May 2013

Integrated systems that better gather and manage data to provide real-time supply chain decision making is now directly linked to competitive differentiation. Our esteemed analysts believe that this “visibility” is a reality, and fortune favors the bold who are brave enough to achieve it.

It’s easy for shippers to fall in love with an air carrier or forwarder when short-term goals are met, but these vital relationships require a long-term commitment. These two short case studies demonstrate how to succeed.

Cloud-enabled transportation “control towers” are transforming logistics and supply chain performance. Our consulting team explains how shippers can realize benefits from true end-to-end supply chain integration that can be operated through an optimized transportation service network.

U.S. importers and exporters are now looking to draw the most value possible from the fertile Mexican market while remaining acutely aware of the risks involved. Our trade compliance expert offers steps to improve your cross-border activity both today and in the future.

Recognizing the potential for long terms savings, many fleet owners are keen to jump into a fleet maintenance program. However, they soon learn that there are no substitutes for goal setting, clear communication, and patience.

Companies can no longer afford to treat reverse logistics as an afterthought. Our team of experts offers these practical insights to help logistics and supply chain managers build an effective reverse logistics program inside their organizations.

While ranking ports on size and container throughput is both valid and traditional, analysts contend that domestic ocean cargo gateways might also be compared by volume and value of trade as well as value-added services.

In research conducted by Peerless Research Group (PRG) over the past few years, we’ve found that end-to-end, global supply chain visibility and event management capabilities are considered “must haves.” However, those same respondents struggle to tell you exactly what they need to do in order to achieve this.

The air cargo experts at Boeing provide a bi-annual report on the Air Cargo industry entitled World Air Cargo Forecast, and I recommend it to shippers preparing for discussions with their carriers and forwarders.

This is the final column in our series about dynamic operations, or global supply chains imbued with the ability to alter the function and focus of key processes (manufacturing, transportation, distribution, etc.) in response to changing events.

Seventy-eight percent of former NFL players learn the hard way that bills remain long after incomes have dried up and are broke within five years of retirement. A similar force is at play among the world’s oil exporting nations.