Purchasing vs. Supply Chain Management software

Purchasing vs. Supply
Purchasing software and supply chain management software are often mistaken for one another, but both have distinct functionalities. While purchasing software automates the procurement process, supply chain management software executes logistical transactions and manages supplier relationships. This report identifies the similarities and differences between the two software categories to help you understand which one is better suited to your needs.


What is purchasing software?

Purchasing software is an online tool that allows businesses to automate the process of procuring goods and services. It includes security compliance and reporting features.

Purchasing solutions offer integrated tools for invoice approval, inventory control, asset management, customer service, and work order management. They help manage contracts, analyze spending, track sales deliveries, and monitor inventory levels. They also assist in identifying bottlenecks in the purchase process, such as functions that have high expenditure.

Purchasing software offers invoice processing capabilities as well. Procurement professionals and accounting teams can use the tool to generate invoices, track invoice status, and monitor expenses via detailed reports.


What is supply chain management software?

Supply chain management software is a software platform that allows supply chain managers to automate the entire supply chain process—from acquiring raw materials to delivering the finished goods to consumers. The software provides tools for monitoring stock levels, including raw materials, and predicting future requirements based on the current inflow and outflow of inventory.

Supply chain management tools manage material handling, order fulfillment, and information tracking for stakeholders such as manufacturers, suppliers, and transport and logistics providers. They also track the returns of damaged goods, process refunds and insurance claims, and provide planning and forecasting tools for supply chain professionals.


What do they have in common?

Purchasing is a crucial component of supply chain management. Together, these processes significantly contribute to an organization’s procurement cycle. Despite the functionality differences, both the software categories have a few features in common, including supplier management, order management, and forecasting.


Which tool is right for you?

The answer to this question depends on your use case. If you’re looking for a tool that majorly focuses on acquiring supplies, opt for a purchasing software solution, as it will help you streamline the procurement cycle, maintain purchase order accuracy, and monitor supplier activities. However, if you wish to manage your entire supply chain operations, including supplier, transportation, warehouse, and inventory management, then investing in a supply chain software solution would be the right choice.

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Total Logistics, the complete Supply Chain Consultancy

Total Logistics is an impartial management consultancy specialising in all aspects of commercial supply chains. Our work encompasses the complete scope of logistics, from strategy definition to implementation and project management...

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Software and Technology, Supply Chain

4 features to look for when buying a quality warehouse order picking cart

Article | July 14, 2022

Order picking is the most resource-intensive operation of a warehouse or fulfillment center. More than 55% of the operating cost for a warehouse is related to order picking, and fulfillment centers, the number stands at 50%. It is the process that can bring in the most cost savings with an effective, streamlined and efficient order picking system. One of the most important components of your order picking system is the warehouse order picking cart. Order picking carts are used to move inventory from the warehouse shelves to sorting or packing stations. They make it easier for warehouse associates to carry multiple items at a time or to carry large, unwieldy items. When it is possible to carry multiple items on a trip, it drastically reduces the distance traveled by associates on foot. It also helps to reduce physical fatigue and improves efficiency dramatically.

