Advanced Technologies

Supply chain networks are radically transforming due to the increased application of advanced technologies. In a rapidly changing business terrain, many companies still struggle to properly apply foundational technologies such as mobile, cloud and analytics. Meanwhile, industry leaders are building a competitive advantage by strategically exploring, deploying and scaling the operating tools and platforms of the future.

Companies can no longer wait to adopt proven innovations. Increasingly demanding customers and an interconnected set of exponential technologies are colliding to accelerate the pace, scope and expectations of supply chain transformation. Those who fail to proactively innovate their supply chain using advanced technologies will quickly be displaced and find it very difficult to recover.

Advanced technologies will augment decision making, streamline operations and automate processes across entire supply networks. All companies must digitize and connect their supply chain to improve fulfillment, drive efficiency and become more flexible. However, the current wave of advanced technologies will require and unlock entirely new operating models. Below is a core list of 7 advanced technologies that companies must master:

1. Artificial Intelligence – With AI, companies can analyze massive data sets to identify patterns or anomalies, automate processes or operational areas, take predictive actions, generate actionable insights and rapidly evolve solutions based on real-time, network wide information. This will unlock human creativity and transform decision making.
2. Augmented & Virtual Reality – With AR & VR, companies can enhance a wide range of activities such as warehouse picking and packing, delivery loading and unloading, employee training and warehouse/container layouts. More engaging, immersive  experiences will drive higher acquisition and retention of customers and employees.
3. Blockchain – With blockchain, companies will realize unprecedented visibility and trust, especially in complex global supply chains. This will reduce information and financial friction, optimize inventory levels and improve product quality. Pairing a shared database with smart contracts will drive widespread activity automation across supply networks.
4. Internet of Things (IoT) – With IoT, companies will have real-time tracking to the pallet, case or package level, and an explosion of data from devices and sensors across machines, vehicles and infrastructure. Savvy companies will maximize asset utilization, transform operating models, better understand customers and enhance service levels.
5. Autonomous Vehicles – With AVs, companies will realize hyper-efficient and dynamic inbound/last-mile transportation plus warehousing and large-scale yard/lot operations. They will enhance sustainability, avoid accidents and optimize time-in-transit. Reducing or eliminating the drive role will also radically reduce operating costs.
6. Drones – With drones, companies will perform automated inventory counts on a more regular and cost-effective basis, better track assets in the yard, and open new delivery options for hard to reach or congested locations such as cargo ships and rural communities. As weight limits rise to a metric ton or more, drones will reshape logistics.
7. Robots – With robots, companies will reduce labor costs, task time and error rates for routine activities. Advanced companies will automate entire warehouses and pair them with artificial intelligence to unlock mass customization. This will radically alter the labor force, including more roles for women and a focus on technology skills development.

Companies that wish to lead in the future must take immediate action and strategically explore deployment of advanced technologies. First, they should analyze their industry and extended supply chain to identify the most relevant and disruptive technologies. Next, they should collaborate with their partners and customers to create an integrated technology development roadmap for the entire supply network. With a clear understanding of what they need to accomplish, they can then build the necessary capabilities and teams to ensure success.

View our services to see how GoodOps can help you build a competitive advantage by integrating advanced technologies across your supply chain network. Or send us an email at info@goodops.co to get started today.

Case Study

Leading the autonomous trucks market analysis, strategy development and pilot tests for a global distribution company.

CHALLENGE

One of the largest distribution companies in the world needed to understand how they can leverage the coming wave of autonomous trucks and build a competitive advantage.

