The latest generation of sales and operations planning (S&OP) applications are providing better tools for managing supply chains internally.

The goal is never to remove a human from a process; rather it is to simplify the process of monitoring and managing models.

Although consumers are spending approximately 8% more on retail than last year, real retail sales — adjusted for inflation — are 1% lower year-over-year.

Even after the recent drop, warehouse and storage employment remains well above its pre-pandemic levels.

These two giants of the world economy may well be on very different economic paths. In short, the U.S. has secure access to cheap energy and Europe does not.

The software is intended to offer a central view of information from customers’ existing applications, from Microsoft and other vendors.

The software, called Capacity Optimization, replaces manual calculations that determine if deliveries fit on trucks and meet weight limits.

Companies may be plowing billions of dollars into automation in delivery operations, but true autonomy in the sector may be years away.

While executives and investors alike are in some cases heading for the exits, well-capitalized companies in the space are plowing ahead into new markets and projects.

Lance also cautioned the federal government against any significant changes to the tax structure, saying it could have dire consequences for oil and natural gas investments.