounds like an oxymoron, right? Not anymore. Remote-Insourcing isn’t outsourcing—it’s a revolutionary staffing model that lets our clients fill key entry-level positions with top-tier, loyal, long-term talent, integrated seamlessly into their businesses—just like local employees but without the turnover or W2 HR hassles. With under 4% unwanted attrition, you train once and keep the same team for years.
by Mike McAllister As the calendar turns to October, two things come immediately to mind. Pumpkin spice and Kinexions ’18. While we cannot unequivocally guarantee Kinexions ’18 will be a pumpkin spice free zone (after all, there are venues at the Gaylord Hotel at which one may procure hot, caffeinated, assumingly seasonally themed beverages), we can let you in on the identity of secret keynote speaker we’ve kept under wraps until now — Adam Grant.
In the good old days, your transportation management system (TMS) could manage nearly all of your transportation workflows. For the exceptions that did pop up, you could dutifully handle them manually, which took some effort but wasn’t a colossal burden on your time. Fast forward to today, and workflows have become much more complicated. With custom logistics networks, almost everything has become an exception and it drains an enormous amount of time and manual effort out of your day.
E-commerce is in the middle of a boom. The economy is strong, and trucking capacity is tight. Yet, as few as 33 percent of shippers have taken advantage of a transportation management system (TMS), reports Michael of Levans of Logistics Management. As e-commerce continues to expand, shippers must adapt to the changing needs of consumers and accommodate returns rates of up to 400-percent than that of traditional, brick-and-mortar purchases.
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