Equipment built for use in oil wells is not only expensive, but often includes many potentially hazardous materials. As such, it must be closely monitored, both on a manufacturer's site and as it leaves the plant, bound for an end user. FMC Technologies, a Scotland-based manufacturer of equipment for the energy industry, is using RFID technology so it knows where every piece of equipment is.
Retailers have been faced with big challenges, including the emergence of smartphone shopping and the continued e-commerce boom. It is no secret that today's e-commerce shoppers now expect to receive items quickly. Since retailers frequently offer comparable products at similar prices, speed of delivery is becoming an increasingly important factor for many online shoppers. This puts tremendous pressure on warehouse operators.
Noha Tohamy, research vice president with Gartner, identifies the proactive strategies that leading companies are using to manage supply-chain risk today.
Sinergy Cargo, the Italian member of the FPS network of independent freight forwarders and consolidators, has opened a multimodal container, bulk cargo handling and storage center near the Port of Genoa.
Wynright Corp., a vendor of intelligent material-handling systems, has introduced Visual Sort, a tool that allows for the tracking and restocking of returned inventory in distribution centers.
A few weeks back I referenced the work of Robert J. Gordon, an economist and professor at Northwestern University. In a paper published last September for the Centre for Economic Research, he laid out the history of the first three industrial revolutions. And he asked whether a fourth, supposedly driven by the internet and other advances in information technology, could come anywhere near its predecessors in terms of productivity improvements.
Irv Grossman, vice president of the Supply Chain Operations Practice of Chainalytics, offers guidance on how companies can stop thinking of reverse logistics as an inevitable burden, and begin approaching it strategically.
The latest news, analysis, services and solutions regarding warehousing and distribution systems and their impact on global supply chains. Today’s companies are moving goods across more suppliers, vendors and customers than ever before, and warehouses are critical points in the overall supply chain. New technologies in warehouse management systems (WMS), automation, robotics, RFID and order fulfillment are transforming the way companies do business — and allowing them to stay ahead of the competition in their industries. As these solutions continue to evolve, businesses are discovering new ways to increase efficiency and cut costs. Learn how companies around the world are improving supply-chain operations through their strategic use of warehousing and distribution services.
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