How Automation Helps Mitigate Supply Chain Disruptions

Automation is appearing in areas of business never seen before. Jason Lockard, SVP of managed logistics of BlueGrace Logistics, talks automation, disruption, labor shortage and other trends impacting shippers, live from ProMat.

March 31, 2023

BlueGrace Logistics LLC

Editor-in-chief Marina Mayer sat down with Jason Lockard, SVP of managed logistics at BlueGrace Logistics, live from ProMat in Chicago, to discuss the company's Q1 Logistics Confidence Index, customer retail trends and how disruptions impact shippers' future.

CLICK HERE to learn why shippers planning for Q2 should identify and cross-reference their data points to see if it lines up with the latest LCI, as outlined in Lockard's receive contributed byline.

Metamorworks Adobe Stock 652562752

SCN Summit: Future of the Supply Chain Kicks Off Dec. 3

SCN Summit: Future of the Supply Chain kicks off Dec. 3. Experts from PLM Fleet, Datex Corp. and Alteryx will talk about how to leverage clean technologies, warehouse management and analytics automation.

Adobe Stock 692099781

Fostering Agile Supply Chains with Data Analytics: Alexis Asks

Supply chain resiliency requires the ability to predict, prepare and act on insights before disruptions occur— this is no longer a luxury.

Pros to Know Award: Nominations Open

This award recognizes influential individuals whose accomplishments offer a roadmap for other leaders looking to leverage supply chain for competitive advantage. Submissions close Dec. 27.

Visual Intelligence Safety Image

Samsara Intelligence to Solve Operational Challenges

Samsara Intelligence is an expanded suite of AI offerings designed to help customers make smarter decisions and run safer, more efficient operations.

Adobe Stock 320737696

68% of Companies Rely on Manual Hiring Processes, Struggle to Scale Efficiently: Report

Phenom releases its State of High-Volume Hiring: 2025 Benchmarks Report, which analyzed 101 companies on their maturity and use of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation technology to hire frontline, hourly, seasonal and high-turnover roles.

Adobe Stock 240991461 (2)

Cleo Releases Update to Cleo Integration Cloud with New Procurement Automation Solutions

Cleo announces the latest 2024 update to its cloud-based platform – focusing this release on the procurement side of supply chains.

Adobe Stock 445434946

MaterialsZone Launches Fully Integrated, AI-Guided Product Development Feature

MaterialsZone announces the launch of its AI-Guided Product Development feature, providing MaterialsZone users with direct access to AI-generated experiment suggestions to streamline development cycles within their existing workflow.

Adobe Stock 407230241

94% of Consumers Plan to Spend the Same or More Online This Season: Survey

Inmar Intelligence releases its Pre-Holiday E-Commerce Survey Report, which sheds light on the evolving landscape of holiday shopping and the critical need for alignment between consumer expectations and retailer strategies.

Tdalsa Z Trak%203 D%20 Apps%20 Studio

Teledyne Launches Z-Trak 3D Apps Studio Software Tools

Teledyne DALSA introduces Z-Trak 3D Apps Studio, a suite of software tools developed for in-line 3D machine vision applications.

Adobe Stock 192724995 (2)

Holiday Returns Expected to Reach $160 Billion This Season: Research

With the holiday shopping season underway, a new report from CBRE projects a staggering $160 billion—roughly 16% of all holiday retail sales—will be returned this year.

Adobe Stock 397942305

Transportation Capacity Management Helps to Improve the Carrier-Shipper Relationship

Transportation capacity management is not just a tool for efficiency but a strategic asset for strengthening carrier-shipper relationships. By leveraging TMS, shippers can build trust, enhance collaboration and achieve cost efficiencies.

Adobe Stock 404026530 (3)

AI to Have a Huge Role in 2024 Holiday Deliveries: Survey

As holiday season demand ramps up, a recent survey commissioned by Merchants Fleet found more than half of fleet decision-makers citing supply chain disruptions as a top concern.

Adobe Stock 101588741

Scandit Releases SDK 7.0: Evolving Smart Data Capture with Intelligence

SDK 7.0 addresses the toughest scanning challenges, with an array of intelligent additions, across industries including retail, logistics, manufacturing and air travel.

Adobe Stock 202513980 (3)

Social Engineering is a Common Entry Point in Warehouse Cyberattacks: Research

Ivanti releases its latest report on Supply Chain and Warehouse Trends in 2024 and Beyond, which reveals the state of the industry, key insights from insiders and trends to watch.

Adobe Stock 406325893

Everstream Analytics Appoints New CEO to Drive Next Stage of Growth

Personnel updates sees new appointments at SourceDay, Savage and more.

Adobe Stock 776696327

Gartner Identifies 3 Advancements in Generative AI That Will Shape the Future of Procurement

Agentic reasoning, multimodality and AI agents are the advancements that will redefine how procurement operates and significantly impact the agendas of chief procurement officers (CPOs).

Adobe Stock 760824256

Model N Introduces GenAI and Intelligent Innovations to Revenue and Compliance Offering

Integrating GenAI and intelligent data into the company’s Channel Data Management, Formulary Compliance and Provider Management solutions showcases Model N's strong commitment to delivering continuous innovation.

Adobe Stock 419266398

Manufacturers Prioritize Targeted Investments in Their Digital and Data Foundation: Survey

Deloitte’s 2025 Manufacturing Industry Outlook explores trends to help leaders shape strategies and priorities in the coming year.

Adobe Stock 441302262

PopCapacity Announces Its Own AI Design to Power PopCapacity Pro

PopCapacity announces that the newly released PopCapacity Pro, the third iteration of its powerful platform, is driven by the company’s own in-house-developed AI technology.

Adobe Stock 229574883

Holiday Shipping Will be Slower, Pricier This Year: Research

To understand the role that last-mile delivery will play in holiday 2024, Coresight Research conducted a survey of consumers and found that most holiday shoppers plan to use regular delivery to receive their online holiday purchases.

Adobe Stock 362649343

Burnout Having Little Impact on Employee Engagement: Report

Most notably, DHR Global’s report finds that 88% of workers reported feeling very or extremely engaged, but 82% are experiencing burnout.

Adobe Stock 257847649

Thomson Reuters Expands Partnership with Oracle with Turnkey Embedded E-Invoicing Capabilities

Designed to transform the e-invoicing landscape, and supported by early partners like Accenture, this integration aims to help streamline e-invoicing processes, particularly in countries with stringent mandates.

Adobe Stock 449759588

Rebranding of goTRG to ReturnPro Promotes Future of Returns Management

goTRG announces a strategic rebranding and name change to ReturnPro. This new identity underscores the Company's position as the only fully integrated returns management solution to solve returns.

Adobe Stock 364272849

Jabil and Cyferd Unveil AI-Driven, Fully Autonomous Supply Chain Platform

Jabil announces ID8 Global, a joint venture with Cyferd. Together, they are introducing a generative AI-driven, autonomous supply chain and procurement software platform.

Adobe Stock 428166308

Workrise Bid Management to Streamline the Energy Industry’s Bidding Process

The product streamlines and optimizes the bidding process on energy projects, benefiting both operators and the suppliers they rely on to complete and maintain projects in the field.

Adobe Stock 101025400

Factory Demand Weakens Across Major Economies in October: GEP Index

The index remained in territory that indicated one of the highest levels of spare capacity at global suppliers in over a year during October, with no imminent turnaround in Western manufacturing in sight.

Adobe Stock 454931872

Aptean Expands Warehouse Management Capabilities

Aptean announces the acquisition of Indigo Software Limited (“Indigo Software”), which adds new capabilities to its warehouse management and supply chain management offerings.