Diana Shipping inc. (NYSE: DSX) Stock Rating Reiterated at Jefferies Group

Indeed, earnings growth is among the most important things to look in regards to stock investing and, accordingly, investors seek companies who have been successful at growing their earnings by at least 25 percent over a 3 year period.

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Saan Trucking

Saan Trucking makes sure that Live Entertainment can be truly live. Any time, any place in Europe. We offer custom made transport solutions for live entertainment productions.

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Warehousing and Distribution

A New Mobility Landscape Is Coming (but not fully yet)

Article | June 16, 2023

A sector which has been heavily disrupted in the last years is the mobility sector. Following decades of "car being king", we have reached a saturation and mentality shift. People want to be more healthy and more ecological (sustainable) and also avoid losing precious time in traffic jams. As a result a whole eco-system of companies has been created to find solutions for this. This article tries to provide an overview of the trends in this market, with a focus on the Belgian market. First of all when looking at mobility and the offers on the market it is important to make a distinction between private and professional displacements. This last category can additionally be split up between the daily commute and professional displacements during working hours. When looking at private mobility (the so-called B2C market), the car remains an important pilar. Especially for families with (young) children it remains difficult to do everything without a car. Obviously, there is a trend to be more sustainable, which is reflected in more sales of hybrid and electric vehicles, more usage of (e)bikes and (e)steps and an increasing usage of shared mobility options (like shared bikes, steps or cars). Statistics from China, which is already the furthest in the post-Covid era, show that most mobility options have lost terrain (compared to pre-Covid), with the exception of the car and bike. The car, although still not very sustainable, is still the most flexible and has the least chance for contamination. Especially the flexibility will become more important as office hours also become more flexible. Additionally due to the increased home working, in some cities traffic jams have considerably reduced, making room again for more people to switch back from public transport to their car. Additionally there is the bike. This is a very flexible, individual, healthy and sustainable mode of transportation that many have discovered during the crisis. Furthermore with ebikes becoming more and more common, bigger distances can be covered without needing to be in excellent physical shape. The professional mobility (i.e. B2B(2C) market) is however even more in evolution, as governments provide all kinds of fiscal incentives to change the mobility habits of employees and employers. Furthermore employers want to offer more flexibility (in working hours, in working location and in mobility options) and less administrative burden to their employees, allow them to profit from those fiscal incentives (resulting in an increased buying power) and become more sustainable. As a result a variety of new offers to be more flexible and optimally profit of those extra-legal advantages has come to the market. This makes it very complex for an employer to find his way in this tangle. Obviously, every company is unique, with multiple axes determining which mobility options are possible and best suited for the company: The location of the company, i.e. Is the company situated in a city with a lot of mobility difficulties (traffic jams)? Is the company situated near public transport options? Is the company situated in a city where a lot of shared mobility options are available? Are the employees typically living close or far away from the company? Which kind of parking facilities does the company have? Does the company have multiple offices geographically spread over the country? The type of work done at the company, i.e. Does the work require physical presence at a specific location (i.e. time- and location-dependent work)? Is remote work possible? Does the work require a lot of displacements to customers (and/or partners, suppliers…) during working hours? The type of employees working at the firm, i.e. Are the employees typically living close or far away from the company? What is the age distribution of the employees within the company (e.g. lot of young people, lot of employees with children…)? How strong is the war for talent for the desired employees, forcing the employer to offer a lot of extra advantages to attract people? The size of the company, i.e. a bigger company has the means to setup more complex mobility plans/options, as they often have dedicated people within HR specialized in these setups. This makes it difficult to define a "one-solution-that-fits-all" approach, but rather a more tailored approach is required, with some degree of customization per customer. Some examples: Promoting commuting by bike via bike leasing and a bike allowance is mainly interesting for companies with employees not living too far away from the company and not requiring doing customer or other professional displacements during working hours. Additionally it depends on the profile of the employees and the safety of the trajectory between the home of the employees and the office. Note that 54% of Belgian employees does not want to use a bike to come to work, with the main reason people finding it too dangerous. At the other hand a similar percentage of employees indicates they would be very interested in options like bike leasing and bike allowances. Shared mobility options are of course only interesting in the bigger cities, where those options are also strongly available. As a result incorporating those options in a mobility plan does not make much sense when the employer is situated in a location where those options are (almost) not available. The same applies for "multi-modal transportation" (and the associated multi-modal route planners), which are also only interesting in the larger cities where multiple mobility options are readily available. Furthermore a company introducing this multi-modal mobility concept should be able to put a whole change management trajectory in place, as it requires discovering new mobility options and changing existing commute habits (for most employees the commute is a routine activity, which they do in "auto-pilot") Setting up a Cafeteria plan or Mobility budget can be quite complex, making the costs and effort, especially for smaller firms, not always outweigh