Supply Chain Optimization

Today, supply chain outsourcing is a reality, companies are dependent on each other, there flows are more intertwined than ever before - If only I could see!

Faster delivery expectations eliminate the “luxury” of warehousing and increase emphasis on the “perfect order”

Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk is always one to think big and talk big, and he usually delivers, too, which is what makes a couple of his latest comments so interesting.

Supply chain sources said display panel production suffered a setback after the backlight that helps illuminate the screen had to be revised.

The large-scale assembly of the next iPhone will commence soon (if not already underway) along with fresh supply chain developments coming off Asia that points to milestones involving Apple's key manufacturing partners.

Boeing's defense business, like competitors such as Lockheed Martin Corp., General Dynamics Corp. and Raytheon Co., has been under pressure to cut costs as U.S. defense spending has fallen in recent years due to budget cutting.

By taking steps to increase visibility and confidence in supply flow, companies can gain a competitive edge against those still relying on forecasts and outdated methods.

2014 survey of top North American retailers offers insights into retailers’ current capabilities, planned initiatives, priorities and future trends. According to the study, 93% of retailers are transforming the supply chain to enable real-time Retailing.

A recent survey indicates retailers recognize the importance of offering customers a seamless shopping experience.

MID Retail co-founders Mike Ruhana and Chuck Miller discuss the qualities that lead to retail supply chain success. Drawing on their experience with more than 100 leading retailers they have identified five habits for retail planning and allocation success that are, in their words, “true difference makers.”

Effective demand planning doesn’t just happen, it requires work. To move forward, companies have to admit the mistakes of the past, implement continuous improvement programs to drive discipline, and carefully re-implement demand planning technologies to sense and shape demand. Here’s a guide to making sound demand planning a reality.

With around $900 billion of waste in global manufacturing supply chains*, it’s clear there’s scope to cut costs dramatically and create new value. As manufacturing regains favor with economic and political stakeholders worldwide, progressive enterprises are exploring ways to work more efficiently using asset information, system integration and process innovation.

Globalization and outsourcing have brought consumers more choices and lower prices, while opening up new markets for you.

In supply chain applications a “goal” is scored when milestones are reached such as an on time delivery, and we can now store the data in the cloud, which helps us keep an eye on the entire “game” as it plays out in the global arena.

With a global event there will be drama, stories, and new trends that start unexpectedly, burn brightly then perhaps fade away -successful retailers and suppliers can handle the upturn in particular product lines this unpredictability can cause.

It’s been 20 years since the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) took effect, but debate continues with regard to its net benefit to the U.S., Canadian, and Mexican economies. The agreement created the world’s largest free trade zone, affecting 450 million people and impacting three countries that together produce more than $17 trillion annually in goods and services.

By 2020 the Internet of Things (IoT) will include 26 billion units, creating new challenges for all aspects of the data center, and will significantly alter supply chain operations, leader information access, and cyber-risk exposure.

Remanufacturing can impact your career, your supply chain, sustainability initiatives, and profits and governmental policy issues and public acceptance can affect your remanufacturing and marketing strategies.

New APICS survey finds that remanufacturing and reverse logistics are no longer niche competencies and improving visibility and integration of remanufacturing are essential to efficient, sustainable supply chain operations.

A question and answer discussion with SCM World’s Kevin O’Marah about how digital demand and Omni-Channel shopping are radically changing supply chain practices for both retailers and manufacturers along with insights from their recent research paper.