Logistics

Balancing Cost and Customer Expectations for Profitable Apparel Returns

February 18, 2015

Analyst Insight: Online retailers must make the returns process convenient for their customers which, in turn, increases the amount of product returned. But every company must find a balance between cost and customer expectations. Should you encourage customers to return products to the store? To the DC? To a 3PL? The answer depends on your brand, culture, infrastructure and average unit price. – Bruce Baring and Jason Denmon, Apparel Industry Leaders, Fortna Inc.

CytoSport Muscles Up ROI

February 17, 2015

MercuryGate

Can You Benefit from Deploying An Omni-Modal TMS?

February 17, 2015

MercuryGate

Eyefreight SaaS TMS Improves Freight Management Efficiency

February 17, 2015

Challenge: One of the world's largest steel manufacturers seeks to improve the efficiency of its logistics function. The manufacturer faces two key challenges: 1.) An overall lack of efficiency of all outbound freight flows to worldwide destinations. 2.) A manual, resource-heavy process for managing all shipments, associated costs and billing activity from end to end.

Reduced Time-Consuming Processes and Accelerated Trading Partner Onboarding

February 17, 2015

Challenge: A retailer and transporter of food goods was faced with a time-consuming integration cycle that was eating into the company’s bottom line. Their resource-constrained IT department was looking for an automated solution to simplify and accelerate its trading partner integration as well as efficiently manage complex data capture and transfer.

UPS Expands Cold-Chain Packaging Service for Healthcare

February 17, 2015

UPS

UPS has expanded its Temperature True Packaging service for cold-chain shippers.

Innovation in 3PLs Should Not Be an Oxymoron!

February 17, 2015

SupplyChainBrain

Analyst Insight: Customers of 3PLs face fundamental market transformation impacting their supply chain operations and initiatives. Connected commerce drives basic changes to fulfillment operations. Change is occurring at internet speed. 3PLs haven't traditionally been known for "anticipating" customer requirements changes. They have, however, been exceptional in responding to customers' requirements when the changes become apparent. In today's fast-paced markets, responding to change may not be enough. Vested relationships based on innovation are the new 3PL imperative. – Rich Sherman, author and founder at Gold & Domas Research

Report Sees Dramatic Increase of Ship Pollutants Fouling 'High Arctic' Over Next Ten Years

February 17, 2015

Maritime Executive

At current fuel sulfur levels, pollutant emissions from ships in part of the Arctic region could increase 150 to 600 percent by 2025, according to a report from the International Council of Clean Transportation.

The Future Model: Driving Speed to Value for 3PLs and Customers

February 17, 2015

SupplyChainBrain

Analyst Insight: Implementation time-lines for transportation management outsourcing continue to shrink thanks to cloud-based systems, process standardization, and features like automated carrier contract management. This is not the case for facility start-ups. With 10+ key milestones, hundreds of key tasks and sub-tasks, time-line slippage and cost overruns can quickly extend the time to value for both 3PLs and shippers. – Valerie Bonebrake, Senior Vice President, Tompkins International

Food Supply Chains in 2015: A Banquet of Risk

February 17, 2015

Robert J. Bowman, SupplyChainBrain

The food industry has a lot on its plate these days.

Logistics

The latest news, analysis, services and systems regarding logistics and freight and their impact on global supply chains. Today’s companies are transporting and delivering perishables and manufactured goods in a more timely and efficient manner than ever before through logistics solutions. New technologies that provide information during local and global shipments are transforming the way companies do business - and allowing them to stay ahead of the competition in their industries. As transportation and distribution services continue to evolve, businesses are discovering new ways to increase efficiency and cut costs. Learn how companies are using logistics and cargo solutions to power their supply chains.