Supply Chain Shaman

NOVEMBER 12, 2018

Last week, I spoke at the CPHA supply chain conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (This was the inaugural supply chain event for the Consumer Healthcare Products Association. Checkout the presentation posted on slideshare. ). During the presentation, I spoke about the future of supply chain management, and the building of outside-in processes. In my discussion, I used the chart in Figure 1.

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Supply and Demand Modeling Inventory Reduction Manufacturing Procurement 170

DELMIA Quintiq

NOVEMBER 25, 2018

This the first part of a two-part blog series that analyzes waste reduction in circular economies through a systems thinking lens, taking into consideration product design and supply chain operations. First, let’s take a moment to explain why waste is an enormous worldwide issue and how it’s becoming a more pressing concern for our planet each day. From trash gyres in our oceans to microplastics contaminating our drinking water , waste is impacting our daily lives in subtle, yet concerning wa

Waste Reduction 136

Waste Reduction Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design 136

Talking Logistics

NOVEMBER 8, 2018

Holidays are synonymous with food-centric gatherings, from traditional family feasts to social soirees. For those of us in the fresh produce , logistics, retail, and foodservice industries, the holidays are also synonymous with spikes in demand for seasonal produce, like sweet potatoes, asparagus , cranberries, green beans, and oranges. If you’re a wholesaler, retailer, or vendor shipping commodities that need refrigeration run between 33 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit, have a dated shelf life, or de

Supply Chain Design 100

Supply Chain Design Sourcing Strategies Supply Chain Planning Shipping 100

GlobalTranz

NOVEMBER 5, 2018

Transportation is the largest sector of the economy, making up 8.9 percent gross domestic product (GDP), reports the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. The simultaneous growth of the economy and trucking indicate actual GDP percentages would be higher if compared to the same time last year. In anticipation of the 2018 holiday shopping season , transportation trucking, including Less-Than-Truckload (LTL), Full Truckload (FT), Parcel, and intermodal, will increase in value.

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Shipping Trends Warehousing Omnichannel 317

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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.

Modeling

Kinaxis

NOVEMBER 21, 2018

by Ilyas Kucukcay From the incredible pace of turnover in style trends to the excess waste it produces, today’s fast fashion phenomenon is a controversial topic on many fronts. However, when it comes to the efficiency of today’s retail supply chain management techniques, controversy is replaced by admiration as international clothiers boast operations efficient enough to accurately anticipate demand in one of the world’s most rapidly changing industries.

Supply Chain Design Software 233

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Software Supply Chain Design Modeling 233

Supply Chain Shaman

NOVEMBER 21, 2018

ou Feasibility (noun) : The state or degree of being easily or conveniently done. (Oxford Dictionary). In the 1990s supply chain planning was over-hyped. Then it was a new and promising technology category. The ride was wild and wooly. Hype ruled. A decade later, as companies added planners expecting dramatic improvements, the market entered the trough of disillusionment.

Supply Chain Planning Software 220

Supply Chain Planning Software Forecasting Software Supply Chain Planning Demand Planning Software 220

Demand Solutions

NOVEMBER 5, 2018

Managing a supply chain is not easy, although the job description is seemingly straightforward: Ensure that the right products are available at the right location at the right time. Sounds easy, right? That's because you haven't considered the factors that constantly get in the way — factors such as inaccurate forecasts, transportation delays, and inclement weather.

Forecasting 192

Forecasting Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Planning Supply Chain Software 192

Logistics Viewpoints

NOVEMBER 5, 2018

When it comes to driving autonomous trucks on the interstate, there are several issues that need to be solved. A startup called Wavesense has solved one key problem. The CEO of Wavesense talks with ARC about the other issues that need to be solved. The post The Road To Autonomous Truck Viability Begins To Clear appeared first on Logistics Viewpoints.

Logistics Network Optimization Software 190

Logistics Network Optimization Software Logistics Supply Chain Software Supply Chain 190

GlobalTranz

NOVEMBER 30, 2018

Reverse logistics is filled with risk, and the rate of reverse logistics in e-commerce is higher than any other channel, reports Business2Community. Among e-commerce sales, up to 30 percent will be returned to the shipper, which reflects a huge demand for effective returns management and reverse-logistics process standardization. Using a WMS in reverse logistics can help meet this rise in demand and increase customer satisfaction.

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Reverse Logistics Logistics Network Optimization Software Logistics Vendor Strategies 245

Learn how centralizing slow-moving SKUs can help reduce fulfillment costs by $300M+ while boosting fulfillment efficiency.

