Week of February 25, 2019
Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance
Technology is a necessity in today’s complex, fast-paced supply chain. This is especially true for companies shipping and handling dangerous goods (DG) – as they look for ways to effectively and efficiently comply with ever-changing regulations while meeting increasing customer demands.
To help companies keep a pulse on technology trends impacting business and the movement of dangerous goods throughout the supply chain, Labelmaster has launched “Supply Chain Moves,” a weekly report linking the latest technology news to dangerous goods compliance.
Let’s examine the recent supply chain technology and industry news.
TECHNOLOGY
- National Retail Federation Reflects on Impact of Digitization: The rapid growth of e-commerce is driving deep changes in the retail industry. To respond, supply chain managers now need to leverage diverse systems in order to make processes more efficient
- Retailers Slow to Automate Supply Chain Processes: 85% of retailers have yet to digitize their supply chains – meaning they must rely on manual processes that do not give them full control over their supply chain, risking the quality of the customer experience.
- Seven Ways Big Data Can Support ERP: Big data presents a competitive advantage for businesses, and leveraging data with ERP offers a tremendous opportunity to improve visibility and performance.
- Astea International Introduces Alliance Warehouse Edge™ Mobile Application to Make Warehouse Workers Fully Mobile: Astea International has launched Alliance Warehouse Edge™ – a mobile app that enables warehouse workers to perform all their daily activities on a mobile device.
- How Blockchain Is Transforming the Logistics Sphere: Blockchain is being touted for its ability to provide secure, transparent, and verifiable transactions across the entire supply chain, but there are a lot of conflicting views on its usefulness.
3PL TECH
- Easyship Partnership Gives 40,000 Global Sellers Easy Access to SEKO Logistics’ E-commerce Solutions: Easyship’s 40,000+ retail and e-tail customers are gaining improved access to cross-border e-commerce through their new global partnership with SEKO Logistics.
- Kerry Logistics Enters Major E-Commerce Partnership: Leading supply chain agent Kerry Logistics announced a new joint-venture with e-commerce company E-Services Group, strengthening global e-commerce fulfillment capabilities.
- dexFreight Announces Early Adopters Program: dexFreight, providers of a decentralized, blockchain-based logistics platform, launched an Early Adopters Program to give shippers, carriers, brokers, and forwarders exclusive access to early release versions of the dexFreight platform.
- GetSwift Announces Two Strategic Acquisitions in North America: SaaS logistics technology company GetSwift Limited announced the acquisitions of the North American delivery management platform Delivery BIZ Pro and the workforce scheduling provider, Scheduling+.
Technology & Dangerous Goods Compliance
The rise of e-commerce has put mounting pressure on the supply chain. Consumers can now view a wide range of products, order the one they want and have it delivered to their doorstep in the matter of days (or even hours). While this process may appear easy for consumers, it’s actually a very complex process involving manufacturers, retailers, distributors, logistics providers, carriers and others
This “new normal” has also accelerated the development and adoption of technology. Whether it’s early-adopters exploring emerging technologies like blockchain, artificial intelligence and machine learning, or those trying to catch up by finally implementing or upgrading their ERP, WMS or TMS, organizations are recognizing the need for the right infrastructure to keep pace with today’s supply chain
But if efficiency, speed and service are so important, why do so many companies put those things at risk by not having the necessary infrastructure or processes in place for compliance – something that can stop a shipment in its tracks?
With the dozens of tasks required to put a dangerous goods items into transport, including item classification, permits, document generation, carrier selection, unloading, etc.), significant inefficiencies, delays and errors can likely be found across each supply chain partner. Stalled shipments (as a result of compliance issues) result in late deliveries, customer dissatisfaction and can potentially lead to additional penalties levied by the customers themselves. Or, even worse, the damage done to the customer relationship may be irreversible.
Organizations cannot afford to let incorrect shipping labels, incomplete shipping papers or any other DG compliance-related shipping error impact customer service. Look for technology solutions that help streamline these efforts, provide instant, accurate and compliant DG shipping documentation, and validates shipments against the latest regulations
What technology has your organization implemented to adapt to today’s supply chain?
Labelmaster’s Dangerous Goods Information System (DGIS) is the leading SaaS solution to help companies more efficiently and accurately manage their Dangerous Goods shipments. DGIS validates your Dangerous Goods shipment data against the latest regulations, ensuring a more efficient supply chain and reducing friction found in Dangerous Goods shipments. DGIS is a certified partner/validation solution with ERP, transportation and warehouse management systems.
