Streamlining supply chain logistics for greater business and service efficiency

This is why examples of unsuccessful supply chain management, where risk isn’t managed or disruption occurs, can be so helpful. While there are many options when it comes to packaging and delivering goods quickly, supply chain experts are still searching for ways to manufacture products at a speed that meet consumers’ growing expectations. For this reason, 3D printing has entered the logistics space as a possible solution. The ChatGPT process of gathering supplies and producing a product often requires the most time and effort within the supply chain setting. Alongside the emergence of autonomous vehicles, the commercial use of drones has opened up new avenues for supply chain management. Within a warehouse setting, drones can be used for aerial inspection and can even carry out maintenance requests, all of which can save manufacturers vast amounts of time.

• Through AI and machine learning, UPS uses this data to reduce fuel consumption, allow for package tracking and provide faster routes to truck drivers.
• Instead, far more consumers were eating at home, which had different packaging requirements, among other issues.
• Managing supply chains is now increasingly challenging due to evolving global dynamics, sustainability initiatives, and changing consumer preferences.
• 3 min read – Businesses with truly data-driven organizational mindsets must integrate data intelligence solutions that go beyond conventional analytics.
• This speaks to the need for companies to focus on developing close relationships with key suppliers.

Accordingly, a TMS must have sufficient administrative features to support the documentation and financial reporting requirements. Typical features include billing, payment and tools for ensuring accuracy by comparing a carrier’s published rates with the amounts in an invoice, for example. A TMS can also generate a bill of lading, a type of receipt that a shipper or carrier can issue to specify the items in a shipment and the terms of the contract.

Transfix provides the technology to support shippers and carriers in getting goods to their destination on time and streamlining fleet operations. For example, the Transfix Carrier App comes with communication features that automatically share load details and provide customers with alerts about the status of their shipment. They’ll store your inventory, and pick, pack, and ship orders across most of the United States within two days — freeing up your time so you can spend it on marketing, sales, customer support, and anything else that will help you grow. An efficient reverse logistics system handles moving inventory in the opposite direction.

The following use cases represent generative AI applications in supply chain management, subject to data to build models that accurately represent current ways of working. We see the emergence of a digital supply chain, with information as the driver for decision making. AI and digital twins enable stress testing to identify weak areas which require investment and management attention.

Technology

While there are steps you can take to prevent returns from overrunning your warehouse, ecommerce returns are an inevitable part of running a business. DTC furniture brand Floyd launched a resale marketplace to shift less-than-perfect inventory. The retailer collects unwanted items from a customer’s home and ships them back to the fulfillment center for quality inspection. Items are graded and relisted on the marketplace with a discount of between 15% and 50%. Keep customers on your good side—and increase the chances of them buying again—by investing in return processing technology. Not only can this minimize products being sent to the warehouse that you’re unable to refund, but you can also increase the conversion rate of your online store.

Collaboration, because it can form stronger cross-functional, supplier, and customer relationships and also foster data sharing and innovation. For example, if you can get net terms from vendors, that will help cash flow, and owners can invest more aggressively in scaling up supply chain efforts (new warehouses, bigger inventory buys, etc.). For founders and business owners, the key skill is hiring people who have done it before. That means hiring people with experience managing larger or more complex supply chains, which will allow the company to handle future growth in the supply chain. This skill is often overlooked and underrated but critical to excelling in any area of supply chain management especially for brokers.

The logistics sector has plenty of room to grow, said Lisa Ellram, a professor at Miami University in Ohio. That was back when firms had way too much inventory on hand that wasn’t moving, since consumers weren’t buying much of it. But the weakness we saw in the logistics sector last month is a lot less concerning.

In contrast, 3PLs have strongholds over their storage premises, and higher order values from their retail partners gives them grounds to keep their warehouse space. As soon as you let your own warehouse space go, you’ll have more capital to direct toward return-generating endeavors. Likewise, estimate the growth potential—opportunities you’re not currently able to pursue—by outsourcing fulfillment to a 3PL. how is customer service related to logistics management? While it may seem basic, clear and timely communication is essential for coordinating with suppliers, logistics partners, and internal teams. It ensures everyone involved is on the same page, reducing the risk of errors, delays, and misunderstandings. When I can shift my perspective to the point of view of my customers, stakeholders, or employees, that is how I can understand and meet their expectations.

