This blog takes a direct approach to supply chain issues that affect businesses today. Topics related to current supply chain global events, economic impacts and supply chain technology optimization are just a few points of discussion that will be addressed here.
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What Do You Get Out of Your Supply Chain Organization Membership?
By Natalia Kosk - Friday January 11, 2013New Year. New topics. For some, even new beginnings. Whether 2013 sparked a need for change within your personal relationships or business aspects, now’s the time to identify what your goals are for the year ahead and execute them. For some in the supply chain, this could mean re-evaluating your memberships to the professional organizations and associations in your industry. Have you been a member of a group for years but just aren’t seeing the ROI you were hoping for anymore? Perhaps you’re looking to join a group to build your network base? The Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP), the Institute for Supply Management (ISM), the Supply Chain Council (SCC), The Association for Operations Management... -
Automation in the Warehouse and DC Is a Matter of If, Not When
By Natalia Kosk - Wednesday November 14, 2012Most people don’t like change. And when it comes to business, implementing new strategies or technology solutions to mitigate company functions can often be met with questions and sometimes even fall on deaf ears. But for those in the warehousing and distribution center (DC) space, effective workflow efficiency is a must. Operators in such industrial spaces don’t have the time to hesitate at adopting methods that will make their jobs easier; enable them to cut down on time and operating costs; improve equipment utilization rates; and prepare goods for on-time shipping and delivery. This especially holds true even more so for operators in this space, confirmed IRLY IT Project Manager Steve Cain, as old issues in the warehouse and DC... -
There’s a New ERP User in Town
By Natalia Kosk - Monday September 24, 2012Call it what you will—whether a transformation, a technological shift or the end-result of business platform fusion—if enterprise resource planning (ERP) platforms don’t respond proactively to consumer and market pressures to become more intelligent, user-friendly, cost-efficient, intuitive and even mobile, they will become extinct. Yes, extinct. But don’t take my word for it—just take a look at some of the other ERP coverage that’s out there. Sure, ERP implementations will continue and rightly so as they do offer their fair share of benefits in handling numerous business processes together—including transactions, sales orders, inventory shipments, invoicing, financial transaction and other processes for procurement and... -
Are You Ready for the Game Change?
By Natalia Kosk - Monday June 25, 2012The Panama Canal expansion project, set for completion in 2014, is all about the economies of scale—operational efficiency, fuel efficiency, “Super Post-Panamax” vessels as a means to cost savings and larger TEUs. It’s evident that the project will drive economical growth not only for the U.S.—as 68 percent of traffic moving through the Canal has origins in the U.S. making it a major customer for Panama—but for other Latin American countries and Africa as well. Additionally, it will have a major impact on the future of maritime and warehouse and distribution centers around the world. Yet, a bigger question remains: is the industry ready for its opening? The question, presented at a recent Panama Canal expansion meeting...
