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Emerging Technologies Take The Lead In Distribution

Posted by Harriet Schneider on Jun 6, 2023 10:27:24 AM

The distribution industry has been around for quite a long time and can sometimes be slow to change. For those that may be resistant to change it is best to look at emerging technologies as tools you can use, like a forklift. You wouldn’t think of trying to move pallets around a warehouse without using forklifts, yet some in our industry remain skeptical about new technology. Emerging technologies in the distribution industry are transforming the way goods are transported and delivered. These innovations are making distribution processes more efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable.

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Topics: Manufacturing, Distribution, Supply Chain, Supply Chain Network

Supply Chain Maturity Into Digitized Cloud Ecosystem.

Posted by Harriet Schneider on Dec 13, 2022 10:23:26 AM

The evolution of supply chain business models has been accelerated by unprecedented disruptions. As a result, there has been a clear shift from analog supply chains models of the past into a trajectory towards a digitalized ecosystem. These new business models recognize and necessitate the move to a digital and integrated supply chain that provides visibility and ease of use for consumers.

This journey is about moving towards a world where all parties participating across your network are connected to a single version of the truth. Supply chain thinking is shifting from ‘linear supply chains’ to ‘supply chain eco-systems’ propelled and supported by digital technologies.

Gartner has established a five-stage model of the journey to supply chain maturity, ranging from manual, analog systems to a fully digitalized ecosystem. Key differentiators along this evolutionary chain include consideration of data and collaboration, with the ultimate goal of integrating data across multiple systems to achieve a fully connected ecosystem that provides transparency and visibility for your company both internally and externally.

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Topics: Manufacturing, Distribution, Supply Chain, Supply Chain Network, CloudSuite, Enterprise Software, Supply Chain Operations, Supply Chain Management

Is Your Data Safe From Security Breaches?

Posted by Harriet Schneider on Nov 17, 2022 9:00:00 AM

The urgency of data security and privacy can’t be overstated. In 2021, the global average cost of a data breach was $4.24 million, representing a 9.8% increase over 2020. Yet the immediate costs are a trifle when compared to the incalculable, lasting brand, reputation, and business damage that a data security incident causes.

Understanding the present threat

Risks associated with information security threats increase minute by minute. Bad actors with malicious intent are continuously evolving their strategies and attempting increasingly creative and sophisticated security breaches. The constant potential threat of cyberattacks and security breaches can be taxing on IT teams and organizations that need vigilance, resources, talent, and educational resources just to stay ahead.

The number of potential attackers is also expanding to include not only independent attackers and small groups, but also state-sponsored hacking organizations that are much better organized and funded. These larger groups can afford to devote multiple resources to breaching the defenses of small and large organizations over a long period of time—a level of commitment attackers once reserved only for the most strategic targets.

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Topics: Manufacturing, Distribution, Supply Chain, Warehouse Management Systems, Enterprise Software, Security & Compliance, WMS, Supply Chain Management

Supply Chain Digitization Is No Longer Optional, Here's Why.

Posted by Harriet Schneider on Oct 27, 2022 2:19:47 PM

In a data-driven world, navigating the challenges of today’s supply chains requires an unprecedented level of agility. This calls for supply chain tools that deliver network-wide trading partner connectivity to enable real-time visibility, demand and supply planning, and production scheduling insights.

Fortunately, modern tools deployed in an organization’s technology stack can digitally transform the supply chain, revealing new opportunities for innovation across the entire network.

At the same time, automation and advanced analytics delivered in a digital environment can synchronize production and distribution activities to match demand.

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Topics: Manufacturing, Distribution, Supply Chain, Warehouse Management Systems, Enterprise Software, WMS, Supply Chain Management

Overcoming Customer Demand With Warehouse Management

Posted by Harriet Schneider on Oct 7, 2022 1:51:29 PM

Rising costs, increasing complexity, growing customer demands, and expanding global supply chains are all intrinsically linked challenges that manufacturers and distributors face on a daily basis. Meanwhile, expanding omni-channel markets are forcing manufacturers and distributors to not only change how they sell to customers, but also redefine who their customers are. And customers are exerting even further
pressure with demands for customization and personalization of products.

Global expansion adds to the challenge of maintaining visibility into inventory, shipping, and tracking—often across borders, continents, and oceans. In addition to making sophisticated warehouse operations even more complex, this all makes it difficult for manufacturers and distributors to remain competitive, keep costs down, and maintain profitability. Ineffective order management, excessive labor costs, and inefficient asset use just exacerbate the problem. To tackle these challenges, manufacturers and distributors must reconsider how their warehouse management practices, processes, and systems need to change in order to improve warehouse productivity, visibility, and costs.

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Topics: Manufacturing, Distribution, Warehouse Management Systems, Enterprise Software, WMS

Questions Manufacturers Should Look For Digital Transformation Success

Posted by Harriet Schneider on Oct 6, 2022 2:42:46 PM

1. Are we organizationally ready for significant change?

Organizations are only as good as their people, and manufacturers must look carefully at whether they have the right people and culture to support a different way of doing things. It is the people who will be responsible for implementing change, and they should be ready, committed, and on board with any type of transformation plan.

An organization’s culture can make or break a digital transformation project and “organizational change management” is one of the key components of such a project. Organizations should aim for an inclusive culture where people feel like they are key contributors to the company’s future success.

