Rights and wrongs in supply chains. The visibility of supply chain professionals is increasing in organisations. Therefore it is more likely that you will be asked by senior management or the board of directors for input to decisions about such factors as the future business model (including off-shoring and global procurement) and technology investments. The challenge in writing the report … Read More
Logistics challenges of distribution in Smart Cities
Smart City Logistics. A United Nations report estimates that by 2050, there will be more than eight billion people living in urban societies; an increase of 100 percent on the current situation. Because the figures are for 2050, it is easy to dismiss them as ‘future guessing’ that does not apply to the ‘here and now’. However, the increases may … Read More
Use inventory tools or supply network intelligence
Getting excited about ‘new’ tools. It can be refreshing to learn about new tools and techniques that will make our supply chain lives easier. But, as always, wear your sceptics hat and ask such questions as ‘better for who’ and ‘free for whom’? I recently read an article about the benefits of implementing ‘multi-echelon inventory optimisation’ (MEIO). This article is … Read More
Digital Supply Chains and implementing applications
Digital supply chains into the future. Technology trends are often driven by businesses which have a lot to gain from building a ‘buzz’ around their products or technologies. We currently have a steady stream of articles and commentary about ‘self driving’ cars that make it seem an inevitable occurrence. At a recent IT exhibition, I was pleased not to be … Read More
Carbon emissions and Logistics infrastructure spending
Lower carbon emissions sooner. The Paris Climate Agreement seeks to limit global warming to no more than 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels. However, the Agreement is vague concerning the pace of change, therefore countries (and businesses) have different opinions concerning adoption and implementation of carbon emissions reduction actions. Members of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) considered that to … Read More