The future is inherently uncertain, but there are a number of information-based systems and plans that companies are advised to consider implementing if they want to manage risk.
Traffic-flow imbalances and customer drift are among the effects caused by the continuing weakness of the American dollar and the high cost of jet fuel. Perhaps there are ways to rise above the challenges.
A specialty-foods processor finds that an automated system can mitigate or eliminate some of the challenges of manually operated cold storage warehousing, such as low productivity among personnel, higher rates of damage to equipment and product, and costly energy loss.
Hundreds of millions of pounds of paper products move through American Pad & Paper's warehouse each year. Its 3PL implemented a new WMS, and now the manufacturer's picking and distribution is paperless.
Few things represent the "face" of a company more than that transportation portion of the supply chain often called last-mile logistics. It's unfortunate, then, that so many companies seem to treat it as an afterthought. That may be changing.
Afraid to let safety stocks get too low, companies often get overwhelmed by their inventory. New ideas, processes and technologies in inventory management can solve that.
The concerns and priorities differ somewhat in each sphere, but some providers feel they can make a case for managing each type of shipment with a single, comprehensive system.
Sunsweet wanted a full suite of automated demand, inventory and supply planning functionality. With the volume of this year's "prune plum" crop significantly down, the ability to match supply with demand couldn't have come at a better time.
The notion of lean supply chains remains relevant even though the concept has been around for years. Like individuals in their battles of the bulge, enterprises face a never-ending fight against bloated processes and excessive inventory.
Hollywood studios know that box-office receipts are greatest in the first weeks of a film's release, and the same is true for their video sales divisions. MGM Home Entertainment's VMI initiative ensure that its retailers are stocked (and replenished) with the latest videos.
