Thought Leadership

From laptops and smartphones to airplanes, drones, and even credit cards, nearly every modern device is powered by semiconductors or microchips. These tiny “memory receptacles” are ubiquitous across electronics. But they have many other modern applications, too, like tracking milk production in dairy cows or ensuring that perishable products stay at a consistent temperature in …

Opportunities for Supply Chain Resilience Amid the Chip Shortage Read More »

Business intelligence tools have quickly become indispensable for enterprise success in nearly all industries. They allow businesses increased visibility of their processes, improved operational efficiency, and more informed decision-making. For supply chain and logistics, where a single transaction can involve multiple parties, conditions fluctuate constantly, and minor setbacks have the potential to trigger sweeping knock-on …

Power Growth and Eliminate Blind Spots With Business Intelligence Tools Read More »

COVID-19 supply chain shutdowns sent manufacturers everywhere scrambling to pick up the pieces of broken logistics networks and retrieve bottlenecked materials. However, today, manufacturers are protecting supply chains from further disruptions with nearshoring and cutting expenses in these times of rising costs. By nearshoring supply chains—sourcing materials in areas closer to their designated markets instead …

Supply Chain Disruptions Drive Manufacturers to Innovate with Nearshoring Read More »

Disastrous earthquakes, hurricanes, wildfires, and pandemics are all too common lately, and every disaster affects supply chain resilience. But what role does supply chain resilience play in lessening the severity of these disasters? In times of catastrophe, a top priority for public and private sectors is ensuring access to water, food, medicine, fuel, and other …

The Role of Supply Chain Resilience in Mitigating Disasters Read More »

Supply chain models are the heart of the global economy as well as any shipper’s business plan. In selecting the best supply chain model to meet the fluctuating demand of a modern market, it’s essential to consider the function and benefits of each supply chain model. Steady demand—the continuous model Built for a stable supply …

Choosing the Best Supply Chain Model for a Modern Market Read More »

In contrast with the consumer expectation for instant fulfillment, the reality of today’s sluggish supply chain affects all participants—from suppliers and manufacturers to warehouse managers and final mile carriers. So to stay competitive, supply chain leaders need the ability to evaluate operations, address immediate concerns, and build steps that mitigate future challenges. High-quality, real-time data …

How High-Performing Logistics Teams Leverage Real-time Data Read More »

Freight invoicing is a complicated task. A single transaction can involve multiple players, charges and surcharges, and a long and tedious invoice where the opportunities for billing errors are endless. Surveys have found that up to 20% of freight invoices may contain one or more inaccuracies. And experts estimate billing errors can cost shippers anywhere …

Three Ways Freight & Payment Providers Can Boost Bottom Lines Read More »

Shipping freight is an expensive, time-consuming process—especially if logistics teams haven’t negotiated carrier freight rates to their advantage. Without key insights about average freight costs and carrier performance, logistics leaders could enter a negotiation unprepared—and end up with overpayments that hurt the bottom line. Whether you want to initiate a relationship with a new carrier …

The Art of Negotiation: Carrier Freight Rate Edition Read More »

Outsourcing freight audit payment (FAP) remains one of the best ways for shippers to cut costs, save time, and run more efficiently. From ensuring comprehensive auditing to integrating automation and streamlining the payment process, the right freight auditing partner can deliver a good ROI and make a big difference to your bottom line. Shippers with …

A Local Approach to Global Freight Auditing and Payment Solutions Read More »

Technology impacts almost every aspect of our lives, and the supply chain is no exception. For example, logistics technology is advancing to meet the ever-increasing demand during the pandemic. Companies that deploy innovative technology will stay ahead of the curve—a trend that will continue throughout 2022. Here’s what to look out for this year. Blockchain …

Logistics Technology Trends for the Supply Chain in 2022 Read More »

A strong transportation management system (TMS) for e-commerce lays the foundation for the latest and greatest logistics applications that allow small suppliers to maximize supply chain management. But online retail giants like Amazon and Walmart dominate the global supply chain using advanced TMS, leaving smaller suppliers feverishly trying to compete. That puts small suppliers at …

TMS for E-commerce Is a Must for Smaller Suppliers to Compete with Online Retail Giants Read More »

As the new year rolls in, public interest in supply chain issues is at an all-time high—and it has supply chain leaders everywhere eager to address last year’s lingering problems and mitigate new risks. The spotlight on logistic management comes with increasing urgency and pressure to build a more resilient supply chain after unprecedented strain. …