Cost Reduction Strategies

DELMIA Quintiq

NOVEMBER 2, 2018

While advanced innovations and developments like the Internet of Things (IoT) reach each industry and change the way we work together, the requirement for business transformation is rising. Meat producers, in any case, are questioning where to begin. The meat supply chain is long and complex, starting from farm to processing to packaging and logistics, right up to retail and catering.

Supply Chain Planning Software 189

Supply Chain Planning Software Optimal Sourcing Agile and Lean Supply Chain Supply Chain Planning 189

ToolsGroup

NOVEMBER 27, 2018

Editor’s Note: Two years ago we posted a blog about how to set an annual forecast accuracy target and it was one of our most popular topics. As we approach that time of year again, we decided to run an updated version. Many companies have already started their 2019 planning and budgeting cycles, so if you are in charge of demand forecasting for your company, it’s about time to thinking about your organization's 2019 goals.

Forecasting 214

Forecasting Forecasting Software Supply and Demand Modeling 214

Supply Chain Shaman

NOVEMBER 2, 2018

E2open is acquiring INTTRA pending federal approval. Is this a knot to be tied? Does this deserve congratulations or concern? Here I share some thoughts. Reflections. Three decades ago, I was sitting on a hotel bed with my friend Ellen Chen. Ellen currently works as a consultant at Cap Gemini. I consider her the best in the biz for transportation management consulting.

Supply Chain Planning Software 170

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Network Software Manufacturing Procurement Supply Chain Design Software 170

Freightos

NOVEMBER 8, 2018

This week, Freightos hosted over forty logistics and innovation executives for FreighTech 2018, a symposium dedicated to discussing challenges and opportunities in the industry. The catalyst was fairly simple – there are freight conferences and tech conferences, but few that really mesh both very well. Gathering industry experts who categorically both practice and preach meant value delivered right out of the gate.

Optimal Sourcing 159

Optimal Sourcing Sourcing Strategies Logistics Network Optimization Software Supply Chain Design Software 159

Advertiser: GEP

“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.

Supply Chain Strategy

Kinaxis

NOVEMBER 5, 2018

by Mike McAllister It sounds ominous, but it’s a brave new tariff-driven trade world out there – a reality senior executives whose organizations operate global supply chains are coming to grips with. Navigating the latest tariffs, and the resulting ripple effects on currencies along with fluctuations in labor costs make it increasingly difficult for companies managing complex multinational supply chains to make effective sourcing, purchasing and production decisions fast enough to stay competiti

Research 153

Research Supply Chain Software Supply Chain Planning Software Purchasing Skills 153

GlobalTranz

NOVEMBER 21, 2018

Travel time in the warehouse represents one of the biggest costs in modern distribution centers. Pickers must put away incoming product, pull product, and move products to packaging and processing zones. Like transportation management for shipped product, effective labor management and lean processes in the warehouse are key to lowering labor costs in your distribution center.

Cost Reduction Strategies 238

Cost Reduction Strategies Inventory Reduction Distribution Expense Reduction 238

DELMIA Quintiq

NOVEMBER 13, 2018

Less than three months remain for the British government and the European Union to negotiate on a highly complex exit agreement. Business leaders are getting nervous as time is very short. The United Kingdom (UK) imports the most goods by far compared to other European countries, not just final products but also parts and components for further production and assembly.

Automotive 136

Automotive Supply Chain Planning Software Scenario Planning Agile and Lean Supply Chain 136

ToolsGroup

NOVEMBER 13, 2018

Editor's Note: There will be no blog next week due to the US Thanksgiving holiday. Last month we published a primer on probabilistic forecasting , an alternative to deterministic or ‘single number’ forecasting. In this post we’ll explore how probabilistic forecasting not only creates better forecasts, but also improves inventory optimization by improving the stock levels at store and warehouse locations in your distribution network.

Forecasting 159

Forecasting Forecasting Software Optimization Software Supply Chain Optimization 159

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

Manufacturing

Talking Logistics

NOVEMBER 28, 2018

There are so many exciting emerging technologies in supply chain and logistics today, but which ones will be the best fit for your company’s business strategy? Which technologies have the greatest potential to deliver the value you need, both in the near and long term? How do you prioritize investments in these technologies and roll them out successfully?

Supply Chain Software 133

Supply Chain Software Modeling Software Predictive Analytics Software Logistics Network Optimization Software 133

SCM Research

NOVEMBER 15, 2018

In this TED-Ed video, Kim Preshoff investigates the smartphone production: “As of 2018, there are around 2.5 billion smartphone users in the world. If we broke open all the newest phones and split them into their component parts, that would produce around 85,000 kg of gold, 875,000 of silver, and 40,000,000 of copper.” I really like the video, as it takes a supply chain perspective, and I can imagine to use it in my future SCM courses.

