October 30 2013

In the shipping industry, updating operations can be a risky venture. After all, any unforeseen slowdown or hurdle not only affects your business, but all of those that are depending on your product. Imagine the impact on a hospital if the delivery of a specific new piece of equipment is delayed because the company is struggling with new logistics software.

Trying to optimize the supply chain while keeping costs manageable is certainly tricky. However, this can be mitigated by picking the right third party logistics company that handles every aspect of the supply chain, which can make this process much simpler. This provides the much needed balance between having the knowledge to answer current challenges while also pushing the envelope with future solutions.

A recent article from IntegraCore examines several different aspects of the supply chain and ways that companies can look to improve that won't break the bank or slow down operations.

"The benefits of working with your current supply chain partner? Minimal risk, no surprises, and the ability to leverage an established partnership," the article reads. "You're working from an established foundation, and any process improvements come from a well-researched, well-understood point of origin, letting you build on what works instead of having to start from scratch."

Businesses should seek out a provider that not only understands the importance of warehousing, timely delivery and the nuances of proper shipping but also stays on the cutting edge of technology solutions. This makes it possible for companies to improve their operations, while remaining effective in the supply chain.

October 30 2013

By now, every organization is aware of the impact online shopping has had on the retail world. With the ability to browse and make purchases of anything you can think of from the comfort of your own home, it is no surprise that the solution is taking off. However, it is also causing a massive shift in the shipping and supply chain sectors.

E-commerce is on the verge of creating the busiest shipping day every recorded. At least that is what a FedEx spokesperson told CNN Money. According to a recent article, Cyber Monday—the Monday following Black Friday—is the most popular online shopping day of the year. This year the logistics company is predicting a 24-hour volume of more than 22 million shipments on Cyber Monday. That would be the most it has ever done in a single day.

It is clear that e-commerce is going to play a major role in the future of retail but it opens up several challenges for merchants in areas that they may not have much knowledge in. Not only must they roll out an effective shopping experience for customers, they must also implement a shipping strategy that can be effective.

Knowing that this trend is coming and being able to capitalize on it are two different things, however. A recent article from Practical Ecommerce examined several ways that companies can save on shipping. The piece offers advice like negotiating for better rates, shopping around for a good deal and being sure to educate yourself on the industry. There is another piece of advice that is particularly poignant.

"A final cost saver may be as simple as using one or more fulfillment services that warehouse, package, and ship orders on your behalf," the article reads.

"Fulfillment services can take advantage of economies of scale to get better rates on shipping, shipping supplies — like boxes and tape — and even warehouse space.

What's more, some fulfillment firms have multiple warehouses, so you can place inventory in more places thus reducing shipping rates by proximity."

With the help of a reliable shipping partner that understands all of the challenges of the industry, organizations can easily deploy a supply chain strategy that will meet their needs.

October 18 2013

We have all been the victim of a poor delivery—a package left out in the rain, box damaged and so on. However, there is a video that has been going viral over the last few weeks that shows a new level of strange delivery tactics.

Captured by a camera at the front door that was set up so a man could monitor his disabled mother from a private YouTube account, the video shows a postal worker driving a mail truck over a customer's front lawn to the front door. She then gets out and nonchalantly tosses a package onto the porch and backs the truck back down the walkway, running over the garden hose in the process.

An article from CNet features comments from a USPS spokeswoman about the incident.

"We are very sorry for the conduct of this letter carrier, who has now been identified," a spokeswoman said. "This behavior is obviously not acceptable and is being addressed. I definitely want to add that the majority of our employees are incredibly hard-working individuals who go above and beyond the call of duty daily through all sorts of weather and obstacles to deliver our nation's mail and packages. We are all saddened by this video."

The outrage is understandable, as everyone wants to think their package is being delivered with the utmost care. If you are a company in Northeast, Ohio it could be time to enlist the help of a reliable delivery service that guarantees every parcel is handled with respect.

October 15 2013

There are few areas of business that are more universal than the supply chain. Every company relies on it for some aspect of operations, and a mistake in this area can cause a ripple effect that can devastate a company.

In a recent interview with the Supply Chain Expert Community, Dustin Mattison interviewed Oliver Campbell, the director of procurement at Dell. The conversation covered many aspects of the supply chain including what steps need to be taken to ensure its health.

According to Campbell, the definition of the supply chain is evolving. While the fundamentals of logistics, supply management and demand forecasting have remained the same, the social and environmental responsibility is gaining a larger focus. He went on to say that creating a healthy supply chain is not a complex puzzle.

"I think it's fairly straightforward. It starts out by mapping the steps in the lifecycle of your products from design, sourcing, logistics, use and disposal and identifying what are the social and environmental factors associated with each," the Campbell said. "I think the identification of sustainability and job functions are becoming more pronounced as awareness increases."

What should be noted, however, is that straight forward does not equal easy. These steps can be complicated and if company decision makers do not know what they are looking for, they could easily be missing out on an optimal solution. This is where a third party logistics company can help walk any businesses through the process of setting up and maintaining a healthy supply chain.