SOLUTION

• Partnered with the CEO, COO and Head of Innovation to develop their framework for adoption of autonomous trucks, including market analysis, strategy development, solution design and pilot testing.
• Analyzed industry and customer ecosystems to generate a custom white paper. Content included high-potential applications, adoption timelines, relevant case studies, future KPIs, potential partners, competitive threats and market specific considerations across their global supply network.
• Curated a week long experience for our client and their customer at an industry leading conference, including a featured speaking slot. Also brokered high-end meetings, collaborative working sessions and an intimate high-end dinner that secured strategic relationships with technology providers, elected officials, government agencies, industry associations and venture capitalists.
• Designed and managed a Level 4 “driverless” autonomous trucks pilot test with a leading technology provider, including partner selection, agreement negotiation, test plan design and pilot management.
• Brokered a Level 1 Driver Assistive Truck Platooning (DATP) test with a leading technology provider, including partner selection, route selection and test plan design.
• Generated custom technology and deployment reports that guided the autonomous trucks strategy for our client as well as their customers, which include some of the largest brands in the world.

IMPACT

Client has positioned themselves as a trusted innovation partner for their customers, leading integration of autonomous trucks across the connected, smart and automated supply chain networks of the future.  

View our services to see how GoodOps can help you build a competitive advantage by harnessing disruptive innovations such as autonomous trucks. Or send us an email at info@goodops.co to get started today.

New York Supply Chain Meetup

Recently the GoodOps co-founders were invited to present at The New York Supply Chain Meetup and share their innovative take on supply chain transformation consulting services. We had an incredible time being able to hear the different perspectives on supply chain innovation from experts across the industry. Each of the companies that presented are taking unique approaches to integrating advanced technologies, sustainability frameworks and agile operations in order to help brands build a competitive advantage through their supply chain:

• Ripe.io – Altering the trajectory of the food system through blockchain technology and the Internet of Things b.y designing a radically transparent digital food supply chain.
• Homer Logistics – A team of software developers, optimization experts, and operations leaders focusing on optimizing the last-mile, expedited shipping space.
• Chain.io – An experienced team of supply chain professionals who integrate logistics service providers, shippers, and software providers via a modern, secure, managed cloud.
• LuxLock – A SaaS Experience platform designed around the shopper to provide the ultimate high-touch shopping experiences with premium and luxury brands.

For anyone interested in innovative supply chain solutions, The New York Supply Chain Meetup is a diverse, knowledgeable and open community of leaders looking to connect and exchange insights. The event is open to all, whether you’re an expert or just an individual looking to learn more about the industry, which promotes a lively discussion and new perspectives on the topics at hand.

We want to thank Brian Laung Aoaeh and Lisa Morales-Hellebo, our friends and the co-founders of the event, for inviting us and giving us the opportunity to present our ideas and services to all those that attended. If you are interested in signing up for a future New York Supply Chain Meetup, please fill out the form below on their website, and welcome to the community!

The New York Supply Chain Meetup Signup Link

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Airbus’ New Supply Chain

Airbus has hired Bellevue-based Icertis to digitally transform their supply chain. Airbus’ new supply chain will be focused on source-to-contract solutions across its various divisions. With supply chain transformation taking over, Airbus becomes the latest example of how important embracing this change is for success. Airbus currently works with over 12,000 suppliers, so correctly managing their supply chain could prove widely cost effective and efficient. The aerospace manufacturer specifically chose Icertis for it’s rapid integration of digital supply chains transformation to companies globally. Certainly Airbus is looking for safer, more cost efficient and traceable solutions to their business, so this transformation was simply a matter of “when” rather than “how.” The company will have stronger agility through digitization, allowing for stronger relationships with commercialization. Will Icertis emerge as a leading digital supply chain transformer for companies globally? What type of success will Airbus see with a new, highly digitalized system?

Want to learn more?

• Read the original Supply Chain Digital article here.
• See also our article on advanced technology and how implementing AI and blockchain strategies can radically transform supply chain.
• Sign up for our “North Star” newsletter to get the most important news, insights and profiles on supply chain transformation.

Supply Chain Sustainability

Supply chain sustainability is an essential component of all business today and every company must consider their environmental and social impact a top priority. The key drivers pushing this momentum forward include risk mitigation, compliance requirements and consumer activism, all of which will continue to increase due to accelerated globalization and technology. Companies that authentically and transparently incorporate sustainability throughout their supply networks will spark customer loyalty and drive business growth while also improving employee productivity, reducing costs and mitigating risk.

