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Google. A Simple Example of Cloud Computing
You use it. I use it. You can find out almost anything you want to know. Google is the search engine most people are familiar with and use. However, one thing that not everyone knows a lot about is Cloud Computing. To simplify and explain Cloud Computing better, I’d like to use Google as an example.
What happens when you type and search something on Google?Have you ever thought about this? Does your PC goes through all that information, sorts it out for you and display all the relevant results? No, it doesn’t. Otherwise, you would wait much longer for a simple results page to display. A simple PC can’t process all those billions of websites in a fraction of a second, like Google does. Your PC only serves as a messenger to tell Google what you are looking for. Everything else is done by some of Google’s powerful computers located somewhere, Who-Knows-Where in the world.
Now, did you ever care about how or where that comes from? Why would you, right? Exactly. That’s a great example of how cloud computing is used.
Have more questions about Cloud Computing?
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Survival Tips for Supply Chain Professionals
As U.S. manufacturers face ever-increasing competition from the global market and an unstable economy, workers need to ensure that they are secure in their jobs – and that their companies are successful.
Recently, APICS The Association for Operations Management released a report outlining the top five ways manufacturing and supply chain professionals can succeed at their jobs and gain job security:
1. KEEP YOUR TRAINING UP-TO-DATE
Today, businesses must have employees who are continually enhancing their knowledge and discovering new ways to execute their jobs with greater productivity and flexibility. To stay ahead of the curve on innovation, technology and best practices, make sure you are up to date on all of the training and latest certifications that are available to you. Many times, your organization will even pay for you to receive the training or latest certification you need to ensure their business stays at the forefront of technology and best practices.
2. NETWORK
Reach out to other professionals in your field to find out what they are doing to keep ahead and succeed. Through venues like conferences, local chapters and forums like LinkedIn, organizations like APICS provide many opportunities for professionals to network with their peers. Networking will help you keep up to date with the latest trends in your field and your expanded network of relationships will both help you succeed at work and advance your career.
3. COMMUNICATION YOUR IDEAS
If you think you have a good idea to improve efficiency or productivity, the most important thing you can do is share it. Successful managers are always looking to improve efficiency and improve the bottom line and most are happy to give credit where it is due. Sharing your ideas not only lets management know you care about your job, it tells them that you are engaged and a valuable member of the team that works towards bettering the work environment and the company’s bottom line.
4. BECOME AN EXPERT
Today, companies are looking for motivated individuals who contribute on multiple levels. Familiarize yourself not only with what your company does, but also deepen your knowledge of the whole industry. By becoming an expert in your office on the latest trends, your competition, and the sector as a whole, you will be relied upon by your peers and management to provide valuable insight and will be on your way to becoming an indispensable part of your workplace and your organization.
5. TAKE PRIDE IN WHAT YOU DO
Now that you have invested the time to get the latest training and education, show your organization that you are proud of your accomplishments. Share your expertise with co-workers and management and accomplish your tasks knowing that everything you do reflects on you. Whether you are sharing ideas, being a mentor at work or showing others how to get the latest training and information, when you take pride in what you do, you will become a leader in the workplace and a valued member of the organization.
(Source: multichannelmerchant.com)
Best Practices in Third Party Logistics
Developing and maintaining a well-run warehouse that offers reliability and incremental growth as a Third Party Logistics provider in the ever crowded field of 3PL’s is no small task. Knowing what areas that can boost clients expectations is exceedingly helpful in strengthening your overall performance. Strategies are varied yet some core concerns surface when evaluating functions that may require improvements.
Here are some points of best practices for third party logistics providers. If you have anything to add, I’d like to hear your thoughts.
■Training: As a third party logistics provider it’s not enough to only do what you’ve always done. Both initial and ongoing training that promotes and maintains well-qualified staff’s ability to perform optimized daily functions, identify new trends, seek innovative solutions to unresolved problems, and resolves recurring logistic pressures is paramount to remaining competitive. Training can be done annually, quarterly, or with frequency that best suits your workloads.
■Analysis: It is critical to either have in-house staff or hire outside consultants who can re-calibrate market fluctuations due to elements as diverse as changing fuel prices, labor costs, changed distributions patterns and periodic customer shifts. Without identifying cost increases or loss potentials you can compromise your own profitability – and your clients – as a third party logistic provider.
