New technology and power sources could revolutionise logistics In retail, much is made of the demand for flexible and even same-day delivery. However, this sector isn’t alone, with the need to find cost-effective solutions and new efficiencies evident throughout the logistics and supply chain industry.  Changes to transport as we know it – such as

From automation in production to picking and tracking tools, businesses are seeking new ways to streamline and enhance their logistics operations. In an age of heightened demand and greater consumer awareness, there is a growing need for brands to use innovative methods to reach targets, adopt sustainable habits and create a safer, more secure environment

The supply chain landscape is changing. Discover the six business and social trends responsible and what they could mean for your logistics operations. It’s only to be expected that an industry built on moving goods and services should also have to shift as technology and consumer tastes reshape the economic landscape. As revealed by industry

Download the PDF here Technology continues to transform traditional logistics processes, driving supply chain leaders to adapt. What do these technologies look like and how could you be impacted? Technology is driving change in all walks of life and logistics is no different. Connectivity and the widespread uptake of social media are increasing customer expectations, placing

Almost 85 percent of organisations using big data expect it to dramatically alter the way they do business. Let’s look at the impact of big data on logistics. Data is all around us. When we leave the house in the morning, our mobile devices can tell us our ETA to work—without us even telling them

No, this isn’t the start of a revolutionary speech. But if it was, it could only be the digital revolution, which has been the talking point of supply chain literature and papers for decades. And therein lies the issue: we are numb to it. Earlier this month, we asked you to imagine a city lit

From big data to AI, the future of supply chain technology is already here. What barriers to emerging technology are preventing companies from adopting it and how can they be overcome? The use of IT systems has become all pervasive within the supply chain arena. As new technologies become available, there is pressure in organisations

Futurist Don Tapscott said blockchain will allow companies to revolutionise their business models, but how can the technology unblock your supply chain? The conversation around data sharing can be a particular challenge for enterprises because of issues such as cost, information security, implementation, data standards, and relationship management. And yet, for urban logistics strategies and

Smart contracts, and the blockchain technology that underpins their use, are almost tailor-made for today’s complex, multifaceted supply chains. A study conducted at the Port of Antwerp, Belgium, found that, on average, there are 200 different interactions between 30 different parties involved in moving one container from one location to another. Each of those interactions

More often than not, a supply chain may operate moderately well and deliver within tolerable limits. Customers may find the service acceptable, but nothing exceptional. Inventory levels may be higher than needed but for some traditionalists, plenty of inventory is a good thing, isn’t it? Actually, we think that most supply chains can improve performance

While overcoming the challenges faced by warehouse managers stands to improve the cost-effectiveness and profitability of warehouse operations, the issue extends much further than that. Customer engagement and operational excellence need to go well beyond cost reduction to make the supply chain a source of customer value. And in today’s customer-centric landscape, providing value to

The ability to sense danger before it occurs is paying dividends for many organisations both in maintaining high performance levels and reducing costs. At a time when agility and flexibility are of increasing importance, even the most well managed supply chains can be susceptible to unexpected short term problems that can have significant impact and

In part 1 we explored why data literacy is so important to supply chain success. In part 2, let’s take a closer look at the key skills required for using data more effectively. ‘The purpose of this role is to mine, collate, interpret, and recommend detailed and summarised decision-making analysis of sales forecasts for our

While the right technology (applied in the right way) can make your supply chain incredibly efficient, many companies are struggling to ensure that they get a sound return on their investment. Gone are the days when a single system or ‘killer app’ would deliver superiority in a sector. With the lightning fast pace of change

Big data presents a phenomenal opportunity to predict demand fluctuations, implement timely actions, and reduce risk – if you have the means of reading and analysing it. Supply chains are getting smarter. Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and the Internet of Things (IoT) are capable of gathering and sharing data across the length

Where should you start when looking to embrace automated warehousing, and what are the challenges you might face along the way? An automated warehouse is a breathtaking sight: picture a circuit-board of activity as scores of box-shaped robots soar between pallets, scanning shelves and retrieving stock for delivery to a picking station. This is just

In one of our previous articles we highlighted the value of tracking efficiency and utilisation as a means of measuring productivity across the supply chain. Equipped with this information, operators will be able to plan activities with higher degrees of precision and accordingly become more reliable in terms of achieving both cost and service expectations.

Productivity has always been important but it is becoming increasingly so. Achieving and setting productivity standards underpins cost budgets, whilst also informing the resource levels needed to reach service levels. A miscalculation will nearly always have a consequence, in this scenario operations either overspend or under deliver and neither are palatable. Get it right consistently