Supply Chain Predictions!

As to Supply Chain predictions, in the book The Living Supply Chain, the authors argue that, “Speeding up the supply chain is at the root of everything that is good: improved revenue, reduced working capital, higher profitability, and less obsolete inventory. Conversely, slowing down the supply chain is at the root of everything that is bad: working capital write-offs, reduced profitability, and slowing revenues.”

To “speed” up the supply chain is to invest in change and change will come with the digital transformation of the supply chain, which is the major focus for executives in the future.

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Screen Time! Is That Enough To Be Good In Supply Chain?

How many screens do you have?  And is your screen time?

You likely have a Cell phone or a Smart phone.  You may have a Desktop computer monitor or a Laptop, or both, between your home and your place of work.  You may have a wearable device like a Fitbit or an Apple Watch.    You may have an iPad or other type of tablet.  And your TV may even have Internet connectivity.

We are surrounded by screens and the amount of time that we spend on them is truly  remarkable.

But for those who are learning about Supply Chain, or any other profession for that matter,  is it best to acquire that learning and gain that experience just by watching screens?  Or is it better in Supply Chain to learn based on actual physical experiences and interactions?

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How AEI Tags Are Changing the Way Freight Moves!

In the shipping industry, automatic equipment identification, or AEI tags, are the lifeblood of data collecting.

Railyards and trucking companies place the AEI tags on their freight cars and tractors to help track shipping all over North America. 

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The 5 Levels of Supply Chain Transparency!

One could argue Supply Chain transparency — at it’s origin — is a byproduct of consumer concerns, materialized within poor production, social and/or environmental quality.

As the story goes, the meatpacking districts of Chicago were one of the first recorded drivers, towards the need, for supply chain transparency. The Jungle, authored by Upton Sinclair, outraged the American public in 1904, after Sinclair’s depiction of the harsh realities of the meat industry at the turn of the 20th century. The book sparked consumer concern, which prompted the Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act (Linich 2016).

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Digital Procurement Ecosystem Creation in 8 Minutes!

I was in Paris last week, touring around as people do in Paris, and visited Fondation Louis Vuitton. What does that have to do with a Digital Procurement ecosystem?

If you’ve never been before and are a fan of art, architecture, and culture, I can highly recommend adding it to any future itineraries.

The museum’s collections are magnificent, and the building itself is a true masterpiece. Beyond the artwork, Fondation Louis Vuitton offers an experience to tour the multiple levels of decks that interweave themselves between the inside and the outside of the building’s structure.

On one of the decks sits a piece of artwork named “Where the Slaves Live”. It is a living organism, composed of inorganic and organic materials, forming a ‘living sculpture’ that is a small scale ecosystem- an ever-changing work of art.

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Truck Tracking Guide: How to Track Your Truck!

The transportation industry is constantly evolving, and truck tracking has become an essential tool for businesses looking to streamline operations and improve efficiency.

As we navigate the ever-changing landscape of technology, it’s crucial to understand the ins and outs of truck tracking and the benefits it can bring to your fleet management strategy.

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The Rise of AI and Machine Translation in Cross-Border Collaboration for Supply Chain!

In the dynamic landscape of globalized business, multinational companies face the challenge of efficiently managing supply chains that span multiple countries and linguistic regions. Effective cross-border collaboration is crucial for success, yet language barriers often hinder communication, leading to inefficiencies and delays.

This article explores the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine translation in overcoming these challenges, with a focus on how these technologies enhance communication, decision-making, and overall efficiency in supply chain management.

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The Pros and Cons of VPNs!

Any business or individual can significantly improve their cybersecurity environment and privacy by using a VPN, which stands for virtual private network. When you use a VPN to establish an encrypted connection, your online activities are concealed from prospective cybercriminals and even your internet service provider.

Even though VPNs have proved their usefulness, especially in the current remote work environment, they do have some drawbacks. For this reason, you should carefully weigh the pros and cons of VPNs before determining if a VPN is appropriate for your company.

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Lessons from the Edge of the Abyss! Surviving a System Implementation!

SC Viral The Pandemic Diaries

The company I had just joined was nearing the finish line on the implementation of a new WMS system.  They had been working on the system change for a few years.  Now implementation was only a few months away.  There were going to be lessons from the edge of this experience.

As the implementation date drew closer one of the key Warehouse management leaders, heading the project from the beginning, left the company.  We forged ahead and implemented the system on April 1st.  That’s right, April 1st!

And that’s when the “fun” began!

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