Tag Archives: transportation management systems

Global Logistics: A View From Above

World Trade Magazine | A View From Above

Global Trade Magazine featured an article in the November/December 2012 issue about cloud-based supply chain software and how exporters are enabled with the latest technology to track shipments. This is an excerpt of the article, read the full story here >>

There are places in Africa where it is generally expected that up to 20 percent of shipments could go missing. A ship arrives at port, cargo gets unloaded onto one of several trucks which then motors off and never arrives at its destination, yet presumably comes back for more. The trucks operate in a round-the-clock continuous loop from port to factory in an effort to clear the ship and have it on its way as fast as possible, though no one knows when one of those trucks goes off route and goods are stolen. Consider this the extreme example of why tracking cargo is so important in today’s supply-chains, but knowing where your cargo is—whether it be a supplier’s inbound shipment or your own product en route to a distributor or end user—isn’t just a valuable tool, it’s a necessity for any company committed to being competitive.

In today’s world of collaborating in the cloud, there are many options for end-to-end supply-chain management software that will handle everything but spending your profits. Massive networks of suppliers, warehousers, 3PLs and transportation companies, buyers, brokers, distributors and more all converge in a hub—or in some cases, a “platform”—each adding to the tens of thousands of data points which create a visualization of the supply-chain. Variations on the software abound, but the gist remains the same: Cut down lead times by giving shippers a visualization of each link of their supply-chain, enabling them to react in real time to exception events.

And yet, at what point do you know when your latest shipment to Africa has been appropriated by undesirables? As powerful as most of the existing supply-chain management software is in providing just about every necessary service from one end to the other, widespread, true real-time tracking in-context that can actually be pinpointed on a map still represents the future…[FULL ARTICLE]

Webinar Replay: TMS Tips To Create A Seamless Global Supply Chain

This webinar showcases a real-world example of a global company, MTD Products, that supports the findings of a recently released Aberdeen study, “Spend Management Trends under Globalization”. The report outlines tips & tactics companies should consider to improve transportation spend in a global organization. Access the free webinar replay to learn how MTD Products is able to create a seamless global suppy chain with the help of transportation technology.

In this webinar, MTD Products and Aberdeen Group discuss how companies can:

•    Ensure visibility across all regions on a single, common platform
•    Provide visibility to inbound & outbound freight
•    Integrate collaboratively with supply chain partners
•    Complete the spend management loop
•    Automate & optimize international business processes

 

 

 

 

 

P.S. Don’t forget to download the free Aberdeen Report, “Transportation Procure to Pay: Spend Management Trends under Globalization”

Maximizing Global Logistics Management Effectiveness

Chris Johnson oversees all research and development activity at LeanLogistics and is responsible for the On-Demand TMS® product roadmap.

Chris Johnson, Vice President of Research & Development, featured in the April 2012  Inbound Logistics Thought Leaders section.

Q: What are the biggest challenges shippers face with globalization in today’s market?

A: Many shippers face the challenge of orchestrating an end-to-end process and managing interplay with third parties, such as customers, suppliers, ocean carriers, freight forwarders, customs brokers, and government agencies. Doing so effectively is difficult, regardless of whether the shipper is importing or exporting internationally.

Next, international freight management is still largely dominated by manual processes and point solutions. That is changing quickly, but many companies looking for technology solutions are met with a very short list of providers offering the robust functionality needed to manage all the moving parts and pieces of global logistics on one platform. Furthermore, since many supply chain organizations are not fully integrated—separate groups and often separate systems manage domestic and global logistics—it is even more crucial to have visibility and connectivity with supply chain partners.

Lastly, as if dealing with international laws and regulations—and multiple languages, currencies, and units of measure—is not difficult enough, supply chain security and compliance programs such as the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism place even more burdens on global shippers.

Q: How can shippers use technology to help support their companies’ global initiatives?

A: To support global initiatives, shippers can leverage a Software-as-a-Service transportation management system with global functionality. These tools provide multi-modal planning, execution, trade compliance, carrier connectivity, financial reconciliation, and reporting features to effectively manage global transportation. This innovative global logistics technology enables companies to successfully manage all modes of transportation under a common umbrella while providing complete visibility. This technology also enables direct communication between shippers and carriers.

Q: How can companies impact their bottom line while efficiently managing global transportation?

A: By utilizing global logistics management technology, companies can directly impact the bottom line. Automated communications, processes, and workflow between supply chain partners allow companies to improve efficiencies while gaining visibility into freight payment and discrepancies before they impact the company’s finances. Furthermore, embedded trade compliance tools reduce the burden of ensuring regulatory compliance.

By leveraging technology to manage global logistics, companies can understand true costs and lead times to make better sourcing decisions for importers while also being able to monitor and manage carrier performance.

Finally, many international companies have carbon emission directives that make a significant impact on their organization. When businesses fail to meet or cannot document these standards, it affects everything from market perceptions to bottom lines. With enhanced emissions reporting and analytics, technology tools give companies greater insight into making better decisions for their company as well as the environment.