Companies must holistically embed sustainability across their entire supply network. After many high-profile examples of damaged brand reputation and profits due to poor working conditions, resource exploitation and corrupt management, companies have woken up to the responsibility expected of them. In a world where people are purchasing goods and making career choices based on this expectation, companies can no longer rely on siloed corporate social responsibility departments or ad hoc social marketing programs; they must embed sustainability across their extended supply chain to set a strong foundation for success.

Existing frameworks deployed by industry leaders can help companies more easily design and deploy their own supply chain sustainability strategy. In the past, companies had to start from scratch when creating their approach to supply chain sustainability, with little insight into industry best-practices and benchmarks. However, leading brands, global institutions and industry associations have made critical early strides in establishing actionable frameworks, such as The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), The Paris Agreement, the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC), the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), and The Ceres Roadmap for Sustainability. The common thread across the most effective frameworks is an integrated consideration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices.

The key to success is defining an approach to environmental, social and governance practices across the supply network that also drives competitive advantage. From how they sourcing raw materials to how they delivering finished products to customers, companies can reduce costs through a focus on practices such as waste reduction and more efficient usage of energy and water. Smart companies leverage those activities to differentiate their offering and create a uniquely compelling brand experience for customers and employees. Establishing interconnected governance practices, such as sustainability targets tied to performance management and pay for executive leadership, ensures accountability and progress.

Companies that wish to lead in the future must take immediate and strategic action on supply chain sustainability. Doing good isn’t just about feeling good; organizations rating highly in their approach to environmental, social and governance practices outperform the market in medium and long range terms. With rising proof around the business case for sustainability, the time to act is now. Early movers will establish a competitive advantage before sustainability becomes a common and core part of every business.

View our services to see how GoodOps can help you integrate supply chain sustainability and build a competitive advantage. Or send us an email at info@goodops.co to get started today.

Case Study

Launching a successful private label line for a leading Silicon Valley marketplace.

CHALLENGE

A Silicon Valley startup that was the leading content and commerce boutique shopping marketplace needed to solidify existing operations and better manage their purchasing vs. drop ship, all while expanding to launch their first ever private label line.

SOLUTION

• For existing operations, attended all industry trade shows, negotiated better pricing and payment terms with vendors, and educated them on our ecommerce packaging and delivery needs.
• Implemented a strategic decision making process for which “hot” items should be secured into inventory where supply was volatile at the vendor level.
• For launch of the private label line, designed both products and sourced a new supplier in China that could create initial prototypes as well as handle all replenishment needs and additional product lines.
• Due to limited startup funding, smartly kept costs down by managing the global process remotely and leveraging the resources of external partners.

IMPACT

Secured volume savings on basic items and ensured sufficient inventory for trending products. The private label items quickly became the number one and number two bestsellers on the website, surpassing the premiere branded items with lower prices and better margins.

View our services to see how GoodOps can help you build a competitive advantage through operating model transformation and new product innovation. Or send us an email at info@goodops.co to get started today.

Case Study

Designing and launching imports management for the ecommerce supply chain of one of the world’s largest retailers.

CHALLENGE

One of the world’s largest retailers needed to establish design, oversight and management of global imports for their ecommerce supply chain.

SOLUTION

• First ever to manage global ecommerce imports operations, overseeing more than $65M+ in shipments.
• Deeply analyzed existing processes and expanded opportunities for sourcing and purchasing.
• Critical improvements were obtained through innovative collaboration with the Direct Imports team at HQ, and onsite trips to Hong Kong with the buying team to educate suppliers at trade shows on ecommerce shipping and packaging.
• Led strategy for process and compliance, including factory conditions and housing for workers.
• Met with logistics partners at the Port of Shenzhen, China (the world’s third largest container port) to expand communications and information sharing.
• Partnered with buying, planning and logistics teams across brick-and-mortar and ecommerce divisions, obtaining data and creating new essential visibility tools that were used to track inbound orders and open-to-buy commitments.
• Designed training programs and tools for all departments and vendors, launched integrated systems to reduce risk, and created a global dashboard to manage KPIs.

