Coupa acquires travel startup Yapta to boost spend management platform

Software vendors use acquisitions to make their suites more comprehensive and encompass numerous procurement functions.

By Shefali Kapadia • Jan. 9, 2020

Manufacturing, supply chain see greatest cost savings from AI: McKinsey

Cost reductions from the use of artificial intelligence are typically the result of better forecasting and analytics, not headcount reduction.

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 7, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Retail Supply Chains

Retailers are making operational investments and adjustments to maintain supply chain resilience. Here’s how.

By Supply Chain Dive staff

How artificial intelligence is disrupting manufacturing

For traditional manufacturers, integrating AI across day-to-day processes and equipment is no small task. Firms can keep up or risk becoming obsolete, writes 3D Hubs Co-founder and CCO Filemon Schoffer.

By Filemon Schöffer • Jan. 7, 2020

Drop trailers: What's old is new again — for now

Technology increases transparency and holds promise for enhanced efficiency, but with enough advanced technology, drop trailers could become obsolete.

By Barry Hochfelder • Jan. 7, 2020

Blockchain-backed app puts coffee supply chain map in consumer hands

The plan is to use farmer IDs to track growing conditions, record transactions and follow yields and sales prices. 

By Cathy Siegner • Jan. 6, 2020

Turn less into more by automating HS code classification

You increase efficiency for your customers. Automation can increase efficiency for you.

Jan. 6, 2020

Patent Pending: Is warehousing Alphabet's next moonshot?

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. 3, 2020

Target leans on data science to increase fulfillment speed, reduce stock-outs

A year after the retailer began testing algorithms to increase fulfillment velocity, out-of-stock levels decreased 40%.

By Roberto Torres • Dec. 18, 2019

ONE joins digital exchange network NYSHEX

The organization touts its role as an unbiased arbiter of contract violations or defaults, and the associated penalties, with creating increased reliability for shippers and carriers.

By Morgan Forde • Dec. 13, 2019

SAP partners with project44 to wrangle, clean shippers' data

By combining SAP's existing logistics offerings with project44's data collection and cleaning ability, SAP envisions "real-time shipment visibility and business process collaboration from contracting to settlement."

By Morgan Forde • Dec. 12, 2019

What does the future hold for ELDs?

The widespread use of ELDs marks the first time shippers and brokers have a line of sight into the supply side of their business — that’s nothing short of powerful, writes Oren Zaslansky, CEO of Flock Freight.

By Oren Zaslansky • Dec. 11, 2019

Ahold Delhaize to invest $480M in US supply chain integration

The move toward self-distribution will encompass warehousing, transportation and procurement, resulting in $100 million in annual savings and better product availability for customers, Ahold Delhaize USA CEO Kevin Holt said.

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 11, 2019

How RFID can enable omnichannel

The technology provides better visibility into a retailer's inventory, which is vital as companies expand into omnichannel offerings.

By Matt Leonard • Dec. 10, 2019

Plus.ai autonomous truck completes coast-to-coast delivery in 3 days

The vehicle completed the 2,800 mile journey carrying a truckload of Land O' Lakes butter from California to Pennsylvania, though a licensed driver and safety engineer went along for the ride just in case. 

By Morgan Forde • Dec. 10, 2019

Walmart launches autonomous delivery in Houston

Through a partnership with Nuro, the retailer will deliver groceries to a select group of shoppers in the coming months before expanding to the public. 

By Krishna Thakker • Dec. 10, 2019

The Supply Chain Dive Awards for 2019

From Nike to UPS, these are the companies and executives that shaped supply chains this year.

Dec. 9, 2019

Company of the Year: Nike

Nike's acquisition of demand-sensing startup Celect this year was the culmination of years of progress toward agile manufacturing and inventory visibility, resulting in an industry-leading supply chain.

By Morgan Forde • Dec. 9, 2019

Innovator of the Year: UPS' Flight Forward

Flight Forward became the first company to receive a "Standard Part 135" clearance from the FAA this year and is beginning to look into business-to-consumer use cases.

By Matt Leonard • Dec. 9, 2019

Executive of the Year: Søren Skou, Maersk

From customer-service oriented solutions to accelerated digital transformation in a historically slow-moving industry, Skou continues to make waves.

By Shefali Kapadia • Dec. 9, 2019

Patent Pending: Lineage Logistics tackles vehicle tracking, IBM's idea for order fulfillment

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 • Dec. 6, 2019

Ikea teams up with Optoro to reduce reverse logistics waste

The partnership will encompass 10 Ikea distribution centers, 50 retail stores and its customer support center in the U.S., with the potential to expand to other markets in the future.

By Morgan Forde • Dec. 6, 2019

Study: Increased use of robotics led to worker displacement in Midwest

Nationally, the study found the use of robots can increase employment, noting there is little evidence the use of robotics will result in "widespread and crushing job displacement." 

By Matt Leonard • Dec. 2, 2019

DHL cancels StreetScooter pilot expansion amid economic uncertainty

The company plans to continue to electrify its fleet and reduce its environmental impact through route optimization and exploring alternative fuels.

By Matt Leonard • Updated March 2, 2020

Why the vaping crisis is a supply chain failure

Numerous websites sell cheap, unauthorized pods designed to fit vaping devices from major manufacturers.

By Ron Volpe • Dec. 2, 2019

Most workers don't think automation is coming for their jobs

Employee perception of automation technology signals a competitive edge for employers who deploy these tools successfully.

By Roberto Torres • Nov. 27, 2019