The Digital Supply Chain Journey: Step 3 – Electronic Connectivity!

The Digital Supply Chain is the future. The Digital Supply Chain involves the real time awareness of everything going in throughout the end-to-end Supply Chain, enabled by electronic connectivity and the automated presentation of information and analytics to inform and make the best possible decisions.

The real time awareness and linkage that enables the Digital Supply Chain journey is based upon the electronic connectivity of every node, every process, every entity, every movement and every aspect of that end-to-end Supply Chain.

Electronic connectivity is THE backbone that makes the Digital Supply Chain a reality. It is the next step on this incredible journey.

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How COOs are Achieving Results with Supply Chain Software!

As a former COO, overseeing Kaizen events, value-stream mapping analysis, upgrading ERP systems, and implementing customer success programs, I recall how easy it was for functional leaders to get bogged down in their own imperatives and lose sight of the big picture. 

Individual silo objectives can inadvertently be at cross purposes with others – most commonly between sales and operations.

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B2B Connectivity Leading The Way For Digital Supply Chains!


There is an abundance of chatter in shipping and freight about digitizing supply chains, with reports that more spending than ever before is being poured into developing software and platforms. The consensus across industries is that improving supply chain visibility and B2B connectivity is a primary challenge, and that digitizing the supply chain is a way to enhance managing all the data. 

In a recent JOC.com article, it was commented that progressive supply chain innovation lies in “cleaning up data, creating data standards, connecting siloed data sets through APIs, and facilitating collaborative workflows”.

We at FreightPOP strongly share this point of view. 

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Obstacles to Multi-Tier Supply Chain Visibility!

A recent Deloitte survey estimated only 15% of CPO’s have visibility beyond their tier one suppliers. I found this striking that there is so little multi-tier Supply Chain visibility.

With so many companies feeling the urgency to build resilience and better manage risk, with all the growing pressure to operate sustainability and with greater transparency on how and where products are manufactured and sourced, and with today’s ease and ubiquity for connectivity and information at one’s fingertips, what is preventing supply chain visibility?

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The Metaverse and the Digital Supply Chain!

One of the terms that has entered the zeitgeist, holding the promise of providing some exciting new future state, is the “Metaverse”.

For some time we have also been describing a future that will define much of how businesses and economies and institutions will run in the future. We call this the “Digital Supply Chain”

What exactly is the Metaverse and how does it compare, contrast or align to our vision of the Digital Supply Chain? And what are some possible applications of these 2 intersecting technological paradigms?

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What are the Key Digital Strategies in Logistics?

Supply chain software is a game-changing tool that offers immense opportunities for growth and success in the transportation services market.

Nevertheless, the supply chain industry faces various challenges that can be effectively addressed through the utilization of high-performing software solutions. Below are some common problems in supply chain management and how they can be mitigated with the assistance of software solutions and digital strategies in logistics.

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What is a Digital Transformation?

Unchaining Change Leadership

For some time, I’ve been reading, watching and following the white papers, case studies, and countless webinars put on by keen minds about digital transformation. I must say, the topic doesn’t feel any clearer. Many would have us believe the elements of a digital transformation should include the likes of IoT, AI, RPA (Robotic Process Automation), ML, Digital Twins, Digital Threads, and 3D Printing.

In some applications, these transformations are life changing. IoT temperature sensors are enabling the new cold chains for COVID-19 vaccine distribution, and the use of a digital twin is facilitating the faithful reconstruction of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

Such innovation and advancement are truly a marvel; but, for the average business, the expectation feels daunting, expensive, and drawn out.

For most companies, a digital transformation involves a more practical approach. 

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Intelligent Supply Chain Technologies for the Future!

Unchaining Change Leadership

Amid the thick covid-clouds, organizations are preparing to make their way back to regular business to maximize profitability and make up for the lost time.