the benefits. New digital solutions can provide a (partial) solution to this, but they typically do not take away the uncertainties for employers to deal with something they do not fully understand. Electric cars are still difficult for people doing large distances on a regular basis, due to their limited action radius and the too low number of charging stations (especially in the South of Belgium). On the other hand for companies where employees come to the office the whole day and that have the required space to setup charging stations, this can be a very interesting option both fiscally and ecologically. Collective organized transport is typically only economically viable for large companies, for which a large number of employees are coming from the same region. Platforms exist to manage this cross-employers, but this raises a number of other concerns and reduces the added-value. Options like "no-mobility" (i.e. home working) and "less-mobility" (flex-offices / co-working places) depend on the work culture and the type of work to be done. For some companies the shift to homeworking during the Covid-confinements was already a serious stretch, which will take years to get fully absorbed. Introducing new concepts like "flex-offices" (co-working places) is probably a bridge too far, especially as there is still a lot of unclarity of who will be paying (and what the fiscal implications are) for the office space (employee paying out of his mobility budget or employer paying) and even more for the added-services like drinks, snacks, catering… … In general employers have a big interest to do something around mobility, but when having to deal with all complexity (fiscal and operational concerns like policies, load administration…), many employers drop out. Employers fear especially all exceptions, as they often represent hidden costs and lot of extra effort. E.g. what happens if an employee leaves the company? What if someone is fired? What about the liability in case of accidents/theft/vandalism? What will be the exact total cost for me as an employer? How do I need to manage VAT? What is the exact value of benefit of all kind for the employee? Which proofs do I need to collect for the tax authorities? Does it fit with the agreements made in the collective labor agreement of the joint committee?… These questions mainly originate from the existing unclarities in the fiscal regime, which is due to the fact that many HR managers are not yet acquainted with these new offers, the fact that new mobility offers are created continuously (making it impossible for the government to stay up-to-date) and the continuous change in regulation (e.g. "Mobility Budget", "Company Car Legislation"…). This lack of maturity in the industry puts a break on the adoption and this maturation might take years to unfold. E.g. meal vouchers took 40 years to arrive to a market penetration of 50%, while this is a much simpler HR product than most mobility options. Until this maturity level is reached, resulting in more well-known, better integrated, more frictionless and cheaper offers, the traditional company mobility options of reimbursing public transport subscriptions and salary cars will remain mostly used. Those are still most widely known by HR managers, are fiscally still very interesting and fit well the needs and desires of most employees. This last argument is important, as no mobility option will become mainstream unless employees are happy with it. This means the mobility option should not only give a solution for "Professional displacements" but also for the "Private displacements" (in evenings, weekend, holidays…), often with the whole family. Nonetheless we see the market is maturing and transforming, as millions of euros of VC money are invested in promising new start-ups. Almost all of those start-ups are not profitable yet but given the market potential a few of them could grow out to become unicorns. Today’s students are more acquainted and open for these new mobility services, so likely some of them will become mainstream in the next decade. Today a whole eco-system of young start-ups and existing incumbent players are offering mobility services, like Car leasing companies: Alphabet, ALD Automotive, ING Lease, KBC Autolease, LeasePlan, ARVAL… Car rental companies: Sixt, Avis, Dockx, Hertz, Rent a car… Car sharing companies (in the form of cars that can be easily used for individual trips up to platforms facilitating sharing your private car or co-driving): Cambio, Poppy, Partago, Zipcar, Cozywheels, Getaround, Dégage, Share Now, Stapp.in, Tapazz, BlaBlaCar, Klaxit, TooGethr, Carpool (Mpact)… Taxi services: Uber, Wave-a-Cab, Taxi.eu, Heetch, Bolt, Free Now, Allocab… Bike leasing companies: Ctec, O2O, Joulebikes, KBC-Fietsleasing, B2Bike, Cyclis, Lease-a-bike, Cyclobility, Cycle Valley… (e)bike, (e)step and scooter sharing & renting: Lime, Dott, Bird, Felyx, Scooty, Villo!, Billy Bike, Mobit, Blue Bike, Swapfiets, Spinlister… Fuel card and Electric charging card issuing companies: Network Fuel Card, Modalizy, Fleetpass, Belgian Fuel Card (BFC), XXImo, EDI (Electric by D’Ieteren), New Motion, Plugsurfing, Blue Corner, Luminus, EVBOX, Cenergy, Eneco, Dats24, EV-Point,… Parking companies (either companies providing public parkings or platforms to share individual and company parkings): Yellowbrick, Indigo, QPark, BeMobile, BePark, Pasha, ParkOffice… Companies helping to define mobility plan and manage setup of policies and mobility plans/budgets: Social Secretariats (SD Worx, Partena, Securex, Acerta, Liantis…), Payflip, Mbrella, MaestroMobile (Espaces-Mobilités)… MaaS (Mobility as a Service) players: Modalizy, Skipr, Optimile, Olympus, Be-Mobile, MyMove, Vaigo (Eurides), Moveasy… (Inter-modal) Route planners: Google Maps, Coyote, Waze, Mappy, Jeasy, Skipr, Stoomlink… Co-working place companies (either companies providing co-working places or platforms allowing to reserve spaces over multiple co-working places): Bar d’Office, Workero, Cowallonia, Burogest, Regus, Welkin, Meraki, Frame 21, Fosbury & Sons, Start it, Coffice, Spaces, House of Innovation, Ampla House, WeWork, Betacowork, Startbloc, SilverSquare… Expense management solutions for local and international (mobility) expenses: Rydoo, XXImo, MobileXpense, N2F, Certify, SAP Concur, Travel Perk, Trippeo, SpenDesk, Splendid, Declaree, SRXP, Dicom, WebExpenses, Notilus, Expensify, ExpensePath, Abacus, ExpensePoint… It will be interesting to see which of those companies will still be around in 10 years (i.e. which of the start-up have sufficient funding to bridge the long-time gap to profitability) and to which form they have evolved. Clearly regular pivoting will be required as this market is in full evolution.

