One of the biggest trends in supply chain management in 2012 was an improved focus on customer relations. In response to a slow global economy, many companies made it a priority to cut costs. This strategy caused many businesses to lose sight of the most important part of the supply chain – the end-user.
The clock is ticking on negotiations that could shut down 15 US ports, an outcome that will have a serious impact on Florida’s economy as well as the nation’s. The contract between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) will expire on December 29. If a suitable agreement isn’t met…
The developed world sends billions and trillions of dollars to foreign governments each year in the form of aid. In the past, these funds were often reinvested back into the donor country through trade and public procurement programs. Today’s world leaders are working to change that.
Auditors are very important to the procurement process. They play a big role in preventing fraud and ensuring proper spending. Most auditors have skills that are quite beneficial to the procurement process, but how involved should they be in making decisions and policies?
As 2012 comes to a close, business owners and supply chain managers are preparing for the year ahead by examining their current strategies and forecasting their success in 2013. The supply chain and its importance continue to gain deserved attention. These are the most promising SCM trends for 2013.
We’ve all heard news reports about companies shutting down their US factories and moving those jobs overseas, causing hundreds and thousands of Americans to become unemployed. How could outsourcing possibly be good for the local economy when it immediately results in lost jobs?
The average modern business spends most of their IT budget on simply maintaining their network, leaving only a small amount available for upgrades and innovations. With the rate of advancements in technology, keeping up isn’t always easy. Many companies are turning to cloud computing for a cost-effective solution.
Since the début of the first Mac desktop in 1984, PCs have steadily gained favoritism among consumers over Macs. In 2004, there were about 55 times as many PCs sold than Apple computers. Macs begin to gain more acceptance around this time, but it wasn’t until the launch of the iPhone in 2007 when the…
Effective supply chain management is the backbone of a business but for many companies, it is also a challenge. A typical supply chain involves several entities – buyers, suppliers, distributors, and in the end, customers. Developing long-term relationships at each of these levels is the key to success.
Within the last decade, the corporate world has finally given supply chain management the attention it deserves. Experts have recognized the integral role the supply chain plays in daily operations and, ultimately, the overall success of a business. Ideally, supply chain management is a seamless collaboration between every department within a company. Supply chain policies…