The American Manufacturing & Supply Chain Awards are now accepting nominations. The awards recognize individuals who have pioneered leadership and driven excellence in their fields. 

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By Mike Krabbe

Five years ago, choosing a best-of-breed warehouse management system (WMS) over an enterprise resource planning (ERP) WMS was commonplace for companies with multiple sales channels. As the functionality of ERP WMS systems continue to evolve, companies are considering ERP WMS systems. 

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By Guy Yehiav

It can’t be denied - supply chain digitization has escalated quickly over the last 30 years as enterprises needed a better way to manage the amount of data coming through their doors. With the increased availability of analytical solutions and the adoption of machine learning capabilities, looking inside consumer packaged goods and retailers’ supply chains today you’ll see operations that go well beyond basic optimization. This is partly due to the entrance of prescriptive analytics. This new way of operating allows companies to perform an increasing array of advanced analytical tasks – taking business intelligence solutions beyond their previous capabilities. 

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By Lior Elazary

The effects of robotics technology can be witnessed across industries, with groundbreaking implementations being tested in fields from healthcare to manufacturing and e-commerce. One such use case is the major progress being made within the supply chain, specifically in warehouse automation.

In e-commerce specifically, dominant retailers like Amazon have been incorporating automation in their warehouses and setting a highly competitive pace for order fulfillment and delivery since 2012. This has led to the modern adaption of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) that can revolutionize the supply chain for small and medium-size companies, too. Here are a few key ways innovations in robotics are benefitting the supply chain at large. 

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By Dean A. Pinkert

U.S. trade relations with China are beset by an unusual combination of actions taken by the United States. First, national security tariffs under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 on steel and aluminum imports, directed at China and other countries; and second, proposed tariffs under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 designed to remedy China’s policies and practices that deprive U.S. companies doing business in China of the full benefit of their intellectual property.  

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By Brian Beans

Speed, efficiency and visibility rule in the food and beverage supply chain. Relationships among manufacturers, distributors and the retail customers they serve have always been inherently fast-paced, time-sensitive and challenging. 

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By Andrew Chung

In the booming world of e-commerce delivery, the last mile is often the costliest and error-prone part of the journey. While new delivery solutions seem to crop up every day of the week, from Amazon lockers to drones, there is no surefire approach to a perfect delivery plan. Last-mile properties have become the next best thing, allowing companies to confidently offer same-day and one-day delivery, which in 2018 has become the difference between making the sale and not for ecommerce and retailers. Research also shows that customers are also willing to pay more for overnight and same-day shipping. One option to provide a more convenient experience and increase revenue is to identify a facility close to your customers to make possible short delivery windows.

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By Gaurav Malhotra

The financial implications of blockchain technology are on the radar of corporations and executives in 2018 because of its role as the infrastructure supporting popular cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ether.  However, the technology’s potential to transform the supply chain is less commonly known — and logistics and operations executives should take note.

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