Logistics Viewpoints

MARCH 17, 2025

A data fabric does not store data itself; it connects and provides access to data from diverse sources without physically moving or duplicating it. It accesses, transforms, and harmonizes data from multiple sources to make it usable and actionable for various business use cases. Agentic AI is a group of agents working together.

SAP 193

SAP Modeling Software Logistics Network Optimization Software Manufacturing Procurement 193

Supply Chain Shaman

SEPTEMBER 27, 2021

Today, more than 1% of the world’s container ships are stuck off major ports. Warehouses are full–often with the wrong stuff resulting in the slowing of the forty million shipping containers around the world. Too few companies have a holistic approach to embrace the plan, make, source, and deliver together.

Supply Chain Planning Software 390

Supply Chain Planning Software Sourcing Strategies Manufacturing Procurement Supply Chain Design Software 390

Supply Chain Shaman

JANUARY 30, 2025

The Salesforce.com model is primarily a pipeline management tool suitable for discrete markets but not process manufacturers. Relex will continue to do well in the retail market but will struggle to be a serious player in manufacturing due to the lack of thought leadership. Will this change the market? I don’t think so.

Supply Chain Planning Software 221

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Modeling Modeling Software 221

Logistics Viewpoints

OCTOBER 18, 2023

These are questions ARC Advisory Group will seek to answer in our online survey research of supply chain executives over the next few months. Source: J.P. Global Manufacturing PMI Global Trade as a Barometer Clearly domestic business activity is much larger than international trade. The HCOB Germany PMI , which registered 39.6

Manufacturing Procurement 332

Manufacturing Procurement GEP Purchasing Skills Logistics 332

Supply Chain Shaman

DECEMBER 7, 2023

Today, I speak at the North American Manufacturing Association, Manufacturing Leadership Conference, in Nashville on the use of data to improve supply chain resilience. Interestingly, in Q3 2023, 38% of manufacturers, distributors and retailers missed their target for revenue guidance for the quarter. The result was restatement.

Supply Chain Design Software 395

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Modeling Supply Chain Software 395

Supply Chain Shaman

FEBRUARY 18, 2021

Advanced planning evolved with a focus on modeling manufacturing constraints. Initially, the output was published to procurement to design strategic buying strategies. Procurement became an island–isolated from the demand signal except for MRP. Dwell times grow as more and more ships sit in the ocean waiting to unload.

Supply Chain Planning Software 355

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Supply and Demand Procurement Analytics 355

Logistics Viewpoints

JUNE 3, 2025

Bob Gill, General Manager of ARC Advisory Group (right), presented the award to Dave Ching, Head of Sales for Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand (left). trade policies on sourcing strategies, inventory flows, and distribution networks amid rising costs.

Asia 184

Asia Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Software Logistics Network Optimization Software 184

Supply Chain Shaman

NOVEMBER 15, 2023

PWC’s Digital Trends in Supply Chain Survey reports that 83% of manufacturers say that supply chain technologies have not delivered the expected results. Based on the Supply Chains to Admire analysis, the first question is: Why do the cost reduction strategies not translate into operating margin improvement against peer groups?

Supply Chain Planning Software 418

Supply Chain Planning Software Optimal Sourcing Modeling Supply Chain Software 418

Supply Chain Shaman

DECEMBER 28, 2020

Only four percent of companies compared to their peer groups improved balance sheet performance of growth, operating margin, and inventory turns. Both companies outperformed their peer groups. Henkel is underperforming its peer group. The first story is about a large regional food manufacturer. What can we learn?

Supply Chain Planning Software 418

Supply Chain Planning Software Forecasting Forecasting Software Modeling 418

ToolsGroup

OCTOBER 14, 2024

Optimizing spare parts inventory offers significant advantages for organizations, particularly in the manufacturing, maintenance, and repair sectors. Streamlined Lead Times: Improved procurement efficiency potentially resulting in cost savings from optimized shipping arrangements and favorable supplier terms.

Inventory Reduction 156

Inventory Reduction Negotiating Skills Optimal Sourcing Cost Reduction Strategies 156

Supply Chain Shaman

NOVEMBER 15, 2021

Maersk, the world’s largest container shipping company, reported its best quarter in 117 years, posting a $5.9B Ships continue to hold in the west coast harbors of LA and Long Beach, and the west coast warehouses are full. Much of the inventory on the ships at sea will miss the essential seasonal windows. We are to blame.”

Supply Chain Design Software 355

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Sourcing Strategies Supply and Demand 355

IT Supply Chain

JUNE 18, 2025

What Contractors Need to Streamline Procurement in 2025 By Ian Summers (pictured) Content Writer 111 Views You’re on-site before dawn, the framing crew’s ready, but the steel shipment’s stuck in limbo, the invoice isn’t approved, and your project management app just pinged you for the fourth time.

Manufacturing Procurement 52

Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Solutions Procurement Analytics Supply Chain Planning Software 52

SYSPRO Smarter ERP

OCTOBER 11, 2021

There is a belief that manufacturing is a mechanical process with not much thinking involved. While this is wrong for manufacturing in general it is especially wrong for process manufacturers – companies that produce food and beverages, paints, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. What is process manufacturing?