Considering the exposed vulnerabilities of the supply chain strategies during the pandemic, the logical progression for these companies is to take advantage of digitization with intelligent Supply Chain technologies to a greater extent in the post-coronavirus-world.

In that effort, enterprises should seek innovative technologies with the potential to disrupt and transform the current supply chain operating models and bring in a more competitive edge. 

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The Next Generation Warehouse is Built on Data!

Today’s supply chains are evolving at a phenomenal rate. The next generation warehouse will deploy analytics, blockchain, robotics, drones, driverless forklifts, automated storage and retrieval systems, and much more.

Each rendition of the next generation warehouse will build on existing technologies, and these improvements have a common denominator. They all rely on fundamental data principles and the application of meaningful data.

Supply chain leaders need to understand the problems inherent in traditional warehouses and how a next generation warehouse can leverage data and technology to maximize efficiency and productivity.

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Digital Identity Solutions for the Manufacturing Industry!

In the age of digital transformation, the manufacturing industry is embracing innovative technologies to stay competitive. One such area of focus is the implementation of digital identity solutions, which play a critical role in securing access to systems and data, streamlining identity verification processes, and improving operational efficiency. 

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Think Global Logistics! (Podcast)

We are at an interesting inflection point in the history of Supply Chain and Logistics. It is no longer sufficient to think locally. We must think global logistics!

I recently had the opportunity to talk with La Chang, CEO at Think Global Logistics (TGL). Here is that Podcast!

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Supply Chain Visibility Has Never Been More Important!

In the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic the need for complete, end to end Supply Chain visibility has never been more important!

The necessity for visibility started with store shelves being emptied of toilet paper, food, and various household items. People were panic buying in the face of the unknown implications of the pandemic. More and more countries and jurisdictions were locking down their citizens, temporarily shutting down businesses and enforcing social distancing and self isolation.

The chronic need for Supply Chain visibility has become of utmost importance with the overwhelming strains on global healthcare systems and networks. Hospitals and support organizations have been running low on masks, personal protective equipment and ventilators.

Most alarming is that projections of the heightened demand for these items are not met with broad visibility as to the supply and inventory of these items.

Supply Chain visibility and the Digital Supply Chain has never been more important!

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An Outlook for the Future of Supply Chain!

The purpose of this article is to introduce an outlook for Supply Chain and my view on the current and future state of Supply Chain Management; aiming to continue growing my network of like-minded professionals.

Upon graduating with a master’s degree in Chemical Engineering in 2017, I started my Supply Chain career planning inventory and managing orders on Excel to fulfil online consumer and retail business demand for a haircare product.

Albeit with dynamic data to analyse and understand, the manual and repetitive nature of many tasks confirmed my interest in roles exploiting technology and automation. As a digital native born at the end of the millennial era, it is fair to say I also expect nothing less.

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What is Deep Learning? And What Does it Mean for Supply Chain?

When I start writing text messages or emails these days I automatically receive prompts for the next words that I may want to use, or even phrases to complete my sentence, as I’m typing.

The word and phrase suggestions are ones that are consistent with the type of language I would use. And the name suggestions are unique to people I know and communicate with regularly.

My Google mini recognizes family voices instantaneously and responds not only to our questions but adds custom comments directed at each of us individually.

It’s clear to me that my computer and smart phone and Google mini are learning what language I typically use. With increasing accuracy they can predict what I might want to write next based on words I am typing. And the voice activated devices are increasingly interactive.

How does this Machine Learning, or Deep Learning, actually work? And how will it shape Supply Chain now and in the future?

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Smart Manufacturing: 5 Factors That Make Your Factory Smart!

The manufacturing industry has been changing rapidly, aided by the newest software systems and machinery. Consumers continue to demand customized products, adding to the challenge of low-cost production.

Manufacturers have been forced to look hard at their production methods, labor costs, and transportation expenses, among numerous other areas throughout the organization. This focus has resulted in the emergence of smart factories in which machines and software share information and collaborate as never before.

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