Features

Features

• 5 skills supply chain professionals need

  As with any job, there are various skills supply chain professionals need to succeed in their chosen field. Here are the five each leader must possess.  Continue Reading

• What's next for the supply chain? An expert's take

  'Supply Chain Management Best Practices' author David Blanchard discusses pandemic lessons, how the SCOR model can help and why sustainability is so complex.  Continue Reading

• Hidden issues complicate sustainability in IT manufacturing

  Clare Hobby of TCO Development discusses how difficult it is to rate IT products' sustainability. But corporate buyers and consumers have the power to demand something different.  Continue Reading

• 10 strategies for more sustainable last-mile delivery

  Creating eco-friendly last-mile delivery strategies is an important business and societal challenge. Here are some options supply chain leaders can explore.  Continue Reading

• ERP goes green, ahead of customer sustainability initiatives

  As sustainability becomes a more key topic for businesses, enterprise applications vendors are touting programs to support efforts like carbon reduction and the circular economy.  Continue Reading

• 12 cloud ERP data migration best practices

  Data migration is a key component of a successful cloud ERP implementation. Learn what best practices -- such as data mapping and deciding on migration parameters -- you'll need.  Continue Reading

• 8 tips for a successful cloud ERP project plan

  Although the cloud can bring many benefits, migrating to cloud ERP is not without its challenges. Here are the top eight project tips for a smooth transition.  Continue Reading

• Signavio aims to transform SAP software development model

  In this Q&A, Signavio CEO Gero Decker discusses the process mining software vendor's role in Rise with SAP and its criticality to business transformation.  Continue Reading

• Supply chain AI adoption happening too fast

  AI's future in the supply chain seems assured as the pandemic accelerates AI adoption in various industries. Here's why some business leaders think it's happening too fast.  Continue Reading

• The environmental challenges of last-mile delivery

  Current last-mile delivery practices are contributing to climate change, and companies need to address these ill effects. Understand how to start taking action.  Continue Reading

• How 4 companies are improving last-mile delivery sustainability

  Companies such as L'Occitane en Provence and Walmart are trying out different strategies to improve their last-mile delivery sustainability. Here's how they're doing it.  Continue Reading

• Top 7 ways to improve last-mile delivery

  Failed deliveries have a powerful effect on customer experience. Here's how to improve last-mile delivery and increase overall customer satisfaction.  Continue Reading

• The importance of last-mile delivery to logistics

  Last-mile delivery is the key to customer satisfaction. Here are four reasons your supply chain management strategy needs to focus on this critical stage of logistics.  Continue Reading

• Migrating ERP to the cloud: 8 reasons for failure

  SaaS ERP promises ease, but CIOs and project teams need to understand the myriad minefields that can cause deployment failure. Understand eight common ones.  Continue Reading

• ERP plays vital role in sustainability trend

  In this Q&A, IFS CEO Darren Roos discusses how enterprise systems like ERP can enable companies to develop and manage more effective sustainability initiatives.  Continue Reading

• 8 benefits of SaaS ERP

  Learn about the benefits of using SaaS ERP software, including lower infrastructure costs, as well as some possible drawbacks, including possible data breaches.  Continue Reading

• Top 5 last-mile delivery challenges

  Last-mile delivery challenges can lead to reduced revenue. Here are some of the most common last-mile delivery problems your company is likely facing and why they occur.  Continue Reading

• WalkMe digital adoption platform eases application overload

  As companies invest in more enterprise applications, digital adoption platforms like WalkMe can both help employees manage the overload and companies drive usage.  Continue Reading

• Should you move to SaaS ERP? Top factors to consider

  Although SaaS ERP holds the promise of agility for many companies, understanding the nuances of migration is critical. Here are six areas to consider.  Continue Reading

• Top 8 warehouse management systems to research

  Efficient warehouses are key to customer satisfaction. Learn about some of the top warehouse management systems, including some of their benefits and drawbacks.  Continue Reading

• Overview of 4 types of warehouse management systems

  Modern companies need to create efficient warehouses, and understanding which type of warehouse system to choose is key to that. Here's a look at four types and how they can help.  Continue Reading

