Order management has become a sophisticated process that relies heavily on automated systems, some of which reach beyond the organization. Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and the Internet-based EDI,... View More

Brooklyn, New York-based Dynamic Marketing has a unique co-op business model: buy consumer electronics and appliances at wholesale prices, then sell them to a network of members who re-sell the merchandise... View More

Have you ever heard the expressions: �If it isn�t broken, don�t fix it,� �Fix it, but don�t change anything,� or �Let it run until it breaks?� These were the prevailing maintenance philosophies... View More

As freight transportation moves into the 21st century, margins are tighter than at any time in the history of the industry, insurance premiums are sky high, competition is fierce, and clients are demanding... View More

Since the dawn of guaranteed service refunds in the ground parcel industry over four years ago, a number of issues have arisen. Some issues have been good, some bad and some have been downright ugly. Before... View More

As James Williams knew there had to be a better way. As Domestic Transportation Planner for telecommunications giant Alcatel, Williams oversees, among other things, the company�s shipping and receiving... View More

�Many of the recent articles on outsourced logistics hail it as the latest and greatest competitive weapon � and provided you work with the right provider, that�s exactly what it is,� says Michael Gardner,... View More

The newsstand distribution environment is facing serious problems today, especially multiple handling of magazines and long cycle times. There is obvious room for improvement. Despite complications... View More

One of the most overlooked components of the supply chain is packaging. There are still companies that take the simple �price and delivery� approach when selecting packaging. Inexpensive packaging may... View More

Many years ago, picking, packing and shipping an order was a slow and error-prone process. Expectations were far lower, and the time it took to get an order didn�t seem to be an urgent issue in most cases.... View More

While today�s cost-conscious businesses have reinvented just about everything from the manufacturing plant to the retail store, many have yet to truly analyze the significant cost of moving materials across... View More

Every time the United Parcel Service/Teamster labor contract comes due for renewal, the memories come rushing back, and I laugh to myself. Not because those two organizations have to square off again (although... View More

Discussions of efficiency in the workplace often focus on saving time or at least not wasting it. And thats a fine place to start, but simple algebra shows its not enough. Once you recall the basic axiom... View More

Women in Packaging, Inc. (WMPKG) packages the people, not the products. As a nonprofit, professional association dedicated to increasing the growth and professional development of packaging professionals,... View More

Probably one of the most important roles of any senior manager is to closely watch capital budgets. Inevitably, once the budgets are submitted for a fiscal period, management is committed to �stay the... View More

Ever wonder why so many of us hate grocery shopping? A trip to the local supermarket to collect your weekly groceries can be a tedious experience. First, you locate a cart and wander up and down the aisles... View More

Companies frequently need to make old, outdated facilities more efficient, particularly as a means of expanding capacity. This is not surprising. In todays financial climate, a brand new ware-house or... View More

A federal court has certified shippers who paid an excess value charge to UPS from January 1, 1984 to the present as a class for the purpose of a class action suit against United Parcel Service and related... View More

Some shippers think that simply negotiating the lowest prices with their carriers means they are shipping at the lowest possible cost. But more experienced distribution professionals know better. The reality... View More

Blame it on the likes of Amazon.com. Blame it on e-mail. Blame it on the Web itself. But make no mistake the Internet has changed customers expectations about order fulfillment. These days, whether your... View More