Order Management & Fulfillment

Warehouses Are Now Worth More Than Offices, Thanks to Amazon

April 2, 2018

While China slams the brakes on buying trophy properties and the retail apocalypse draws nigh, something less sexy but striking is going on in real estate.

Robots in the Warehouse: A Progress Report

March 23, 2018

Robert J. Bowman, SupplyChainBrain

Is there still a place for humans in the automated warehouse of the future?

'Futureproof' Your Manufacturing and Supply Chain Operations at MODEX 2018

March 22, 2018

SupplyChainBrain

If anything is in constant flux, it is manufacturing and supply chain. MODEX 2018 is the best venue to showcase the services, products and solutions needed to meet the challenges these two vital areas face.

Advances in Robotic Capabilities and Feasibility

March 19, 2018

SupplyChainBrain

To satisfy customers, businesses need an operations strategy which stays in front of ever-changing consumer expectations. The key to an operations strategy is combining fulfillment and distribution into an integrated flow requiring more advanced capabilities in greater numbers of facilities. Fortunately, developments in robotics are providing opportunities to automate economically throughout the network. Picking solutions reduce operator travel and sorting solutions enabling all facilities to use more efficient batch pick and process flows. -Mike Futch, Executive Vice President – Robotic Systems, Tompkins International

Emerging Technologies Changing the Way We Solve Distribution Challenges

March 16, 2018

SupplyChainBrain

Emerging technologies are offering new ways to solve today's distribution challenges—disruptions caused by a shortage of labor, higher customer expectations and the shift to smaller, more frequent, just-in-time orders that are driving more each picking in the distribution center. These innovations are making it possible to increase productivity and efficiency, reduce dependence on labor and provide greater flexibility to scale operations up or down as the needs of the business change. -Roger Counihan, Emerging Technologies Strategist, Fortna

Trends in Packaging: The State of the Art

March 14, 2018

Dan Dean, VP Consumer Business Development, DHL Supply Chain

Will Amazon’s Worker Tracking Wristbands Cross the Privacy Line?

March 8, 2018

Material Handling & Logistics

Using technology to improve productivity is a time-tested path in all aspects of manufacturing, including warehouses.

Robots Will Soon Be In The Store Helping to Fulfill Orders

March 6, 2018

SupplyChainBrain

As retailers continue to compete with e-commerce, they remain challenged in optimizing the use of in-store inventory as available to fulfill. The emergence of safe, mobile robots will help retailers to make better use of in-store inventory, while also enhancing the customer experience. Robots in the store will soon be used to not only handle product but to engage with the customer to improve customer service. -John Santagate, Research Director, IDC

Four Ways Amazon Disrupting Customer Expectations

March 5, 2018

SupplyChainBrain

Amazon is the great disruptor, in part because innovation is built into their culture. It’s in their DNA to try new things knowing some of them will fail, and they are experimenting and learning all the time. This cycle of innovation has enabled them to disrupt retail by raising customer expectations – anticipating what customers want and responding with new products and services before anyone else. Amazon is resetting customer expectations around convenience, speed, price and selection. -Robert Dold, Retail Industry Leader, Fortna

Distinguishing Perception From Reality

February 28, 2018

SupplyChainBrain

The Warehousing Education and Research Council's annual benchmarking study, DC Measures, shows a majority of respondents believe they are performing better than their competitors. This perception gap is common for warehouse managers, especially when using metrics to improve performance. To bridge the difference between perception and reality, we have to understand the basics and go back to school on metrics. Joe Tillman, Founder TSquared Logistics