Logistics

Big Data Drives Supply Chains

March 4, 2014

Analyst Insight: More companies are using some type of "big data" software and analysis to drive their entire supply chains. Almost all supply chain organizations recognize this to be a competitive necessity. Big data is being used along all supply chain levers, from buy, make, move and sell. Successful applications require coordinated decisions across organizations and along the entire supply chain. - Nada R. Sanders, Professor of Supply Chain Management & Iacocca Chair, Lehigh University

Time for an End-to-End Transformation in Food & Beverage Industry?

March 4, 2014

SupplyChainBrain

Analyst Insight: Food and beverage companies lag consumer packaged goods companies in corporate performance. With rising raw materials costs and volatility, coupled with increased compliance for food safety, they are facing greater change and increased risk. As they move into 2014, their supply chains are not as mature and their challenges are greater. - Lora Cecere, CEO and Founder, Supply Chain Insights

Amazon, Other Foreign Online Retailers Have 'No Chance' to Succeed in Russia

March 4, 2014

Bloomberg Business Week

Russia has become the it girl of e-commerce. Even amid a slowing economy, the country's online shopping increased 26 percent last year, to 510 billion rubles (about $14bn), according to Moscow's Data Insight, and could double by 2015. That has made the country an intriguing target for foreign players such as Amazon, eBay, Asos and China's Alibaba Group, while boosting the fortunes of such local companies as search engine Yandex and Amazon-like Ozon. Can foreign e-tailers make it there?

The Nasty Questions to Answer in Your Next Location Plan

March 3, 2014

SupplyChainBrain

Analyst Insight: Facility location planning is a six-dimensional balancing act encompassing long-term facility commitments with need for agility, predictable demand patterns with seasonal and spiky demand surprises, material handling investments with facility flexibility, return on investment with immediate operations effectiveness, cutting-edge technology with common sense, and operational efficiency and cost reduction with technology investment. Consequently, the best FLP results are those that design in the most needed capabilities, leaving space to accommodate the flexibility that drives location success. - Robert Sabath, Principal Essentialist SCM, TRISSENTIAL

The Science of Distribution Center Design

March 3, 2014

SupplyChainBrain

Distribution center design has always been a key aspect of supply-chain management. Now it's becoming a "science." Russ Meller, vice president of research and development with Fortna, explains what that means.

Freight Costs Finish 2013 on a Rising Note in Canada

March 3, 2014

Nulogx

Results published by the Canadian General Freight Index (CGFI) indicate that the total cost of ground transportation for Canadian shippers increased by 1.6 percent in December when compared with November results.

Old Dominion Relocates to Larger Facility in Albany, N.Y.

February 28, 2014

Old Dominion Freight Line Inc.

Old Dominion Freight Line Inc. has relocated its service center in Albany, N.Y. to a larger facility.

Transportation Funding Crisis: Who Will Foot the Bill?

February 28, 2014

Robert J. Bowman, SupplyChainBrain

The Highway Trust Fund is broke. And the nation's transportation system is broken.

Supply Chain Focus by Hospitals Is on Cost of Devices

February 27, 2014

Marketwatch

U.S. hospitals spend tens of billions of dollars annually on high-tech surgical implants. But the supply chain for the devices is anything but high-tech. And that drives up costs both for hospitals and implant makers.

Five Operational Issues to Focus on as Economy Continues to Strengthen

February 27, 2014

Jones Lang LaSalle

Companies that successfully rode out the recession are now looking for better times ahead, but they should be cautious, says a report from Jones Lang LaSalle, which identified five operational issues that companies should remain focused on as the economy continues to strengthen.