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Warehousing and Distribution

For information on our commitment and Tomorrow Rising fund to helping communities recover from the Covid-19 crisis

Article | June 27, 2023

With half a million people benefited in 60+ countries, the Tomorrow Rising Fund is now focusing on education and professional training programs to secure the best future for young people and their communities affected by COVID-19. Two months after launching the Tomorrow Rising fund to support Covid-19 emergency relief in April 2020, Schneider Electric’s Foundation moves forward to support recovery and resiliency through education and training programs. The Tomorrow Rising Fund was launched to support emergency and longer-term reconstruction related to Covid-19 in all the countries where Schneider Electric operates. The Schneider Electric Foundation appealed to its leaders and employees to get involved and all their donations have been matched by the Group. Other external stakeholders and partners have also contributed.

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Transportation

Transform Supply Chain with Effective Demand Forecasting Techniques

Article | April 26, 2023

Efficient demand forecasting techniques transform supply chain management, help optimize inventory levels, streamline operations, improve customer satisfaction, and achieve a competitive edge. Contents 1. How Accurate Demand Forecasting Impacts Business Operations and Profitability? 2. Navigating the Pitfalls of Traditional Demand Forecasting 2.1 Limitations of Manual Forecasting Methods 2.2 Inaccuracy and Inconsistency in Demand Prediction 2.3 Multiple Products and Markets Challenges 2.4 Influence of External Factors on Demand Forecasting 3. Advanced Demand Forecasting Techniques for Supply Chain Management 3.1 Statistical Forecasting 3.2 Collaborative Demand Planning 3.3 Demand Sensing and Real-time Data Analytics 3.4 Agile Supply Chain Management Practices 4 Summing up 1. How Accurate Demand Forecasting Impacts Business Operations and Profitability? Accurate demand forecasting plays a vital role in determining the operations and profitability of a business. By anticipating future demand, companies can more effectively plan their production, inventory management, and supply chain activities to meet customer needs while minimizing costs. Additionally, accurate demand forecasting can aid businesses in enhancing customer satisfaction by proactively meeting customer needs and expectations, improving customer experiences and increasing customer loyalty. To generate actionable insights that drive informed decision-making, businesses must leverage advanced analytics and predictive modeling techniques that combine data from various sources with industry-specific knowledge and expertise. “Businesses that leverage advanced analytics and predictive modeling techniques for demand forecasting report an average of 5% improvement in their supply chain efficiency.” (Source: A survey by Deloitte) Supply chain businesses frequently rely on sales data from the past, which may not be sufficient in the complex and rapidly changing business environment. Businesses might not observe an improvement in operations and profitability if they rely solely on conventional methods. 2. Navigating the Pitfalls of Traditional Demand Forecasting As businesses strive to optimize their supply chain operations and meet customer demand, traditional demand forecasting methods can often hinder their efforts. In this context, it is essential to navigate the pitfalls of such techniques to achieve success in supply chain management. 2.1 Limitations of Manual Forecasting Methods Manual forecasting methods have limitations that can affect demand forecasting accuracy in supply chain management. Frequently based on historical data, these methods can overlook emerging trends in supply chain management and alterations in customer behavior. In addition, manual processes are time-consuming, prone to error, and incapable of incorporating real-time supply chain data. As a result, businesses struggle to optimize supply chain operations and meet customer demand. In addition, traditional forecasting methods can influence the ability to accurately predict demand, resulting in overstocked inventory, delivery delays, and, ultimately, poor customer satisfaction. Inaccurate demand forecasts can also result in poor purchasing decisions and increased carrying costs, negatively impacting profitability. 2.2 Inaccuracy and Inconsistency in Demand Prediction Inaccuracy and inconsistency in demand forecasting pose significant obstacles in managing the supply chain. This is the case in the dynamic business environment, where market conditions can change rapidly, making it challenging for companies to keep up with shifting demand patterns. As traditional demand forecasting methods depend heavily on historical data, they produce inaccurate forecasts that do not reflect real-time market changes. In addition, inconsistency in demand forecasting can also result in a mismatch between supply and demand, leading to missed opportunities or excess inventory. As a result, creating an effect on company’s bottom line in addition to customer satisfaction. 2.3 Multiple Products and Markets Challenges Accurate demand forecasting is crucial to the success of supply chain management. When there are multiple products and markets to manage, it becomes a challenge for traditional demand forecasting. Different products and markets may have varying demand patterns and drivers, making it difficult for businesses to accurately forecast demand. Manual processes and siloed data can hinder visibility and the ability to identify cross-product or cross-market trends, making supply chain optimization operations and meeting customer demand more complex. Managing multiple products and markets is one of the challenges of traditional demand forecasting when businesses operate in various markets with varying customer preferences and demand patterns for products. 