Technology | SupplyChainBrain

Technology: Page 626

Inventory Strategy Is the Key to Profitable E-Commerce

Analyst Insight: Omnichannel customer expectations continue to drive complexity in inventory planning and management. Expectations for faster fulfillment and free shipping, coupled with pressure to minimize inventory carrying cost, are driving companies to rethink inventory strategies to profitably service customers and ensure inventory is deployed in the right quantities to the right place at exactly the right time. But omnichannel flows like ship-from-store and buy-online-pick-up in-store (BOPIS) are complicating things and creating a new threshold for inventory planning requirements. - George Swartz, vice president, Fortna Inc.

Power in Procurement: Three Approaches to Consider

Analyst Insight: Outsourcing continues to grow, yet the news is full of outsourcing agreements that didn't work as planned. Far too often firms rely solely on power to get what they want. This leads to confusion, resentment, lost productivity, and at times, missed market opportunities. Suppliers and buyers need to better understand the use of power, and how this relationship will impact performance. - Karl Manrodt, professor of logistics and supply chain management, Georgia College and State University

040317 Powerin Procurement Slider Image

Domino's Will Begin Using Robots to Deliver Pizzas in Europe

Starship Technologies, the London-based company that has created six-wheeled self-driving delivery robots, will begin taking customers Domino's pizzas in Germany and the Netherlands.

Predictive Analytics Aim to Transform Supply Chain Risk Management

Analyst Insight: The key to supply-chain risk management is a predictive model that uses enhanced analytics to identify potential risk. This model would allow companies to move beyond historical metrics so they can determine risk for every part and supplier. It also would identify the appropriate response, promoting consistency within the organization. - Sven Dharmani, performance improvement principal and global automotive sector supply chain leader, Ernst & Young LLP

040317 Predictive Analytics Aimto Slider Image

Will Trade and Transport Measures Advance, or Slow to a Crawl?

In the wake of the defeat of his healthcare proposal, President Trump might well be hoping for a comeback in the form of passing new trade legislation. What are the chances of that happening?

040317 Will Tradeand Transport Slider Image

How a Border Tax Could Divide Boeing and Its Suppliers

A U.S. tax overhaul proposed by Republican leaders in Congress would deepen divisions between big manufacturers like Boeing Co and the thousands of smaller companies that supply them, according to suppliers and tax and trade experts.

For Tech Industry, IoT Is Changing the Landscape

Analyst Insight: Relatively flat growth over the past several years coupled with margin erosion and heavy M&A activity in the industry has companies looking to the their supply chains for greater efficiencies. Long-tail SKUs and accelerated obsolescence cycles are clogging storage capacity that is needed for expansion of new lines, categories and products to deliver "one-stop shopping" for customers and competitive advantage for distributors. The next competitive edge will come, not from step change, but from transformational projects that deliver unprecedented efficiency and agility. - Chris Mehl, electronics industry leader, Fortna Inc.

Smart Tools: How Machine Connectedness Will Grow by 2020

Analyst Insight: Internet of Things (IoT) and smart product resellers connect industry networks to the customer. They offer service in addition to supply, and are familiar with product demonstrations, try-before-you-buy deals, how to handle product version changeovers, and many more practicalities of doing business. By 2020, these resellers will need new tools to simplify the buying process because they will be selling to the majority, not just to early adopters. - Peter Thorne, director, Cambashi Ltd.

033117 Smart Tools How Machine Slider Image

The Bottom Line: Managing Your Cash-to-Cash Cycle

The cash-to-cash cycle is a key metric for measuring the efficiency of a supply chain. But many companies seem unable to deploy it with success.

Podcast 2017 09

Transparency Catalog to Help Manufacturers Earn Green Building Credits

Construction and design professionals will likely have an easier time finding and using sustainable building materials thanks to efforts from two flooring manufacturers: a new product catalog by Tarkett and new product-specific environmental product declarations (EPDs) from Gerflor USA.

NFC Brings Contests, Content to Limited Jameson Whiskey Bottles

Jameson Irish Whiskey celebrated St. Patrick's Day with a near field communication (NFC)-enabled system to provide consumer engagement with each of its limited-edition bottles. The whiskey brand, owned by global beverage firm Pernod Ricard, has launched its Limited Edition Bottle 2017, with technology to enable consumers to connect with content about the company and its product, and to be included in a drawing for several prizes specific to Ireland.

Uber Will Suspend Autonomous Tests After Arizona Accident

Uber Technologies Inc. is suspending its self-driving car program after one of its autonomous vehicles was involved in a high-impact crash in Tempe, Arizona, the latest incident for a company reeling from multiple crises.

Page 626 of 1805

Featured Product

Photo: iStock/Anastasiia Yanishevska

How a Leading U.S. Floral Distribution Company Reduced Warehouse Labor Costs by 45% with RFID

Recycled Tagging Fasteners: Small Changes Make a Big Impact

Mobile geolocation service for track delivery, cargo shipment and freight transportation. Logistic Import Export business (Elements of this image furnished by NASA)

Enhancing High-Value Electronics Shipment Security with Tive's Real-Time Tracking

Franchise business e-commerce online e-marketplace or digital marketing branch expansion for growth or use technology to analyze product consumer data website management plan for sale service concept.

Moving Robots Site-to-Site