Week of January 4th, 2021
Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance
As we enter 2021, it’s important for organizations to apply the lessons learned in 2020 and invest in the necessary technology, processes and training to create the supply chain of today and tomorrow.
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 bi-weekly report linking the latest technology news to dangerous goods compliance.
Let’s examine the recent supply chain technology and industry news.
TECHNOLOGY
- UPS, Amazon Delivery Drones a Step Closer to Reality with New US Rules: Having packages delivered by drone is a step closer to reality as the FAA announced new rules for “unmanned aircraft.”
- How Can Manufacturers Manage Disruption and Improve Productivity?: How can manufacturers manage disruption and improve productivity? By using advanced analytics to understand the valuable information concealed within the data they already have.
- How IoT and Robotics are Evolving to Benefit the Supply Chain: To guarantee the highest value from robotics investments, businesses must effectively converge business-critical IoRT and other IoT endpoints into a holistic and secure supply chain management ecosystem.
- 3 Strategies to Help CIOs Face 2021 Like a Superhero: Driven by consumer demand and transformative technologies, the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) is challenging manufacturers to embrace new business models. Despite strained budgets and resources, manufacturing CIOs are leading the charge.
- Where Is Material-Handling Automation Heading in 2021?: Mobile robots are carving out an increasingly important role in material handling, especially in the era of e-commerce. Hear how the technology is evolving and the impact it will have on the role of human workers in distribution centers in the coming year and beyond.
3PL TECH
- Trends Impacting Transportation and Logistics into 2021: The logistics industry faced plenty of changes this past year. Here are some observations that will be critical to companies moving into the New Year.
- 7 Ways Technology Augments Effective Procurement in the Shipping Industry: Shippers regularly book shipments on short notice, so they must be able to adjust shipping procedures quickly. Freight management parties need to understand why procurement falters without technology and how technology can boost sourcing across all industries.
- Top 20 Refrigerated and 3PL Warehouses 2020: Battling the impacts of the global pandemic and handling a massive surge in e-commerce orders had a significant impact on 3PL providers in 2020. Armstrong & Associates shares its annual list of the top North American warehousing companies.
- 3PL Logistics Guide: Logistics can be challenging for e-commerce businesses. If your company has grown too large to handle your e-commerce logistics processes in-house, you might benefit from hiring a 3PL company.
Technology & Dangerous Goods Compliance
Much has been written recently reflecting on the challenges the supply chain industry faced in 2020 and what to expect in 2021. Common themes included: resiliency, risk management, automation, innovation and much more. Regardless of industry, there was a big emphasis on the increasingly critical role of technology – both in addressing today’s challenges as well as preparing for the future.
In a Supply & Demand Chain Executive article examining the trends impacting transportation and logistics heading into 2021, Nuvocargo’s Deepak Chhugani notes “Digitization, software and giving shippers and carriers efficient tech tools are critical, as technology continues to modernize this industry.”
The past year has especially demonstrated the need for operational improvements and increased investment in technology in the dangerous goods (DG) supply chain, as organizations were forced to ensure shipping compliance and train employees remotely, monitor and adapt to regulatory changes, manage surges in both e-commerce sales and returns, safely ship COVID-19 test kits and vaccines and much more.
As we enter 2021, it’s important to not forget the lessons learned over the past year and to proactively take steps to apply what they have learned. DG shippers should look for ways to improve processes and infrastructure in order to better create and maintain a smooth, resilient and value-driven supply chain – whether it’s utilizing DG shipping software, enhancing DG training programs or better communicating hazmat master data.
Chhugani summed it up nicely in his article: “After a very unpredictable 2020 and a considerable amount of uncertainty still surrounding what may come of 2021, a key takeaway that will carry us into the New Year is the importance of shifting traditional mindsets to develop solid supply chain and logistics strategies that align with the current landscape especially now, as all key players continue to adapt to the ongoing changes in the industry.”
To learn more about dangerous goods software or how to establish a safer, more compliant supply chain, visit https://www.labelmaster.com.
Have questions about dangerous goods transport? Call the Labelmaster Regulatory Hotline at 1.800.621.5808.
As the industry’s most robust, flexible, and advanced hazmat shipping software, Labelmaster’s DGIS can actually help your operation make more money. DGIS validates shipments and prepares DG declarations so quickly, you can handle more shipments every hour. And more shipments mean more revenue.
Try your own numbers in our calculator to see the added revenue DGIS can generate for you.