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Supply Chain

Complexities in Integrating Supply Chain Analytics from Data to Action

Article | March 22, 2022

Data volume in supply chains is usually enormous. Analytics applied to the supply chain help make sense of the pile of information by identifying patterns and drawing conclusions. Contents 1 Importance of B2B Supply Chain Analytics 2 Obstacles in Supply Chain Analytics Integration 2.1 Barriers in Collecting and Processing Data 2.2 Insufficient Technical Skills 2.3 Issues in Managing and Integrating Data 2.4 Inadequate Analytics and Insights Generation 3 Addressing Supply Chain Analytics Complexities for Better Decision-Making 3.1 Leveraging External Expertise 3.2 Enhancing Collaboration and Communication 3.3 Improving Data Quality and Governance 3.4 Developing Analytics Capabilities 4 Power of Successful Supply Chain Analytics Integration in Transforming Businesses 5 Conclusion 1 Importance of B2B Supply Chain Analytics Supply chain analytics has become a pillar of contemporary business strategy, enabling organizations to leverage data insights and enhance vital supply chain processes. By utilizing real-time data analytics, businesses can streamline their supply chain operations, boost productivity, and increase customer satisfaction. With unparalleled visibility into key performance indicators, B2B supply chain analytics provide the opportunity to identify inefficiencies, reduce costs, and react swiftly to ever-changing market dynamics, streamlining the process for supply chain business analysts who manage supply data. Leveraging the power of supply chain analytics tools is important for the success of modern businesses in the age of data-driven decision making. With the ability to optimize inventory levels, manage lead times, and reduce transportation costs, supply chain data analytics provides a competitive advantage that can increase the efficiency, productivity, and profitability of businesses of all sizes and in all industries. 2 Obstacles in Supply Chain Analytics Integration Supply chain analytics integration has become increasingly critical for companies seeking to optimize their supply chain operations. However, several obstacles hindering successful implementation often complicate the integration process; hence, understanding and knowing them in advance is vital for smooth operations. 2.1 Barriers in Collecting and Processing Data Effective data collection and processing are critical in generating accurate insights to drive supply chain analytics decision-making. However, it comes with challenges; the most critical obstacle is data silos, where data is stored in isolated systems or departments, leading to difficulties in accessing and integrating it. It gets more complex when different departments or partners use varied data formats or standards. Additionally, cleaning and processing data is also challenging, as it involves identifying and eliminating duplicates, inconsistencies, and errors that can negatively impact analytics accuracy. 2.2 Insufficient Technical Skills Successful supply chain analytics integration depends heavily on technical skills and knowledge. Insufficient technical talent and expertise are significant barriers to successful integration. The integration process requires specialized technical expertise and the supply of skilled professionals with expertise in ETL, statistical analysis, knowledge of ML, IoT, SQL, and more in managing supply chain analytics Talent lacking technical skills cannot accurately interpret data, leading to ineffective decision-making. Preliminary data analysis, processing, and visualization due to a lack of technical expertise results in suboptimal decision-making, which can be costly for businesses. 2.3 Issues in Managing and Integrating Data Data integration combines data from various sources and formats to create a unified view. However, businesses face data governance, quality, and standardization issues, resulting in incomplete or inconsistent data. Lack of accurate information reduces the efficiency of supply chain analytics and impacts decision-making. Additionally, data management is complex, and business face difficulties creating effective data management processes, resulting in problems related to storing, retrieving, and updating data. 2.4 Inadequate Analytics and Insights Generation Obtaining valuable insights from enormous data collected during the supply chain process requires advanced analytics tools and technologies. Many businesses, however, continue to rely on traditional reporting methods, which limit the range and complexity of insights generated. The lack of expertise in data analysis and visualization can lead to poor interpretation and use of data, resulting in suboptimal decision-making. In addition, businesses experience difficulty identifying relevant data sources or may struggle to establish the necessary data governance frameworks to ensure data quality and accuracy. 3 Addressing Supply Chain Analytics Complexities for Better Decision-Making Supply chain analytics can provide valuable insights, but the complexities involved in analyzing and interpreting data can be a significant hurdle. Learning the strategies for addressing these complexities to improve decision-making in supply chain management has become essential. 3.1 Leveraging External Expertise Leveraging external expertise can be a powerful strategy for addressing supply chain analytics complexities related to collecting and processing supply chain data during integration. External experts bring specialized skills, experience, and knowledge that may not be available in-house, enabling organizations to overcome talent shortages and expand their capabilities. Furthermore, consultants, data scientists, or technology providers provide an objective viewpoint on the organization's data and processes, identifying areas for improvement and optimizing performance. By collaborating with external experts, organizations can access the latest tools, technologies, and best practices, ensuring that their supply chain analytics are up-to-date and relevant. 3.2 Enhancing Collaboration and Communication Enhancing collaboration and communication can effectively address the challenge of insufficient technical skills in thriving supply chain analytics integration. By promoting cooperation and cross-functional communication, organizations can leverage the skills and expertise of team members from various departments to fill gaps in technical knowledge. This approach can also help to break down data silos and improve data sharing and integration. In addition, collaboration and communication can facilitate knowledge transfer, enabling team members to learn from one another and develop a more comprehensive understanding of the supply chain analytics process. Ultimately, this can lead to improved decision-making, as a more skilled and knowledgeable team can generate more accurate and insightful analytics. 3.3 Improving Data Quality and Governance Businesses ensure accuracy, completion, and up-to-date data by establishing standardized processes and protocols for collecting, storing, and analyzing data. Data quality checks, including data cleansing and normalization, can help eliminate errors, redundancies, and inconsistencies that can negatively impact the accuracy and usefulness of analytics. In addition, effective data governance, including establishing data ownership, security, and privacy policies, helps ensure that data is managed and shared appropriately across the organization. As a result, it reduces the risk of data breaches, compliance violations, and other data-related issues, ensuring that organizations have access to reliable data for better decision-making. 3.4 Developing Analytics Capabilities Developing capabilities significantly help organizations overcome inadequate analytics and insights generation challenges in analytics integration. Investing in advanced analytics tools and platforms like technical skills, data infrastructure, and advanced supply chain analytics techniques help businesses generate real-time, accurate, and actionable insights from collected data. Developing analytics capabilities requires creating a culture that values data and analytics, establishing robust data governance frameworks, upskilling the workforce and creating cross-functional teams collaborating on data-related projects. In addition, it helps businesses gain a competitive advantage. 4 Power of Successful Supply Chain Analytics Integration in Transforming Businesses Effective supply chain analytics integration is revolutionizing business operations. Real-time and supply chain predictive analytics have helped businesses gain unmatched transparency in their supply chains, enhance critical processes, improve operational efficiency and customer satisfaction, and experience revenue growth and profitability. The ability to identify inefficiencies and supply chain optimization opportunities enables businesses to effectively allocate resources and reduce expenses. In addition, successful supply chain analytics integration enables businesses to respond quickly to changing market dynamics, optimize inventory management, and strengthen the resilience of their supply chains. Businesses are leveraging the power of big data analytics to disrupt and transform supply chain at all levels. The concept of data, which was once a fundamental component of digital supply chain transformation, is now revolutionary. Therefore, it is essential to achieve advancements in supply chain analytics integration and management. 5 Conclusion With technological and data analytics advancements, businesses can utilize real-time data insights to make data-driven decisions, optimize supply chain processes, and improve customer experiences. Integration of supply chain analytics is crucial for supply chain businesses of all sizes. Utilizing supply chain analytics software can further streamline integration as well as enhance data analytics and supply chain management.

