Logistics Viewpoints reached a new milestone this week: the site exceeded 10,000 pageviews since it was launched a little over two months ago. This is a nice accomplishment, considering we haven’t done any external promotion of the site. So, thank you for visiting the site, submitting comments, and spreading the word.
Also, a big “thank you” to our sponsors (listed on the sidebar) for helping us launch Logistics Viewpoints as a free service to the logistics community. These leading logistics service providers (3PLs) and technology companies share our commitment to promoting the exchange of ideas and knowledge across the industry.
So, which postings have generated the most interest? Here is a countdown of the top five postings to date, along with why I think these pieces struck a nerve.
#5: “Who is the Best Logistics Service Provider (3PL?)“: As I noted in the piece, there is a lack of in-depth, high-quality information in the marketplace about the true strengths and capabilities of logistics service providers. “Who is the best 3PL?” is not a trivial question to answer, and the “Top 25 3PLs” lists that make the rounds each year, where service providers are ranked primarily by revenue, arguably do more harm than good. Why was this posting popular? Because the title is a question many companies are asking, but they’re not able to find the answer. ARC plans to develop “a better way” to help companies evaluate the true strengths and capabilities of service providers, based on a performance and maturity model we developed a few years ago. We’d also like to hear from you: what attributes do you look for in a logistics service provider to narrow your list of choices and make a selection? Send us an email or post a comment.
#4: “Performance-Based Outsourcing in Logistics“: It’s interesting that another Top 5 piece is also related to logistics outsourcing. If there needs to be a better way to evaluate and select a 3PL, there also needs to be a better way to structure and manage outsourcing relationships. What happens after the honeymoon is over and all of the “low hanging fruit” benefits have been achieved? How can we create long-term “win-win” relationships that break us out of the rut we’re in? These are the questions many 3PLs and their customers are asking, and the answer may be PBO. But as I wrote in a follow up piece (“Performance-Based Outsourcing: What’s in it for ‘We’?“), implementing PBO “the right way” takes a lot of work and discipline, and it requires 3PLs and customers to make a clean break from the way they’ve always done things. It’s a mind shift that will be difficult (if not impossible) for many 3PLs and customers.
#3: “Is it Possible to Accurately Calculate Total Landed Costs?“: This is another example of where the title reflects a question many companies are asking. The challenge, as my colleague Steve Banker pointed out, is that there are so many cost buckets to consider, and many of them are not easy to measure. There is also no standard definition of “total landed cost” and no standard methodology to calculate it, which is why no two TLC software solutions are the same. The question then becomes: How close can you get to a true landed cost, and how would you know if you’re close?
#2: “A Google Approach to Supply Chain Management“: This piece is one of several that we’ve written (including “The Reset Economy” this week) arguing that companies should view this economic slowdown as a “catalyst for change”-i.e., as an opportunity to transform their business models, processes, and supply chains. My take on why this piece struck a nerve is that many companies are tired of hearing about all the problems out there, and they’re looking instead for new ideas and creative solutions to these problems in order to emerge from the recession stronger than their competitors.
And the #1 posting is…
“Video Game Technology Comes to Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) Market“: I guess it’s not just kids who are hooked on Wii, Xbox, and PlayStation. Apparently, warehouse managers are looking for ways to add a little excitement to their workday.
In the weeks and months ahead, we plan to roll out new capabilities and sections to the Logistics Viewpoints website, so stay tuned. We also welcome your feedback and suggestions on both the website and the daily email (send us your thoughts via the Contact Us form). In the meantime, shut off your computers and Blackberries, and enjoy the weekend.
