Articles Index

Reverse Logistics

Reverse Logistics can be defined as all activity associated with a product after the point of sale. The aims of reverse logistics include optimization of aftermarket activity, such as customer service, quality inspection and warehouseing, which can produce a new revenue stream, improve customer satisfaction and help the environment. This article examines the elements of reverse logistics.

Measuring Capacity in Manufacturing

Capacity is often defined as the capability of an object, whether that is a machine, work center or operator, to produce output for a specific time period, which can be an hour, a day, etc. Many companies ignore the measurement of capacity, assuming that their facility has enough capacity, but that is often not the case. This article looks at the different methids of measuring capacity.

Reorder Methodologies in Manufacturing

A crucial activity for planners is to when to decide to place an order. There are a number of reorder methodologies that can be adopted. Although most computer systems are based on the materials requirement planning (MRP) method, there are other methods that planners can use which are examined in this article.

Operating A Procurement Card Program

The procurement card, or P-card, is a form of company credit card that is issued to employees who can then purchase goods and services without having to process the purchase through a traditional purchasing procedure, such as using purchasing requisitions and purchase orders. This article looks at benefits and risks of the procurement card program.

Sales and Operations Planning

Sales and operations planning (S&OP), sometimes known as aggregate planning, is a process where executive level management regularly meets and reviews projections for demand, supply and the resulting financial impact. S&OP is a decision making process that makes certain that tactical plans in every business area are in line with the overall view of the company’s business plan.

NetSuite Functionality Overview

NetSuite offers four main software-as-a-service products; NetSuite Financials, which includes ERP, NetSuite CRM+, NetSuite Ecommerce and SuiteAnalytics. The company was founded back in 1998 with the initial startup financed by Oracle CEO Larry Ellison. Since then the company has over 6,500 customers and over 1000 employees. This article gives readers an overview of the NetSuite functionality.

Measures Of Warehouse Productivity

Warehouse productivity is a number of measurements that management will analyze to monitor the performance of their warehouse operations. The basis of many of the measures used in warehouse productivity is based on how much it costs to perform an operation. is article looks at a number of measure used in warehouse productivity.

Negotiation In The Purchasing Process

Negotiation in the purchasing process covers the period from when the first communication is made between the purchasing buyer and the supplier through to the final signing of the contract. Negotiation can be as simple as trying to obtain a discount on a case of safety gloves through to the complexities of major capital purchases. This article looks at negotiations in the purchasing process.

Logistics Functions In SAP

SAP is the number one vendor of standard business application software and the third largest software supplier in the world. SAP delivers scalable solutions that enable its customers to further advance industry best practices. This article looks at the various logistics components in SAP.

Certified Cargo Screening Program (CCSP)

The 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, required that by February 3rd, 2009, fifty percent of all cargo carried on passenger aircraft in the US had to go through a security screening. The TSA developed the Certified Cargo Screening Program (CCSP), a voluntary program designed to move the screening process to shippers, third-party logistics providers, air forwarders, and independent screening services.

Drop Shipments In Your Supply Chain

In a depressed economy, companies are looking at any supply chain process where they can save time, money or resources. Drop shipping is a popular process where companies can reduce the need to keep inventory in their warehouse, lower their overall shipping costs and improve customer service. This article examines the advantages and disadvantages of drop shipments.

Introduction to Supply Chain Management

Supply chain management can be simple or complex, but all supply chains contain similar elements and are managed in a similar way. This article will give you a introduction to these concepts. Firstly, you will learn about the elements that define a company's supply chain. Secondly, you will discover the three levels of management that are required to efficiently operate the supply chain.

Creating a Logistics Strategy

The supply chain constantly changes and that will affect any logistics organization. To adapt to the flexibility of the supply chain, companies should develop and implement a formal logistics strategy.

New Green Industries

As traditional industries struggle with the public’s increasing environmental consciousness, there is a number of new green industries that are receiving more attention. In this article I have highlighted a number of new green industries that we will all hear more of in the coming years.

US Export Regulations

Companies that want to export items from the United States need to understand that their exports fully comply with all statutory and regulatory requirements. Compliance involves the no-export of controlled goods and technologies and the restrictions on shipping to certain countries, companies, organizations, and individuals. This article exaplains some of the regulations that apply.

Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT)

The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency implemented a partnership with private companies after the events of 9/11 to help protect the global supply chain. Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) was launched in November 2001, with just seven major importing companies and now includes over 7400 members. This article examines the basics of the C-TPAT program

Exporting And The Global Supply Chain

The supply chain incorporates all aspects of moving material from the vendor through the manufacturing process to the final customer. The supply chain focuses on vendors, manufacturers, intermediaries, logistical services and the customer. The supply chain is no longer contained within countries borders, but encompasses all nations, whether they are vendors, manufacturers or customers. This article will examine the ways in which companies can export their products to new markets.

Calculating Safety Stock

Safety stock is required by businesses to ensure that they have sufficient quantities of material in stock. The safety stock provides coverage for unexpected customer demand, damage in the warehouse or quality issues found in production. However, there are situations where firms do not require inventory to be in stock. This article looks at the methods that can be used to calculate safety stock

Measuring Purchasing Performance

Measuring purchasing performance is important as the purchasing department plays an ever increasingly important role in the supply chain in an economic downturn. A reduction in the cost of raw material and services can allow companies to competitively market the price of their finished goods in order to win business. This article examines how companies are measuring purchasing performance.

Hazardous Materials In The Warehouse

Hazardous materials are often found in a warehouse. These materials can be either raw materials or finished goods depending on the nature of your company’s products. However, a hazardous material is one that is capable of producing harmful physical effects . This article examines the subject od hazardous materials in your warehouse and the regulations in place for their safe use.

Order Picking In The Warehouse

Order picking can be defined as the activity by which a small number of goods are extracted from a warehousing system, to satisfy a number of independent customer orders. Picking processes have become an important part of the supply chain process. Picking is seen as the most labor-intensive activity for almost every warehouse and this article examines order picking solutions that are available.

Cycle Counting In The Warehouse

Cycle counting is a popular inventory counting method that allows businesses to count a number of items in a number of areas within the warehouse without having to count the entire inventory. Cycle counting is a sampling technique where count of a certain number of items infers the count for the whole warehouse. This article shows different cycle counting methods that can used in a warehouse.

Forecasting In The Supply Chain

In the supply chain, forecasting is necessary for manufacturers. Companies use material forecasting to ensure that they produce the level of material that satisfies their customers without producing an overcapacity situation where too much inventory is produced and remains on the shelf. This article examines the use of forecasts in the supply chain with statistical and non-statistical methods.

Public Warehousing In The Supply Chain

A company’s supply chain will include warehousing functions. It can be company-owned, owned by a third party logistics (3PL) firm or a public warehouse. Extra warehouse space is sometimes required due to any number of factors including; seasonal inventory, warehouse re-organization or warehouse damage. This article examines public warehousing and the criteria used in selecting a public warehouse.

Benchmarking In The Supply Chain

Supply chain operations within an organization should be constantly reviewed to identify where improvements can be made or deficiencies eliminated. One method to help do this is to perform a series of benchmarking tests on their supply chain processes. This article reviews the methods involved in benchmarking supply chain processes.