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Supply Chain

Drive Insights from Upcoming Warehousing Conferences and Events

Article | November 11, 2022

Discover future trends & innovations at upcoming warehousing conferences and events. Explore technologies, growth opportunities and networking possibilities to improve the supply chain operations. Warehousing and distribution play crucial roles in the logistics industry. To enhance the expertise and gain a competitive edge, professionals must attend logistics conferences in 2023, including the supply chain management and warehousing conferences and events. These gatherings offer a platform for industry leaders to exchange ideas, learn from experts, and explore the latest advancements. The following warehousing conferences and events will provide tailored discussions on warehouse optimization, inventory management, and process improvement. 1. ASCM Connect 2023: Europe June 27-28, 2023 | Brussels (Belgium) ASCM CONNECT 2023: Europe, held at DoubleTree by Hilton Brussels City, is a must-attend event for supply chain professionals. This networking opportunity will offer educational sessions, trending topics, and valuable insights from industry leaders like Matteo Coppola (Integrated Business Planning Director Kellogg), Hans Ehm (Senior Principal Engineer Supply Chain and Head of Supply Chain Innovations Infineon), Juliana Hsuan (Professor, Operations Management and Supply Chain Management Copenhagen Business School), and more. Logistics and supply chain industry leaders will benefit from the event by gaining knowledge on supply chain management trends and innovations. One of this logistics events further equips professionals with the tools to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and reduce costs. 2. Innovation and Industrial Logistics (ICIIL 2023) August 25-27, 2023 | Tapi (Macao) The 9th International Conference on Innovation and Industrial Logistics (ICIIL 2023) is an exclusive supply chain conference for logistics and warehouse management industry leaders. The conference will include topics like purchasing, supply chain management, transportation, and warehouse optimization. This warehouse event will offer valuable insights into the latest trends and advancements. Professionals will be able to network with experts and peers, fostering collaboration and partnerships. Attending ICIIL 2023, held at the Macau University of Science and Technology, will enable attendees to enhance their expertise, optimize operations, and stay ahead in the dynamic supply chain and logistics industry. 3. ASCM Connect 2023: North America September 11-13, 2023 | Louisville (Kentucky) An indispensable supply chain event for logistics industry leaders will have 120+ speakers, 70+ education sessions, and eight innovation labs. This premier event will offer a comprehensive program with thought-provoking insights, hands-on workshops, and networking opportunities. Keynotes by influential figures such as John J. Sullivan (Former United States Ambassador to Russia (2020-2022)), Elliott Harris (United Nations Chief Economist), and Amanda Manna (Futurist and Vice President, Singularity University) will further enhance the experience. Attending ASCM CONNECT 2023 will enable professionals to stay ahead in the dynamic supply chain industry and encourage them to enlarge their network with people having different ideas from the industry to improve business operations. 4. Automotive Logistics and Supply Chain September 26-28 2023 | Dearborn (Michigan) A pivotal event for the supply chain and logistics industry, Automotive Logistics & Supply Chain Global will offer the opportunity to regain control and confidence in North America's automotive supply chain after years of crisis. It will explore the impact of policies on supply chain operations and emphasize the importance of building diverse and inclusive teams. Key speakers include Renee Wawrzynski (Executive Director of Global Logistics at General Motors), Chris Styles (Vice President of Logistics at Lucid Motors), and Oliver Bilstein(Vice-President Production Control, Logistics, and Material Control. BMW Manufacturing Co.), and others will share valuable insights. In addition, this warehouse conference event will be equipping professionals to navigate the challenges of a rapidly changing industry. 5. LogiPharma October 04-06, 2023| Boston (Massachusetts) This event for pharma, biotech, and medtech supply chain executives in North America, has been a beacon of innovation and best practices since its inception in 2002. From a network monitoring expert's perspective, attending LogiPharma offers industry leaders in the supply chain and logistics industry an unparalleled opportunity to stay ahead of the curve. By bringing together supply chain leaders from the manufacturing and distribution sectors, LogiPharma will promote collaboration and enhance supply chain management effectiveness. Attending this logistics and pharmacy conference will enable executives to be updated with industry trends and build vital relationships through interactive sessions and workshops by key speakers like Samir Gami (Sr. Director of Advanced Customer Capabilities Johnson & Johnson - Janssen), Ed Ram (Sr. Director, Supply Chain Sagent Pharmaceuticals), David Sokoloff (Director, Global Logistics & Materials Management Novavax), and more. Prepare to transform the business and build a resilient supply chain in the dynamic pharmaceutical industry. 