Jack Ma goes all-in on smart logistics infrastructure network

In a surprise appearance at last week’s Canelo's Global Smart Logistics Summit, Chinese tech tycoon Jack Ma announced that Cainiao Network, the logistics affiliate of Alibaba, is going to invest more than RMB 100 billion ($15 billion) to build the technical backbone for a smart logistics network aimed at improving delivery reach and efficiency.

Spotlight

Quick International Courier

Quick Group of Companies (Quick) is a leader in global time-critical transportation and logistics solutions. Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, Quick has been meeting urgent shipping needs around the globe for close to 30 years. Quick handles high volumes of diversified types of shipments. Its Sterling Courier division offers worldwide AOG shipping, transporting valuable aircraft parts.

OTHER ARTICLES
Warehousing and Distribution

Reverse Logistics: A Priority for Distribution Strategy

Article | July 17, 2023

The rapid growth of e-commerce continues to create new challenges for retailers as they plan distribution strategies. One of those challenges is managing the high volume of returns. One in three shoppers returns items, and more than half read a company’s returns policy before making a purchase. Retailers lose $50 billion annually due to inefficiencies in processing returns, and distribution centers handling returns need 15% to 20% more space than a traditional facility.

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Supply Chain

Oracle’s Advice for Modern Supply Chain Chiefs

Article | May 22, 2023

Oracle, a leading provider of computer technology, published a paper analyzing how supply chain managers should use change as a catalyst in "inspiring and engaging employees." In the report, Oracle highlights how organizations across the world are going through radical shifts in the way they operate. Customers need quick, convenient, and customized solutions today. Employees also have higher expectations, looking for companies that are a match for their values, provide flexible working arrangements, and offer cutting-edge tools. Shareholders and investors also want more, which forces businesses to focus on making money in ways that are sustainable and diverse. See Change as an Opportunity The companies that are most successful, according to Oracle, are those who see change as just another opportunity to reinvent, and the company lists four ways supply chain leaders might find such an opportunity: Boost employee engagement Aim for sustainability and responsibility in management Be quick to respond to disruptions in the supply chain Exceed consumer expectations In the paper, Oracle reports that instead of adapting to the change, organizations must be able to stay on top of challenges and prepare well in advance. Align with an Employee-Centred Culture Leaders must be able to attract well-matched talent, with the skills to not just fulfil job roles but also drive innovation. Today, people value a work-life balance where they have time to pursue their non-work interests, spend time with their families, and create a diverse, and inclusive world. According to Oracle, this is a significant consideration, and organizations that meet the demands of this new workforce will have a competitive edge in hiring the top talent. Looking Forward The Great Resignation has been a hot topic in HR, but the truth is it affects all aspects of business, and importantly, the supply chain, and in the end, the ability to provide smooth customer experiences. HR, customer experience, and supply chain leaders must synergize to become an employer destination to reckon with in order to succeed.

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Supply Chain

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

Article | August 17, 2023

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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Supply Chain Peak Season Technology: Are Your Systems Updated & Ready?

Article | April 17, 2020

Supply chain peak season technology aids supply chain leaders in understanding their operations, unlocking insights, reviewing performance, and much more. In conjunction with the rise of e-commerce and ongoing demand for more products, faster service, and better supply chain performance, the entire year begins to take on the characteristics of supply chain peak season which traditionally has occurred during the time period after Labor Day through returns season in January.

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Spotlight

Quick International Courier

Quick Group of Companies (Quick) is a leader in global time-critical transportation and logistics solutions. Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, Quick has been meeting urgent shipping needs around the globe for close to 30 years. Quick handles high volumes of diversified types of shipments. Its Sterling Courier division offers worldwide AOG shipping, transporting valuable aircraft parts.

Related News

Procurement and Sourcing, Operations

Smart Warehousing and Mable Partner to Offer New CPG Brands, Flexible 3PL Solution

Smart Warehousing | February 10, 2023

Smart Warehousing, one of the industry's leading Warehousing, fulfillment, and logistics solutions providers with its 38 warehouses across the US, recently announced its partnership with Mable, a wholesome platform representing more than 3000 emerging, better-for-you consumer packaged goods brands. Up to this point, Mable's technology has allowed brands to ship direct to retailers via meetable.com, where retailers can buy their products. The Smart Warehousing partnership is a complementary solution to the direct ship model with the growing demand for small, better-for-you brands. In December 2022, Mable began its pilot program, stocking the warehouse with a few of its highest-selling brands via an upfront, bulk purchase. The orders from participating brands to Mable are now processed through an algorithm to determine the most efficient shipment method, direct or fulfillment, through Smart Warehousing. As a result, when a business orders any participating brands, it will receive its products in a single shipment. The partnership provides Mable with an additional distribution option with a pre-vetted partner. In addition, it reduces the operational workload on small orders and enables brands to offer minimum lower orders. To start using Smart Warehousing, there are no minimum order limits for the Mable brand. CEO of Smart Warehousing, Carl Wasinger, said, "We are very excited to put our innovative technology and network of fulfillment locations to work for Mable." He further said, "By helping to position inventory, in the right place at the right time and in the right quantity, Smart Warehousing can help brands of all sizes compete and grow their business across all channels." (Source: GlobeNewswire) About Smart Warehousing A warehousing and fulfillment company, Smart Warehousing was established in 2001 and headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas. It operated as a direct extension of the customer's teams. The company's model is a fully optimized solution that meets the fulfillment needs of merchants and sellers all over the World, committed to customer support associates, cutting-edge technology, and highly automated processes. The company has more than 12 million square feet of warehouse space, to store both big and small items for its clients. With more than 1 million square feet of temperature-controlled space, Smart Warehousing can handle frozen and temperature-controlled items. Its national footprint takes care of you because it has warehouses all over the country.