2.4 Influence of External Factors on Demand Forecasting External factors can significantly impact the demand forecasting accuracy for supply chain optimization. These factors are often unpredictable, and conventional methods may not account for them. The external factors affecting the supply chain include natural disasters, economic recessions, and sudden changes in consumer behavior. In addition, political and regulatory modifications, such as tariffs or trade agreements, can affect the supply and demand of particular products. Therefore, businesses must incorporate these external factors into their demand forecasting models and advance the process, as traditional demand forecasting methods cannot predict accurate future demand patterns and ensure optimal supply chain operations. 3. Advanced Demand Forecasting Techniques for Supply Chain Management To avoid the above-mentioned pitfalls, companies need to adopt advanced demand forecasting techniques that enable capturing and analyzing huge data from various sources to generate accurate and real-time demand forecasts. 3.1 Statistical Forecasting Statistical forecasting is an advanced method for demand forecasting in supply chain management that utilizes complex algorithms and statistical models to analyze historical data, identify trends, and generate forecasts. This method employs numerous statistical techniques, including regression analysis, time-series analysis, and exponential smoothing, among others. Statistical forecasting can help businesses overcome some of the limitations of traditional manual forecasting methods because it is more objective, data-driven, and capable of identifying trends and patterns which are not apparent with manual forecasting methods. As a result, by utilizing statistical forecasting, businesses can increase demand forecasting accuracy, optimize inventory management, and better align supply and demand, resulting in enhanced customer satisfaction, greater efficiency, and lower costs. 3.2 Collaborative Demand Planning Collaborative Demand Planning combines intensive forecasting algorithms to predict future demand and a set of ML techniques to achieve better demand forecasting. It involves collaboration between suppliers, customers, and other stakeholders. The advanced data and insights sharing technique improve the comprehensive understanding of demand drivers and trends, leading to more accurate demand forecasting. The collaborative approach enables real-time adjustments to demand forecasts, which can help businesses respond promptly to market conditions and customer demand changes. In addition, using advanced analytics and machine learning algorithms can help identify patterns and trends that would otherwise go unnoticed. That enables businesses to optimize inventory levels, reduce under and overstocking, and enhance customer service levels. In the dynamic business environment, it helps transform the supply chain that is better equipped to meet the ever-changing demands of customers. 3.3 Demand Sensing and Real-time Data Analytics Demand Sensing and Real-time Data Analytics are advanced demand forecasting techniques that can assist businesses in overcoming the challenges that multiple products and markets pose to the supply chain. By utilizing real-time data from various sources, such as social media, point-of-sale systems, and weather reports, businesses can better understand customer demand patterns, adjust inventory and production planning, reduce delay, and increase responsiveness. In addition to implementing demand sensing, businesses can begin with sell-in data obtained from supply chain planning or an ERP system in supply chain management and then incorporate all relevant data sources and external factors to broaden the forecasting horizon. 3.4 Agile Supply Chain Management Practices Agile supply chain management practices are a collection of methodologies and strategies emphasizing supply chain operations' adaptability, responsiveness, and flexibility. These practices involve utilizing real-time data analytics, collaborative planning, and other advanced technologies to enable businesses to respond swiftly to changes in customer demand, market conditions, and other external factors. Adopting an agile model allows the organization to act swiftly and decisively and achieve successful business outcomes despite adverse conditions. Agile supply chain management practices can give companies greater visibility and control over their supply chains, enabling them to adapt more effectively and efficiently to fluctuating market conditions in the context of external factors influencing demand forecasting. By cultivating a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and customer value, agile supply chain management practices have the potential to transform into modern supply chain. 4. Summing up Demand forecasting accuracy is crucial for supply chain management and profitability. Manual forecasting methods hinder operational optimization and customer demand fulfillment. Customer satisfaction, purchasing decisions, and carrying costs suffer from inaccurate forecasting. In order to avoid these pitfalls, businesses can leverage statistical forecasting and collaborative demand. These methods recognize trends and patterns, optimize inventory levels, reduce over- and under-stocking, and improve customer service using advanced analytics and machine learning algorithms. As the supply chain evolves and becomes more complex, businesses must adopt advanced demand forecasting techniques. Implementing these techniques will enable businesses to optimize their supply chain management by better-aligning supply and demand, resulting in increased productivity, decreased costs, and ultimately increased profits.