IMPACT

Designed, managed and improved the ecommerce supply chain and operations for the world’s largest company. Developed innovative strategies that opened new modes of doing global business.

View our services to see how GoodOps can help you build a competitive advantage by designing, deploying and scaling ecommerce operations. Or send us an email at info@goodops.co to get started today.

Case Study

Leading the peak season, holiday ecommerce operations inbound supply chain management for one of the world’s largest retailers.

CHALLENGE

One of the world’s largest retailers needed exceptional management and oversight of inbound supply chain management to avoid shipping delays, increase efficiencies and reduce risks in their holiday ecommerce operations.

SOLUTION

• Oversaw a team of 17 direct reports 6 months prior to holiday season to ensure all necessary processes, reports and training were implemented.
• Once the critical plan and strategy was in place, the team began operating at an accelerated rate in October, working daily to manage all international and domestic shipments and ensure goods were on track to deliver in time.
• By November, designed and led the first ever 7 days a week, cross-functional, in person “swat” team meeting that included the entire C-suite, monitoring each aspect of the global supply chain and remedying any errors along the way for fast resolution.
• Created and managed a separate team to handle all critical ‘tickets’ issued by 9am each day where a strategy for resolution was expected by noon the same day.
• Tracked and escalated any unresolved challenges to address at the following day’s meeting until closed.

IMPACT

Millions of dollars of lost sales were saved due to advanced visibility. Hyper-detailed and collaborative management of the inbound supply chain allowed for swift action when unforeseen issues arose. The overall result extended to better interdepartmental relationships, improved business operations and greater customer satisfaction.

View our services to see how GoodOps can help you build a competitive advantage through strategic and dynamic management of holiday ecommerce operations. Or send us an email at info@goodops.co to get started today.

Case Study

Reducing landed cost by 3-5% for one of the largest regional warehouse club chains.

CHALLENGE

One of the largest operators of membership warehouse clubs in Central America and the Caribbean needed to reduce the landed cost for multiple items exported from the USA and China, shipping to 24 stores in 14 countries.

SOLUTION

• Analyzed the extended supply chain and applied a multi-strategy approach to accurately assess each product’s landed cost profitability margin.
• Calculated each item’s cost per cube to ensure shipping cost did not exceed 10% of cost of goods sold (COGS).
• Researched correct tariff classification per product, by country, for current export/import duties and attributed costs appropriately.
• Determined carrier rates and time in transit of various container and less than container load (LCL) trade routes to determine optimal allocation.
• Products were then divided between mixed containers and LCL shipments, based on shipping cost, time in transit and sales demand.

IMPACT

Ascertained the best method of shipping goods through comprehensive analysis at the item level, reducing landed cost on average by 3-5% for every shipment.

View our services to see how GoodOps can help you build a competitive advantage through more efficient global logistics and improved earnings. Or send us an email at info@goodops.co to get started today.

Case Study

Managing global inventory and mixed container exports across 14 countries.

CHALLENGE

One of the largest operators of membership warehouse clubs in Central America and the Caribbean needed to manage retail buying, inventory planning and global logistics for three product categories across 24 clubs in 14 countries.

SOLUTION

• Buying entailed attending international trade shows to select products and negotiate directly with vendors.
• Optimized and managed inventory planning for 24 clubs in 14 countries on JD Edwards ERP software, to ensure the right product and the right quantity, arrived on time.
• Managed global logistics cost and time in transit at the product level for each store; ensuring the best trade options were used by analyzing 10 weeks of inventory levels and determining when to replenish stock and factor in seasonality, spikes and trade routes.

IMPACT

Effective and efficient buying, planning and logistics led to a reduction in landed cost, an increase in profit margin and fewer out of stock situations.

View our services to see how GoodOps can help you build a competitive advantage through more efficient global logistics and improved earnings. Or send us an email at info@goodops.co to get started today.

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