Daily Insights, Trends and Solutions for Professionals, Experts, Students and Society
Transportation of goods is the bedrock of the economy anywhere in the world. Without transportation the economy would stop within days and weeks.
Businesses have long since entered the E-Commerce marketplace. But how do you physically fulfill all of those online orders?The age of technology and innovation has made E-Commerce order fulfillment business processes and solutions so readily available that it has become highly competitive.
This competition is especially apparent in the area of E-Commerce Third-Party Logistics (3PLs).
Continue reading “5 E-Commerce Order Fulfillment Choices! (Infographic)”Why have so few companies adopted a TMS (Transportation Management System) solution? There are tremendous benefits but there are obstacles, real or perceived, that get in the way. I believe that the benefits far outweigh the obstacles but the obstacles often do not have anything to do with the benefits.
Many years ago I started a Supply Chain Services business as a new service within the company. The fundamental premise was that we had great Supply Chain expertise, tools, systems and processes which we could easily offer to customers.
One of the services that was very compelling was our Freight Management service. We had a tremendous amount of spend leverage globally, a seasoned team, great supplier relationships, very strong processes, and an excellent Transportation Management System (TMS). With all of that we went to market!
Continue reading “Why don’t you have a TMS (Transportation Management System) Solution yet?”We are in the Digital Age!
In Supply Chain that means we want and need full end to end visibility and transparency. To provide that end to end visibility requires electronic connectivity of all nodes of the Supply Chain.
And when it comes to providing that visibility and connectivity with respect to the movement of goods throughout the Supply Chain it means we all need a Transportation Management System (TMS).
But gone are the days when you needed to create your own TMS or even buy one. In this Digital Age you should be able to get this capability for free!
Continue reading “TMS is Mandatory in the Digital Age! Get Yours Free!”Take a quick look around your home or office and you’d be hard-pressed to find a product that has not seen the inside of a truck or delivered by truck drivers at some point in its existence.
In truth, many aspects of everyday life are made possible through the supply chain industry, with trucking alone responsible for 70% of America’s freight volume by weight. This is achieved through the hard work of truck drivers, the unsung heroes of the industry, who travel 430 billion miles per year hauling 10 billion tons of goods that people all need to live.
Continue reading “Truck Drivers are a Vital Part of the Supply Chain!”At the end of this month, the festival of Easter will begin. Aside from the religious connotations, many people automatically associate Easter with the legend of the Easter bunny delivering chocolate Easter eggs to children. I, for one, am a big chocolate lover, so I am fascinated by this amazing supply chain.
Originally, eggs were included in ancient pagan practices and these have, to some degree, been adapted to create some Christian Easter traditions with the egg symbolizing new life. Chocolate Easter eggs are more of a modern tradition and somewhat of a substitute for the former custom of decorating Easter eggs by dyeing and painting chicken eggs in bright colors using vegetable dye or charcoal.
Continue reading “The Amazing Supply Chain of Chocolate Easter Eggs”What is the difference between Logistics and Distribution?
On the surface some people may consider them synonymous. Without consulting a dictionary both Logistics and Distribution suggest imagery involving the movement of goods.
But to anyone who works in Supply Chain, in particular with a title including either the term Logistics or Distribution, or if you work in a Distribution Centre or for a Logistics company, then there are distinct differences between these words.
But are there also commonalities?
Continue reading “What’s the Difference Between Logistics and Distribution?”Lots of things are happening in Supply Chain Management! Is Supply Chain immune from fake news?
The field is becoming more digital, with end-to-end planning and blockchain technologies transforming the way products are coming to market. It’s becoming more strategic, as companies integrate their Supply Chains and use them as a source of competitive advantage – instead of just a back-office function.
Larger societal changes are affecting the way companies are planning their Supply Chains of the future – everything from the looming arrival of driverless cars, to consumers’ demands that companies be more socially responsible. And the prevailing use of the term “Fake News“.
Continue reading “Fake News or Supply Chain Fallacies?”E-commerce has changed the game of how parcels are transported and delivered to customers with the expectations of same day vs next day delivery.
With the help of advanced technology, the days have become shorter. We no longer have to wait for the sun to rise and set a few times before we receive that box of meat pie that’s probably not safe to eat anymore.
What once felt as if a pack mule was used to deliver a package, now seems like a teleportation device is involved in the delivery.
Continue reading “Same Day vs Next Day Delivery … What’s the Difference? (Infographic)”As the logistics industry, and the broader business world, looks ahead, it’s time to explore what the next years will bring to logistics and logistics trends.
After reviewing several industry sources most Logistics professionals are in agreement with all of these trends.
We hope this information will help your organization prepare for what’s ahead.
Continue reading “Logistics Trends to Watch!”Free shipping is an effective but sometimes costly sales tool. Is it possible for companies to achieve profitable free shipping?
Case studies show that free shipping increases sales, order volume, and conversion rate. Since 60% of shoppers prioritize free shipping and 81% research multiple websites before purchasing, this perk can be the determining factor between someone buying from you or your competitor.
Continue reading “22 Tips for Offering Profitable Free Shipping! (Infographic)”If you are currently moving with your employees to a new workplace, such as a new office, you may be worried about how you are transporting supplies and equipment to this new location without any problems.
So, if you are concerned about this, here are a few tips that can allow you to transport all your supplies between A and B seamlessly.
Continue reading “Tips for Transporting Supplies Between Old and New Workplaces!”Most people involved in logistics or supply chain related fields would have heard of the term 3rd Party Logistics or 3PL. But what is a 3PL?
I ‘m not sure however if many would be that familiar with the terms 1st Party Logistics, 2nd Party Logistics or 4th Party Logistics let alone even pondered the meanings of 1PL, 2PL or 4PL .
Given this blog is all about managing 3rd Party Logistics service providers it would be remiss of me if I did not provide an explanation of how the term 3PL is interpreted throughout this site.
Continue reading “What is a 3PL? The Ultimate Guide Including Definitions of 1PL, 2PL, and 4PL!”Self-driving vehicles (driverless vehicles) are being tested throughout the world, with technology companies focused on bringing greater efficiency and profitability to the freight business.
Heavy hitters, including Uber with its recent purchase of Otto, and Tesla with its initiatives for autonomous driving platforms, have made waves throughout media outlets and investor groups alike.
However, driverless trucks have yet to gain full traction in the broad market for a variety of reasons.
Continue reading “Will Driverless Trucks Ever Gain Traction?”We have a newborn Grandson! A beautiful baby boy!
Aside from being a parent there is no better feeling than being a Grandparent!
A whole new world of joy and responsibility has begun for my son and his girlfriend. It is such an exciting time but their routine will be completely turned upside down as new parents.
They will have to figure out so many things that they never had to deal with before. Parents immediately have to care for their child in every way.
They have also just entered the world of the Baby Supply Chain!
Continue reading “The Baby Supply Chain!”Crowdfunding has given entrepreneurs and inventors greater access to startup capital. You might not be able to get seed money or Series A funding from a venture capital firm for your idea, but backers on Kickstarter or Indiegogo could give you just the leg up that you need.
Crowdfunding marketing is a strategy to raise funds for a project by asking a large number of people to donate money, usually in small amounts to fulfill the financial goals of the project. Crowdfunding, on the other hand, gives you a quick place to showcase and share your pitch with a bigger audience.
Continue reading “Crowdfunding Fulfillment Solutions: Things You Should Know About”
