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CSCMP's S.F. Roundtable Takes Another Shot at Divining the Future

December 19, 2016

With 2016 coming to a close, it's time for another helping of supply-chain predictions for the year ahead, courtesy of the San Francisco Roundtable of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals.

Warehouses Promised Lots of Jobs, but Robot Workforce Slows Hiring

December 16, 2016

Los Angeles Times

When Skechers started building a colossal distribution center in Moreno Valley six years ago, backers promised a wave of new jobs. Instead, by the time the company moved to the Moreno Valley, it had closed five facilities in Ontario that employed 1,200 people and cut its workforce by more than half. Today, spotting a human on the premises can feel like an accomplishment.When Skechers started building a colossal distribution center in Moreno Valley six years ago, backers promised a wave of new jobs. Instead, by the time the company moved to the Moreno Valley, it had closed five facilities in Ontario that employed 1,200 people and cut its workforce by more than half. Today, spotting a human on the premises can feel like an accomplishment.

Holiday Demand Increases Need for Warehouse Organization

December 15, 2016

Adam Mussomeli and Brenna Sniderman, Deloitte

Online retail continues to grow at a rapid rate, with a 14.6-percent increase in the category in 2015, totaling $341.7bn. That has major implications for warehouse optimization.

Online Grocer Ocado Uses 4G to Communicate With Warehouse Bots

December 8, 2016

RIS News

Ocado, an online-only grocer and retail solution provider, has developed a 4G-based protocol to communicate with the thousands of robots powering its new automated warehouses. These highly-automated warehouses will be offered as part of a managed service called the Ocado Smart Platform which enables international partners to build scalable, sustainable and profitable online retail businesses, the company says.

As Car Sales Zoom, Automotive Supply Chains Race to Keep Up

November 30, 2016

Will Robots Put an End to Holiday Hiring in the Warehouse?

November 21, 2016

Robert J. Bowman, SupplyChainBrain

For retailers and distribution centers, the traditional method for coping with the chaos of the Christmas buying season has been to throw more bodies at the problem. But what if robots could do a better job of handling the surge of activity?

Amazon Limiting Fulfillment Networks to Existing Merchants Ahead of Holiday Season

October 28, 2016

MultiChannel Merchant

In an attempt to deal with potential network capacity issues this holiday season, Amazon is limiting the use of Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) warehouses and services to existing sellers between now and Dec. 19, the company confirmed. This means new sellers would have difficulty using FBA to fulfill last-minute Christmas orders.

5 Tips for Moving Beyond the Traditional Warehouse Management System

October 27, 2016

RIS News

For decades, companies have relied on warehouse management systems (WMS) to control inventory and material handling processes within their warehouses. Historically, retail distribution centers have been built upon plans that included predetermined transportation routes that outlined the number of stores on a route, what product those stores would get and the quantity and configuration of those products. Consequently, distribution centers have had similar designs, process methodologies and IT infrastructures for years. E-commerce has changed the game, though.

FedEx to Invest €1.4Bn in Paris Airport Facility Overhaul

October 27, 2016

Air Cargo World

FedEx Express is expanding its distribution hub at Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Airport with a €200m ($217.38m) investment in technology and automation, and a €1.2bn ($1.3bn), 30-year lease. The 30-year lease underscores the long-term importance of the European Union to the company's long-term plans. Once completed, FedEx said the upgrade will increase sorting capacity by 40 percent.

3D Printer Sales to Double This Year, Analysts Say

October 26, 2016

Supply Management

There will be a doubling in the number of 3D printers shipped this year, according to analysts. Gartner predicts 455,772 units will ship in 2016, compared to 219,168 in 2015, as firms use the technology to create prototypes, augment manufacturing processes and produce finished goods.