SupplyChainBrainMore from SupplyChainBrainAll LogisticsTransforming Logistics: Don't Fall Behind on These TrendsAnalyst Insight: The findings from the 25th Annual Trends and Issues in Transportation and Logistics suggest that three complex supply chain elements - transportation, technology, and organizational structure - have companies waiting before committing to transformation changes in these areas. However, waiting too long to make a decision will result in a competitive disadvantage that will be difficult to overcome in a global economy. Understanding the interplay and interconnectedness of the three elements is essential in determining the path forward. – Mary Collins Holcomb, SCM professor, University of Tennessee, and Karl Manrodt, logistics and SCM professor, Georgia College and State UniversityMarch 16, 2017All LogisticsCalming the Bubble in Deep-Sea Cargo MarketsAnalyst Insight: Slow post-recessionary recovery has fostered uncertainty in many markets, but few have felt the effects as strongly as deep sea cargo transportation. The market's emblem - an ancient, laboring ship that is slow to adapt to obstacles in its path - has become an apt metaphor for the market itself. Financial risk, absent demand and volatile inputs indicate that container shippers may be caught in a bubble - one that IBISWorld anticipates will burst by 2020 unless shippers change course. – Ashley Cruz, research analyst, IBISWorld Inc.March 15, 2017All LogisticsOmni-Mode Transportation Integration Is Key Tool for Profitable FulfillmentAnalyst Insight: In 2016, Amazon subsidized the cost of shipping to their customers by about $7bn, setting a very high bar for customer expectations of cheap or free shipping with rapid delivery. Most competitors don't have the same options as Amazon to buy market share this way, putting enormous pressure on them to squeeze every penny out of fulfillment and transportation costs (as well as to differentiate in other dimensions). Omni-mode integration is one tool that can help companies lower shipping costs to effectively compete. – Bill McBeath, chief research officer, ChainLink ResearchMarch 15, 2017All TechnologyIs Your Network Design Evolving With the Digital Age?Analyst Insight: Developing supply-chain strategy as a process versus a project has become critical to make necessary strategic decisions in today's dynamically changing e-commerce environment. As digital disruptions continue to evolve in the marketplace, leadership faces numerous challenging decisions to maintain and/or improve market share. Agility and creative thinking is required for you and your supply-chain evolution. – Dale Pickett, director, Tompkins InternationalMarch 15, 2017All TechnologyInvest in These Technologies to Improve Profitability and ProductivityAnalyst Insight: With companies reshoring their manufacturing facilities back to North America in today's market and in the future, leading industrial manufacturing companies are striving to enhance factory performance and improve plant productivity to maintain a competitive edge. Industrial manufacturing is in the midst of a technological renaissance that is transforming the systems and processes of the modern plant. Companies can't afford to ignore these advances or they will be left behind. – Brian Neuwirth, VP of Marketing and Sales, UNEX ManufacturingMarch 14, 2017Education & Professional DevelopmentEconomic Theory: 5 Schools of Thought to Help Supply Chains ProsperAnalyst Insight: In a time of rapid political and economic change, uncertainty and tight budgets, R&D and education can often get short shrift. Perversely those are the times when the latest ideas are needed the most - especially for professionals wanting to learn and implement new techniques. – Kate Vitasek, faculty member, University of Tennessee's Haslam College of Business AdministrationMarch 14, 2017All TechnologyDigital and Advanced Analytics Drive Changes to Global Supply ChainsAnalyst Insight: Customer-focused initiatives are increasing the requirements placed on global supply chains, and companies are struggling to develop supply-chain organizations and capabilities with the speed, flexibility and cost control to meet these needs. There is opportunity for companies to drive greater efficiency, both internally and externally, through the use of emerging digital capabilities, advanced data analytics, and new collaboration models in their supply chains. – Andrew Prinz, associate partner, supply chain management, Infosys ConsultingMarch 14, 2017Education & Professional DevelopmentTalent Shortage: More Universities Offer Online Supply Chain ProgramsAnalyst Insight: Today's supply-chain industry is currently dealing with a shortage of talent to fill critical positions. Unfortunately, many companies are also finding the skills in their current workforce lacking in order to manage today's complex business environment. In light of this, many universities are offering more educational opportunities to assist developing the talent base in the supply chain through online master's programs. – Karl Manrodt, professor of logistics and supply chain management, Georgia College, and Donnie Williams, assistant professor of logistics and supply chain management, Georgia CollegeMarch 13, 2017All LogisticsThe Future of Transportation Looks FlexibleAnalyst Insight: Logistics decisions are executed to deliver a service at the lowest possible cost. There are various inefficiencies in logistics operations, and the overall supply chain, that make this seemingly simple objective a constant struggle. Some of those inefficiencies are self-imposed by shippers, as they attempt to drive stability in logistics to lower costs. Mode decisions and core carrier programs are examples of historical ways to drive logistics efficiencies. But they may be driving inefficiencies in tomorrow’s logistics operations. – Shanton Wilcox, Partner-Supply Chain Management, Infosys ConsultingMarch 13, 2017Cloud & On-Demand SystemsTransforming the Supply Chain Into a Digital Supply NetworkAnalyst Insight: Today, every business is a digital business. That means that every supply chain needs to be a digital supply network that unites not just physical flows but also talent, information and finance. This new breed of supply chains is more connected, intelligent, scalable and rapid than ever before and has the potential to help companies reap billions of dollars in new revenue and savings. – Gary Hanifan, managing director, Accenture Strategy, Operations StrategyMarch 13, 2017Previous PagePage 452 of 589Next Page
