If you’re concerned about tariffs and the ongoing trade war with China, you’re not alone. Almost every U.S. OEM is feeling the same pressure, wondering if China is a viable manufacturing location for the future, while stressing over how to quickly select and qualify new suppliers in the U.S. and still get competitive pricing. That’s…
Autonomous cars have been recently hitting the headlines and dominating tech-talks. It’s seen as a post-Uber disruption to public commuting and transportation of goods. It is surely not a figment of imagination in the age of artificial intelligence (AI) which is being used to complement driverless cars. The combined might of AI and driverless technologies…
As you probably know, the multichannel supply chain is a direct response to the internet’s rise as the center of our commercial lives — and the wealth of options it provides consumers today. However, wringing the most efficiency out of this setup is anything but simple. Why technology isn’t enough The internet gives all sizes…
Lithium-ion (Li-ion) is the most commonly used rechargeable battery type in small consumer electronics today. But as demands for smaller devices continue to grow, so does the awareness around the shortcomings of this popular chemistry—namely its propensity to catch fire. Li-ion batteries are classified as hazardous. And as such, stringent regulations regarding their handling and…
Extroverts command attention. They inspire confidence and always make a great first impression. That’s part of why ‘extrovert’ and ‘executive’ have become almost synonymous. There’s no denying that extroverts excel at winning over stakeholders. Recent research suggests, however, that charismatic, energetic extroverts might not always excel at driving results. A new study identifies a link…
In some industries, most notably healthcare and aerospace, the need for secure, climate-controlled, long-term inventory storage facilities needs no explanation. A typical Boeing 747, for example, will endure approximately 35,000 depressurization cycles — roughly 30 years’ worth of flights — before decommission, while an MRI machine can be continually upgraded and repaired to last as…
It’s no mystery why approximately 81 percent of small and medium businesses maintain a social media presence. With 3.5 billion users worldwide, social media is a dream come true for businesses looking to reach a ton of potential customers. Digital marketing over social media is a trend that continues to grow, as more businesses jump…
Back in the day, when factories served as the templates for developing business processes, the distinction between direct and indirect procurement spending was pretty straightforward: direct spend was focused on the things that went into your product – raw materials, components, subcontracted manufacturing services, and so on. Indirect spend, which some have leeringly referred to…
The internet of things (IoT) has taken the world by storm in recent years. Everything from appliances to cars to handheld devices are connecting people to data and services like never before. However, with those connections come amazingly complex and effective devices and thus the need for greater control and interoperability between highly dispersed teams…
As digital transformation rolls out and more supply chain operations come online, the need for synchronicity across all systems is growing. The answer is a streamlined platform and management system. As a business model designed to synergize processes, tools, and communication largely through a single, scalable network, a platform creates value from the exchanges made…