Logistics Viewpoints

JULY 10, 2024

ARC Advisory Group has been covering the Supply Chain Planning ( SCP ) market for 17 years. The market has been growing at double-digit rates for several years, even during the pandemic. The pandemic brought home the need for companies to run agile and resilient supply chains. SCP is a critical application to help companies achieve better agility. Supply chain agility reflects a company’s ability to respond quickly to surges or plummeting demand.

Supply Chain Planning Software 264

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Planning Scenario Planning Modeling 264

Logistics Viewpoints

JUNE 7, 2024

Got pollen? Me too. While I have only recently developed allergies, they generally have not been to bad. Until this year, that is. Every morning, there is a thick blanket of pollen on my car, patio furniture, and everything else outside. The Boston area has been hit especially hard, as a thick layer of pollen has the sky looking a eerie yellow color.

Logistics Network Optimization Software 252

Logistics Network Optimization Software Waste Reduction Logistics Europe 252

Logistics Viewpoints

JUNE 5, 2024

Autonomous technology continues to make an impact on the supply chain. The autonomous supply chain , as I am writing about it here, applies to moving goods without human intervention (to some degree at least). While there is plenty of talk about autonomous transportation, including drones and self-driving trucks, warehouse automation is at the forefront of the autonomous supply chain.

Supply Chain Software 276

Supply Chain Software Warehousing Supply Chain Design Software Optimization Software 276

Logistics Viewpoints

MAY 29, 2024

Global Trade Compliance ( GTC ) solutions automate and streamline processes related to customs and regulatory compliance. GTC solutions automate the discovery, creation, retention, analysis, and communication of information about international supply chains that is of importance to customs and other government authorities responsible for regulation and taxation of cross-border trade.

Global 253

Global Supply Chain Software Optimal Sourcing Government 253

Logistics Viewpoints

APRIL 24, 2024

I am coming to you from the sunny confines of San Diego, CA where I am attending the 2024 Körber Elevate conference. This is my first time attending Körber Elevate, and it did not disappoint, with over 800 attendees, 60 thought provoking sessions, and lots of networking and learning opportunities. The theme this year was “Chart Your Course” which Richard Stewart, EVP Americas at Körber Supply Chain pointed out, is all about overcoming supply chain complexities and challenges.

Course 257

Course Supply Chain Planning Software Predictive Analytics Software Optimization Software 257

Logistics Viewpoints

MARCH 21, 2024

Note: Today’s post is part of our “Editor’s Choice” series where we highlight recent posts published by our sponsors that provide supply chain insights and advice. This article is from Scott Mullins, EVP of Operations and COO at Lucas Systems, and looks at self-distribution in healthcare systems. Self-distribution is an increasingly popular option for healthcare systems to consider when deciding how to manage their supply chain.

Prescriptive Analytics Software 244

Prescriptive Analytics Software Supply Chain Planning Software Optimization Software Analytics Software 244

Logistics Viewpoints

MARCH 20, 2024

Aside from creating products that have sustainable benefits, Siemens has increased the value of their offerings by focusing on the traceability and data verification of their products. Companies across the globe are being placed under pressure to keep an accurate record of emissions data across their entire supply chain, due to regulations requiring annual reporting.

Sustainability 282

Sustainability Industrial Industry Resource Reduction 282

Logistics Viewpoints

MARCH 14, 2024

As digital threats loom larger than ever, automating your warehouse is not just about enhancing operational efficiency — it’s equally about safeguarding your digital and physical assets. The relentless rise in cyber threats such as ransomware and phishing attacks underscores the imperative need for robust cybersecurity measures, especially in sectors as vital as warehousing and logistics.

Warehousing 265

Warehousing Supply Chain Network Software Purchasing Training Logistics Network Optimization Software 265

Logistics Viewpoints

MARCH 13, 2024

At the ARC Industry Leadership Forum in February, I had the opportunity to sit down with Rick Rys, Director of Consulting at ARC Advisory Group, to discuss the electric power supply chain. I asked Rick to give some deeper insights on a few key points. First, what are the overall supply chain issues make power greener? Second, what are the driving forces for this transition to renewable and how quickly is it happening?

