Global Logistics

Plugging Into Sensor Networks

February 24, 2009

Dr. Jarrod Goentzel, executive director, MIT-Zaragoza Intl. Logistics Program

Over the next decade, integration of sensor networks will provide a wide variety of real-time data to improve various aspects of business activity and public life-from highway maintenance to healthcare delivery, from energy peaks to emergency services, and from intermodal freight to intelligent transit. Companies that access and leverage these emerging systems and communities early could realize not only a step improvement in supply chain visibility but also enhanced profiles of their mobile customer base.

The Secret SaaS: On-Demand Supply Chain Management

February 20, 2009

Nari Viswanathan, vice president and principal analyst, Aberdeen Group

Multi-enterprise supply chain management solutions are successful when companies are able to achieve large-scale, global adoption with their trading partners, overcoming both technical and business change management challenges. Software as a service solutions play an important role in enabling multi-enterprise business networks.

How Much Control Does Pharma Have Over Its Changing Supply Chain?

February 19, 2009

Beth Enslow, senior vice president, supply chain risk management, Marsh Inc.

Because of margin and market growth pressures, life sciences supply chains are more dynamic than ever before. In 2009, best practice companies will continue to put in place data analysis processes and "human knowledge" collection procedures to spot red flags and safety risks in their end-to-end supply chains.

Safely Navigating Treacherous Economic Waters

February 19, 2009

Philip Damas, division director, Drewry Supply Chain Advisors

The instability of the international container shipping sector, capacity withdrawal on some routes and "slow steaming" practices will expose exporters and importers to greater risks.

Aligning Your Enterprise's Practices With Today's Cash Reality

February 19, 2009

Beth Enslow, senior vice president, supply chain risk management, Marsh Inc.

Using a global inventory approach to "fire your inventory" may be much less disruptive than other cost-savings options your company may be considering.

Moving Towards Integrated & Optimized GTM in 2009

February 19, 2009

Viktoriya Sadlovska, research analyst, Aberdeen Group

The way companies manage global trade and supply chain networks is changing. Aberdeen's research shows that leading performers are moving towards an integrated view of global trade management, focusing on simultaneously optimizing physical, financial and information flows and networks in order to achieve competitive advantage.

You Should Cut International Logistics Costs, No Doubt. But How?

February 19, 2009

Philip Damas, division director, Drewry Supply Chain Advisors

Companies and their logistics service providers need to reduce their international transport and logistics costs. Despite the uncertainties of the current business environment, they can apply both old and new techniques.

3PL Revenues Are Up Despite Recession

February 18, 2009

Evan (president) and Richard Armstrong (CEO), Armstrong & Associates

Despite an ongoing freight recession in 2008, third-party logistics service provider revenues grew an estimated 5.5 percent to $128.7bn.

Customers Increase Focus on Cost Reduction in Face of Soft Economy

February 18, 2009

Greg Aimi, research director at AMR Research

In these tough economic times with revenues likely coming up short of expectations, logistics service providers will increasingly be pressured to help lower costs for customers, but not just by squeezing existing rates. Customers need help with lowering network inventories and reducing the total cost to serve by executing demand-driven strategies, enhancing trading partner collaboration, and revisiting the network flows for optimal configuration.

Extending the Supply Chain Through the Right Providers

February 18, 2009

Brad Wyland, senior research analyst, Aberdeen Group

Today's Best-in-Class logistics executives are looking to third-party logistics providers as a value-add extension of their organization that can help deliver value to the customer at lower costs.