■“Mode & Load Optimization”: a vital subset of general analysis is a detailed determination of your network of transport providers. Identifying the most efficient way to transport shipments with arrival dates, shipping details that provide weights, dimensional information etc., speaks volumes to your client base as to your ability to provide the best service at the best price.
■Systems Support: The technology that connects all functions of your warehouse together is an accurate, easy-to-use Warehouse Management System (WMS). Selling your company’s IT expertise that demonstrates accurate inventories, shipping and receiving proficiencies that provide real time figures, as well as capturing all accounting components that eliminates billing loss, both preserves your current customer base and offers prospective customers compelling reasons to do business with your firm. The most reliable and economical WMS is a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). It offers accessibility to all users without hardware expense, ongoing maintenance and support costs.
Knowing key areas of concern that can help you improve your warehouse efficiencies as a third party logistics provider while improving profitability, preserves your client/customer base and will strengthen your position in the marketplace.
(Source: 3plcentral.com )
Which Type of 3PL is Best for Your Business?
So, you know that 3PLs manage products and transportation for a company, but maybe you may not be aware that there are several different types 3PLs.
Third-Party Logistics Providers (3PLs) are organizations that provide logistics support for companies. This simply means that 3PL providers manage or control the movement and storage of products for the company that hires them. Depending on the type of 3PL, this management (and the 3PL’s involvement with the hiring company) can take on different characteristics.
Standard 3PLs perform basic logistics work. 3PLs in this category manage product storage, transportation, and distribution at the behest of the hiring company. Since these 3PLs only offer basic services, they often offer other services beyond logistics.
Service Developer 3PL
Service Developers offer the logistics support of a standard 3PL along with added infrastructure and management. Service Developers offer IT support, product tracking, and product security. Because of this added infrastructure and expertise, companies that hire Service Developer 3PLs can ensure the safety and reliability of their products.
Customer Adapter 3PL
A Customer Adapter 3PL in essence entirely runs the logistics at the behest of the hiring company. This type of 3PL inherits the logistical operation from the hiring company; it does not create its own operation. A Customer Adapter 3PL may enhance and improve the existing logistical infrastructure already in place.
Customer Developer 3PL
Similar to the Customer Adapter, the Customer Developer takes over the logistics of the hiring company entirely. But, unlike the Customer Adapter, the Developer 3PL integrates itself with the hiring business. While a Customer Adapter will run a company’s logistics department, the Customer Developer will in essence become the company’s logistics department.
Have other questions about types of 3PLs? Contact us at www.adeptivsolutions.com
Source: Types of 3PL Providers
By G.S. Jackson, eHow Contributor
Considering a 3PL Fulfillment Service?
Is your business looking for a 3PL company for warehousing and product fulfillment? In a recent article, Freight Dynamics came up with a list of tips of common mistakes to AVOID when choosing a 3PL. I thought it was worth sharing.
Feel free to comment on the blog site and let us know which ones you like and possibly what was omitted.
1.) Share targeted volume to get better negotiated rates. Negotiate up front before you start any business relationship by providing all the estimated facts you know of such as your freight shipping patterns, how much warehouse storage you will need, which warehousing services you may utilize, and so on.
2.) Create difficult SKU’s which can be confused. Create easy to use SKU’s (stock keeping units) and descriptions. Example of what not to use: “SF-01-KY-LG-NY-GY”. Instead use LrgGrey107. Abbreviations become redundant and can cause picking errors. Keep it simple.
3.) Not asking them for ideas or feedback
Many times, customers not familiar with kitting, assembly and fulfillment don’t provide the whole picture up front and get charged more for being unorganized. This is what we specialize in and do day in and day out. We are the experts. Tap that free advice. Also – don’t ever be afraid to ask questions! This is your inventory!
4.) Not viewing them as a partner
Your Fulfillment 3PL is a direct extension of your company. Select a company who mirrors your same values and attitudes.
5.) Not sharing requirements up front
Many companies, such as Target, Best Buy, Wal-Mart, and ShopNBC, have very specific casepack and labeling requirements which need to be followed or serious chargebacks can occur. Provide your fulfillment services with this information in full before beginning any projects with large company end users.
