Technology: Page 2

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

Kroger will use Ocado technology to boost pickup fulfillment

The grocer will collaborate with the tech firm to make picking and order assembly more efficient amid soaring demand for the service.

By Sam Silverstein , Jeff Wells • Nov. 24, 2020

Walmart boosts last-mile delivery tech with M&A

The retailer's move to acquire the 5-year-old app startup JoyRun presents more evidence that Walmart's last-mile strategy continues to diversify.

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 23, 2020

IDC: Pharmaceutical industry ups inventory levels as OTIF rates fall

Before the pandemic, the on time and in full rate from suppliers was generally above 80%. Now, pharmaceutical companies are looking for ways to avoid shortages.

By Matt Leonard • Nov. 17, 2020

Deep Dive

The emerging wave of procurement and spend-management technology

Historically paperbound processes are advancing from automation to intelligence. But first, procurement departments must address data and culture change.

By Gary Wollenhaupt • Nov. 12, 2020

Schneider Electric invests $40M in supply chain upgrades to prepare for post-pandemic demand

Schneider is introducing new capabilities and production lines that will allow it to work with fewer suppliers by finishing some of its own inputs — with added capacity to construct some components entirely in-house when necessary.

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 12, 2020

Ahold Delhaize tackles a $480M supply chain overhaul during a pandemic — and Thanksgiving

The grocery group is forging ahead with an insourcing transformation amid a busy time in a tumultuous year. What could go wrong?

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 12, 2020

Walmart taps self-driving vehicle startup Cruise for autonomous deliveries

In addition to adding Cruise to its self-driving vehicle roster, Walmart has tested autonomous delivery vehicles from Nuro and autonomous middle-mile logistics with Gatik. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 12, 2020

PepsiCo pilots micro-fulfillment tech for e-commerce orders

The pilot facility outside Chicago will expedite the picking process while requiring less floor space than traditional picking, according to PepsiCo.

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 11, 2020

Vendor negotiations cut IT spend without slashing company initiatives

"There's always negotiation leverage available to you, even with a very deeply-embedded vendor where maybe there's even no competitive swap out option," a Forrester analyst said.

By Katie Malone • Nov. 09, 2020

Uber scales up grocery delivery operations to compete with Instacart, Shipt

Uber's foray into the competitive grocery delivery space earlier this year is emerging as a pillar of the company's ongoing effort to evolve from its ride-hailing roots into a multifaceted logistics organization.

By Sam Silverstein • Nov. 06, 2020

Column

Virtual procurement is here to stay. And that's not a bad thing.

Most of our vendor relationships have always been remote, and the use of virtual tools creates deeper relationships that improve the negotiation process.

By Rich Weissman • Nov. 05, 2020

Coupa buys Llamasoft in $1.5B deal

The deal puts procurement and supply chain technology under one umbrella at a time when businesses are prioritizing a close alignment of supply with demand.

By Shefali Kapadia • Nov. 05, 2020

Inside Chewy's first automated fulfillment center

Priorities around worker safety, cost structure and warehouse efficiency guided how the pet e-tailer built its tech stack in Archbald, Pennsylvania.

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 03, 2020

Deep Dive

Meat processors expedite robotics plans as pandemic ups pressure

The future of meat manufacturing could include 3D scanners and automated cutting. Tyson, Smithfield, Cargill and JBS are looking to increase automation.

By Lillianna Byington • Nov. 02, 2020

FedEx readies for 'peak on top of peak' with 4 tech investments

The logistics company provided a look behind the curtain on Thursday during its Peak Innovation Showcase, highlighting sensors, data and automation that will help manage holiday parcel volumes.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 30, 2020

Norfolk Southern works to woo shippers with 'truck-like' offerings

Norfolk Southern specifically highlighted its recent joint venture, Rail Pulse, which is an effort to improve rail visibility by increasing the use of telematics.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 29, 2020

Supply chain visibility is 'awfully low,' but improving it can aid operations goals

A recent survey found that 40% of supply chain leaders plan to increase their investment in real-time visibility, which one expert said could help with omnichannel and forecasting.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 27, 2020

Why carrier data is key to solving intermodal's visibility issues

Recent research stresses the importance of data availability and quality. But a panel of experts said carriers aren't always willing to share.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 23, 2020

How Ferrero uses data to monitor stock, reduce food waste

The confectionery giant is working with software company Alloy to improve the efficiency of its operations by cutting down on overstock and out of stock items.

By Lillianna Byington • Oct. 20, 2020

Supply chain pros embrace AI for forecasting, inventory despite limitations during pandemic

Rigid systems that don’t respond to rapid market shifts and a lack of reliable data frustrated respondents in a survey from Secondmind.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 13, 2020