The difference between supply chain and logistics explained
We live in a global economy and that has made the supply chain all the more important – these days partner companies could be anywhere in the world, facing any number of challenges. However, when people refer to supply chains, they often use the terms ‘supply chain’ and ‘logistics’ interchangeably. But, is there a difference? [&hellip ... Read More
April 1, 2021 logistics, supply chain, supply chain managementSupplier Relationship Management: What It Is and How to Improve it?
Supplier relationship management is often referred to as the B2B equivalent of customer relationship management. We’ll define this crucial management concept and explain how you can implement and improve supplier relationship management to leverage business success. What is supplier relationship management? Supplier Relationship Management (S ... Read More
March 29, 2021 supplier management, supplier relationship, supply chain, supply chain managementSo what is materials management? Here’s a guide to the basics
So you’re looking to grow your manufacturing business or the manufacturing arm of your existing enterprise. Chances are, especially in this strange new economy, life is going to get fairly complicated as you need to adjust the supply of materials to meet changing demand, as well as account for all the other little details that […] ... Read More
March 24, 2021 supply chain, supply chain challenges, supply chain managementUnderstanding the procure to pay process
The procure to pay process is complex and far more than simply making a phone call, or sending a few emails to arrange the purchase of goods. It is a key part of your company’s supply chain. Strategically approaching the procure to pay process can see your company reap the rewards. In this guide, we’ll […] ... Read More
March 22, 2021 procurement, supply chain, supply chain managementChallenges and trends in the food supply chain
What is the food supply chain? The food supply chain refers to the process of preparing a food product from start to finish: sourcing the raw materials and taking the food through a manufacturing process, through to the final packaging of the product, the sale to the customer and the final delivery. Knowing your food […] ... Read More
March 15, 2021 supply chain, supply chain challenges, supply chain managementThe 10 Procurement Metrics that Matter in 2021
If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it, as the saying goes. Which is why those in the procurement space keep a sharp eye on the best procurement metrics for measuring their performance. Here we’ve pulled out our top 10 metrics that matter in 2021. Though before we get into those details, let’s have […] ... Read More
March 10, 2021 procurement, supply chain, supply chain managementCentralised vs. decentralised supply chains — the pros and cons
It’s a new age, and businesses must be able to adapt their supply chain to the times. But what does that mean? Thanks to modern technology, decentralising your supply chain is now a potentially viable option. But what is a decentralised supply chain, what are the pros and cons, and why is it different to […] ... Read More
March 8, 2021 supply chain, supply chain managementKey trends in the vitamin and supplement industry: 2021 report
The vitamin and supplement industry manufactures and sells goods to support dietary requirements, including products to complement health and fitness regimes. Typical firms will use nutraceutical software to support their own manufacturing, or to manage the process via contract manufacturers – handling purchasing, distribution, and sales and mark ... Read More
January 19, 2021 nutraceuticals, supplier management, supply chainSupply Chain Risk Management in 2021 and Beyond
What is supply chain risk management? Supply chain risk management is the process of identifying and managing issues within a supply chain. In practice, organisations take a co‐ordinated approach to managing both daily challenges and unique risks in the supply chain, typically using a supplier management software solution. The objective of supply ... Read More
December 8, 2020 inventory reporting, risk management, supply chain, supply chain challenges, supply chain management, supply chain risk5 Tips to Improve Omnichannel Inventory Management
The world of commerce is an ever-changing one. Tech developments such as 5G and the Internet of Things are reshaping everyday life. And that includes how we all shop. Customer support is evolving with social media, artificial intelligence and unified communications. That’s a lot for any eCommerce business to keep up with. Some things, though, [&h ... Read More
June 25, 2020 inventory management, inventory management software, multi-channel, multichannel, omni-channel, supply chain, supply chain managementWhy We Think The Just In Time Supply Chain Isn’t Broken
As governments and hospitals work to stamp out Covid-19, manufacturers are also struggling to manage the virus’ impact on their supply chains. Many are quick to blame just in time supply chains for their lack of components and raw materials. Is the lean system and the broader just in time supply chain system at fault, […] ... Read More
May 11, 2020 Covid-19, inventory reporting, JIT, just-in-time, manufacturing, Manufacturing productivity, push and pull production, supply chainHow Will a Recession Impact Your Supply Chain?