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Warehousing and Distribution

Top 10 Warehouse Automation Tools to Optimize Supply Chain Performance

Article | July 11, 2023

Transform the supply chain with cutting-edge warehouse automation tools. Enhance productivity, minimize costs, and deliver exceptional customer experiences to stay ahead in the competitive market. In the rapidly evolving world of manufacturing, logistics, and supply chain management, adopting automation has become imperative for businesses aiming to maintain a competitive edge. By minimizing costs, enhancing efficiency, and reducing downtime, automation delivers optimal value for manufacturers. However, selecting the right partner can be challenging with numerous warehouse automation companies available. This article explains the features and benefits of top ten warehouse automation tools that offer expertise in improving business operations. These data warehouse tools provide comprehensive solutions to meet diverse needs of the logistics and warehousing companies and improve the supply chain performance. 1. 3PL WMS Software Solution 3PL WMS Software Solution is one of the leading warehouse automation tools for supply chain operations. This software has comprehensive features that automate and streamline warehouse processes, offering unprecedented efficiency. The tool seamlessly integrates with existing systems and provides total transparency and control. 3PL warehouse automation software boosts order throughput, reduces pick time, and automates billing effortlessly. Gain unprecedented insights through accurate, real-time reporting, ensuring inventory accuracy and reducing lost-inventory costs. This warehouse automation tool, designed as the warehouse management backbone, revolutionizes operations, enhances customer satisfaction, and drives exponential growth. 2. Datex 3PL WMS Datex 3PL WMS offers the most innovative warehouse management tools that help implement warehouse automation in the supply chain process for transportation services. This software empowers transportation and logistics services, revolutionizing material handling, storage, trans-loading, cross-docking, and more. It supports diverse industries such as refineries, steel mills, and energy distribution facilities. Its flexibility makes it an optimal solution to handle any inventory type, including bulk materials, steel products, liquids, and hazardous materials. This automated warehouse software also enables multi-warehouse operations and accommodates various modes of transportation. Additionally, Datex 3PL WMS boasts a highly flexible billing system, allowing individualized billing strategies and capturing value-added services. Industry experts benefit from streamlined processes, improved efficiency, and accurate billing, ultimately enhancing their supply chain business and warehouse operations. 3. Deposco Deposco Bright Warehouse is a game-changing warehouse management software solution that offers advanced features and capabilities to businesses of all sizes. This data warehouse tool empowers companies to pick, pack, and ship orders efficiently, optimizing processes to further improve order fulfillment while reducing operational costs. It provides strategic order allocation, workgroup segmentation, and optimized picking strategies, to achieve accurate and speedy order fulfillment. The software offers network-wide inventory visibility through advanced tracking, barcoding, and management capabilities. This solution automates shipping processes by seamlessly integrating with carriers, ensuring maximum accuracy and speed. Leveraging its material handling technology for automation can lead to significant productivity improvements. Businesses can enhance their capabilities by accessing a unified view of operations, utilizing customization options, and benefiting from direct API integration with shipping carriers. 4. Softeon Softeon is a powerful warehouse management tools for supply chain automation. Its comprehensive WMS optimizes distribution operations, handling all essential tasks while offering unique functionality for a competitive edge. With a proven deployment success rate and flexible delivery options in the cloud or on-premise, Softeon empowers businesses to streamline inventory management and delivery processes. By integrating with their Warehouse Execution System (WES), warehouse and distribution companies can further enhance order fulfillment orchestration and optimization. Industry leaders like UPS Supply Chain Solutions and Sears Home Services rely on this warehouse automation software. 5. Logiwa WMS Logiwa WMS offers a cloud fulfillment platform that combines WMS software and order fulfillment capabilities, enabling companies to operate a digital fulfillment network and expand their direct-to-consumer operations without the need for additional staff. The data warehouse management tool offers comprehensive warehouse and inventory management functionality, billing, and seamless integrations with over 200 ecommerce, accounting, and shipping solutions; it empowers 3PL providers to optimize order fulfillment, enhance speed and accuracy, and drive customer satisfaction. 6. SnapFulfill SnapFulfill is one of the leading warehouse management technologies that empower companies across various industries, including B2C and B2B retail, third-party logistics, manufacturing, food and beverage, and electronics, to optimize their inventory, space, and resources. With SnapFulfill's class-leading warehouse management solutions, businesses can streamline operations and enhance efficiency. The software offers flexible deployment options and payment methods for diverse warehousing challenges. By utilizing SnapFulfill, industry experts gain access to advanced data warehouse tools that enable them to improve their supply chain business, enhance warehouse and distribution processes, and achieve optimal inventory management for increased productivity and profitability. 7. Indigo Software Indigo WMS is an award-winning warehouse management system tool designed to enhance supply chain operations. It offers real-time control, visibility, and functionality for all warehouse processes. It is one of the best supply chain tools to track inventory in real-time, enabling efficient cycle counting, forward pick replenishment, and improved inventory forecasting. With Indigo WMS warehouse automation software, these tasks are automated, and the software ensures greater picking accuracy, reduces returns, and enables on-time and complete deliveries. It seamlessly integrates with existing systems, whether from SAP, Microsoft, Oracle, Infor, Sage, or other ERP, TMS, or SCP vendors, providing live and up-to-date data visibility across the entire supply chain process. 8. OrderWise OrderWise is an order management system that empowers businesses in the consumer goods and retail sector to accelerate operations and deliver exceptional customer service. With its integrated features, OrderWise ensures seamless order processing and maximizes sales opportunities. By tracking orders from various sales channels, managing tight schedules, and making real-time adjustments, businesses can meet customer demands promptly. This is one of those supply chain management tools that provides valuable insights into customer purchase history and stock availability, enabling personalized recommendations and enhancing sales effectiveness. Whether for ecommerce, retail, or B2B sales, OrderWise streamlines order operations, making them smoother, faster, and more accurate. 9. Balloon One Balloon One provides supply chain management tools, offering tailored software solutions to distribution, manufacturing, and e-commerce businesses. Its expertise lies in streamlining processes, optimizing resource allocation, and enhancing operational efficiency. With a focus on minimal disruption, Balloon One seamlessly implements software solutions, ensuring uninterrupted business operations. As an impartial advisor, the software offers both SAP Business One and NetSuite, thus allowing to recommend the ideal ERP system for each company's unique requirements. In addition, this software provides wholesale and distribution businesses with the robust HighJump WMS, a real-time warehouse management system that delivers scalability and flexibility. 10. Foxfire Foxfire offers supply chain management tools specializing in Warehouse Management Systems (WMS). It offers WMS solutions, including features to optimize inventory, increase labor productivity, and enhance customer satisfaction. With over 20 years of industry experience, Foxfire has a proven track record of delivering measurable results to customers worldwide. This tool provides a comprehensive approach, including needs assessment, best practice recommendations, training, and ongoing support. Additionally, it is cost-effective by delivering low lifetime costs. Conclusion The warehouse automation market is experiencing significant growth, with a wide array of exceptional warehouse automation tools that offer high-quality solutions. Regardless of any special requirements, exploring the features of each warehouse automation tools is vital to identify the ideal fit for any business. Choosing the correct solution from the data warehouse tools list will help to improve inventory management and distribution efficiency through warehouse automation. Embrace the opportunity to streamline processes by leveraging supply chain management tools and warehouse automation solutions and experience the transformative power of automation to unlock the full potential of your business.