• Top challenges of supplier relationship management

  Supplier relationship management challenges are even more likely to occur during challenging times. Here are a few problems your company might encounter and how to solve them.  Continue Reading

• Biden supply chain EO makes resilience a priority

  Supply chain experts weigh in on the Biden administration's push to help address vulnerabilities like parts shortages that have slowed production and put national security at risk.  Continue Reading

• Circular economy model enables sustainability and resilience

  In this Q&A, IFS' Colin Elkins discusses the circular economy and how it can improve sustainability, enable business models like servitization and become a competitive advantage.  Continue Reading

• 10 best practices for managing strategic supplier partnerships

  Managing strategic supplier partnerships is essential for good supply chain management. Learn which practices can help strengthen them.  Continue Reading

• A real-life example of the self-distribution supply chain model

  A self-distribution approach to supply chain management can help a company lower the risk of disruption. Learn how Ahold Delhaize USA is doing just that.  Continue Reading

• 5 COVID-19 vaccine rollout lessons for supply chain leaders

  The effort and coordination required to deliver COVID-19 vaccines to people across the globe provides powerful lessons. Here are five.  Continue Reading

• 8 essential ERP vendor evaluation criteria

  Preparing for the ERP vendor selection process is key to success. Here's some criteria you need to ensure that you choose the right software for your organization.  Continue Reading

• Epicor Software applications make transition to SaaS

  In this Q&A, Epicor CEO Steve Murphy discusses how the ERP vendor is moving its products from on premises to a SaaS model but gives customers the choice on when to migrate.  Continue Reading

• Dos and don'ts for ERP selection success

  The ERP selection process can succeed or fail based on seemingly small factors. Here are some dos and don'ts to keep in mind as you embark on the process.  Continue Reading

• 8 benefits of a warehouse management system

  A warehouse management system has the potential to save your company money and help improve warehouse efficiency. Learn how a WMS can benefit your company.  Continue Reading

• Supplier segmentation lessons in the wake of COVID-19

  Supplier segmentation is more necessary than ever for businesses during COVID-19. Here's how to start the process and why it matters for your business.  Continue Reading

• Manufacturing outlook for 2021 focuses on resilience

  As midmarket manufacturers focus on recovery from the pandemic, many will take advantage of the opportunity to accelerate Industry 4.0 projects, according to BDO USA.  Continue Reading

• Fueled by new technologies, the future of supply chains is here

  An army of digital technologies like AI, IoT, bots and blockchain will reshape supply chains and add resiliency and transparency in the wake of the pandemic. Learn how.  Continue Reading

• Digitizing the supply chain requires standards to succeed

  In this Q&A, Vector's Brian Belcher discusses why interest in digitizing the supply chain has soared recently and why standards are needed for wider use of digital technologies.  Continue Reading

• Kinaxis fuels Technicolor's supply chain digital transformation

  Technicolor Connected Home digitally transformed its manual supply chain operations with the Kinaxis supply chain platform, resulting in improved forecasting ability.  Continue Reading

• Vaccine supply chain needs Starbucks -- not stadium -- model

  In this Q&A, Sylvie Thompson makes the case for small, localized distribution at places like Starbucks for COVID-19 vaccine distribution.  Continue Reading

• Top 5 warehouse technology trends for 2021

  Effective warehouse management has become even more critical. Learn which technologies are most important to creating efficiency and gaining a competitive edge.  Continue Reading

• 8 key supplier relationship management strategies

  Treating suppliers like partners and planning for disruption are two components of a successful supplier relationship management strategy. Here's what to keep in mind.  Continue Reading

• Supply chain trends for 2021 include reshoring, digitization

  The diversifying of manufacturing, including reshoring to the U.S. and the adoption of new technologies, will be top supply chain trends in 2021, according to industry experts.  Continue Reading

• 9 supplier relationship management benefits COVID-19 emphasized

  The benefits of effective supplier management include less price volatility for businesses and the possibility of future collaboration. Learn about others and why they matter.  Continue Reading

