In this post I will review how electronic data interchange (EDI) is used in fulfillment. Fulfillment is the process of filling orders by picking ordered product from inventory and shipping it to the buyer. Fulfillment is what Amazon does when you buy a product on their web site. The interactions between the buyer and seller vary depending on whether the buyer is a consumer (B2C) or a business (B2B). For consumer purchases, the order is usually accepted through an online store or app.

If you work with data integration in any kind of supply chain related role, it’s likely you will encounter electronic data interchange (EDI). Although EDI is an older technology which is gradually being replaced by alternatives like application programming interfaces (APIs), it’s still very commonly used in the supply chain and logistics domains. There are a huge number of legacy EDI implementations that are driving some of the worlds largest supply chains.

Recently our IT Team at JUSDA decided to participate in the GS1 2020 Hackathon. This is the first time any of us have ever done a hackathon and we ended up taking first prize! GS1 is the standards organization that defines the UPC barcode labels that you see on most consumer products. They also defined the Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC) standard which is commonly used for pallet labeling in the logistics industry.

We all know Amazon’s goal is to automate warehouses as much as possible. This means we can expect a gradual elimination of human jobs in Amazon fulfillment centers. Automated case packing is a key step toward eliminating a highly labor intensive job. Read the Full Article on Reuters

Accurate and timely visibility of your orders, shipments, and inventory can create many opportunities for lowering end-to-end supply chain costs. But the value doesn’t end with cost reduction. Supply chain visibility can have significant impact on revenue generation as well. Here are some examples of the benefits your organisation could receive by improving the visibility you get from your logistics providers. Read the Full Article on Forwarder Magazine

West Coast ocean port congestion is crippling freight flows into the USA. Ocean carriers are beginning to announce significant congestion surcharges which can cost $1000 per 40 foot container. If you are sourcing from Asia, it’s time to come up with a strategy to mitigate the impact on your supply chain. Here’s some actions you can take now. Read the Full Article on LinkedIn

When I talk to customers about the technology tools they use to manage their supply chain, Excel is almost always mentioned. Excel is a great tool for presenting and analyzing data so it’s frequently involved in S&OP processes like forecasting and material requirements planning. It’s usually possible to pull ERP, WMS or TMS data into Excel, so the spreadsheet becomes a hack to fill in the gaps for those business systems.

Everyone is talking about data-driven strategies right now. Enterprises are seeking to improve their strategic planning and operational execution using data and analytics. Many organizations are discovering ways to use their data assets as a market differentiator, and some are creating completely new data-driven business models. These strategies are starting to find their way into global supply chains. An advanced data infrastructure can improve forecasting, inventory planning, network design, lead times, service quality and reduce transportation costs.

Excess inventory is the bane of the supply chain manager’s existence…until it’s suddenly needed for an emergency order. Balancing inventory levels with order fulfillment quality is one of the most difficult challenges supply chain planners face. There are plenty of sophisticated methods and algorithms out there to help calculate safety stock levels. However without good supply chain data, it’s almost impossible to implement any kind of rigorous inventory management process. High quality supply chain data can be instrumental in helping you optimize your inventory levels.

What is Collaborative Planning, Forecasting and Replenishment (CPFR)? Collaborative Planning, Forecasting and Replenishment (CFPR) is a business model that takes a holistic approach to supply chain management and combines the intelligence of multiple trading partners in planning and fulfilling customer demand by using common metrics, language and firm agreements to improve efficiency for all participants. CFPR links sales and marketing best practices – category management, supply chain planning and execution processes to increase availability while reducing inventory, merchandizing, transportation and logistics costs.