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Saan Trucking

Saan Trucking makes sure that Live Entertainment can be truly live. Any time, any place in Europe. We offer custom made transport solutions for live entertainment productions.

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Supply Chain

MicroStar Logistics Integrates Kegstar, Invests to Expand Globally

MicroStar Logistics | March 10, 2023

MicroStar Logistics, one of the global leaders in outsourced keg management solutions, announced the expansion into new international markets through its Kegstar Division. MicroStar maintains a total float of more than 6 million kegs and is the sole player to offer seamless global solutions to large international brewers. Since MicroStar's 2021 acquisition of Kegstar, its international fleet of premium European-made kegs has increased to over one million, with global reach in North America, the UK, Western Europe, and Australia/New Zealand, MicroStar is the only pay-per-fill supplier to support international partners it continues to support its expansion of significant keg float. As a result, UK and European breweries can now take advantage of Kegstar's growing network of export markets, which opens up growth opportunities and lets breweries avoid inefficient empty keg returns and less-than-ideal single-use plastic options. Kegstar customers can now access MicroStar's TAP keg management system. This eliminates the unnecessary need to scan or keep track of kegs. In addition, Doug Mellem, who formerly oversaw MicroStar's commercial activities in North America, will relocate to Sydney and assume the position of General Manager for Kegstar in Australia/New Zealand. Doug's leadership in the United States and in-depth knowledge of its model will further enable Kegstar to provide breweries with the benefits they value. President, Kegstar Division, and Microstar’s longtime CFO, Bryan Place, said, “In North America, MicroStar serves some of the largest and most sophisticated brewers in the industry by providing them proven keg supply chain solutions that increase operational efficiency and quality while delivering the lowest total cost of ownership." He also added, "I am personally excited to leverage this market-leading expertise outside of the U.S.” (Source – GlobeNewswire) About MicroStar Logistics MicroStar Logistics offers circular, outsourced supply chain solutions for the beer industry. The company was founded in 1996 and delivers highly efficient and sustainable shared keg programs, with over 6 million stainless steel kegs, including MicroStar-branded kegs in the US and Kegstar-branded kegs globally. In addition, its Network Services Division manages reusable assets such as returnable plastic pallets. At the same time, its Quality Services division ensures maximum utilization of finite resources by extending the life of reusable assets.