Supply Chain Design Software 252

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Software Supply Chain Design Supply Chain Strategy 252

Logistics Viewpoints

JANUARY 17, 2024

At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024, companies including Hyundai, Nikola , and Bosch presented their most recent fuel cells and hydrogen technology innovations, indicating a potential comeback for this environmentally friendly energy choice. This resurgence might be influenced by the announcement of a $7 billion U.S. government initiative last year aimed at developing hydrogen infrastructure in the country.

Asia 264

Asia Modeling Software Waste Reduction Logistics Network Optimization Software 264

Logistics Viewpoints

JANUARY 8, 2024

Detainees listening to speeches in a camp in Lop County, Xinjiang, April 2017 All countries claim that they have outlawed slavery. But slavery still exists. Today we refer to slavery as “forced labor.” Forced labor can be imposed by State authorities, by private enterprises, or by individuals. It is observed in all types of economic activity and exists in every country.

China 228

China Apparel Malaysia Vietnam 228

Logistics Viewpoints

DECEMBER 11, 2023

I’ve completed research on supply chain planning (SCP) boutiques. My colleague Clint Reiser has completed a study on warehouse management system (WMS) boutiques. We are teaming up to bring you the coolest supply chain boutiques, listed alphabetically, that we identified through those studies. What is a boutique? A boutique is a small, regionally focused system integration and consulting firm.

Supply Chain Design Software 275

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Software Supply Chain Design 275

Logistics Viewpoints

DECEMBER 4, 2023

Transportation Technology Maturity Curve This is the time of year when industry analysts and technology pundits make predictions about the future. McKinsey & Company, a worldwide management consulting firm, has done the same. However, their predictions are based, in part, on a survey of more than 250 global shippers and logistic service providers.

Predictive Analytics Software 257

Predictive Analytics Software Logistics Network Optimization Software Modeling Software Optimization Software 257

Logistics Viewpoints

DECEMBER 1, 2023

To say that Black Friday weekend shopping was a success would be an understatement. In fact, to kick off the holiday shopping season, a record 200.4 million shoppers hit the stores and the internet to capitalize on Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, according to a survey by the National Retail Federation. The turnout topped last year’s figure of 196.7 million shoppers and the NRF’s forecast for about 182 million people during the five-day weekend.

Logistics Network Optimization Software 261

Logistics Network Optimization Software Albuquerque Logistics Cost Reduction Strategies 261

Logistics Viewpoints

NOVEMBER 6, 2023

Suppliers are facing increasing pressure from the buyers of their goods and services to report their environmental, social, and governance data. As corporations announce plans to be Net Zero across their end-to-end supply chain at some point in the future – often 2050 – they then need their suppliers to participate in helping them meet their goals. Corporations are kicking off these initiatives both because their customers expect it and because of increasing regulatory pressure.

Resource Reduction 253

Resource Reduction Material Savings Supply Chain Planning Software Procurement Analytics 253

Logistics Viewpoints

NOVEMBER 1, 2023

Ten years ago, an ARC Advisory Group colleague described the China residential telecommunications landscape to me as one that advanced from traditional in-person communication (think Rocky Balboa saying “ I’ll just call you…I’ll go ‘Hey yo! ’ ”) directly to cellular networks – virtually skipping the entire 20th century paradigm of landline telephone communications.

China 270

China Cost Reduction Strategies Warehousing Supply Chain Network Software 270

Logistics Viewpoints

OCTOBER 16, 2023

Distributed order management solutions can support a ship-from-store strategy. The book You’ve Been Played was written by a software developer who created one of the most popular gamified apps in the world. He writes, “over the years, I’ve found little evidence that most gamification actually works.” I’ve encountered gamification in enterprise applications.

Retail 259

Retail Inventory Reduction Omnichannel Shipping 259

Logistics Viewpoints

OCTOBER 11, 2023

A couple of weeks ago I wrote an article outlining how cargo theft is on the rise. In the United States alone, cargo theft is a $15 to $35 billion industry. The most common type of theft in recent years has been what is called strategic cargo theft, which uses deceptive means to commit theft, including the use of fraud and deceptive information to trick brokers into giving up a load.

Packaging 251

Packaging Oklahoma Arkansas New Hampshire 251

Logistics Viewpoints

SEPTEMBER 20, 2023

My colleague Fox Chen and I just kicked-off the update to ARC Advisory Group’s research on the global mobile warehouse robotics market. Fox is located in Singapore, and I am in Boston. With a solid 12-hour time zone difference between him and me, together we should be able to speak with any robotics provider at virtually any time – we are the around-the-clock research team.

