Technology
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ColumnPatent Pending: Can UPS cut down cold chain costs with better data?
Supply chain innovators apply to patent what they see as important tools for the future of supply chains. Sometimes they're brilliant. Sometimes they're funny. Every week, we'll share a few.
By Matt Leonard • Nov. 15, 2019 -
Should procurement break up with Excel?
Half of procurement organizations use spreadsheets for data analysis, but exclusive reliance on these tools, however familiar, can create inaccurate forecasting.
By Craig Guillot • Nov. 14, 2019 -
Walmart Canada launches blockchain solution to track deliveries
The platform will also enable real-time invoicing, payments and settlement while integrating with participating company's legacy systems.
By Roberto Torres • Nov. 14, 2019 -
FedEx Ground using virtual reality to train, retain workers
The training has proven popular with workers, FedEx executives said, helping the company to improve safety protocols and generate new interest in higher-level roles.
By Morgan Forde • Nov. 13, 2019 -
Early lessons on blockchain: Companies a long way from widespread adoption
Though most blockchain adoption cases at an enterprise level are still in the early stage, there's lessons to be gleaned from their experiences.
By Roberto Torres • Nov. 13, 2019 -
Sanofi reduces chemical, water use more than 90% with continuous manufacturing
While the pharma industry had been slow to adopt continuous manufacturing, Sanofi's new plant signals the shift is underway and those adopting the process are seeing benefits.
By Matt Leonard • Nov. 12, 2019 -
Adidas moves high-tech Speedfactory to Asia, closing factories in US, Germany
With the production move, Adidas suggests the business case is still better in Asia, even with advanced technology and despite the distance from target consumers.
By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 12, 2019 -
Q&AWhat are the most important supply chain ethics? 3 experts weigh in
Consumer awareness of sustainability and forced labor in the supply chain is driving organizations to take the next step beyond compliance into ethics.
By Shefali Kapadia • Nov. 11, 2019 -
UPS creates digital tools to deliver blockchain-verified beef
The beef traveled from Kansas to a steakhouse in Japan in temperature-controlled UPS packaging and UPS developed a "customized integrated visibility tool" to track the shipment.
By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 11, 2019 -
Column
Patent Pending: FedEx eyes easier returns, Amazon marries drones and intermodal
Supply chain innovators apply to patent what they see as important tools for the future of supply chains. Sometimes they're brilliant. Sometimes they're funny. Every week, we'll share a few.
By Matt Leonard • Nov. 08, 2019 -
CSX becomes first railroad to join Maersk blockchain platform Tradelens
The platform now consists of more than 100 organizations, 55 ports and terminals and a dozen customs authorities, according to Maersk.
By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 08, 2019 -
Workday to acquire procurement platform Scout RFP for $540M
Workday says the acquisition will help it to build out a modern source-to-pay solution to add visibility to the procurement process.
By Matt Leonard • Nov. 07, 2019 -
Maersk pilots battery power system in carbon neutrality push
The 600 kwh battery system will be installed aboard the Maersk Cape Town in December and which will embark on a trial voyage along its route from West Africa to East Asia early next year.
By Morgan Forde • Nov. 07, 2019 -
Ralph Lauren launches QR-based tracking system to boost supply chain visibility, fight counterfeits
Ralph Lauren's manufacturers will sew the QR tags into garments adjacent to traditional branded tags. From that point on, the garments will be digitally attached to a purchase order and tracked through the supply chain.
By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 06, 2019 -
USPS will adopt Nvidia AI to improve parcel data processing
Nvidia's AI technology and edge computing system will be deployed at approximately 200 USPS locations nationwide, processing data 10 times faster than current speeds.
By Morgan Forde • Nov. 06, 2019 -
Amazon to invest $40M in new robotics hub
Amazon is banking on automated technology to help meet the needs of a modern-day, fast-paced supply chain.
By Shefali Kapadia • Nov. 06, 2019 -
How zero-based budgeting improves operations
Switching from traditional budgeting is neither cheap nor easy, but it makes for more efficient and better aligned spending.
By Robert Freedman • Nov. 05, 2019 -
Uber Freight doubles load volume in Q3
The firm has separated Uber Freight from its "other bets" category with financial reports for the first time.
By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 05, 2019 -
Convoy to allow carriers to bid directly to shippers on loads
Convoy has replaced the traditional broker model with one that makes shipments available in real-time at the shipper level, the company's chief product officer said.
By Matt Leonard • Nov. 01, 2019 -
Column
Patent Pending: UPS' drone mobile, Amazon and Walmart's sortation solution
Supply chain innovators apply to patent what they see as important tools for the future of supply chains. Sometimes they're brilliant. Sometimes they're funny. Every week, we'll share a few.
By Matt Leonard • Oct. 31, 2019 -
Starbucks margins hit by insatiable appetite for delivery in China
In every country, delivery is an important part of Starbucks' strategy to keep a leg up on competitors, "but it does come at the expense of what would otherwise be much stronger margin expansion," the CFO said.
By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 31, 2019 -
Zebra Technologies leaves China as tariffs take $10M bite out of profits
"We've already moved all the products that were impacted by list one, two and three," Zebra Technologies CEO Anders Gustafsson told CNBC this week. "We're now in the middle of moving our list four products out."
By Matt Leonard • Oct. 31, 2019 -
Q&AWhich financial KPIs are worth tracking?
These measures include inventory outstanding, sales outstanding and days payable outstanding, which is how many days a company takes to pay its bills and invoices to suppliers, vendors or other companies.
By Jane Thier • Oct. 30, 2019 -
Switching from barcode to RFID can save on labor cost, product loss
When a denim manufacturer in Turkey began using RFID, it realized thousands of euros in monthly savings.
By Matt Leonard • Oct. 29, 2019 -
How Nordstrom got a handle on omnichannel fulfillment
As store business shrank and online business grew, Nordstrom and Opex Analytics turned their attention to fulfillment.
By Amanda Loudin • Oct. 29, 2019