6. Logistics Technology USA 2023 November 1-2, 2023 | Dallas (Texas) To foster growth and disruption in the logistics industry, Logistics Technology USA is the premier event where logistics technology innovators gather. This warehouse management conference will offer logistics service providers the opportunity to experiment, break barriers, and create the future of logistics. With a focus on cutting-edge technologies like machine learning, drones, robotics, and artificial intelligence, attendees can gain valuable insights to enhance their businesses. Key speakers will share their expertise, including Pritha Mehra (Chief Information Officer and Executive Vice President of USPS), Ben Cubitt (Senior Vice President of Procurement and Engineering Uber Freight), Geoff Kelley, and others. Further, the conference will offer valuable sponsorship opportunities to get your brand in front of prospects and clients who can transform your business. The networking sessions also facilitate meaningful connections, helping kickstart sales cycles and accelerate business development efforts. 7. 7th Annual European Supply Chain Management Summit November 07-08, 2023 | Las Vegas (US) The European Supply Chain Management Strategies Summit is a leading supply chain conference that will offer senior leadership case studies and solutions. This event's primary focus will be to improve logistics and inventory management, implement IoT and new technologies, enhance supplier collaboration and transparency, and mitigate process risks. Additionally, the event is CPD accredited, ensuring the best opportunities for professional development. The event will also be enriched with inputs from the following key speakers, including Angelo Dalporto, a renowned expert in logistics and inventory management, Damodar Hegde, an authority on implementing IoT and new technologies, Leon van der Merwe, a specialist in supplier collaboration and transparency, Luke Kerr, a seasoned professional in risk mitigation strategies, and Sebastian Sołtys, an expert in workforce leadership and engagement. Their valuable perspectives and knowledge will help improve the supply chain warehousing and distribution strategies. 8. Future Supply Chain November 28-29, 2023 | Torrey Pines (California) Unlock the secrets to achieving total visibility in your supply chain at the upcoming digital supply chain event. With a staggering 69% companies lacking complete transparency, this event is a must-attend for supply chain and logistics industry leaders. The event will provide practical insights from end-user case studies and guide how to implement transformative technologies to propel the supply chain forward. The event will also boast an impressive lineup of key speakers, including Dave Campbell (Associate Director of Supply Chain Transformation, Proposals, & Comms), Sree Duggineni (Executive Director, Supply Chain Operations), Imara Charles (Vice President, Process and Digital Excellence), Marcus Handy (Director of Supply Chain and Operations), Ivy Huynh (Head of Logistics, Supply Chain), Reginald Mingot Blanc (Vice President of Operations & Integrated Supply Chain), Alexandra Garyn (Senior Director of Supply Chain Management), and Hari Perumal (Chief Supply Chain Officer). 9. The Global Destination for Logistics and Supply Chain Innovation February 05-07, 2024 | Caesars Forum (Las Vegas) Experience the future of logistics at Manifest, the premier gathering that will unite Fortune 500 global supply chain executives, logistics service providers, innovators, and investors in Las Vegas. This exclusive event will showcase the latest advancements in logistics tech and end-to-end supply chain practices that will help shape the industry's landscape. Supply chain and logistics experts will have unprecedented access to industry leaders and thought-provoking sessions that will provide valuable insights into emerging trends and strategic opportunities. Key speakers include Zane Adams (Co-Founder of EVP Strategy and Development FedUp Foods PBC), Moid Alwy (Chief Supply Chain Officer at EVP), Ian Arthurs (CEO & Founder at Circular.co), Andy Bair (Founding Partner at Sway Ventures), Amiee Bayer-Thomas (Chief Supply Chain Officer at Ulta Beauty), and Stephanie Benedetto (CEO & Founder of Queen of Raw). 10. IWLA Convention & Expo 2024 April 21-23, 2024 | Orlando (Florida) The 2024 IWLA Convention & Expo is an event for warehousing leaders of North America's logistics and supply chain industry. This supply chain convention will offer a unique opportunity to connect, learn, and network with fellow logistics leaders. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a returning participant, the convention promises valuable experiences and connections that can enhance one's profession in the warehousing industry. Joining this event will provide insights into the latest trends and best practices and foster new relationships and a wealth of ideas to drive warehouse logistics operations forward. In addition, this premier gathering of warehouse industry professionals will also emphasize the solutions and experiences of the key speakers from the industry. Key Takeaway Attending logistics conferences such as the supply chain management conferences and warehousing conferences & events in 2023 is essential for professionals in the logistics industry. These events offer valuable opportunities to exchange knowledge, learn from experts, and explore the latest advancements in supply chain management and warehousing practices. Professionals will be able to optimize their supply chains, enhance warehouse operations, and gain a competitive edge in the dynamic business landscape by participating in these gatherings. Drive business success by leveraging the techniques and networking opportunities, these industry-leading events provide.