Research 279

Research Warehousing Inventory Management Software Logistics Network Optimization Software 279

Logistics Viewpoints

SEPTEMBER 19, 2023

Supply chain resiliency and sustainability are top priorities for CEOs today. To achieve these goals, corporate leadership must focus on two key areas: shift from internally focused supply chains to collaborative supply networks and actively design their supply chains. Resiliency, which is the ability to withstand supply chain shocks and bounce back quickly, has become the most important requirement for supply chains.

Supply Chain Design Software 259

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Design Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Software 259

Logistics Viewpoints

SEPTEMBER 4, 2023

Procuring transportation for freight is much different than any other procurement category. There are different tools, goals, and market dynamics. Transportation procurement needs to support both customer service and a company’s internal supply chain goals. The freight market is mercurial. It can move quickly from a situation where there is too much capacity in the market and buyers having the whip hand, to a situation where shippers are begging carriers to take their loads at almost any price.

Procurement Solutions 229

Procurement Solutions Procurement Analytics Manufacturing Procurement Optimal Sourcing 229

Logistics Viewpoints

AUGUST 31, 2023

Note: Today’s post is part of our “ Editor’s Choice ” series where we highlight recent posts published by our sponsors that provide supply chain insights and advice. Today’s article comes from Kyle Franklin, Senior Solutions Consultant, Lucas Systems, and looks at warehouse distribution errors. Being a veteran of the warehouse industry throughout my career has given me a unique insight into many aspects of distribution interaction.

Warehousing 254

Warehousing Distribution Vendor Strategies How To 254

Logistics Viewpoints

AUGUST 14, 2023

The global trade compliance market is one crazy market. The market grew by double digits year over year, yet there is no standard user and consequently there is no common understanding of what the end-to-end global trade compliance process should be. Linda McKee, the director for global trade services management at SAP, expressed the idea this way, “I don’t think we currently have any real standard global trade scenarios.

Global 189

Global Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Sourcing Strategies 189

Logistics Viewpoints

JULY 10, 2023

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted tougher greenhouse gas emission targets for the global shipping industry on Friday. The IMO is a United Nations agency responsible for creating a regulatory framework for the global shipping industry. The member states have agreed to tougher standards. The new pledge is squishy. It targets a reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to net-zero “by or about 2050.

Marshall Islands 177

Marshall Islands Shipping Liberia Expense Reduction 177

Logistics Viewpoints

JULY 6, 2023

The marijuana supply chain is an interesting market to follow. Like any agricultural product, there are ebbs and flows to its supply and demand. However, there is one caveat in the marijuana supply chain that makes things a bit trickier: in most states, cannabis products can only be sold and consumed within the state that the original plant was grown.

Supply Chain Design 193

Supply Chain Design Supply Chain Strategy Supply Chain Warehousing 193

Logistics Viewpoints

JULY 5, 2023

I engaged in numerous discussions with robotics executives last year as I was developing ARC Advisory Group’s mobile warehouse robotics (AMR) research. I noticed that many of them obtained valuable experience at Kiva Systems (Amazon Robotics) prior to their current roles. One such executive credited Mark Messina with Amazon’s ability to scale its rollout of Kiva Systems subsequent to its acquisition of the company.

Supply Chain Design Software 257

Supply Chain Design Software Warehousing Supply Chain Planning Software Optimization Software 257

Logistics Viewpoints

JUNE 21, 2023

In February 2023 I wrote the article What Does 2023 Have In-Store for Global Supply Chains? It introduced the survey we had just launched to determine the perceptions, priorities, and strategic initiatives of today’s supply chain and logistics executives. This post was subsequently followed by two articles that discussed some of the findings from the survey.

Supply Chain Planning Software 264

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Planning Supply Chain Software Supply Chain 264

Logistics Viewpoints

JUNE 19, 2023

Experts have recently warned about the possibility that artificial intelligence (AI) could lead to the destruction of 400 million jobs by 2030. These same pundits also predict that AI could lead to increases in global GDP by trillions of dollars in the same time frame. However, AI’s inability to solve the very limited problem of ensuring that inventory is located in the right place in a warehouse suggests that planners don’t have to worry too much about job security.