Besides training and mentorship, this academy also strives to create a supportive environment for Saudi Arabian women to thrive in what has been a male-dominated industry. Consequently, inefficiencies in last-mile logistics have the greatest impact on customer satisfaction and customer loyalty. The global supply chain market is projected to eclipse $30.9B by 2026, which is up over $15.3B from its worth in 2020.

Balancing cost and service in logistics

OBORTECH also integrates IoT sensors into trucks or containers to monitor key physical measurements and ensure product safety. Blockchain’s decentralized ledger system ensures the integrity and immutability of transaction records. This addresses the need for secure and tamper-proof documentation in the complex logistics supply chain, enhancing security, transparency, and efficiency. Through blockchain, stakeholders in logistics operations access real-time and accurate information on the movement and status of goods, providing complete visibility and traceability. Automated warehouse technologies include automated guided vehicles (AGVs), robotic picking systems, automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS), and put-wall picking.

In terms of trends affecting supply chains, research participants anticipate that technological advancements and stronger data and process management practices will make the biggest impact over the next three years (Figure 2). Big data and advanced analytics, supply chain digitization, data management, and process standardization make up the top four trends anticipated to make the greatest impact. You can foun additiona information about ai customer service and artificial intelligence and NLP. Diving deeper into the data, APQC finds that compared to the previous few years, organizations are trending more positively in terms of performance on specific goals related to customer satisfaction and return on investment (ROI).

This data-driven research provides innovation intelligence that helps you improve strategic decision-making by giving you an overview of emerging technologies in the logistics industry. In the Logistics Innovation Map, you get a comprehensive overview of the logistics industry trends & startups that impact your company. Acquired by UPS in 2015, Coyote Logistics pairs predictive analytics, AI and machine learning with real-time traffic and weather to help shippers better predict supply chain issues before they ever occur. That way, companies are able to make alternate plans so that their shipments still arrive on time, despite the roadblocks. Coyote also offers users a centralized marketplace of shippers and carriers ranging from partial truckloads to intermodal transport.

Both countries have been in the focus of global manufacturers, suppliers, and logistics providers who are seeking new opportunities for component production, final assembly and logistics services. The increased efficiencies of supply chains have played a significant role in curbing inflation. Costs decrease as efficiencies in moving products from point A to point B increase. Deflation is often regarded as a negative but supply chain efficiencies are one of the few examples in which it’s a good thing. The terms supply chain management (SCM) and business logistics management or simply logistics are often used interchangeably but logistics is one link in the supply chain. It can lower a company’s overall costs and boost its profitability when supply chain management is effective.

When considering the cost, remember you’ll have to pay the fee for both exams; the fee only applies to one exam at a time. According to ASCM, those with a CPIM certification reported earning up to 23% more per year than their uncertified peers. The exam covers supply chain fundamentals, plan supply, inventory management, continuous improvement and quality management, strategy, sales and operations planning, and inventory, among other topics. As the economy becomes more global, labeling and compliance to packaging requirements and regulations have become critical to success. Without adherence to local packaging and labeling regulations a product may violate local requirements, preventing it from being distributed and sold in that market.

Research shows that natural disasters like droughts, hurricanes, and wildfires are becoming more frequent. In 2023 for example, low water levels affected traffic through the Panama Canal, as well as the Yangtze River in China, and the Rhine in inland Europe. In addition, global tensions, and conflicts around the world – both existing and emerging – have the potential to impact supply chain operations and investments. As the Economist Intelligence Unit notes, investments in supply chains will adapt to minimise political risks. Likewise, choose a 3PL that is also looking for a long-term partnership, such as one that’s able to advise you on how to maximize sales, reduce costs, and optimize your supply chain operations. Outsourcing these responsibilities can also expedite delivery times, improve customer satisfaction, and reduce shipping costs—three huge wins bound to have positive impacts on your bottom line.