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Ultimate guide to warehouse logistics: Enhance organization, movement, and management

Article | October 19, 2020

Warehouse logistics is the heart of any supply chain operation, assimilating and dispatching goods to ensure availability and timely delivery. With more consumers turning to e-commerce, it’s important for businesses of all sizes to bolster the supply chain to handle the e-commerce business model. According to research conducted by BigCommerce, the top three factors that influence consumers’ online purchasing decisions are convenience, cost and free shipping. In fact, the National Retail Federation (NRF) found that 75% of consumers expect delivery to be free even for orders under $50.

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Spotlight

Total Logistics, the complete Supply Chain Consultancy

Total Logistics is an impartial management consultancy specialising in all aspects of commercial supply chains. Our work encompasses the complete scope of logistics, from strategy definition to implementation and project management...

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Logistics, Supply Chain, Transportation

AIT Worldwide Logistics Acquires Global Transport Solutions Group

Business Wire | February 05, 2024

AIT Worldwide Logistics, one of the world’s leaders in global supply chain solutions, has acquired Global Transport Solutions Group (GTS), a prominent international freight forwarder specializing in time-critical marine spare parts logistics. Headquartered in the Netherlands, GTS and its more than 600 teammates across 16 locations in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North America, serve over 2,000 ports around the world. The GTS network also includes nine consolidation hubs totaling more than 45,000 square meters of warehouse space. AIT Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Vaughn Moore, said, “I’d like to welcome our new GTS teammates to the global AIT network. This is the largest acquisition in our company’s history and GTS’ marine spare parts business is an excellent complement to AIT’s time-critical supply chain solutions.” The company’s business is divided into two sub-brands: Marinetrans (founded in 1991), excelling in “door-to-deck” spare parts logistics for ship owners and managers, and Best Global Logistics (founded in 2007), providing time-critical solutions and general forwarding for other industries, including life sciences shippers. According to AIT’s Chief Business Officer, Greg Weigel, the acquisition provides the company with new geographic presence in Greece, Japan and the Nordic region while adding significant capacity and subject matter expertise to existing AIT networks in China, the Netherlands and Singapore. The deal also provides a strong foundation to expand GTS’ world-class marine spare parts solutions via AIT’s expansive global freight network. “The acquisition of GTS creates an incredible portfolio of solutions serving the maritime industry with delivery of time-critical spare parts across all geographies. This is a perfect complement to AIT’s vertical strategies focused on expedited mission-critical services like our Critical Solutions Group, government and AOG team, and Life Sciences Division,” Weigel said. “We plan to rapidly invest and expand GTS’ North American operations by capitalizing on AIT’s robust salesforce in the United States and offering maritime customers a world-class spare parts logistics solution in every port.” AIT President and Chief Operating Officer, Keith Tholan, noted that the GTS core values – customer first, operational excellence, and partnership and collaboration – closely mirror AIT’s core values. “We are delighted to welcome GTS teammates to AIT,” Tholan said. “Their deep marine logistics expertise and three decades of proven on-time performance in a very demanding segment will complement the diverse solutions we offer across our vertical sector strategy. We also expect our best-in-class global air freight procurement will instantly benefit their time-critical operations.” According to GTS co-CEO John Burgstra, the acquisition is an opportunity for GTS to further expand their worldwide operations. “We aim to provide our clients an unrivaled experience when it comes to global visibility, transparency and on-time performance, fully unburdening them of the required logistical handling of their vessels’ spare parts,” he said. “We are excited about becoming part of a larger group and the global development opportunities this acquisition will provide for our teammates.” “Because of the highly fragmented and international nature of our clients’ requirements, they need a trusted partner with a vetted and effective global network,” added GTS co-CEO Vegard Prytz. “GTS will gain enormous benefits from leveraging the global AIT infrastructure, creating an even more integrated and seamless solution for clients around the world.”