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Mobility study shows extent of technology's impact on transportation

Smart Cities World | July 10, 2019

The study covers 37 cities across 15 countries and looks at social-demographic changes including work patterns, use of digital technologies and regional development. The vast majority of people (83 per cent) believe technology plays an essential role in simplifying their travel in a city while more than two thirds (70 per cent) of those who own a smartphone use a transport app or maps and plans at least once a month, according to a new global study. Even the most “digimobile” though are worried about being left behind by the speed of technology and almost three-quarters (71 per cent) have concerns about how companies use their personal data.

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Blockchain and the future of the food supply chain

SmartBrief | October 22, 2018

At its core, blockchain is “a public register in which transactions between two users belonging to the same network are stored in a secure, verifiable and permanent way.” The data from those transactions are saved in cryptographic blocks that are connected to each other, and can then be traced and verified. In the food industry, blockchain can be applied to the supply chain since it allows growers, suppliers, manufacturers, and end-users to easily and efficiently verify where an ingredient or product has been. Technology company IBM is charting a new course for the food retail industry through the use of blockchain tracking. Walmart, Kroger, Tyson Foods and several other CPG companies have teamed up with IBM to undertake a blockchain project that could help ensure food safety and transparency within the supply chain. IBM made its Food Trust technology available to the masses earlier this month, with the cooperative of growers, suppliers, and retailers able to collaborate by securely sharing critical data about food products on the blockchain, according to the company.

Read More

Procurement and Sourcing, Operations

Smart Warehousing and Mable Partner to Offer New CPG Brands, Flexible 3PL Solution

Smart Warehousing | February 10, 2023

Smart Warehousing, one of the industry's leading Warehousing, fulfillment, and logistics solutions providers with its 38 warehouses across the US, recently announced its partnership with Mable, a wholesome platform representing more than 3000 emerging, better-for-you consumer packaged goods brands. Up to this point, Mable's technology has allowed brands to ship direct to retailers via meetable.com, where retailers can buy their products. The Smart Warehousing partnership is a complementary solution to the direct ship model with the growing demand for small, better-for-you brands. In December 2022, Mable began its pilot program, stocking the warehouse with a few of its highest-selling brands via an upfront, bulk purchase. The orders from participating brands to Mable are now processed through an algorithm to determine the most efficient shipment method, direct or fulfillment, through Smart Warehousing. As a result, when a business orders any participating brands, it will receive its products in a single shipment. The partnership provides Mable with an additional distribution option with a pre-vetted partner. In addition, it reduces the operational workload on small orders and enables brands to offer minimum lower orders. To start using Smart Warehousing, there are no minimum order limits for the Mable brand. CEO of Smart Warehousing, Carl Wasinger, said, "We are very excited to put our innovative technology and network of fulfillment locations to work for Mable." He further said, "By helping to position inventory, in the right place at the right time and in the right quantity, Smart Warehousing can help brands of all sizes compete and grow their business across all channels." (Source: GlobeNewswire) About Smart Warehousing A warehousing and fulfillment company, Smart Warehousing was established in 2001 and headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas. It operated as a direct extension of the customer's teams. The company's model is a fully optimized solution that meets the fulfillment needs of merchants and sellers all over the World, committed to customer support associates, cutting-edge technology, and highly automated processes. The company has more than 12 million square feet of warehouse space, to store both big and small items for its clients. With more than 1 million square feet of temperature-controlled space, Smart Warehousing can handle frozen and temperature-controlled items. Its national footprint takes care of you because it has warehouses all over the country.

Read More

Mobility study shows extent of technology's impact on transportation

Smart Cities World | July 10, 2019

The study covers 37 cities across 15 countries and looks at social-demographic changes including work patterns, use of digital technologies and regional development. The vast majority of people (83 per cent) believe technology plays an essential role in simplifying their travel in a city while more than two thirds (70 per cent) of those who own a smartphone use a transport app or maps and plans at least once a month, according to a new global study. Even the most “digimobile” though are worried about being left behind by the speed of technology and almost three-quarters (71 per cent) have concerns about how companies use their personal data.

Read More

Blockchain and the future of the food supply chain

SmartBrief | October 22, 2018

At its core, blockchain is “a public register in which transactions between two users belonging to the same network are stored in a secure, verifiable and permanent way.” The data from those transactions are saved in cryptographic blocks that are connected to each other, and can then be traced and verified. In the food industry, blockchain can be applied to the supply chain since it allows growers, suppliers, manufacturers, and end-users to easily and efficiently verify where an ingredient or product has been. Technology company IBM is charting a new course for the food retail industry through the use of blockchain tracking. Walmart, Kroger, Tyson Foods and several other CPG companies have teamed up with IBM to undertake a blockchain project that could help ensure food safety and transparency within the supply chain. IBM made its Food Trust technology available to the masses earlier this month, with the cooperative of growers, suppliers, and retailers able to collaborate by securely sharing critical data about food products on the blockchain, according to the company.

Read More

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