On the back of a series of acquisitions within the industry, The Loadstar predicted this will be ‘a year of consolidation’. Taking ample space on today’s newspapers, blogs and social media, artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots are rapidly conquering society. First, ChatGPT (short for Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer) by OpenAI launched in November 2022, and was met with widespread excitement, as well as serious concern. As the New York Times wrote, “not since the iPhone has the belief that a new technology could change the industry run so deep.” Without a doubt, artificial intelligence (AI) is here to revolutionise the world, logistics included. The advantage of using a 3PL is you can lean into a partner’s existing setup to store, pack, pick, and ship orders.

• For those working in any areas that involve the supply chain, certification can go a long way in validating that you have the right knowledge, expertise, and skillset to help organizations oversee the supply chain.
• This option creates superior consumer service levels by shortening the distance orders travel thereby compressing time in transit and reducing final mile delivery cost.
• Respondents focusing on sourcing and procurement named supplier relationship management, risk mitigation, and sustainability as their top priority areas within this function.

New Zealand-based startup Insite makes AI-based software solutions for price prediction, demand forecasting, and optimization of flows and processes. The startup primarily caters to the consumer packaged goods (CPG) and retail industries. The company further leverages trusted computing, digital twin simulations, and AI to drive decision-making.

Logistics oversees item storage and the journey of goods to customers and aims to deliver items quickly with minimum expenditure. A supply chain is a network of individuals and companies that are involved in creating a product and delivering it to the consumer. Links on the chain begin with the producers of the raw materials and they end when the van delivers the finished product to the user. “We can have lower logistics costs and good customer service but don’t necessarily need more inventory to do that,” Ellram said.

GOOD QUESTION: True or False? Managing Supply Chains Is More Challenging Than Ever

And in the midst of these unprecedented challenges, industrial and commercial companies are analyzing their supply chains and searching for optimization tactics and alternatives. One possibility is to go back to more warehousing with the aim of greater stability in the supply of goods of all kinds—which has often not been running smoothly as of late. Still, the economy has no short-term alternative to international production and trade.

While the materials’ ultimate destination is likely to be a manufacturer, there might be intermediate locations along the way. The manufacturing process itself might require additional shipments if, for example, subassemblies need to be moved between the manufacturer’s facilities or to those of a subcontractor. The startup’s cobots have 6 axle ChatGPT App joints that facilitate a wide range of flexibility and movement that mimic the human arm. Additionally, these robots assist human workers in picking, placing, palletizing, and packaging operations. The Global Freight Awards are the industry’s flagship awards programme that recognises and rewards excellence across all sectors of freight.

Once customers have chosen the desired service, they can schedule a pickup or drop off their package at a nearby FedEx location. The company offers shipping options, including next-day delivery, international shipping, and customized logistics solutions. FedEx’s tracking system provides real-time updates on package status, allowing customers to monitor their shipments throughout delivery. In today’s globalized and complex landscape, companies navigate volatile commodity markets, inflation, and intricate supplier networks.

Cardinal Logistics is used by businesses of all sizes, offering various fleet outsourcing, transportation management, last-mile services and warehousing solutions. And it partners directly with every company it works with to develop and implement customized transportation solutions, including specialized equipment and handling, as well as integrated technology. FourKites offers real-time tracking for fleet vehicles, ships and planes, keeping seamless digital tabs on goods across shipping modalities. The Supply Chain Management certification offered by the Six Sigma Global Institute (SSGI) includes an online, self-paced course, which typically takes students three to five weeks to complete.

Some shipping companies, such as MSC, have already informed their customers about additional costs in the future. Container shipping companies have estimated the added costs at about $192 to $202 for a 40-foot standard container on the Northern Europe-U.S. He expects that shipowners will face difficulties in long-term planning in general and will need to rely more on quarterly adjustments in services and rates. The raw materials are then hauled to a wholesaler that sells them in batches to manufacturers. The manufacturer uses the materials to create a product which is then delivered to a retailer. “Logistics” was initially a military-based term used in reference to how military personnel obtained, stored, and moved equipment and supplies.