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Operations, Supply Chain, Transportation

CPKC Joins RailPulse Coalition Driving Innovation in Railcar Telematics

PR Newswire | February 02, 2024

Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) today announced its membership in the RailPulse Coalition. RailPulse, founded by a dynamic consortium of forward-thinking railcar owners, is working to develop, broaden and accelerate the use of GPS and other telematics technologies on railcars that increase safety, efficiency, and visibility across North America's freight rail industry. CPKC becomes the third Class I railroad and 10th member of the coalition, joining Bunge North America, GATX, Genesee & Wyoming Inc., Norfolk Southern Corporation, Railroad Development Corporation, The Greenbrier Companies, TrinityRail, Union Pacific Railroad, and Watco Companies LLC. "We are pleased to be a part of RailPulse and to contribute to accelerating adoption of railcar telemetry in North America," said John Brooks, CPKC Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. 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Enhanced Service through Visibility: Through RailPulse, the integration of telematic sensors on railcars enables the generation of valuable data, empowering shippers with real-time visibility of railcar and goods movements to make informed decisions and optimize their operations. "We welcome CPKC to the RailPulse Coalition. Together, we will drive transformative change in the rail sector by combining our strengths and fostering a culture of innovation," said David Shannon, General Manager of RailPulse. "This partnership underscores our commitment to shaping the future of rail transportation." Response from RailPulse Members: "The Board of RailPulse is very excited to welcome CPKC," said Mike McClellan, RailPulse Board Chair and Sr. VP &Chief Strategy Officer at Norfolk Southern. "CPKC brings a breadth of railroading knowledge to the table, and the insights that CPKC will be able to contribute from operating in 3 countries will be invaluable as we drive RailPulse to serve all of North America." Forward looking information This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively, "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws in both the U.S. and Canada. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements concerning expectations, beliefs, plans, goals, objectives, assumptions and statements about possible future events, conditions, and results of operations or performance. Forward-looking information may contain statements with words or headings such as "financial expectations", "key assumptions", "will", "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "plan", "should", "commit", "outlook", "guidance" or similar words suggesting future outcomes. This news release contains forward-looking information relating, but not limited, to statements about future technology and the potential for telematics technologies to increase safety, efficiency, and visibility across North America's freight rail industry and CPKC's expected benefits from such future technology. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on current expectations, estimates, projections, and assumptions, having regard to CPKC's experience and its perception of historical trends. Forward-looking information involves many inherent risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information, including but not limited to the factors that are detailed from time to time in reports filed by CPKC with securities regulators in Canada and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the United States. Reference should be made to "Item 1A - Risk Factors" and "Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Forward-Looking Statements" in CPKC's annual and interim reports on Form 10-K and 10-Q. Any forward-looking information contained in this news release is made as of the date hereof. Except as required by law, CPKC undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking information, or the foregoing assumptions and risks affecting such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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LA Kings Partner with Lexani Performance Tires

