Other Columns
Opinion
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Innovation is… ACTIONFeb 5, 2015
Successful Innovations come from identifying the need (even if one never knew the need existed), building the right teams, and conducting the proper analysis to be able to implement them properly.
Written by: Steve Brady
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How Do You Turn Track-And-Trace Information into a USP?Feb 3, 2015
Parcel delivery services and web stores are presenting new mobile apps for the ultimate customer experience. Their apps keep us informed of where orders are, minute by minute. But to be able to provide customers with a valuable service, these apps should...
Written by: Walther Ploos van Amstel
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Air Freight: Learning the Basics to Optimize Your Global Supply ChainJan 29, 2015
The three primary air shipping options are next flight out, consolidated, and deferred. Any one (or all) may work for your business. There are other options to consider as well, like air charter, which can help secure the capacity you need and allows you...
Written by: Matt Castle
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Lessons from West Coast Ports Delays: Planning Supply Chain Contingencies for Predictable EventsJan 26, 2015
The first step in developing a contingency plan is deciding what type of event a shipper needs to prepare for. There are two broad types of supply chain disruption events: predictable and unpredictable. We will look at the former in this post.
Written by: Maria Llamas
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How to Overcome Social Media ChallengesJan 26, 2015
In order to overcome your social media challenges you need to take a data-informed approach. You need to track and measure metrics, and you need to use the data collected to take action.
Written by: Kate Lee
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Waste Logistics Needs to Become Cleaner, Smarter and More ValuableJan 22, 2015
We need to make the city's waste valuable again through smarter and cleaner waste collection. That would enhance the livability of neighborhoods, but it would also enable more reuse of goods. The waste chain of the city center needs to be reinvented.
Written by: Walther Ploos van Amstel
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2015 Logistics & Transportation Industry ForecastJan 21, 2015
John Wagner's latest article explores some of the critical factors to watch for this year; and overviews how they might affect the logistics and transportation landscapes.
Written by: John Wagner Jr
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Supply Chain Agility - How To Achieve ItJan 21, 2015
Today, 2 in 5 companies believe their S&OP process is effective. Only 1 in 5 companies has a balanced process, and most companies struggle to get to data. Only 1/3 report that they are able to execute the S&OP plan. Most companies lack the...
Written by: Lora Cecere
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Climate Change, Weather-proofing, and Adaptive LogisticsJan 19, 2015
With January in full swing and the weather continuing to plummet, it is important to take a moment and discuss a topic that doesn’t receive as much mention as the more popular topics currently trending: the impact climate change is having on supply chain...
Written by: Kelli Saunders
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The Secrets to a Solid Reverse Logistics Strategy
Jan 16, 2015
Controlling the return journey of a product is just as important as controlling its initial outbound trip. Creating a policy about who can return items, and when, is really the foundation of any reverse logistics strategy.
Written by: Tad Anderson
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Are Truck Stops About to Become Smarter?
Jan 16, 2015
Minnesota’s DOT, working together with the University of Minnesota, have developed a new piece of technology which will allow truck drivers to see how many parking spots are available in nearby rest areas.
Written by: Anna Karadzhova
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eft’s 2015 North American 3PL Awards – shippers rate their LSPs
Jan 13, 2015
eft recognises year on year those 3PLs that deliver consistent excellence in contract logistics operations for their customers.
Written by: eft writers
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FedEx & UPS Dimensional Weight - Measuring Packages Volume
Jan 13, 2015
Dimensional Weight might be the freight "it" term of 2015. Dimensional weight or DIM weight is the method of measuring package volume instead of just weight alone. This method could become the new standard.
Written by: EFT Editor
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3PLs and Logistics Investors – Wake Up to the New Blue Ocean Strategy
Jan 13, 2015
The 3PL industry has growth. Behind that positive are many providers of different sizes. It is an industry that is defined as a commodity service. There is little differentiation. Value propositions are limited and are more about functions that...
Written by: Tom Craig
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eft does Holiday eCommerce
Jan 7, 2015
eft staff have put together some of the best and worst eCommerce experiences of this year's holiday season.
Written by: eft writers
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Return to Sender
Jan 5, 2015
This is the final post in the “Retailers, Supply Chains and the Holiday Season” blog post series and it addresses one of the most difficult parts of the supply chain that retailers have to deal with each holiday season – returns.
Written by: Cathy Morrow Roberson
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5 Fundamental Practices to Make The Implementation of Warehouse Technology Pay off Big TimeDec 18, 2014
Warehouse operations and their efficiency are a key to any company that deals with freight, shipping and inventories. When efficiency lags behind however, orders are lost and things get out of control.
Written by: Adam Robinson
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Guide For Supply Chain Risk ManagementDec 16, 2014
How to Identify, Validate, and Assess it. Supply chain risk gets global attention. The World Bank and World Economic Forum comprehend the issue and its importance.
Written by: Tom Craig
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Innovation – is AnalyticalDec 16, 2014
Steve Brady’s series on innovation continues, this time on the analytics of innovation.
Written by: Steve Brady
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As the Truck Driver Shortage Looms, No Easy Solutions in SightDec 11, 2014
The American Trucking Associations (ATA) has officially announced that the industry is facing a shortage of about 30,000 drivers. And in order to make up for retirement, turnover, and an overall growth of the industry, the next 10 years must see a yearly...
Written by: Todd Bryant
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Freight Classification Errors, Re-Weighs, & Other Common Freight Adjustments Are Eating Your Bottom Line’s LunchDec 10, 2014
Keeping the supply chain operation at peak efficiency requires efficient and economic transportation of goods. This all starts with an eye to detail towards the most effective transportation management practices.
Written by: Adam Robinson
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Build Resilience Into Your Supply ChainDec 9, 2014
Natural disasters and events like port strikes have already revealed weaknesses in lean global, regional, and domestic supply chains. Disruptions can break the connections between a company and its customers and suppliers and last for days, weeks, even...
Written by: Chris O'Brien
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New Supply Chain Management And The New E-Commerce / Multichannel Blue Ocean StrategyDec 8, 2014
“We typically lose out when a market commoditizes and we no longer differentiate, further aggravated by us being too slow or expensive.” (Frans van Houten, CEO, Royal Philips Electronics)
Written by: Tom Craig
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Freight Brokers: 6 Things Shippers Need to Know about YouDec 5, 2014
While every shipper may have their own criteria as to what they are looking from freight brokers chosen to do business with, there are certain things everyone wants to know about you before they trust you with their freight and ultimately their business...
Written by: Vic Lance
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Why Business-to-Business Networks Are Mission Critical?Dec 2, 2014
Vivek Sood' latest column explores the reasons why business networks can be far more important than the business infrastructure themselves; and how these networks can make your business more resilient and responsive to the past paced economic global...
Written by: Vivek Sood