Technology

JLL: 78% of US cold storage warehouses are at least 20 years old

Cold chain operators choose between upfront expense with lower operating costs long-term and lower initial cost with more restrictive conditions in the booming, but bifurcated, cold storage logistics market.

By Emma Cosgrove • Sept. 30, 2020

Record 2.7M industrial robots are in operation, but demand has slowed: report

While industrial robots shipped fell in 2019, collaborative robots maintained 11% growth, which IFR attributes to their broad range of applications.

By A.B. Brown • Sept. 30, 2020

CMA CGM suspects malware attack led to data breach

The company said its back offices are being reconnected to the network, which will improve bookings and document processing time.

By Matt Leonard • UPDATED: Sept. 30, 2020 at 11:09 a.m.

Gartner: 51% of supply chain pros expect to increase circular economy focus

To overcome challenges, companies have to get involved in reverse logistical planning and design. 

By A.B. Brown • Sept. 28, 2020

FedEx teams up with Reliable Robotics on autonomous cargo planes

The logistics company is looking at putting the aircraft in "very remote and uninhabited areas" of its network, CEO Fred Smith told investors this week.

By Matt Leonard • Sept. 25, 2020

Column

Can procurement pros avoid passivity while working remotely?

Buyers must protect their organizational influence while maintaining communication throughout the supply chain.

By Rich Weissman • Sept. 24, 2020

How to negotiate software costs as IT budgets are slashed

If vendors can't provide a degree of flexibility, abandon the deal, according to Paul McKay, senior analyst at Forrester.

By Samantha Ann Schwartz • Sept. 23, 2020

Predictive analytics determine what's in stock at Nike's new Los Angeles warehouse

The company maintains that direct-to-consumer distribution is the future for Nike, which is reflected in its warehousing investments.

By Emma Cosgrove • Sept. 23, 2020

Walmart, DroneUp, Quest to pilot drone delivery of COVID-19 tests

The same-day service currently being tested in Las Vegas will use drones to drop at-home collection testing kits on driveways, front sidewalks and backyards.  

By Nick Paul Taylor • Sept. 23, 2020

CH Robinson launches freight procurement tool to provide annual bid alternatives

Procure IQ will look at a shipper's freight network and the density of the lanes in which they're moving to determine if contracts, the spot market or another procurement method is a more appropriate move.

By Matt Leonard • Sept. 22, 2020

Lineage Logistics' $1.6B raise preps the cold chain giant for warehouse tech investment, future M&A

The logistics provider can invest in more properties and automation as cold storage demand is forecast to continue.

By A.B. Brown • Sept. 18, 2020

Column

Patent Pending: Automating goods-to-person picking from warehouse floor to ceiling

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 • Sept. 18, 2020

Robotics can help with pick speed and social distancing, but warehouse design is key

Labor-efficient picking can make up for hiring struggles, according to robotics firms. 

By Matt Leonard • Sept. 15, 2020

H-E-B jumps into micro-fulfillment

The Texas grocer has tapped Swisslog to build an unspecified number of automated centers to fulfill pickup and delivery orders.

By Sam Silverstein • Sept. 15, 2020

Wayfair hires Walmart alum to run supplier tech

The e-tailer sees expansive product choice as a differentiator, which makes attracting vendors a key element to its success. Technology is one inducement.

By Emma Cosgrove • Sept. 11, 2020

Coupa says increased focus on spend management has led to RFP uptick

The pandemic is driving procurement departments to get a better grasp on cash flow, spend management and sourcing risk. 

By Shefali Kapadia • Sept. 10, 2020

Walmart pilots drone delivery for groceries with Flytrex

The test program will deliver grocery and household items from Walmart stores to homes in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

By Matt Leonard • Sept. 10, 2020

3 ways to fight stockouts in the pandemic

Historical data isn't worthless, but it won't work alone in times of unpredictable demand. 

By Jen A. Miller • Sept. 08, 2020

Uber Freight enters enterprise software game, extending visibility to loads off the platform

Uber Freight has spent much of the last year partnering with TMS providers, but its Link product may put the company in competition with those players. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Sept. 08, 2020

Port of LA launches dashboard to break down forecasted volume for incoming cargo

The dashboard shows what volume is expected to move via rail and the size of the containers making landfall, which helps the port's supply chain partners plan labor and other resources in advance.

By Matt Leonard • Sept. 08, 2020

In-store pick and pack starts with inventory visibility

Nearly three-quarters of retailers consider it a challenge to implement an in-store accept, pick and pack process for online orders, according to a survey of retailers by Forrester.

By Matt Leonard • Sept. 01, 2020

American Eagle takes on pandemic fulfillment challenges with warehouse sort robots

The robots pick orders from bins and place them in a put wall, allowing retailers to handle high e-commerce volumes while maintaining safe distances between workers.

By Craig Guillot • Sept. 01, 2020

Amazon Prime Air gets FAA clearance for drone delivery on 'highly rural' test range

Amazon said drones will help realize 30-minute delivery and expects the current model to carry 85% of the products sold on its marketplace.

By Matt Leonard • Sept. 01, 2020

Column

Patent Pending: Walmart's plan for trailer prioritization at loading docks

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 • Aug. 28, 2020

Ware2Go, Google partner on 'free and fast' e-commerce shipping

Based on an e-commerce customer's ZIP code, their proximity to nodes in Ware2Go's fulfillment network and real-time inventory availability, Google will automatically display whether an item is available for free one- or two-day shipping.

By Morgan Forde • Aug. 28, 2020