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Logistics

Inspectorio Expands an All-in-one Supply Chain Solution, Inspectorio Rise

Inspectorio | March 09, 2023

Inspectorio, a cloud-based SaaS solution provider and a supplier performance management platform powered by AI, has recently expanded its all-in-one supply chain sustainability and compliance solution, Inspectorio Rise. The solution provides suppliers, retailers and brands with a centralized platform to make production transparent, efficient and beneficial for people and the planet. Inspectorio Rise facilitates the management and streamlining of due diligence and reporting processes and offers insights for making evidence-based decisions in response to new business challenges. With an increase in environmental and social regulations worldwide, such as the European Due Diligence Directive and the California Transparency in Supply Chains Act, global companies must adapt to the new context by ensuring compliance and expanding sustainability throughout the supply chain. Inspectorio Rise enables retailers, brands, and suppliers to manage their end-to-end compliance, sustainability, and responsible sourcing activities. The platform allows collaboration with more than 8,000 supply chain partners on a single platform, simplifying data collection and sharing by eliminating manual work. In addition, it facilitates supply chain mapping to increase visibility and transparency and identify potential risks. Additionally, the solution provider centralizes supply chain communications and collaboration to manage sustainability, and compliance documentation, data collection, analytics, reporting, and corrective and preventive action (CAPA) plans across teams, departments, and partners, creating a sustainable ecosystem. It lets customers set standards for document control, environmental data collection, and GHG emissions calculation. Automated workflows enable digital collaboration while securing and governing data. About Inspectorio Founded in 2015, Inspectorio is a cloud-based SaaS solution provider that helps brands, manufacturers, retailers and suppliers manage risk through digitalized compliance, quality, and production tracking programs. It aims to build an interconnected, sustainable and transparent supply chain. The company is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota and is used by more than 7000 customers, including the top brands and retailers worldwide. In addition, it provides brands, retailers, manufacturers, and suppliers with the means to predict high-risk areas and automate risk-based interventions throughout the supply chain.

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Freight

FourKites Survey Highlights Challenges on Ocean Freight Stakeholders

Fourkites, Inc. | March 08, 2023

FourKites, one of the leading supply chain visibility platforms globally, recently released in its new survey that ocean freight stakeholders are under pressure in 2023 from geopolitical influences, changing economic conditions and labor challenges after a turbulent three years for global supply chains. The survey polled more than 350 supply chain professionals to illuminate the most critical issues confronting the ocean shipping industry. The last few years of supply chain disruptions, including market volatility, COVID-19, global political conflict, material shortages, and extreme weather events, have prompted 73% of respondents to invest in supply chain visibility, with 46% planning to increase investment in 2023. Additionally, the survey finding includes over 20% of respondents rely on manual track-and-trace processes to track their ocean freight, while 50% have no visibility into their ocean freight. Over half of the respondents were concerned about labor issues, high shipping costs, and customer service, with 35% found to be also concerned about port congestion, and 73% had visibility into their over-the-road shipping. The survey results have been compiled in a report titled The Great Reset: Ocean Shipping in a Post-Pandemic World. The report contains an expert analysis of the current state of ocean shipping, forecasts for 2023, and strategies for shippers to fortify their supply chains to build future resilience. About Fourkites, Inc. FourKites, Inc. based in Chicago (Illinois), is the leading supply chain visibility platform worldwide, extending visibility beyond transportation into yards, warehouses, stores and more. The company tracks more than 3 million daily shipments across the road, rail, ocean, air, parcel, and last mile and reaches over 200 countries and territories. It combines real-time data and powerful machine learning to assist businesses in digitizing their end-to-end supply chains. Additionally, over 1200 world’s top brands, including 9 out of the top 10 CPG and 18 of the top 20 food and beverage companies, have been trusting FourKites as a platform to transform their business and create swifter, sustainable and more efficient supply chains.

