Week of March 25, 2019
Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance
The adoption of new and innovative technologies are helping enable a digital supply chain and improve operations for global companies, especially those shipping dangerous goods.
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
- The Supply Side: Retail Supply Chain Digitization Lags: 85% of retailers have not yet completed the digitization processes needed to give them full control and transparency of their supply chain.
- 7 Critical ERP Digital Transformation Questions CIOs Must Answer: Here are 7 key questions you must ask before embarking on a digital transformation of ERP to ensure that it’s aligned with your company’s business goals.
- Oracle Announces Cloud Enhancements for Logistics Management Optimization: Oracle announced a series of new innovations to Oracle Supply Chain Management Cloud to help global organizations create more responsive and efficient supply chains.
- UPS Partners with Inxeption to Simplify B2B E-commerce for Global Merchants: UPS partnered with Inxeption to help make setting up, selling and shipping products online easier for B2B merchants.
- Infor Rebrands GT Nexus Digital Network as Infor Nexus: Infor is rebranding its GT Nexus supply chain network as Infor Nexus, as it “digitally reinvents” the way supply chains execute and use data and intelligence to be more “customer-centric.”
3PL TECH
- Rhenus Logistics Acquires Rodair Group: Germany-based global logistics provider expands in Canada with the purchase of Toronto-based Rodair.
- RK Logistics Group Deploys Fetch Robots in its Warehouses: RK Logistics Group has completed testing and deployed Fetch Robotics’ CartConnect autonomous mobile robots in an expansion of robot-assisted support for warehousing and distribution operations.
- Forward Air to Acquire FSA Logistics in Move to Expand Last Mile Service Offerings: Air cargo transportation services provider, Forward Air Corporation said this week it has entered into an agreement to acquire FSA Logistics, a privately-held last mile services provider.
Technology & Dangerous Goods Compliance
According to a recent survey by Gravity Supply Chain Solutions, a significant number of retailers (85%) have not yet completed the digitization processes needed to give them complete control and transparency of their supply chain. The survey noted that “without a fully digital supply chain, retailers will struggle with speed to market, hampering their ability to fulfill customer orders on demand.”
While only 15% of those surveyed have digital systems in place, 60% said they believe digitization is “critical to creating seamless omnichannel retail experiences.” Unfortunately, the investment isn’t keeping pace with the need. For many (29%), it’s due to the inability to justify costs as the reason for the delayed implementation.
These sentiments (and the resulting challenges) are similar to that of DG compliance. Labelmaster’s 2018 Global Dangerous Goods Confidence Outlook found that 28% of DG professionals are still doing everything manually, and that 27% think their company’s investment to support DG compliance is “not adequate to meet current needs.” Furthermore, 16% percent indicated that DG compliance is not a major priority for their company, and 54% wish their companies would understand that supply chain and DG shipping management could be a differentiator.
The supply chain is becoming faster, more complex and a digital approach is no longer just a “nice to have” – it’s a necessity. Companies that don’t invest in creating a digital supply chain will be a significant competitive disadvantage.
As Gravity Supply Chain Solutions CEO Graham Parker noted, “Clearly, the supply chain is the final frontier of retail digitization, and while retailers are anxious about the cost, not moving from manual spreadsheet-based supply chain management towards digitized processes could cost them a whole lot more.”
Does your company have the necessary digital systems in place?
Source: https://talkbusiness.net/2019/03/the-supply-side-retail-supply-chain-digitization-lags/
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.