This change may seem subtle, but a shift in logistics of this magnitude has far-reaching effects on the overall cost and efficiency of the supply chain network. Dynamically repositioning the point of entry for inbound container shipments can have a positive impact on customs clearance times and access to increased transportation capacity, however, there can be a negative impact as well. Better understanding the total landed cost and service implications of alternate ports of entry can help improve supply chain costs and performance. Magaya Supply Chain is an all-in-one software solution used by retailers, warehousers, and third-party logistics providers. Businesses use Magaya for order tracking, warehouse management, financial management, customer service, or other business processes, knowing data will be synced and consistent. Plus, it integrates with the Magaya Digital Freight Portal, a digital tool that monitors bookings, tracking, and reporting.

Beyond new content creation, generative AI understands patterns from existing content and competitive insights, according to a recent article in Harvard Business Review. Warehouse logistics managers oversee storage procedures, warehouse staff training and management, order processing, and inventory management. A bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain management, or management is typically required for this role.

The company also facilitates business management of multiple fleets, inventory and notifications for drivers of urgent deliveries. The key commercial lever retail businesses have at their disposal to mitigate the impact of such volumes is reverse logistics. Without well marshaled returns management processes in place, operational costs can quickly spiral across transportation, storage, and handling expenses for returned products. What’s more, if returned products are not efficiently reintegrated into inventory, businesses may struggle with overstocked or understocked items, affecting overall supply chain management and profitability.

After you’ve scaled revenue to eight or nine figures, you might want to consider a financial- or information-based 3PL company. Consulting firms—like Chicago Consulting and St. Onge—provide industry-specific insight and can take the headache out of complex global supply-chain management. They also give internal controls on tasks like freight auditing, cost accounting, and inventory management to ensure consistency. There’s a reason the services of 3PLs are in high demand within ecommerce, no matter the industry.

Supply chains have certainly become more global and complex—introducing volatility and complexity—in recent years. Big data, machine learning, AI, cloud-based inter-company collaboration have all emerged in solutions that are readily accessible for nearly every part of the supply chain. These tools make complex, global supply chain problems easier to prevent and to solve. Innovations in technology and data management have increased supply chain visibility, which, while beneficial, can also create the illusion of additional complexity in the form of newly available data.

Businesses spend around 20% to 30% of their total inventory value on carrying stock. Reverse logistics offers cost savings because it puts sellable items back on the shelf to be sold, while discarding others and freeing up storage space. If this criteria is met, the retailer will refund the customer either through store credit or a direct refund to the credit card they paid on. Some brands take a cut out of this refund amount to cover the cost of return shipping. Reverse logistics is the process of returning a product from the customer to the original point of origin.

In addition to delays in deliveries worldwide, the huge increases in freight rates caused problems for shippers last year. For 2023, consigners hope that freight costs will gradually taper down toward pre-pandemic levels. Just-in-time deliveries, a strategy followed for a long time, can often no longer be reliably guaranteed in many places. High-volume consigners have the advantage of market power to exert pressure on shipowners, port terminals, and transport companies to meet just-in-time delivery schedules. Most organizations require that a strategic sourcing manager has, at a minimum, a bachelor’s degree in a field such as business or finance. Procurement managers must often hold a bachelor’s degree, with some popular majors including supply management and business.

In the face of unforeseen challenges, the ability to creatively and pragmatically adjust networks and processes is paramount. Being innovative and flexible ensures goods keep flowing despite changing circumstances, securing a resilient supply chain. This skill turns uncertainty into an asset and optimizes resource allocation, in turn improving efficiency and maximizing output.

And if empathy isn’t reciprocated, it’s a good signal it’s time to consider looking for a new partner. Okoone deploys managed teams of experts ideating, building and managing world-class digital products. Balancing these factors and implementing these strategies can help companies overcome the challenges in last-mile delivery while enhancing customer satisfaction. While there is great potential for applying AI in transformative ways in the logistics space, businesses must acknowledge the technology is still in its infancy, particularly regarding the type of business applications noted above. Overestimating AI’s capability, especially in the B2B space, can lead to serious problems. One important caveat to note is that companies must closely monitor chatbots serving this function to ensure they provide excellent service.

A qualified logistician plans out the logistics process and coordinates the steps as inventory and resources move along the supply chain. FedEx operates an extensive retail network of FedEx Office locations and authorized shipping centers. These retail locations offer various services, including shipping, printing, copying, and binding.