Supply Chain Design Software 257

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Network Software Optimization Software 257

Logistics Viewpoints

JUNE 7, 2023

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to speak with Kushal Nahata, Co-Founder and CEO at FarEye. In this conversation, Kushal and I talked about the complexities of last mile delivery. I asked Kushal to give some deeper insights on a few key points. First, what are some things companies can do to reduce delivery costs and how does technology play a role?

Cost Reduction Strategies 206

Cost Reduction Strategies Purchasing Skills Logistics Network Optimization Software Predictive Analytics Software 206

Logistics Viewpoints

MAY 25, 2023

“Our rules of thumb are no longer up to the challenge.” This description by a Chief Supply Chain Officer of the state of the supply chain he found in his new role stuck with me. The tumult of our times has accelerated interest in artificial intelligence (AI) for help more advanced than rules, and ChatGPT’s release has rocketed this already-explosive growth.

Supply Chain Planning Software 259

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Software Negotiating Skills Predictive Analytics Software 259

Logistics Viewpoints

MAY 22, 2023

A Supply Chain Design Solution from Coupa Imagine you’ve just received the job offer of your dreams. The company is willing to relocate you thousands of miles away from home and your family is in full support. The interview process is over, but more challenges are ahead. Which school are your children going to attend? Are you going to rent a house or an apartment?

Supply Chain Design Software 200

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Design Supply Chain Software Modeling Software 200

Logistics Viewpoints

MAY 11, 2023

The concept of digital twins has emerged as a powerful foundational tool to drive improvements in warehouse productivity and efficiency. To define what exactly it is, a digital twin is a virtual replica of a physical asset, process, or system. In the warehouse context, a digital twin can be created to represent the physical layout, inventory, equipment, and workflows of a warehouse.

Modeling 267

Modeling Analytics Software Supply Chain Design Software Optimization Software 267

Logistics Viewpoints

MAY 1, 2023

On April 4 th , Kyle Masters – the senior manager of transportation procurement at Simmons Foods, participated in a webinar hosted by Emerge. The webinar focused on Simmons Food’s approach to transportation procurement. Simmons Foods, and its affiliates, are suppliers of poultry, pet, and animal nutrition products. This family-owned business is headquartered in Siloam Springs Arkansas in the US.

Food 237

Food Transportation Supply Chain Network Software Logistics Network Optimization Software 237

Logistics Viewpoints

APRIL 28, 2023

I’m back after a quick family vacation to New Orleans. The trip was amazing, as we experienced a zipline swamp tour, a second line parade on our street, the opportunity to see the greatest clarinet player in the world (Doreen Ketchens), as well as a full culinary tour of the city. While it was a bit tough to jump right back into the swing of work, I saw an interesting article about workplace conditions when I got back.

Material Savings 226

Material Savings Purchasing Skills Logistics Network Optimization Software Logistics 226

Logistics Viewpoints

APRIL 17, 2023

It is now understood that fossil fuels cause environmental harm. Many consumers are transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs). EVs are an important part of the transition to a green transportation system. A total of 10.5 million new electric vehicles were delivered during 2022, an increase of 55 % compared to 2021. To reach carbon neutrality by 2050 a transition to green transportation is necessary.

Transportation 236

Transportation Hawaii Government Demand Planning Software 236

Logistics Viewpoints

APRIL 12, 2023

I recently attended Körber Supply Chain’s user conference, Elevate 2023. I was in the midst of updating ARC Advisory Group’s research on the independent WMS consultancy market at that time. I therefore took the opportunity to meet with a few of the independent consultants in attendance. I also met with some the consultants’ customers that adopted Körber solutions.

Maryland 270

Maryland Warehousing Supply Chain Network Software Inventory Management Software 270

Logistics Viewpoints

APRIL 11, 2023

Companies and supply chains continue to face unprecedented challenges and, in some cases, unprecedented opportunities. The post-COVID-19 (if we can claim to be post COVID) “new normal” will continue to be defined by new challenges and more importantly by the ability of the supply chain executives to manage disruption and their ability to power organization strategy and growth.

Supply Chain Planning Software 227

Supply Chain Planning Software Modeling Supply Chain Design Software Prescriptive Analytics Software 227