PR Newswire | January 26, 2024

Turbo Wholesale Tires, and two-time Stanley Cup Champions, the LA Kings have announced a powerful brand partnership. As part of the multi-year agreement, brokered by AEG Global Partnerships, Lexani Performance Tires will become an official partner of the LA Kings, reaching millions of passionate sports fans. As an official partner of the LA Kings, Lexani Performance Tires will have the unique opportunity to engage fans each week during the season as a presenting sponsor of the LA Kings "Game Preview," which will appear on the team's official social channels. Lexani Performance Tire will also benefit from in-arena signage via dasher boards and scoreboard branding during all LA Kings home games at Crypto.com Arena. "We are proud to partner with the LA Kings and their global fanbase," said Phillip Kane, CEO of Turbo Wholesale Tires. "The Kings have a strong international brand and passionate following, we look forward to introducing their supporters to Lexani Performance Tire products." Turbo Wholesale Tires has been a trusted tire supplier, leading the industry with a strong emphasis and understanding of the independent tire dealer. Turbo Wholesale Tires has evolved into a national and international supplier of its proprietary brands, Lexani Performance Tire, RBP Tires and Lionhart Tires. With nearly a million square feet of warehouse space nationwide, Turbo Wholesale Tires continues to exceed the needs of its tire customers. "We are honored to be teaming up with Lexani Performance Tires," said Josh Veilleux, senior vice president, AEG Global Partnerships. "This collaboration not only brings a renowned tire supplier into our Kings family, but also introduces new ways for our fans to interact with its brand. We look forward to the positive impact this new partnership will bring to the team, Lexani Performance Tires and our incredible community of fans."

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AIT Worldwide Logistics Acquires Global Transport Solutions Group

Business Wire | February 05, 2024

AIT Worldwide Logistics, one of the world’s leaders in global supply chain solutions, has acquired Global Transport Solutions Group (GTS), a prominent international freight forwarder specializing in time-critical marine spare parts logistics. Headquartered in the Netherlands, GTS and its more than 600 teammates across 16 locations in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North America, serve over 2,000 ports around the world. The GTS network also includes nine consolidation hubs totaling more than 45,000 square meters of warehouse space. AIT Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Vaughn Moore, said, “I’d like to welcome our new GTS teammates to the global AIT network. This is the largest acquisition in our company’s history and GTS’ marine spare parts business is an excellent complement to AIT’s time-critical supply chain solutions.” The company’s business is divided into two sub-brands: Marinetrans (founded in 1991), excelling in “door-to-deck” spare parts logistics for ship owners and managers, and Best Global Logistics (founded in 2007), providing time-critical solutions and general forwarding for other industries, including life sciences shippers. According to AIT’s Chief Business Officer, Greg Weigel, the acquisition provides the company with new geographic presence in Greece, Japan and the Nordic region while adding significant capacity and subject matter expertise to existing AIT networks in China, the Netherlands and Singapore. The deal also provides a strong foundation to expand GTS’ world-class marine spare parts solutions via AIT’s expansive global freight network. “The acquisition of GTS creates an incredible portfolio of solutions serving the maritime industry with delivery of time-critical spare parts across all geographies. This is a perfect complement to AIT’s vertical strategies focused on expedited mission-critical services like our Critical Solutions Group, government and AOG team, and Life Sciences Division,” Weigel said. “We plan to rapidly invest and expand GTS’ North American operations by capitalizing on AIT’s robust salesforce in the United States and offering maritime customers a world-class spare parts logistics solution in every port.” AIT President and Chief Operating Officer, Keith Tholan, noted that the GTS core values – customer first, operational excellence, and partnership and collaboration – closely mirror AIT’s core values. “We are delighted to welcome GTS teammates to AIT,” Tholan said. “Their deep marine logistics expertise and three decades of proven on-time performance in a very demanding segment will complement the diverse solutions we offer across our vertical sector strategy. We also expect our best-in-class global air freight procurement will instantly benefit their time-critical operations.” According to GTS co-CEO John Burgstra, the acquisition is an opportunity for GTS to further expand their worldwide operations. “We aim to provide our clients an unrivaled experience when it comes to global visibility, transparency and on-time performance, fully unburdening them of the required logistical handling of their vessels’ spare parts,” he said. “We are excited about becoming part of a larger group and the global development opportunities this acquisition will provide for our teammates.” “Because of the highly fragmented and international nature of our clients’ requirements, they need a trusted partner with a vetted and effective global network,” added GTS co-CEO Vegard Prytz. “GTS will gain enormous benefits from leveraging the global AIT infrastructure, creating an even more integrated and seamless solution for clients around the world.”

