Keep Partners In the Loop
Q: How can value chain partners cooperate to create and share efficiencies? Caudill: Efficiencies can be gained by increasing the fidelity, transparency, and velocity of data that value chain partners share about inventories, shipments, capacities, and sales. Everyone wins when you get all partners on the same page and today there is no reason this information […]
Read MoreGrowing Together: Promoting Government and Industry Collaboration
In Michigan, a state that’s undergoing an unprecedented shift in its economy, Governor Jennifer Granholm established a new committee to create opportunities for the logistics and transportation sector. The group, comprised of politicians, business leaders, community organizers, and supply chain professionals, advises the governor and state agencies on supply chain management initiatives to help the […]
Read MoreReducing Risk with Trade Disruption Insurance
Because doing business in the global marketplace has become more risky, U.S. companies need to be their own best advocates. Exporters and importers should take precautions to minimize risks to profitability and viability in world trade. One step is investing in trade disruption insurance (TDI). SMART PROTECTION First written for the London Market in the […]
Read MoreTrends—April 2010
Logistics IT: Keying Into Shipper Demand Inbound Logistics’ annual Top 100 Logistics IT Providers survey and outreach canvasses solutions providers to understand the challenges and opportunities their customers confront as they navigate the global supply chain. How and where shippers direct logistics technology spend exposes broader trends in the transportation and logistics space. Companies invest […]
Read MoreFTZ Solutions: Zoning in on the Right Fit
Q: Are companies missing a great opportunity by not using Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs), given the market advantage they can provide? Slossberg: The simple answer is ‘maybe.’ The best way to identify whether the ROI justifies the investment is to engage an FTZ consultant. This professional can walk you through the process and make a […]
Read MoreGlobal Trade Compliance: See it All, Know it All
Q: What do you see as the key changes on the horizon in managing regulatory compliance globally? Barnes: As different countries implement both security and trade-led initiatives around the world, it is critical to improve global regulatory knowledge and visibility. Global trade is growing and so are the associated regulations. The only way for regulatory […]
Read MoreFree TMS Software: The Price is Right
Q: What will be the biggest change to Transportation Management Systems (TMS) technology in the next three to five years? Higham: The leading TMS technologies will be offered at no charge to customers in the next few years. True innovators offer free TMS technology as a means to an end; to move more freight for […]
Read MoreBe the Captain of Your Fleet
Q: How would a business interested in optimizing its fleet operations decide where to start in evaluating technology? Brown: Most companies decide by asking those they know—relying on word-of-mouth from friends, colleagues, sometimes even competitors. Of the few companies offering solutions in this space, some will claim they are the best, so assessing credibility and […]
Read MoreDitch the Spreadsheets, Implement a TMS
Q: How can value chain partners cooperate to create and share efficiencies? Vanselous: It amazes me that so many shippers and carriers still rely heavily on manual processes in daily transport operations; only 38 percent of companies currently use transportation management software, says AMR Research. Ongoing cooperation with value chain partners is possible with integrated […]
Read MoreStrong Relationships Net Long-Term Value
Q: From your perspective as a sourcing technology provider, what trends and challenges do you anticipate shippers will encounter in 2010? Wilson: 2010 will be an interesting year for shippers and carriers alike. Some reports show that spot rates have been rising since last fall, and most analysts believe they will continue to rise as […]
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