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Supply Chain

MicroStar Logistics Integrates Kegstar, Invests to Expand Globally

MicroStar Logistics | March 10, 2023

MicroStar Logistics, one of the global leaders in outsourced keg management solutions, announced the expansion into new international markets through its Kegstar Division. MicroStar maintains a total float of more than 6 million kegs and is the sole player to offer seamless global solutions to large international brewers. Since MicroStar's 2021 acquisition of Kegstar, its international fleet of premium European-made kegs has increased to over one million, with global reach in North America, the UK, Western Europe, and Australia/New Zealand, MicroStar is the only pay-per-fill supplier to support international partners it continues to support its expansion of significant keg float. As a result, UK and European breweries can now take advantage of Kegstar's growing network of export markets, which opens up growth opportunities and lets breweries avoid inefficient empty keg returns and less-than-ideal single-use plastic options. Kegstar customers can now access MicroStar's TAP keg management system. This eliminates the unnecessary need to scan or keep track of kegs. In addition, Doug Mellem, who formerly oversaw MicroStar's commercial activities in North America, will relocate to Sydney and assume the position of General Manager for Kegstar in Australia/New Zealand. Doug's leadership in the United States and in-depth knowledge of its model will further enable Kegstar to provide breweries with the benefits they value. President, Kegstar Division, and Microstar’s longtime CFO, Bryan Place, said, “In North America, MicroStar serves some of the largest and most sophisticated brewers in the industry by providing them proven keg supply chain solutions that increase operational efficiency and quality while delivering the lowest total cost of ownership." He also added, "I am personally excited to leverage this market-leading expertise outside of the U.S.” (Source – GlobeNewswire) About MicroStar Logistics MicroStar Logistics offers circular, outsourced supply chain solutions for the beer industry. The company was founded in 1996 and delivers highly efficient and sustainable shared keg programs, with over 6 million stainless steel kegs, including MicroStar-branded kegs in the US and Kegstar-branded kegs globally. In addition, its Network Services Division manages reusable assets such as returnable plastic pallets. At the same time, its Quality Services division ensures maximum utilization of finite resources by extending the life of reusable assets.

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Logistics

Inspectorio Expands an All-in-one Supply Chain Solution, Inspectorio Rise

Inspectorio | March 09, 2023

Inspectorio, a cloud-based SaaS solution provider and a supplier performance management platform powered by AI, has recently expanded its all-in-one supply chain sustainability and compliance solution, Inspectorio Rise. The solution provides suppliers, retailers and brands with a centralized platform to make production transparent, efficient and beneficial for people and the planet. Inspectorio Rise facilitates the management and streamlining of due diligence and reporting processes and offers insights for making evidence-based decisions in response to new business challenges. With an increase in environmental and social regulations worldwide, such as the European Due Diligence Directive and the California Transparency in Supply Chains Act, global companies must adapt to the new context by ensuring compliance and expanding sustainability throughout the supply chain. Inspectorio Rise enables retailers, brands, and suppliers to manage their end-to-end compliance, sustainability, and responsible sourcing activities. The platform allows collaboration with more than 8,000 supply chain partners on a single platform, simplifying data collection and sharing by eliminating manual work. In addition, it facilitates supply chain mapping to increase visibility and transparency and identify potential risks. Additionally, the solution provider centralizes supply chain communications and collaboration to manage sustainability, and compliance documentation, data collection, analytics, reporting, and corrective and preventive action (CAPA) plans across teams, departments, and partners, creating a sustainable ecosystem. It lets customers set standards for document control, environmental data collection, and GHG emissions calculation. Automated workflows enable digital collaboration while securing and governing data. About Inspectorio Founded in 2015, Inspectorio is a cloud-based SaaS solution provider that helps brands, manufacturers, retailers and suppliers manage risk through digitalized compliance, quality, and production tracking programs. It aims to build an interconnected, sustainable and transparent supply chain. The company is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota and is used by more than 7000 customers, including the top brands and retailers worldwide. In addition, it provides brands, retailers, manufacturers, and suppliers with the means to predict high-risk areas and automate risk-based interventions throughout the supply chain.

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Freight

FourKites Survey Highlights Challenges on Ocean Freight Stakeholders

Fourkites, Inc. | March 08, 2023

FourKites, one of the leading supply chain visibility platforms globally, recently released in its new survey that ocean freight stakeholders are under pressure in 2023 from geopolitical influences, changing economic conditions and labor challenges after a turbulent three years for global supply chains. The survey polled more than 350 supply chain professionals to illuminate the most critical issues confronting the ocean shipping industry. The last few years of supply chain disruptions, including market volatility, COVID-19, global political conflict, material shortages, and extreme weather events, have prompted 73% of respondents to invest in supply chain visibility, with 46% planning to increase investment in 2023. Additionally, the survey finding includes over 20% of respondents rely on manual track-and-trace processes to track their ocean freight, while 50% have no visibility into their ocean freight. Over half of the respondents were concerned about labor issues, high shipping costs, and customer service, with 35% found to be also concerned about port congestion, and 73% had visibility into their over-the-road shipping. The survey results have been compiled in a report titled The Great Reset: Ocean Shipping in a Post-Pandemic World. The report contains an expert analysis of the current state of ocean shipping, forecasts for 2023, and strategies for shippers to fortify their supply chains to build future resilience. About Fourkites, Inc. FourKites, Inc. based in Chicago (Illinois), is the leading supply chain visibility platform worldwide, extending visibility beyond transportation into yards, warehouses, stores and more. The company tracks more than 3 million daily shipments across the road, rail, ocean, air, parcel, and last mile and reaches over 200 countries and territories. It combines real-time data and powerful machine learning to assist businesses in digitizing their end-to-end supply chains. Additionally, over 1200 world’s top brands, including 9 out of the top 10 CPG and 18 of the top 20 food and beverage companies, have been trusting FourKites as a platform to transform their business and create swifter, sustainable and more efficient supply chains.

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