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Operations, Supply Chain, Transportation

CPKC Joins RailPulse Coalition Driving Innovation in Railcar Telematics

PR Newswire | February 02, 2024

Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) today announced its membership in the RailPulse Coalition. RailPulse, founded by a dynamic consortium of forward-thinking railcar owners, is working to develop, broaden and accelerate the use of GPS and other telematics technologies on railcars that increase safety, efficiency, and visibility across North America's freight rail industry. CPKC becomes the third Class I railroad and 10th member of the coalition, joining Bunge North America, GATX, Genesee & Wyoming Inc., Norfolk Southern Corporation, Railroad Development Corporation, The Greenbrier Companies, TrinityRail, Union Pacific Railroad, and Watco Companies LLC. "We are pleased to be a part of RailPulse and to contribute to accelerating adoption of railcar telemetry in North America," said John Brooks, CPKC Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. "This collaboration aligns with our commitment to innovation and will play an important role in modernizing our customer experience and provide benefits to the entire supply chain by advancing safety and improving operations." The key objectives of RailPulse include: Industry Wide Telematics Infrastructure: The initiative facilitates collaboration among industry players by creating a secure, trusted, standardized, and vendor neutral railcar telematics infrastructure that spans the entire North American freight rail industry. Data-Driven Transformation: By building an information infrastructure that harnesses data from GPS and railcar-mounted sensors and prioritizing data standardization and storage in the cloud, RailPulse focuses on delivering actionable insights enabling enhance service levels, visibility, safety, sustainability, and productivity. Enhanced Service through Visibility: Through RailPulse, the integration of telematic sensors on railcars enables the generation of valuable data, empowering shippers with real-time visibility of railcar and goods movements to make informed decisions and optimize their operations. "We welcome CPKC to the RailPulse Coalition. Together, we will drive transformative change in the rail sector by combining our strengths and fostering a culture of innovation," said David Shannon, General Manager of RailPulse. "This partnership underscores our commitment to shaping the future of rail transportation." Response from RailPulse Members: "The Board of RailPulse is very excited to welcome CPKC," said Mike McClellan, RailPulse Board Chair and Sr. VP &Chief Strategy Officer at Norfolk Southern. "CPKC brings a breadth of railroading knowledge to the table, and the insights that CPKC will be able to contribute from operating in 3 countries will be invaluable as we drive RailPulse to serve all of North America." Forward looking information This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively, "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws in both the U.S. and Canada. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements concerning expectations, beliefs, plans, goals, objectives, assumptions and statements about possible future events, conditions, and results of operations or performance. Forward-looking information may contain statements with words or headings such as "financial expectations", "key assumptions", "will", "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "plan", "should", "commit", "outlook", "guidance" or similar words suggesting future outcomes. This news release contains forward-looking information relating, but not limited, to statements about future technology and the potential for telematics technologies to increase safety, efficiency, and visibility across North America's freight rail industry and CPKC's expected benefits from such future technology. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on current expectations, estimates, projections, and assumptions, having regard to CPKC's experience and its perception of historical trends. Forward-looking information involves many inherent risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information, including but not limited to the factors that are detailed from time to time in reports filed by CPKC with securities regulators in Canada and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the United States. Reference should be made to "Item 1A - Risk Factors" and "Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Forward-Looking Statements" in CPKC's annual and interim reports on Form 10-K and 10-Q. Any forward-looking information contained in this news release is made as of the date hereof. Except as required by law, CPKC undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking information, or the foregoing assumptions and risks affecting such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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LA Kings Partner with Lexani Performance Tires

PR Newswire | January 26, 2024

Turbo Wholesale Tires, and two-time Stanley Cup Champions, the LA Kings have announced a powerful brand partnership. As part of the multi-year agreement, brokered by AEG Global Partnerships, Lexani Performance Tires will become an official partner of the LA Kings, reaching millions of passionate sports fans. As an official partner of the LA Kings, Lexani Performance Tires will have the unique opportunity to engage fans each week during the season as a presenting sponsor of the LA Kings "Game Preview," which will appear on the team's official social channels. Lexani Performance Tire will also benefit from in-arena signage via dasher boards and scoreboard branding during all LA Kings home games at Crypto.com Arena. "We are proud to partner with the LA Kings and their global fanbase," said Phillip Kane, CEO of Turbo Wholesale Tires. "The Kings have a strong international brand and passionate following, we look forward to introducing their supporters to Lexani Performance Tire products." Turbo Wholesale Tires has been a trusted tire supplier, leading the industry with a strong emphasis and understanding of the independent tire dealer. Turbo Wholesale Tires has evolved into a national and international supplier of its proprietary brands, Lexani Performance Tire, RBP Tires and Lionhart Tires. With nearly a million square feet of warehouse space nationwide, Turbo Wholesale Tires continues to exceed the needs of its tire customers. "We are honored to be teaming up with Lexani Performance Tires," said Josh Veilleux, senior vice president, AEG Global Partnerships. "This collaboration not only brings a renowned tire supplier into our Kings family, but also introduces new ways for our fans to interact with its brand. We look forward to the positive impact this new partnership will bring to the team, Lexani Performance Tires and our incredible community of fans."

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