All Features Entries

Sunday, May 01, 2011

Our recent Software Users Survey revealed that shippers are showing a renewed interest in achieving a better understanding of the data supply chain software systems are capable of churning out. Three top technology analysts tell us how to get this done.

The continued need to drive costs out of the supply chain is slowly, but surely pushing labor management system adoption rates. Our Technology Correspondent offers a snapshot of the LMS market and examines the issues driving its use inside the four walls as well as in the cabs of the nation’s private fleets.

The red-hot intermodal sector is “in fashion” these days as shippers opt for lower rates at near-truck service levels. Our intrepid trucking correspondent examines the factors driving this impressive growth as well as how logistics professionals are using the option as part of their 2011 transportation tool kit.

With President Obama continuing to emphasize exports, specialized shipping intermediaries are more important than ever to global logistics operations. But how do shippers identify and choose the right freight forwarder?

Thursday, April 07, 2011

In line with what appears to be a sustained economic recovery, our 27th Annual Logistics Management Salary Survey found that there was a much-anticipated uptick in salaries over the course of the past year.

Friday, April 01, 2011

Over the past six years, the tortilla manufacturer has rolled out a combination of wireless technologies—from handhelds, to wireless networks, to RFID—to automate transactions, track assets, and manage labor and inventory in its distribution and warehouse operations. Here’s how they made it happen.

Even though the term 4PL remains shrouded in mystery, a number of prominent logistics providers claim that if there is indeed a 4th dimension, they’ve got it. But can they really deliver on that promise? After defining the differentiating features, we’ll let shippers decide.

While shippers say they’re taking a more calculated approach to vendor and product selection, our survey finds that there will be an increase in overall supply chain software spending over the next 18 months.

There’s a better way to configure complex transportation networks and fill them with the right sort of hauling capacity. The caveat, however, is that the sheer size and complexity of these networks means technology is required to perform the analytics that enable harvesting the value. Here’s how to get it done.

Monday, March 14, 2011

In today’s fast-moving business environment, most companies are striving to operate a more dynamic supply chain to respond to rising volatility in customer demands and market conditions. Because supply chains are increasingly powered by information technology, flexible IT-based solutions are an increasingly important part of a supply chain design. Against this background, it is no surprise that the topic of "cloud computing" is generating intense interest.