Seasonal events that cause spikes in demand no longer are limited to holidays. Handling these peaks without adding labor requires automation, but companies worry about the cost. Lance Anderson of automation systems manufacturer Beumer Corp. shows how better use of equipment can generate the ROI that companies need.
Analyst Insight: Rapid urbanization is an unstoppable challenge for supply chains that must be reckoned with—and soon. As more cities swell into megacities, the fundamentals of last-mile delivery, in particular, will require a rethink. Businesses will need to consider urban delivery based on the point of demand—where the products are delivered—rather than point of supply. – Brad Householder, Principal, PwC's Advisory practice
Rapid changes in the health care industry are impacting supply chain planning and execution. Philip Profeta, vice president of supply chain operations at Baylor, Scott & White Health Care, discusses the implications.
Paradox Software Consulting, a provider of logistics software and consulting services, has released version 10.0 of its transportation optimization suite.
Companies that view transportation management as a core competency with a strategic impact approach technology acquisitions as investments and not merely as costs, says Mike Joseph, director of business development at LeanLogistics. Joseph discusses how this mindset is reflected in other supply chain trends.
Customer value and safe operations always comes first at Sunny Delight, but the company also keeps a keen eye on costs. Kevin Singletary discusses steps to the perfect service/cost balance.
With warehousing and logistics operations in numerous countries, Greg McKinley of InComm shares his experience and advice on how to select a reliable in-country vendor.
By the end of 2018, half the African population will be covered by LTE networks, as LTE base station deployment swells at a CAGR of 40 percent over the next five years, finds ABI Research.
Moving a box from A to B is much the same in any country, but paperwork, processes, terminology and regulations vary greatly, presenting a barrier to global TMS rollouts. Elie Hiller of Transwide discusses ways to meet this challenge.
An integrated setting for managing demand, supply and inventory involves working with people as much as with technology and information, says Todd Gallant of VF Corp. He explains how the Timberland division of VF is improving collaboration and communication among its associates up and down the supply chain.