Archive for April 2018
The Power of Utilizing Technology For Warehouse Management
Proper utilization of technology for warehouse management holds great potential in a digital world. Advanced systems’ abilities enable sophisticated and complex algorithms to derive actionable insights from small parts of data. When applied in the modern warehouse, this technology can enhance labor productivity, reduce delays, identify causes of inaccuracies and errors, and streamline operations to allow…
Read MoreAgile Supply Chain: Why Agility is Trumping Lean in the Supply Chain
The modern supply chain grows increasingly complex with each passing day. The digitization, focusing on fundamentals and change, augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and many other factors are transforming how the supply chain functions. Once, the lean supply chain was considered to be the most effective form of manufacturing and supply chain management. However, a new concept in supply chain…
Read MoreTaking a Look at Omnichannel Order Management
Creating a positive omnichannel customer experience hinges on the development and use of a proper omnichannel order management system, which carriers a significantly shorter order lifecycle due to the continuous movement of inventory and processes in the omnichannel supply chain, explains Chris Cunnane of Logistics Viewpoints. Since this topic is often overlooked in the conversation…
Read MoreOmnichannel In Manufacturing: Why Manufacturers Are Following Retailers to an Omnichannel World
Retailers are evolving, and supply chains must evolve with them. The application of omnichannel in manufacturing primarily focuses on the collaboration between suppliers, or vendors, and distributors. To understand this relationship, we have to consider its driving forces, how it affects omnichannel experiences, and what it means for warehousing capabilities and capacity. The Problem: Seamless…
Read MoreWarehouse Management Metrics to Track to Improve Profitability and Operations
Today’s warehouse managers often accrue massive amounts of performance data, but sometimes find they can apply little of it toward making productivity gains or customer service improvements. Instead of becoming overwhelmed with data, managers should identify and focus on the most useful warehouse management metrics to gather, report, and apply. The Perfect Order: Made by…
Read MoreOmnichannel Retail: Not just a Buzzword, But a Business Model
Omnichannel retail is the new norm in today’s supply chains. The days of managing channels on an individual basis are over, and consumers are using multiple devices and e-commerce platforms for nearly all purchases. In fact, 78% of U.S. individuals over the age of 15 at some point use e-commerce platforms to make purchases, asserts…
Read MoreHow to Make the Most of Your Inventory Cycle Count
A few best practices are key to keeping inventory cycle counts accurate and timely. Poor inventory management decimates profitability and works against all cost-effective improvements in efficiency and productivity. If a company is confident in its inventory accuracy, it can decrease safety stock in its networks without creating risk to its customers. According to an…
Read MoreSupply Chain and E-Commerce: How Is E-Commerce Changing Supply Chain Management?
The management lies in the hands of e-commerce and omnichannel sales strategies. Customer service is more important than ever, and customers expect purchases to arrive at record speeds with free or low-cost shipping, says GlobeCon Freight Systems. As a result, e-commerce will have wide-ranging impacts on supply chain management. Fortunately, the Internet of Things (IoT),…
Read More5 Podcasts for Supply Chain and Logistics Professionals
Elizabeth Hines is the creative/editorial director at Fronetics, a boutique digital and content marketing firm focused on supply chain and logistics. These podcasts bring the latest news and thought leadership in the supply chain and logistics industries right to your earbuds. I used to think that podcasts were a hip form of new media that millennials…
Read MoreThe Top 5 Challenges of Warehouse Management
Warehouse management is not a simple task, and warehouse managers face difficult challenges. Even when orders are low, standard operations continue to grow with each passing day. Part of this derives from the expansion of e-commerce into new and emerging markets. Since consumers have the ability to shop online 24 hours/day and 7 days/week, the…
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