This is Part 1 in a 3-Part series on facing the competition.

Is it getting hot in here? The pace of change in manufacturing today is staggering. New markets emerge, seemingly, overnight. Micro industries and niche applications can light up the forecasts–then disappear—in a blink, leaving you with shelves of obsolete inventory. Trends come and go. Technology needs to be continually refreshed, and yesterday’s projections are ancient history before you even hit SEND on the report. But, the greatest danger of this break-neck speed of business isn’t in recognizing what’s ahead; It’s seeing who is sneaking up from behind.

Matt Simonsen, Director of Retail Strategy at Infor talks about 3 ways that retailers can exceed customer expectations with a networked supply chain.

When it comes to their orders, customers want them fast and they want them free. But these two forces are often in direct conflict inside the supply chain, where planning and production typically take place months in advance, and inventory is widely distributed among a geographically diverse set of stores and warehouses, logistics providers, and factories. The question for many retailers becomes, “How much margin am I willing to sacrifice to satisfy my customer?”

Retail powerhouses like Amazon and Walmart have conditioned customers to expect their orders in days, if not hours. And a growing number of consumers have become comfortable using options like click-and-collect to secure an item online and pick it up shortly thereafter in a store, or rely on third-parties like Instacart to do their shopping for them.

In this episode of Reinventing Retail, listen to Vineet Chaudhary, co-founder of Trendage, a fashion and technology personalization company enabling 3.5 million users to digitally mix and match clothing using avatars, AI, and a vast product database. The discussion centers on how apps like Trendage are leveling the playing field between retailers and consumers, giving them both the tools and reciprocity to establish a two-way street when it comes to giving up personal data in return for great customer experiences.

Philadelphia, PA – June 20, 2018 -- Independent Computer Consulting Group (ICCG), a Global Information Technology Solutions Provider for the Enterprise announced that it has been selected as the Infor M3 implementation partner for Nassar Al Refaee Trading Company (NRTC).

NRTC is one of the Middle East’s leading importer and exporter of fresh fruits and vegetables importing more than 400 tons of fruits and vegetables from the Middle East daily, in addition to sourcing fresh products from Africa, Australia, Europe, North America and South Asia. With more than 40 years of dedicated experience, as a family business comprising several departments and a staff of more than 1000 employees, working in 9 different companies in addition to 11 locations within Dubai central market.

A recent survey by MagnifyMoney ranked the U.S. metro areas according to where the average working woman could have the ability to better or maintain her financial health. We looked at the data from the perspective of how many women were employed in the manufacturing sector. 

While small, agile businesses may have some distinct advantages over larger competitors, they also face their fair share of challenges. Small Business Week (April 29-May 5) provides an opportunity to spotlight those challenges and what can be done to overcome the obstacles. A wide range of stakeholders rely on the success of small businesses. Small job-shops, fabricators, subcontractors, parts suppliers, engineering firms, and niche manufacturers play important roles in the overall economic stability of the industry. We need small businesses to thrive.

Noida, India – June 15, 2018 -- Independent Computer Consulting Group (ICCG), a Global Information Technology Solutions Provider for the Enterprise announced today that it has been selected by Paras Steel Industries to be their implementation partner for Infor LN, an ERP that combines a pioneering, and state-of-the-art user experience with robust, industry-tailored manufacturing functionality.