Recessions occur when there is a consecutive decrease in economic growth. The global economy is volatile, and its impacts can travel through many parts of business and society. Recessions happen when there’s a drop in real gross domestic product, income, employment, manufacturing production and consumer retail sales. When the economy goes south, ... Read More
March 19, 2020 lead time, supply chain, supply chain riskRecommendations for Managing Supply Chain Risks and Challenges
Globalisation means that our supply chains are more entwined and complex than ever. When a global disruption like the ongoing Covid-19 virus outbreak happens, its impact will be felt on both social and economic levels. Disruptions in the supply chain The Covid-19 outbreak is having a major impact on global supply chains, especially as governments [ ... Read More
March 4, 2020 Covid-19, inventory reporting, supply chain, supply chain challenges, supply chain riskWhat’s Affecting Your Lead Time?
Manufacturers rely on suppliers and lead times to plan out their production line. Suppliers are a critical part of the supply chain and your final product as a manufacturer. However, getting the supplies you need can often be trickier than you thought. Suppliers have many variables that impact their lead time. As a result, these […] ... Read More
March 2, 2020 increase lead times, supply chainHow Can Small Businesses Make the Most of Big Data?
Having access to information about competitors and customers can be key to the growth and success of a business. For smaller businesses just starting out, they may not have adequate resources to capture this information — and managers may not know what metrics to look out for. In this article, we explore what big data […] ... Read More
February 21, 2020 inventory management software, supply chainBefriending the Conscious Consumer
Increasingly, the consumer market in the developed world is becoming dominated by a demand for products which meet certain criteria. From sustainable products which are kinder to the environment or made from organic materials, to those made without the use of animal testing. There is a huge demand for products from what has been termed […] ... Read More
February 20, 2020 supply chainIn the Eyes of a Manufacturer: Lead Times
A product’s lead time is the time between when an order is placed and when the product is delivered. This when you are on the recipient end of an order. When you are a manufacturer, your lead times are the times between when an order is presented to you, and when that order is fulfilled, […] ... Read More
January 30, 2020 lead time, manufacturers, supply chainThe Ethical Implications of Outsourcing You Need to Know
What is outsourcing? Outsourcing is the practice of hiring outside your business, or getting an individual to perform contracted work as opposed to paying your employees to do the work. Many businesses use outsourcing to: Reduce costs Focus on their core business Resolve capacity issues Enhance service quality Access to intellectual capital Busines ... Read More
December 16, 2019 inventory management, suppliers, supply chain, supply chain challengesThe Pros and Cons: International and Domestic Sourcing
It’s easy to oversimplify the differences between sourcing for parts locally or internationally. When considering where to purchase from, the prevailing idea seems to be that domestic sourcing allows for better control and shorter lead time, but international sourcing is more cost-effective. Let’s compare the strengths and weaknesses of both in ... Read More
December 16, 2019 inventory control, logistics, shipping, supply chainThe Remarkable Supply Chain of the Coffee Bean
For so many people, coffee is a staple of their everyday routine. And its popularity is apparent in the global market — global coffee production reached 158.6 million 60-kilogram bags in 2018, up from 148.6 million 60-kilogram bags in 2015. In fact, the average per capita consumption stands at 1.0 kg in 2019. Within each […] ... Read More
December 9, 2019 coffee, inventory stock, logistics, supply chainPurchase Orders and Purchase Requisitions: What’s the Difference?
Supply chains are a fundamental tool for any inventory business. However, supply chains are a very involved and sometimes complex process. It’s vital to understand how the procurement process works and making sure you understand what different parts of the process mean. Two key parts of the procurement process are the purchase order and purchase ... Read More
September 10, 2019 inventory control, inventory management, purchase order, supply chainLet’s Talk About Delivery In Full and On Time
If you’re involved in the manufacturing or distribution business, you’ll know how important it is to deliver to your customers on time. When a product lands into a customer’s hands on time, this leads to greater customer satisfaction. On the other hand, if a product is late, a customer can become disgruntled and brand loyalty […] ... Read More
August 17, 2019 customer satisfaction, inventory reporting, order fulfillment, supplier relationship, suppliers, supply chain