6.) Nickel and Diming them on every issue
Don’t throw out the baby with the bathwater here. Negotiate on the bigger items such as monthly storage or order fulfillment. Labeling for example requires actual labels, ink, and labor — it’s a service that needs to be covered.
7.) Use cheap packaging
Your carton packaging says a lot about the quality of your brand. Using 2 ply cartons over 1 ply costs about the same, but provides much better protection in the shipping environment. Also take advantage of having your logo SKU and description printed right on your cartons. Many claims arise when customers use insufficient packaging. Always invest in the best possible custom packaging depending upon the fragility of your product. If it is damaged, there is no doubt you will be reimbursed, and the odds of it getting damaged drop considerably.
8.) Use cheap shipping carriers
This may save a buck or two up front, but it always bites you in the long haul. LTL ‘Break Bulk’ freight shipping carriers handle your shipment many times before its delivered, sometimes resulting in damage to your product. If they don’t honor claims and destroy your product, then what have you saved? Insist on reputable carriers that go direct, not carriers with numerous hubs they consolidate with.
9.) Don’t renegotiate when your business model changes
Many businesses change over the years as a client needs change in an ever changing world. Don’t be reluctant to send your provider an RFP with a few other reputable companies to keep your pricing in check.
10.) Leave out descriptions and reference numbers with new inbound receipts
Remember garbage in equals garbage out. Provide the SKU, description, qty, casepack, number of pallets, and job number for each pallet you send over in an easy to read packing list.
For more tips, contact www.adeptivsolutions.com
(Source: Kevin Scarpati)
Is Your Company Trying to Please EVERYone?
I came across an article in Supply Chain Brain discussing a new trend for Logistics companies to be “all things to all people.” It’s interesting to see that there’s pressure to go down this road. I welcome any additional thoughts on this topic.
Logistics companies are moving away from strategies based either on customer service or cost leadership and toward mixed strategies that attempt to provide both, says Mary Holcomb, supply chain professor at the University of Tennessee.
This trend began to emerge about three years ago, Holcomb says. “From our 2007 study to our study this year, we have seen this strategy of ‘being all things to all people’ really increase.”
The economy is not the major driver of this trend, she says. “We saw a small uptick in 2008 of companies adopting a cost leadership strategy, which was related to the economy, but in the 2009 study that settled back and it didn’t really change the underlying trend.”
The balance between cost and service is often difficult for firms to find, Holcomb says. “Even with long-time customers, the balance often tilts between the two, which is indicative of a mixed strategy,” she says.
In what ways is your business feeling pulled to do this? Thoughts? www.adeptivsolutions.com
Third Party Logistics Providers are In Demand (Part 2)
As companies saw the benefits of outsourcing delivery and warehousing functions, the number of third party logistics companies began to rise offering an ever increasing number of services. The increasing numbers of 3PLs inevitably led to increased competition between these firms, which led to greater savings for the companies who employed them. The last decade has seen the 3PL provider transitioning from a local or regional business to one that offers national or global coverage. In the U.S.A, the 3PL market has been growing at an annual rate of 14.2% since 1996 and in 2006, 3PLs reported $89.4 billion in gross revenue. (Source: Martin Murray)
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Third Party Logistics Providers Are In Demand (Part 1)
Third party logistics (3PL) companies are a becoming an important part of today’s supply chain. These companies offer services that can allow businesses to outsource part of all of their supply chain management function. Many 3PL companies offer a wide range of services including inbound freight, freight consolidation, warehousing, distribution, order fulfillment, and outbound freight. The growth of 3PL companies has been driven by the need for businesses to become leaner, reducing assets, and allowing focus on core business processes.
The growth of 3PL companies began back in the 1980’s when businesses began to look for new ways in which they could outsource logistics functions and concentrate on their core business. One company that has been associated with the 3PL revolution is FedEx. The company’s overnight delivery service changed the way in which business to business and business to customer transactions operated. This offered businesses the opportunity of using just-in-time techniques, which saved warehousing space and reduced overall costs. The introduction of efficient-consumer-response (ECR) techniques led to smaller and more efficient shipment sizes, which in turn further reduced costs.