Technology

Column

Patent Pending: Walmart plans automated order picking, Target floats RFID for freight tracking

Supply chain innovators apply to patent what they see as important tools for the future. Sometimes they're brilliant. Sometimes they're funny.

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 15, 2021

BDO: 50% of manufacturers plan to secure backup suppliers in 2021

Many manufacturers are rethinking their sourcing because of tariffs and high shipping costs, though they're treading cautiously on implementing wholesale changes during the pandemic.

By A.B. Brown • Jan. 14, 2021

UPS, Verizon, Skyward partner on 5G drone delivery in Florida

Many details on the partnership have yet to be disclosed, but the companies say 5G will be important to scaling delivery fleets.

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 13, 2021

Walmart to test refrigerated boxes that store grocery deliveries outside homes

The secure, internet-connected units can hold items at various temperatures and use ultraviolet light to kill viruses, mold and mildew.

By Sam Silverstein • Jan. 13, 2021

How DHL optimized packaging at warehouses to cut shipping costs

Determining the ideal mix of carton sizes uses information on items ordered, dimensions, carriers, destinations and shipping costs — all data that retailers and fulfillment centers collect frequently.

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 12, 2021

CH Robinson, SAS bet real-time demand data can shorten freight bid windows

Demand doesn't change at the pace of an annual contract. The two companies will use their existing tools to drive more agile freight procurement.

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 12, 2021

Bed Bath & Beyond's COO says the company is pivoting to a 'common-sense' supply chain model

The retailer's network of 30 cross docks will drastically reduce in number soon, making way for distribution centers, run by one or more third parties, COO John Hartmann said.

By Emma Cosgrove • Jan. 08, 2021

XPO Logistics pilots virtual reality for LTL cross-dock training

Using Oculus for Business, the firm saw higher productivity, better safety outcomes and reduced waste.

By Aman Kidwai , Sarah Fuller • Jan. 08, 2021

FAA: New drone rules address safety, provide more operational flexibility

While the industry has seen a flurry of drone activity with UPS, Amazon Prime, Walmart and others, regulation and investment hurdles have precluded more widespread adoption for delivery operations.

By A.B. Brown • Jan. 05, 2021

PwC: Pandemic shifts tech priorities to workflow automation

Companies are finding that automation can allow procurement staff to focus on high-impact decisions rather than mundane tasks, if training is prioritized. 

By Ryan Golden • Jan. 05, 2021

Nike's Los Angeles warehouse reduces fulfillment cost per unit going into the holiday rush

Building fulfillment capacity has been at the center of Nike's supply chain strategy in 2020 as the company attempts to move away from wholesale distribution and toward direct sales to consumers.

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 23, 2020

Pharma cold chain spend heats up, with a trend toward temperature-tracking sensors

The coronavirus vaccine rollout is expected to positively impact the cold chain logistics market, as companies invest in cold storage, freezer farms, monitoring technology and packaging.

By Matt Leonard • Dec. 22, 2020

XPO has 'eyes on every truck' as it transports Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine

The company is also shipping dry ice, containers and syringes while responding to demand for items related to COVID-19 treatment and mitigation.

By Jim Stinson • Dec. 21, 2020

Pfizer vaccine deliveries turned around after becoming too cold

Real-time tracking alerted Pfizer to the temperature diversion. The returned doses number about 3,000, a spokesperson said.

By Matt Leonard • UPDATED: Dec. 18, 2020 at 2:47 p.m.

Walmart to take middle-mile trucks driverless in Arkansas

Since the retailer began its self-driving pilot with Gatik last year, the trucks have traveled more than 70,000 operational miles in autonomous mode.

By Rosie Bradbury • Dec. 16, 2020

COVID-19 vaccine supply chain has cyberthreats hidden in plain sight

The one thing all supply chain operators and pharmaceutical companies essential to vaccine distribution have in common is cyberthreats. 

By Samantha Schwartz • Dec. 16, 2020

Pandemic pushed manufacturers to greater analytics adoption: survey

Forecasting is one specific analytic area of interest for manufacturers who have seen demand swing dramatically throughout the pandemic.

By Matt Leonard • Dec. 15, 2020

Sam's Club equips its fulfillment operations with robotic pickers

The retailer has adopted the use of GreyOrange autonomous mobile robots in its new Southern California fulfillment center for e-commerce orders.

By Gary Wollenhaupt • Dec. 15, 2020

Vendor ransomware attack disrupts DSW's inventory management

The impact of cyberattacks on retailers and their vendors is even greater during this digital-first period brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 10, 2020

Dive Awards

Supplier of the year: 3M

The supplier is making more N95 respirators than ever before. Pre-pandemic surge capacity and a focus on real-time visibility enabled the quick shift.

By Shefali Kapadia • Dec. 09, 2020

Opinion

Why smart factories are the future of supply chain resilience

Smart factories are coming into focus as businesses put more resources behind productivity and efficiency, the author writes.

By Adam Mussomeli • Dec. 08, 2020

LaserShip ups automation in NYC region as national carriers refuse pickups

The role of regional carriers in the e-commerce landscape has grown in 2020 as national carriers are stretched to their limits and institute surcharges to compensate.

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 04, 2020

FedEx's ShopRunner acquisition provides access to e-commerce marketplace data

The deal, which aims to help the carrier expand its e-commerce capabilities, is expected to close by the end of the year.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 03, 2020

Pitney Bowes offers same-day delivery as fast as 2 hours with gig economy last-mile partners

The launch of same-day service is an early sign of the gig economy penetrating the small parcel market.

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 02, 2020

Eli Lilly adopts automation to process COVID-19 tests in line with pharma industry trend toward robotics

A manual lab-based operation at Eli Lilly was accustomed to 50 samples daily. By mid-March, that number had reached 15,000.

By Matt Leonard • Dec. 01, 2020