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New Supply Chain Technology

Supply chain tecnologies help manage shipments of export cargo and import cargo in international trade.
Archives, Commentary, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily, Imports/Exports, International Trade, Software

New Supply Chain Technology

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The business landscape is changing rapidly and new technologies are disrupting a host of industries. From manufacturing to the supply chain, digital systems are revolutionizing how age-old processes are executed. When looking at the supply chain, technology has had a monumental impact on the way products reach their destination.

People are still at the heart of the supply chain and these new systems require the workforce to be on board. Implementing new technology into a supply chain causes a chain reaction that could dramatically improve the efficiency of a supply network. Understanding what this will mean for business, why investing in the right services matter and what companies can expect when new technology placed into the fray is vital.

Choosing The Right Services

With so many options out there, a common issue supply chain leaders face is being uncertain about which technology to invest their time and money into. There are countless service providers and technology manufacturers all ready to say that their process is the right fit. Vetting can become extraordinarily intimidating and is often the reason businesses opt for pushing off their modernization process. Waiting for an industry standard to come around could lead to a company falling behind. Doing the research and finding out if a service is a right fit today will be critical when it comes to adopting new technology in the modern supply chain.

Disrupting The Workforce

When reading up on the latest supply chain technology the themes most likely focus on all the good it can offer a business. Though these new digital technologies deliver a host of benefits and new capabilities, they often leave out how it may disrupt a workforce. People dislike change, even when it’s for the better, it can cause newly adopted technologies to become underutilized or forgotten about altogether. However, when a service provides real value to an organization, employees will be much more willing to take the time to learn and utilize the technology currently.

Continuous Improvement

Just because a supply chain features the latest technology doesn’t mean they will continue to grow and improve on their own. Rarely does a technology exist that is completely autonomous, requiring no human intervention. Technology, especially when it comes to the supply chain is meant to offer insights or make a process run smoother. Supply-chain professionals must take the time to experiment with their systems and services to get the most of the digital supply chain. Continuous improvement should be the goal for any supply chain that implements new technology throughout their supply network.

The Overwhelming Benefits

One thing that is impossible to miss when discussing the latest and most practical supply chain technologies are the overwhelming benefits it can have on a supply network. Businesses can gain improved visibility, understanding what role each link in their supply chain plays and supply chain managers can eliminate headaches and act more efficiently. All of this success depends on having a clear understanding of what needs to be accomplished and implementing the right technology to achieve a stated goal. When appropriately used, innovative technology can have a drastic impact on the effectiveness of any supply chain.

This article originally appeared on AirFreight.bid.

Hidden risks in supply chains of shipments of export cargo and import cargo in international trade.
Archives, Commentary, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily, International Trade

Supply-Chain Challenges & Solutions

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The modern supply chain is becoming more complex by the day. Businesses continue to struggle with keeping their supply chain under control but hidden risks still pose a significant threat to the industry. Even with all the new technologies making their way to the industry, businesses must be aware of these hidden risks and understand how to react appropriately.

Businesses of all kinds must keep supply chain visibility, cyber risk and natural disasters in mind at all times. All of these factors or even just one could have a significant impact on a company’s bottom line.

New technology

Advancing technology is making its way into the supply chain, forcing businesses to constantly change systems. New services that provide an Uber-like freight experience require supply-chain managers to constantly hone their talents and adapt to these kind of digital disruptions. Not only will the Internet of Things be transforming the supply chain end to end, the way people utilize technology to create new processes will need to be monitored. The challenge is keeping supply chain managers and procurement professionals up to date and trained with all these new advancements.

Finding a solution can be challenging at first. It will take some time for a business to discover the right process that works for them. There is no one answer fits all, rather a unique, business-specific training program must be developed. Some solutions may include putting together a team in charge of locating the latest supply chain innovations and coming up with a plan to train the rest of the staff. Others could be outsourced training programs funded by the organization whose employees will be taking part. Continuous training will be vital in order to remain effective in this transforming industry.

Cyber risk

A common trend in nearly every industry is digitization. From manufacturing to the supply chain, digital technologies continue to transform how business is conducted. Innovative new systems are creating solutions to problems that have always plagued the industry. However, as the supply chain becomes more connected, risks begin to present themselves. The challenge is ensuring the supply chain remains resistant to cyber attacks.

The solution would be to ensure all new systems are properly secured. Largely, this is an inherent issue with new connected systems as cyber security is often an afterthought. There are however ways for a supply chain to improve their resistance to these cyber criminals. Threats can come from everywhere, an email, an attachment or even public wifi. It will be incredibly important to understand what kind of cyber risks are out there in order to keep precious data private. Education and staff awareness will be essential in protecting a supply chain’s operations and private data.

Supply chain weather risk

Something not even the most experienced or data fueled supply chain manager can foresee is a sudden change in weather or natural disaster. These events can have a direct impact on the infrastructure necessary for transporting freight. These hidden risks can come into play unexpectedly and are known for their unforgiving nature. Even though they are notoriously unpredictable, having a plan in place can take the pressure off the supply chain and avoid too many disruptions. The challenge is coming up with a disaster plan which all links throughout the supply chain can depend on and expect to follow if an issue were to arise. .

The solution will rely on close communication and collaboration between all the parties throughout a supply network. Understanding what kind of weather is most likely to impact a specific supply chain should also be taken into consideration. With this knowledge, businesses can develop a plan where they can react to inclement weather or natural disasters seamlessly. If each link in a supply chain is notified and kept up-to-date on how to react to a disaster, it can help the supply network bounce back much more quickly.