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Video SCM Course Supply Chain 125

Kinaxis

NOVEMBER 27, 2018

by Mike McAllister Contrary to popular belief, the Ford Motor Company did not invent the assembly line. But in 1913, Henry Ford did revolutionize it by adding a conveyor system to move the cars along the line, reducing the time it took to build a car from more than 12 hours to less than three. Fast forward to present day to find the headlights of the electric car peeking around the nearest corner, with autonomous driving technology trailing not far behind.

Supply Chain Planning Software 149

Supply Chain Planning Software Automotive Demand Planning Software Supply and Demand 149

GlobalTranz

NOVEMBER 13, 2018

The use of dimensional (DIM) pricing has an extensive history by the Big Three carriers. FedEx, UPS, and DHL all claim to have been the first to switch to DIM pricing in 2013, but all packages were swapped over into the DIM pricing model in 2015. The United States Parcel Service was among the last carriers to make the switch. Unfortunately, the use of LTL DIM pricing is often overlooked for a simple reason; DIM pricing is usually associated with overnight shipping and parcels, not LTL, explains

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Price Reduction Waste Reduction Modeling Software Packaging 227

Speaker: Jason Cottrell and Gireesh Sahukar

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.

SAP

PINC

NOVEMBER 15, 2018

In its 2018 Annual Industry Report, MHI advises companies to “think big, but start small” when implementing new technology tools and systems.

Supply Chain Software 124

Supply Chain Software Supply Chain Technology Supply Chain Tools 124

DELMIA Quintiq

NOVEMBER 28, 2018

This is the second part of a two-part blog series that analyzes waste reduction in circular economies through a systems thinking lens, taking into consideration product design and supply chain operations. In the first blog post of this series , I examined the question: Can circular supply chains help solve our global waste problem? I touched upon some of the specific benefits that a circular supply chain can bring by highlighting an example with beer bottles in the beverage industry and utilizin

Waste Reduction 120

Waste Reduction Material Savings Cost Reduction Strategies Resource Reduction 120

Talking Logistics

NOVEMBER 15, 2018

The concept of mobile robotics is not a new one. From Grey Walter’s Tortoises to Shakey the Robot , scientists have been working for years to automate processes and alleviate hard labor on humans. While these older mobile robotics were technologically restricted to follow a path from point A to point B, today’s robots are becoming more and more advanced and more likely to replace human labor.

Warehousing 133

Warehousing Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Software 133

Freightos

NOVEMBER 21, 2018

For many shippers, air freight wins out on speed and convenience and FCL (full container load) seems a better deal on cost. But, that often means LCL is overlooked as a mode when it would have been the better option. But for several reasons, that perception is changing, many shippers are now seeing LCL in a new light: Forwarders are increasingly providing direct LCL services, reducing the need for trans-shipment.

Purchasing Skills 120

Purchasing Skills Procurement Solutions Demand Planning Software Price Reduction 120

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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.

Training

Supply Chain Network

NOVEMBER 5, 2018

Contrary to what some procurement professionals may think, all logistics solution providers are not created equal, and those who consider price only, or as main factor in their selection process, are doomed to mediocrity and perhaps even failure. And as both online and offline retailers are pulled further and faster into a future where consumer demands are steadily increasing and customer experience is paramount, the need for advanced logistics solutions delivered seamlessly across all channels

Logistics Network Optimization Software 119

Logistics Network Optimization Software Inventory Reduction Price Reduction Cost Reduction Strategies 119

GlobalTranz

NOVEMBER 16, 2018

Too often, ERP software is seen as the final answer to any and every distress a business may face. Built to centralize processes, increase productivity and provide end-to-end visibility of your company, why would you ever consider another solution? But more often than not, businesses focused heavily on the supply chain aren’t getting all the promised benefits of this software.

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Supply Chain Planning Software Forecasting Software Optimization Software Supply Chain Software 224

Logility

NOVEMBER 27, 2018

Update on the Christmas Express Supply Chain. Around this time last year I had a call with the jolly old man of the north to talk over some ideas on how he and his army of elves might improve the Christmas Express Supply Chain (CESC). (Read A Phone Call with Santa Claus ) Our conversation must have had an impact because this year Santa sent me an invite for a video call to discuss their progress and ideas around next steps.

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Optimal Sourcing Video Supply Chain Planning Software Modeling 113