Archive for April 2009 – Page 2

Last week, I was briefed by Sterling Commerce on their software-as-a-service TMS.  The main focus of the briefing was their new optimization capabilities, powered by ILOG’s Transport PowerOps (TPO) solution.  According to Sterling, TPO offers improved capabilities over their previous optimization solution, including faster processing speed, multi-modal capabilities (including parcel), and improved route planning functionality.  It’s also easier to use, thanks to an improved user interface that allows… Continue reading

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Across a wide range of supply chain projects and processes, poor data quality is a recipe for failure.  Today, I’m focusing on dimensional data.  Do you have accurate weight and dimensional data for your products?  For the cases, inner packs, and pallets those products are shipped in?  While data quality is one of the least sexy topics I can imagine, it’s also a costly one for companies with poor dimensional… Continue reading

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Last Monday, I wrote a piece highlighting the Dow Jones Transportation Average, and how it could serve as an indicator of where the economy is heading (see “Pirates, Truck Drivers, and the Dow Jones“).  Based on the results reported by J.B. Hunt and Landstar Systems last week, it doesn’t seem like we’re on the path to economic recovery just yet.

It’s difficult to compare the financial… Continue reading

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I recently wrote a piece called “The Reset Economy” where I argued that for various macroeconomic reasons demand may not bounce all the way back after the recession ends.  Consequently, there will be too much capacity in many industries.  I believe this is the biggest supply chain problem many companies will confront over the next few years. 

However, in certain industries, demand will always be hard to meet… Continue reading

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This is the title of the presentation I’ll be giving next month at RedPrairie’s RedShift:2009 Conference.  I don’t want to steal my own thunder, but here is a snapshot of what I plan to say. 

A year ago, I was telling folks that “green is good for business” because only green projects that are good for business get done.  My answer today is that green is good for… Continue reading

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