To achieve this, management teams should encourage a culture of openness to help employees step forward with their ideas. All change, and all transformation, starts with an idea – so it’s important for people to feel empowered to put their ideas out in the open.

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Topics: Digital Transformation, ERP, Manufacturing, Distribution, Rentals & Equipment, Supply Chain, Fashion & Apparel, Industrial Manufacturing, Digital Manufacturing, Infor M3 ERP, Enterprise Software, Retail Supply Chain, WMS, Supply Chain Management

Enabling Continuous Supply Chain To Enhance Your Planning Capabilities

Posted by Harriet Schneider on Sep 8, 2022 2:59:35 PM

The future of planning is connected, intelligent, and continuous. Yet many companies remain so far away from this vision, it often seems unachievable. With many planning processes being so siloed and disconnected from execution, they can feel ineffective.

Fortunately, evaluations of the planning landscape reveal many organizations are adopting technologies that move towards a de-siloed, network-based approach to planning. For these companies, the primary goal centers around connecting planning capabilities to “a single version of the truth.” To optimize planning capabilities, it crucial to achieve this connection at the enterprise level as well as into the broader supply network.

But to do this involves using integrated business planning (IBP) or sales and operations planning (S&OP) to collaborate and analyze, perform demand planning to improve forecasting, optimize supply planning, and facilitate synchronization. Each of these areas are critical to a successful planning process and are more powerful when integrated and connected across a network.

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Topics: Manufacturing, Distribution, Supply Chain, Warehouse Management Systems, Enterprise Software, WMS, Supply Chain Management

New Ways Of Working You Should Adopt Today

Posted by Harriet Schneider on Aug 31, 2022 3:33:44 PM

With spring just around the corner and rising hope that the vaccination rollout will eventually bring some relief to restrictions, it is time to start thinking about how the world of work should move forward. While the pandemic forced us to adopt new ways of working, we have learned some valuable lessons in the last year that should not be quickly forgotten. In fact, some of these new strategies should continue long after the crisis subsides as we have come to the realization that the workforce, the workplace and work itself will never be the same. Here are three concepts to consider as you plan for the future.

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Topics: ERP, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Supply Chain Network, Infor M3 ERP, Enterprise Software, Retail Supply Chain, Supply Chain Operations, WMS, Supply Chain Management

Managed Services Myths Debunked.

Posted by Harriet Schneider on Aug 10, 2022 4:13:04 PM

The fact is managed services are on the rise and in high demand by customers worldwide—and, with good reason. They are an ideal way for customers to get the on-demand expertise they need at a predictable cost. With Infor Managed Services, our goal is to provide customers the long-term support and post-go-live services that coincide with the double-decade lifespan they expect from their Infor application investment.

 

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Topics: Digital Transformation, ERP, Manufacturing, Food & Beverage, Webinar, Process Manufacturing, Artificial Intelligence, Fashion PLM

Generating Better Supply Chain Value - Three Scenarios To Look For

Posted by Harriet Schneider on Jul 29, 2022 8:49:08 AM

Digitizing core processes in combination with trading partner connectivity, helps supply chain leaders increase responsiveness and adaptability. As more organizations look to remove manual tasks from their operations, the ability to update suppliers and trading partners in real-time allows supply chain processes to become more efficient. Here are three scenarios where moving to a network platform have helped companies generate additional value across their supply chain.

  • A footwear provider experiencing rapid growth realized spreadsheets and manual processes were no longer sufficient to support increase demand and future progression. The brand digitally transformed sourcing, procurement, accounts payable, finance, and supplier management processes to support scale. The ability to digitally collaborate on orders, invoices, settlements, and ASN creation was foundational to the transformation. Witnessing 4X growth, the company today has 99.8% invoice accuracy and spends approximately 30 minutes per day processing invoices.
  • A major global sports apparel brand sought to solidify the health of its supply base by ensuring access to capital. Utilizing a multi-enterprise network allowed the company to connect all parties and digitized document flow, enabling automated financing and settlement. A diverse portfolio of finance providers was plugged in to create a significant pool of credit and programs to meet varying needs. In doing so, the brand was able to enhance the financial health of its suppliers while deploying its own capital preservation program.
  • An outdoor gear manufacturer having automated its PO, invoice, and settlement processes to generate efficiency was seeking further avenues to improve margins. It leveraged existing transaction data to auto-populate ASNs and packing and shipping instructions, enabling direct shipments from the factory. As a result, plans for new distribution center were deemed no longer necessary due to increased efficiency.

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Topics: ERP, Manufacturing, Distribution, Rentals & Equipment, Supply Chain, Fashion & Apparel, Infor M3 ERP, Enterprise Software, Retail Supply Chain, WMS, Supply Chain Management

About ICCG

Welcome to our Blog - ICCG Insights!

Embracing thought leadership as a pathway for growth, represents the true spirit of progressive change that will make a difference in technology-driven industries. As a consulting company, ICCG customers look to us as their value-added resource. They expect us to be proactive about solving their immediate challenges and we don’t take that responsibility lightly. It is this that drives us to share our best practices, knowledge-base, years of experience, and tried and true methodologies. These have been the hallmarks of our corporate brand.

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