• ERP alternatives poised to take the stage in 2021

  The momentum for companies to adopt cloud-first and industry-specific ERP systems has created an opening for alternative ERP companies.  Continue Reading

• IFS Field Service Management software: Overview, pros, cons

  IFS FSM software is meant to manage field staff and assets. Learn about its advantages and disadvantages and whether your company should put it on a vendor shortlist.  Continue Reading

• Use predictive analytics in manufacturing to gain insight

  Predictive analytics in manufacturing is a crucial part of a predictive manufacturing system. Learn about its promise, its drawbacks and why.  Continue Reading

• 4 supply chain finance benefits and why they matter now

  Liquidity in the supply chain for buyers and suppliers is just one of the benefits supply chain finance can offer companies. Learn about some others.  Continue Reading

• How to choose the right ERP for digital transformation

  Digital transformation is critical to many companies' success and ERP underpins that transformation. Here's a look at how to make that transformation happen.  Continue Reading

• Epicor ERP 10.2.700 may entice manufacturers to the cloud

  The latest SaaS version of Epicor ERP includes new capabilities designed to appeal to midmarket manufacturers that want to move to a cloud-based system.  Continue Reading

• Predictive maintenance: Definition, benefits, example, strategy

  Predictive maintenance is a promising approach to monitoring equipment and preventing failures. Learn about the benefits of this approach and how to get started.  Continue Reading

• Bose builds supply chain resilience program that pays off

  An earthquake and floods in 2011 disrupted the Bose supply chain but better prepared the company for the risks and disruptions brought on by COVID-19.  Continue Reading

• Early days for digital twins in the supply chain

  A digital twin that solves every supply chain problem may not yet be a reality. Learn why and which types of projects are realistic for today.  Continue Reading

• The disruptive impact of COVID-19 on warehouse automation

  The pandemic has had mixed effects on warehouse automation. Learn why this has been the case and what warehouse leaders say are important takeaways.  Continue Reading

• Crafts Technology manages COVID-19 changes with ECI JobBoss

  Crafts Technology, a medium-sized manufacturer that performs small-volume jobs, is using ECI JobBoss ERP software to manage workplace changes from the COVID-19 pandemic.  Continue Reading

• Digital transformation requires upskilling and reskilling

  Manufacturers undergoing digital transformation must address workers' skills gaps, but new technology shouldn't be imposed from above without early input and buy-in from workers.  Continue Reading

• Augmented reality in field service: Why FSM needs AR now

  Augmented reality can improve field service by empowering technicians with better information. Learn why interest in AR for FSM has grown and what some early adopters are saying.  Continue Reading

• 10 top ERP systems CIOs and business leaders should consider

  From SMBs to global enterprises, companies of many sizes need the efficiencies the right ERP system brings to their businesses' processes. Here's a look at the top ERP systems.  Continue Reading

• RPA and AI strengthen weak links in supply chain workflows

  Instead of an all-or-nothing approach to supply chain automation, RPA is most effective when targeted at subprocesses to improve high-volume, repetitive, error-prone tasks.  Continue Reading

• Supply chain-customer service partnership is vital

  A company's success depends on a supply chain that can meet customers' expectations. To do that well, supply chain leaders must partner with their customer service counterparts.  Continue Reading

• 9 promising use cases for RPA in finance and accounting

  Finance and accounting tasks require unflagging accuracy. Enter robotic process automation. Learn how RPA can streamline efficiency in multiple areas.  Continue Reading

• Process mining vs. data mining: What's the difference?

