Next Monday afternoon, Josh and I will be heading out to Las Vegas to attend the SAP Logistics & SCM 2013 on behalf of Blue Harbors. I plan on taking notes on the sessions I attend throughout the conference, and sharing my thoughts on the highlights here on Blue Harbors’ blog. I’ve started to build […]
Archives for February 2013
2013: A Lot of Logistics in a Short Time
Though we are only just now finishing the second month of the first quarter of 2013, there has been a surprising amount of news and updates within the logistics and supply chain world. Mixed opinions regarding USPS’s decision to eliminate Saturday deliveries and diesel fuel prices yet again on the rise are just two of […]
Big Boxes Struggle as Demand for Expedited Shipping Rises
With same and next day delivery options available through many e-commerce sites, Big Box facilities are reevaluating their supply chains and distribution networks. Holiday 2012 sales proved that internet shopping is becoming more prevalent, while also now a viable option for even last minute shoppers given the choice of expedited shipping.
Can the Amount of Inventory Impact Business Performance?
Every week, SAP’s Performance Benchmarking group publishes a short analysis of a hot topic and high-impact strategies. This helps with finding opportunities for improvement within specific industries and companies. The week of February 4 discussed the automotive industry and its inventory management.
Increase in Sales Reassuring for Retail Supply Chains
According to the U.S. Department of Commerce and the National Retail Federation (NRF), January’s retail sales ended at $416.6 billion, an increase of 0.1% over December and up 4.4% over January 2012. In addition, retail sales starting in the beginning of November 2012 through end of January 2013 increased 4.5% annually.
IATA Traffic Results Show Increase in Air Cargo Volume
After a 2.6% decline in October, The International Air Transport Association released traffic results of an increase of 1.6% increase in air cargo volume for November 2012. Together with a rise in business confidence and positive economic developments in the U.S., the IATA believes 2013 will reestablish continuous growth in air cargo numbers.
Air Movement Speeds Up Production and Enhances Product Quality
Most warehouses and supply chain facilities have large machines and other work situations that cause uncomfortably warm temperatures for the employees. To help employee comfort and to follow the OSHA laws, companies have invested in air conditioning and ventilation systems to keep temperatures at 100 degrees or below. This is very high and will affect […]
EWM-MFS and Non-SAP material flow systems
The control of highly dynamic automated components in the warehouse has been, so far, the domain of specialized material handling systems. With MFS (Material Flow System) as part of SAP EWM, this will change. The system promises a high degree of standardization, fewer interfaces and significant benefits in maintenance and support.
Will 3-D Printing Revolutionize Your Supply Chain?
Additive manufacturing, more commonly known as 3-D printing, seems like something straight out of our favorite science fiction movies. It is an extraordinary invention that will turn traditional manufacturing on its head. This revolutionary printing technology repeatedly adds layers on itself to build three-dimensional products, hence the name additive manufacturing. It allows for personalization and […]
5 Ways You Could Be Preventing Your 3PL’s Ingenuity
A recent study by Capgemini Consulting found that just 53% of shippers felt their third-party logistics (3PL) providers were equipped for innovation while 89% of 3PLs declared they actually were. How is this incongruence possible?