All Eyes on Supply Chain Issues: How Public Policy Transforms Logistics Read More »

Shippers can expect increased shipping expenses as UPS and FedEx have announced significant General Rate Increases (GRI) for 2022. Customers who use FedEx Freight shipping services FXF PZONE and FXF EZONE should expect an average increase of 5.9%. For those using FXF 1000 and 501, the number will rise to 7.9%. In addition, shippers using …

UPS and FedEx GRIs and Service Guide Changes for 2022 Read More »

Though it feels like technology is developing at a rapid pace, the reality is that automation and robotics have been around for decades. The automobile industry coined the term automation in 1946 as a way to describe how automatic devices could increase efficiency across production lines. Robots have also worked alongside humans for years to …

How an Automated TMS Saves Time in Logistics Environments Read More »

For any shipper or carrier, loss and damage to a cargo unit is unfortunately unavoidable. But the process of successfully resolving freight loss and damage claims doesn’t seem worth the headache. Most shippers don’t take the time to file a claim because carriers deny 95% of claims. To change those odds, shippers need to take …

Successfully Recovering Freight Loss and Damage Claims Read More »

The Year of the Spot Quote When quick shipments are necessary, and supply chain managers don’t have enough carriers with capacity, the spot quote has long been a reliable tool to pull out in a pinch. Whether it’s the holiday season or a special event, spot quotes dominate the market if shipments need to be …

How Spot Quotes Have Changed the Shipping Landscape During The Pandemic Read More »

Warehouse vacancy rates in the U.S. have reached a record low of 3.6%, according to recent data from CBRE, an American commercial real estate services, and investment firm. Between rising demand, labor shortages, and limited warehouse capacity, there’s no shortage of challenges for the logistics industry. As retailers look ahead to the holiday season, the …

Efficient Logistics Operations Counter Warehousing Woes Read More »

There is no understating the level of disruption that the Covid-19 pandemic has created for global trade. For over a year and a half, shippers have been fighting a battle on all fronts with fluctuating demand, labor, and goods shortages, snarled supply chains, and reduced capacity courtesy of lockdowns and closures. The resulting chaos highlighted …

Three Ways Shippers Can be Competitive in the Face of Disruption Read More »

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), for logistics management, promises to free up employees from tedious, repetitive tasks that aren’t leveraging their unique skills—to reclaim time for teams to focus on strategic matters. After all, AI and AL are proven tools that can reduce human error, increase efficiency, and scale operations across industries. In …

How Logistics Teams Can Transform the Supply Chain with AI and Machine Learning Read More »

It’s always the right time to think about how to make a supply chain more cost-efficient, and finding ways to reduce labor costs is an integral part of that equation. Developing partnerships through long-term contracts with carriers make all of the difference in service quality and cost-effectiveness. If a carrier expects to work with a …

How to Reduce Labor Costs in Shipping Operations Read More »

The ongoing supply chain crisis has prompted some large companies to chart their own course—quite literally. Amazon drastically increased its Prime Air flights over the last six months to deal with ongoing congestion and supply chain bottlenecks. Walmart is chartering its own ships, reportedly to the tune of up to $50,000 per day. And since …

A Solution to the Ongoing Shipping Container Crisis Read More »

For the past 18 months, the skyrocketing shipping costs and disruptions on global supply chains have put pressure on shippers, manufacturers, retailers, and governments. That crunch, coupled with surging consumer demand, rising energy prices, and a peak shipping season defined by labor and equipment shortages—along with crowded ports is pushing up prices and causing a …

Eurozone Inflation and Its Impact on Freight Rates Read More »

Conversations about supply chain bottlenecks are commonplace. Product shortages, reduced warehouse capacity, and delays are unfortunately the new normal—and logistics teams bear the brunt of most of these challenges. The silver lining? The pandemic has given rise to new opportunities to rebuild a more efficient and resilient supply chain. From the Supply Chain Task Force …

The State of the Domestic Supply Chain Read More »

ECommerce growth is on a rapid upward trajectory. With over 70% revenue growth from 2019 and 75% of people shopping online at least once a month, eCommerce is becoming the dominant segment in global shopping. And consumers have gotten used to quick eCommerce deliveries. After clicking “Buy Now,” online shoppers expect to see a package …

Why Growing B2B eCommerce Needs Automated Logistics Read More »