  Both process mining and data mining tools can help business leaders make better decisions. Here's a look at how each works and what their differences are.  Continue Reading

• Time is right for connected worker platforms

  In this Q&A, Parsable CEO Lawrence Whittle explains why the COVID-19 era may make a strong case for connected worker technologies.  Continue Reading

• 7 real-life blockchain in the supply chain use cases and examples

  Leading-edge companies are trying to fight supply chain network complexity with blockchain. Here's a look at seven use cases that demonstrate how well that's working.  Continue Reading

• GE Digital's transformation rocky but ongoing

  In this Q&A, GE Digital CEO Patrick Byrne discusses how the company is back in the GE fold, GE's digital transformation lessons, and how the COVID-19 crisis affects manufacturers.  Continue Reading

• Exploring COVID-19 food supply chain disruptions

  The food sector has been hard hit by COVID-19. Learn what some of those issues have been, how some companies have escaped the worst of it and what lessons are most important.  Continue Reading

• Cloud ERP implementation answers need for speed and agility

  As demand accelerates for greater speed, flexibility and efficiency in collecting, managing and analyzing corporatewide data, ERP migration to the cloud is paying dividends.  Continue Reading

• Discrete vs. process manufacturing: Choosing ERP

  Process and discrete manufacturers use different processes to create products. Here's how the two differ and how these affect ERP and other technology selections.  Continue Reading

• 3 benefits of digital manufacturing

  To save time and money while also streamlining production, companies are increasingly turning to digital manufacturing. Here's a look at three benefits.  Continue Reading

• GE Digital CTO on data, AI role in digital twin applications

  Colin Parris, founder of GE's digital twin effort, lays out the reasons data management can make or break an application and why pairing digital twins with AI makes each one better.  Continue Reading

• Lessons from COVID-19: 4 inventory management strategies

  COVID-19 highlighted a number of problems with current approaches to inventory management. Here are four strategies that leaders can use to correct those inefficiencies.  Continue Reading

• Epicor Eclipse distribution ERP helps Yesco through COVID-19

  Yesco Electrical Supply is using new features in its Epicor Eclipse ERP system to transform some processes and make it easier to deal with changes caused by COVID-19 disruption.  Continue Reading

• 7 use cases for RPA in supply chain and logistics

  Robotic process automation can help companies automate supply chain and logistics workflows. Here's a look at seven areas where RPA shows the most promise.  Continue Reading

• Digital twin technology on turbulent climb to stratosphere

  Digital twins may be the hottest thing in the already overhyped IoT. The potential is real, but deciding what goes into digital twins and linking them with enterprise data is no small feat.  Continue Reading

• ERP implementation projects need not stop during crisis

  In this Q&A, Unit4's Andy Brockhoff discusses the COVID-19 crisis and why organizations may find it a good time to keep going with ERP modernization projects.  Continue Reading

• Machine health systems play critical role in age of disruption

  As the COVID-19 crisis disrupts industries, manufacturers can keep lines running by using machine health monitoring systems to manage equipment and diagnose problems remotely.  Continue Reading

• Managed cloud ERP services keep businesses afloat in crisis

  In this Q&A, Ryan Etinson of Syntax discusses why companies that use a managed cloud services provider for their ERP systems don't have to worry about system stability.  Continue Reading

• 6 ways to address COVID-19 food supply chain disruptions

  The food supply chain may be broken, but there are initial steps companies must take in the near term. Learn how to bring order to the chaos COVID-19 has brought.  Continue Reading

• Cloud-based ERP keeps SMBs running during pandemic

  Many SMBs have found that moving to cloud-based ERP systems has helped keep the lights on by allowing employees to access enterprise applications from home.  Continue Reading

• How to renegotiate your ERP contract during a pandemic

  ERP consultant Marcus Harris provides advice on renegotiating ERP contracts when the scopes of ERP implementation projects change due to the COVID-19 crisis.  Continue Reading

• ERP implementation challenges grow in COVID-19 crisis

  ERP implementation experts Marcus Harris and Daniel Saeedi tell how organizations can manage ERP project disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.  Continue Reading

• Supply chain applications help ease COVID-19 crisis

  Supply chain applications from SAP Ariba, SourceDay and Kinaxis are helping companies find critical PPE, maintain manufacturing lines and plan for supply chain risk assessment.  Continue Reading

• Supply chain transparency: Technology, partnership and progress

  Compliance is mostly voluntary for suppliers, and brand owners don't have to disclose everything. Data collection is mostly manual. But cloud links help, and IoT holds promise.  Continue Reading

• SaaS ERP vs. cloud ERP: What's the difference?