The supply chain continues to become more complex by the day. Workforce development, cyber threats and uncontrollable factors all come into play. With proper training and planning, agility can be improved. Understanding these three hidden risks can help supply chain managers prepare for future disruptions and develop a proactive plan to address them, before they can impact business.

This article first appeared on AirFreight.bid.

Technology is important to managing shipments of export cargo and import cargo in international trade.
Archives, Commentary, Executive Education, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily, International Trade, Software

The Modern Supply Chain: Education & Training

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The modern supply chain is a complex weave of new technology and legacy systems all working toward the same goal, to keep products moving. New technology and the rapid rate of adoption is leaving many in the supply-chain industry wondering how they can keep up.

Furthermore, as the industry continues to struggle with finding new talent to bolster its workforce, businesses are often left understaffed while managing a more complex supply network. With all these disruptions the industry faces today, an age-old solution might be what is needed. Let’s take a look at how modern education and training can be used to combat some of the supply chains most destructive disruptors.

New Workplace Culture

A new generation, the millennials, are making their way into the supply-chain workforce. These individuals are maturing in a world surrounded by technology and the ability to work from anywhere at any time. Millennials thrive when a company’s workplace culture focuses on specific key areas.

Work/life balance, collaboration, and access to innovative technology will help this new workforce thrive while also benefiting the organization as a whole. Ensuring that the entire staff of any company is cognizant of the latest workplace culture trends can help reduce the chance of a communication gap. If an employee who is accustomed to working from the office for a majority of their day never sees another employee in the office, it can cause a rift. Encouraging employees to use new systems to stay connected, even while away from the office can do great things for any business. With this younger generation making up more and more of the entire workforce, training staff on this culture trends can have a profound impact on the firm as a whole.

Technological Disruptions

With technology advancing so rapidly, supply-chain managers are having a hard time keeping up. Disruptors can lead to a host of problems all of which can impact the effectiveness of a supply network. Many businesses are willing to invest in the latest technology but often overlook a critical component, training. Any company can invest in new technology, but it will only be as effective as the workforce is capable. Without investing in education and training to accustom employees to new supply-chain management technology, a business won’t be able to thrive in today’s business environment.

Revised Regulations

With an uncertain geopolitical climate, new laws and sanctions have become a regular part of life. These global disruptions can weigh heavy on a modern supply chain, even those that use the most advanced technology. To properly maintain and manage their global supply chains effectively, education will be critical. However, using education as a tool will differ from regular training seminars. Employees and supply-chain managers must be encouraged to go out and accumulate their resources to stay current with the latest global disruptions. If regulations surrounding a critical link in the supply chain, having that information available as soon as possible can lead to better decision making when sourcing, purchasing or transporting freight.

Even though the supply-chain landscape is transforming rapidly, there are ways to keep your business moving forward. Education and training will be required to keep supply-chain managers up to date with the rapidly advancing industry. Though some of the knowledge needed is unconventional, creating a system that works for a particular organization will be a sure way to increase competitiveness and efficiency.

This article first appeared on AirFreight.bid.

Technologies to help with air shipments of export cargo and import cargo in international trade.
Air Cargo, Archives, Commentary, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily, Software

Three Ways 21st Century Air Freight Systems Can Improve Your Business

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The supply chain is evolving. Without adapting to the latest tools and technology, your business will be left behind. Businesses are constantly looking for the next big thing that will offer a competitive advantage and new supply chain management tools are here to help.

A huge burden businesses of nearly every kind face, is the excessive and fluctuating cost of shipping goods around the world. Furthermore, traditional logistics processes have become outdated and can take too much time which could be better spent elsewhere.

Below, we will offer three ways you can improve logistics efforts, streamline airfreight, and save on costs along the way.

New Digital Technologies. A particular theme that is nearly impossible to avoid are the disruptive technologies making their way into the supply chain and logistics industry. Tracking and shipping freight has never been easier thanks to these new technologies. Businesses are able to run more efficiently and with less hassle.

Any company that has to deal with a large volume of freight, whether it’s traveling by air, ship, or truck understands the challenge. With so many variables to take into consideration, the process of managing freight can eat away at precious time and resources. However, new technologies like air freight portals and apps have put the user in the cockpit. Without utilizing these new systems, a business is only hurting itself.

Customizable Logistics Portals. Every business works differently. This fact can lead to some tricky situations when it comes to handling freight. New systems have come along to help create a customizable experience for supply chain managers. When it comes to AirFreight.bid’s portal, businesses can set up a system to meet their specific needs. Connecting supply chain managers with carriers, simply and easily, is now an option. These kind of portals can make an individual drastically more efficient when it comes to handling a company’s freight.

Automation. Businesses are turning to automation to solve common issues that arise when handling freight. Automated systems can help cut down on the time it takes to find compatible carriers, while at the same time, increasing the capabilities of a logistics team. Tracking freight can be handled with new digital systems. It’s important to find the right system that works for a specific business. As stated above, no two companies are identical, and this means the way they handle their freight will vary as well. Having a system that allows a supply chain manager to customize automated applications can lead to a much more efficient logistics department. There’s a system out there for everyone; it’s just important to ensure that a business is using the right system that will meet their needs without exceeding their ability to utilize the technology.

This article first appeared on AirFreight.bid.