Manufacturing Procurement 119

Manufacturing Procurement Manufacturing Supply Chain Planning Software Purchasing Skills 119

Supply Chain Brain

JUNE 26, 2025

Developed under the auspices of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the Convention mandates that ships at the end of their operational lives must be recycled in a safe and environmentally sustainable way.

Shipping 92

Shipping Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software 92

Logility

MAY 25, 2022

Supply chain organizations are now caught in the clutches of a global economy creaking beneath the weight of cargo embargoes, labor shortages, jammed ports and shipping lanes, and a pandemic that continues to evolve. Manufacturing capacity is severely diminished. Factories run the risk of closing without advanced notice.

Optimal Sourcing 130

Optimal Sourcing Manufacturing Procurement Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software 130

GlobalTranz

FEBRUARY 13, 2017

According to PLS Logistics , global companies will install procurement managers in China for entire organizations by 2025. There was a time when buying a computer was considered a once-in-a-decade purchase, if not once-in-a-lifetime. Globalization Will Become More Important in Everyday Decisions. The Amazon Barbell Will Gain Power.

Resource Reduction 280

Resource Reduction Inventory Reduction Trends Logistics Network Optimization Software 280

Kinaxis

AUGUST 18, 2014

I watched a TED Talk video by Philip Evans, from Boston Consulting Group and shuddered to think that all our traditional fulfillment and inventory models can be drastically transformed by the “consumer”. 3PL’s, Contract Manufacturing, Suppliers, Logistics providers…. Then, they check online for deals and shipping dates.

Modeling 261

Modeling Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Strategy Supply Chain Planning 261

Supply Chain Shaman

JUNE 14, 2014

“The idea of the value chain is based on the process view of organizations, the idea of seeing a manufacturing (or service) organisation as a system, made up of subsystems each with inputs, transformation processes and outputs. ” Institute for Manufacturing, 2013. __. This is a group of leaders. What can we learn?

Manufacturing Procurement 345

Manufacturing Procurement Optimal Sourcing Procurement Analytics Modeling 345

Logistics Viewpoints

AUGUST 5, 2021

Similarly, UPS has strong commitments to sustainability and invests in many options, such as alternative fuel vehicles, e-cycles in dense cities, and carbon offsets for purchase with shipping. We must plan, source, make, and deliver differently for supply chain sustainability. But what about the role of planning?

Supply Chain Planning Software 322

Supply Chain Planning Software Sustainability Material Savings Supply Chain Planning 322

Logistics Viewpoints

NOVEMBER 2, 2021

When you can barely see beyond the bow of the ship, when extreme wind and waves threaten to throw you off course – or worse, sink you – it’s understandable that long-term thinking can get chucked overboard like so much extra ballast. It’s an apt metaphor for ocean shipping these past many months. And the list goes on.

Supply Chain Planning Software 259

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Scenario Planning Modeling Software 259

Supply Chain Shaman

MARCH 5, 2019

Groups throw-out concepts. While there are many types of visibility (see Figure 1), the most common use case is either sourcing or transportation visibility. Contract manufacturing or 3PL data often will have a 24-hour latency due to batch integration. Groups rally around the concept of real-time. It looks like this.

Supply Chain Design Software 339

Supply Chain Design Software Prescriptive Analytics Software Real-time Visibility Supply Chain Planning Software 339

Logistics Viewpoints

NOVEMBER 11, 2022

In 9 days, the host country will take on Ecuador in the first match of the group stage. But all of that is in the past, and the group stages are getting ready to kick off. The US Men’s National Team is in Group B with England, Iran, and Wales, and will play its first game on November 21 against Wales.

Logistics Network Optimization Software 54

Logistics Network Optimization Software Logistics Qatar Manufacturing Procurement 54

Logistics Viewpoints

MAY 19, 2022

He had a load full of cotton bales, and while idling away hours at a shipyard watching stevedores load other cargo onto ships he dreamed up containers that transformed global supply chains. Containerization eventually reduced shipping and loading costs by at least 75%. If you’re a business leader, why do you care about better math?

Optimal Sourcing 300

Optimal Sourcing Modeling Supply Chain Optimization Optimization Software 300

Logistics Viewpoints

MAY 6, 2022

Well, according to Czinger, a Los Angeles-based boutique hypercar manufacturer, that is about to be a possibility. Empty shipping containers stack up at US port depots. Environmental and labor groups filed separate suits. That being said, would you go over 280 MPH in a car? Better yet, would go over 280 MPH in a 3-D printed car?

Logistics Network Optimization Software 261

Logistics Network Optimization Software Negotiating Skills Manufacturing Procurement Negotiate Pricing 261

Logistics Viewpoints

SEPTEMBER 19, 2023

Management practices such as lean manufacturing and just-in-time inventory management, along with globalization, have made tremendous impact on cost and service, but have accentuated risk. Lean manufacturing also focused on managing these operational risks, especially within the four walls of the enterprise. are most exposed to risk?