  SaaS ERP and cloud ERP represent two types of software systems that share some similarities. Learn what they have in common and how they are different.  Continue Reading

• ERP security issues with working remotely during COVID-19 outbreak

  Keeping the organization's enterprise systems safe is everyone's job -- from top leadership on down. Now that the coronavirus has millions homebound, that's never been more important.  Continue Reading

• How Does an ERP System Work? Basics, Features and Types

  ERP systems work via a central database. Users look at dashboards to view real-time data across different business units such as sales, supply chain management and personnel.  Continue Reading

• COVID-19 crisis opens possibilities for 3D printing industry

  As the coronavirus outbreak disrupts supply chains, manufacturers may increasingly turn to 3D printing to move beyond prototyping and into producing quality parts.  Continue Reading

• 7 supply chain management best practices in a COVID-19 world

  Amid global disruptions due to coronavirus, businesses need to redo supply chain best practices immediately. Here are seven ways to get started down the right path.  Continue Reading

• Top 5 ERP software for small businesses

  ERP for small business promises better financial and business processes and access to analytics. Here's a look at five of the top choices in the marketplace.  Continue Reading

• COVID-19 outbreak in China slows global supply chain

  The COVID-19 outbreak started in China, where a large percentage of major enterprises have factories. Here's what business leaders should learn from the resulting slowdown.  Continue Reading

• How to prevent a coronavirus panic buying bullwhip effect

  Widespread coronavirus panic buying is likely to cause a bullwhip effect in some areas -- such as toilet paper. Here's how suppliers can work to minimize the negative supply chain effects.  Continue Reading

• Cognitive automation helps processes run on their own

  Merck Healthcare has implemented cognitive automation technology from Aera Technology to drive a digital transformation of its supply chain operations.  Continue Reading

• Connected worker platforms bring people into digital transformation

  A dairy production company is using a connected worker platform to fill in the gaps of ERP and manufacturing systems and tie in front-line workers to its digital transformation.  Continue Reading

• 3 case studies on reducing supply chain complexity

  Understanding which technologies can best simplify supply chain management is key to success in today's economy. Here's how three companies have tackled this issue.  Continue Reading

• ERP Advisors Group: ERP for SMBs to come of age in 2020

  In this Q&A, Shawn Windle of ERP Advisors Group explains why 2020 is the year of SMBs for ERP, as SMBs find ERP systems more cost-effective and industry-specific options increase.  Continue Reading

• Coronavirus outbreak puts focus on supply chain risk

  Global supply chains have been disrupted by the coronavirus outbreak, and companies need to diversify suppliers and rethink strategies like lean and just-in-time manufacturing.  Continue Reading

• 7 hurdles to using AI in accounting and finance

  Setting realistic expectations and using the same quality control measures that employees must follow can ensure success when you apply AI to financial data and processes.  Continue Reading

• Take care of ERP data security when moving to the cloud

  In this Q&A, ERP data security expert Greg Wendt of Appsian discusses data security needs to be addressed by organizations as they move ERP systems to the cloud.  Continue Reading

• What it takes to create ERP integration strategy success

  Companies are using more standalone systems, yet users are demanding better technology experiences. Bridging this chasm requires a solid integration strategy.  Continue Reading

• Early use of AI for finance focused on operations, analytics

  CFOs are automating repetitive processes in accounts payable and reporting; widespread use of AI in finance is not likely in the near term. Here's a look at the issues.  Continue Reading

• Last-mile delivery challenges in the age of omnichannel

  The last-mile delivery problem is getting more difficult as customers demand lightning-speed product fulfillment. Here's hope.  Continue Reading

• Top 6 2020 supply chain trends

  Supply chain technology is growing more complex and so are partnerships. Here are the most important trends leaders must understand in 2020 and beyond.  Continue Reading

• Executive shuffle rolls through ERP industry

  2019 was a year for change in the executive ranks of SAP and other ERP vendors, as the companies face struggles in moving their large on-premises installed bases to the cloud.  Continue Reading