Supply Chain Design Software 293

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Design Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Software 293

Supply Chain Matters

APRIL 16, 2025

The following Supply Chain Matters multi-part guest commentary is authored by Michael Lamoureux who provides over 18 years of experience and observations and experience in procurement sourcing technology applications. Michael is the Editor-in-Chief of the Sourcing Innovation blog. We’ll explore each of these. Why is this?

Optimal Sourcing 52

Optimal Sourcing Manufacturing Procurement Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software 52

Logistics Viewpoints

JULY 18, 2022

of in-stock products ship the same business day from our DCs; that is best of breed for any industry.” Ferguson provides plumbing and heating products to 9 specialist customer groups – over a million customers – in the US and Canada. The company sources goods from 34,000 suppliers out of 30 nations.

Supply Chain Design Software 300

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Software Network Design Software 300

Logistics Viewpoints

OCTOBER 31, 2022

at the ZF Group, about their digital supply chain transformation journey. Among other things, ZF manufactures electrified powertrains, car chassis technology, active and passive safety systems, and advanced driver assistance systems. This manufacturer has 188 production locations across the world. at the ZF Group.

Agile and Lean Supply Chain 261

Agile and Lean Supply Chain Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Lean 261

Logistics Viewpoints

JUNE 2, 2023

manufacturers re-evaluating their reliance on China. manufacturers re-evaluating their reliance on China. and raided the Beijing offices of Mintz Group, a due-diligence firm based in New York. Walmart added new functionality that lets sellers purchase shipping labels for domestic orders on its marketplace.

Logistics Network Optimization Software 256

Logistics Network Optimization Software Saudi Arabia Supply Chain Planning Software Logistics 256

QAD

MARCH 15, 2022

Manufacturing companies often have hundreds or even thousands of suppliers. In addition to the usual service and business supplies that every company deals with, manufacturers must acquire the components necessary to build their products. Before modern ERP solutions came about, purchase orders were printed on multiple part forms.

Manufacturing Procurement 98

Manufacturing Procurement Purchasing Skills Manufacturing Price Reduction 98

Logistics Viewpoints

AUGUST 16, 2024

After 10+ years of writing the weekly news roundup, as well as a bi-weekly column for Logistics Viewpoints, today is my last day at ARC Advisory Group. Postal Service’s expedited package shipping services have seen a steep drop in demand, according to quarterly results released Thursday. And for me, that day is today.

Logistics Network Optimization Software 300

Logistics Network Optimization Software Los Angeles Logistics Long Beach 300

Precoro

MAY 19, 2025

Companies often push aside procurement compliance to focus on more pressing issues. No wonder—procurement often gets tedious and burdened with time-consuming processes. However, ignoring procurement compliance is like ignoring a ticking time bomb. Scroll down to find out: What is procurement compliance?

Procurement Analytics 45

Procurement Analytics Procurement Solutions Manufacturing Procurement Examples 45

Logistics Viewpoints

AUGUST 11, 2022

It collects and stores data from a variety of sources. These sources may include electronic logging devices, telematics networks, mobile devices, RF devices, and GPS information from automatic identification systems for ship locations and NORAD for aircraft positioning. Are you national and/or international in scope?

Supply Chain Planning Software 261

Supply Chain Planning Software Logistics Network Optimization Software Forecasting Software Supply Chain Network Software 261

Logistics Viewpoints

MAY 3, 2022

But it’s important to remember that while customers want their purchases fast, sometimes even the next day, many care about the environmental impact of that delivery as well. Based on this, participating companies were grouped into the following maturity levels: leader, advanced, developing and initiating. Rethink Partnerships.

Waste Reduction 272

Waste Reduction Sustainability Vendor Strategies Supply Chain Design Software 272

Supply Chain Shaman

MARCH 12, 2019

These sources while functional are difficult to connect. Most deployments focus on functional excellence–manufacturing, transportation, customer service or procurement. There are no solutions that connect source, make and deliver in many-to-many architectures. Figure 1 is a picture from a client.

Prescriptive Analytics Software 220

Prescriptive Analytics Software Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Analytics Analytics Software 220

GlobalTranz

JUNE 1, 2015

Customer expectations of reliable quality and rapid delivery forces today’s manufacturers to either shorten cycle times or lose business. There are multiple good models for lean manufacturing operations. Who Needs Lean Manufacturing? Inventory records, product specs, shipping documents contain errors.

Manufacturing Procurement 120

Manufacturing Procurement Agile and Lean Supply Chain Waste Reduction Inventory Reduction 120

Supply Chain Shaman

FEBRUARY 26, 2024

On Friday, I presented an overview of outside-in planning to a consulting group. For example, in manufacturing, the shift in focus is away from OEE to focus on first pass yield and schedule adherence.) They implemented a simple planning technology with an outside-in channel-centric model (Ship to model definition). The reason?

Modeling 273

Modeling Supply and Demand Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Planning Software 273