OPSdesign’s Consultants, Engineers, and Analysts are supply chain logistics subject matter experts, authors, and speakers. We have written books, have been published in respected trade journals and business magazines, and are frequent speakers at leading supply chain conferences. Check back here often for our latest insights on trending supply chain logistics topics. Click the links below:
Item-Master Data Accuracy: The Basis of Supply Chain Efficacy
The item-master file is the bedrock upon which modern supply chains are built. In the complex world of modern supply chains, accuracy is the cornerstone...
Read More
AV Trucking Receives Pushback from State Governments
AV Trucking (Autonomous Vehicle Trucking) is getting a bit of pushback from a number of state governments. The success of the supply chain is dependent...
Read More
Internet Connectivity: An Often Overlooked Warehouse Necessity
Now more than ever, Internet connectivity is paramount to modern warehouse operations. Best practices dictate that to optimize a warehouse, you must integrate modern technology....
Read More
Managing the Labor Shortage in Supply Chain Management
Ask anyone in supply chain management, and the labor shortage is likely at the top of the list for ongoing challenges. Turnover is high, hiring...
Read More
A Recipe for Supply Chain Management Failure
Avoiding supply chain management failure is just as important as working toward supply chain management successes. Effective supply chain management is crucial for the success...
Read More
G-20 Summit Brings Supply Chain Opportunities
While the purpose of the recent G-20 summit was international relations, one of its results is a potential boon to supply chain management. The United...
Read More
Warehouse Design vs Warehouse Operation | Designing the Bakery vs Making the Donuts
Let's look at warehouse design vs warehouse operation. The "making the donuts" versus "designing the bakery" analogy provides a powerful perspective on the complex relationship...
Read More
EV Trucks: An Industry Advancement on the Rise
Logistics companies are considering EV trucks, for a growing number of reasons. As the world attempts to wean off fossil fuels in an effort to...
Read More
The Use of Generative AI in Shipping
Logistics companies are hoping that generative AI will help them with most supply chain tasks in the near future. Visibility is key in today’s supply...
Read More
Providing High Service Levels While Maintaining Low Costs
Every supply chain operation wants high service levels while maintaining low costs. "Have your cake and eat it too" is a common idiom that reflects...
Read More
Productivity Standards: Walking A Fine Line
There’s been a good deal of attention given to big e-commerce companies and their harsh productivity standards in the past few years. Implementing speedy standards...
Read More
Using AI in Logistics: Little Adoption – Big Possibilities
The use of AI in Logistics is often discussed but seldom implemented. The world loves buzzwords, and the supply chain management industry is not immune...
Read More
Team Building Strengthens Supply Chain Organizations
Let's explore the importance of team building in supply chain organizations and explore how it contributes to enhanced productivity, innovation, and overall success. In the...
Read More
Digital Supply Chain Trends
There are several new and emerging trends in the digital supply chain sector. The tools and technology available to run today’s supply chains are ever-advancing...
Read More
Diversification of Small Parcel Carriers
When it comes to small parcel carriers, many organizations have all their eggs in one basket. The entire supply chain waited nervously last month to...
Read More
The Multitasking Fallacy in Supply Chain Operations
In the modern world, where time is a precious commodity, multitasking has become a buzzword. The ability to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously is often hailed...
Read More
Maui Wildfires – Supply Chain Assistance is Needed
Last week’s devastating wildfires on the island of Maui have left people and companies scrambling for avenues to provide help. Several organizations have jumped in...
Read More
Nikola Recalls Class 8 EV Trucks
EV truck manufacturer Nikola recently recalled their class 8 EV trucks due to battery fires. As the supply chain management industry pushes toward alternative fuels,...
Read More
Yellow Transportation’s Winners and Losers
It’s been about a week since Yellow Transportation, one of the nation’s largest and longest running trucking companies, announced its demise. The fallout has been...
Read More
Which Warehouse KPIs Matter Most?
Which warehouse KPIs matter the most? Warehousing is evolving and changing at a rapid pace thanks to booming ecommerce and omnichannel operations. It’s therefore taking...
Read More
Omni-Channel Retailing: Determining the Ideal Number of Distribution Centers
In today's retail landscape, omni-channel retailing faces the unique challenge of serving both online consumers and traditional brick-and-mortar store customers. With the convergence of e-commerce...
Read More
The Magic Conveyor Belt – Supply Chain Management Explained
A book titled “The Magic Conveyor Belt” does an exceptionally good job of explaining the supply chain. Until a few years ago, explaining your role...
Read More
Yellow Trucking Meets Its Demise: What Happened?
This week's demise of Yellow Trucking rocked the truckload and LTL world. Just shy of 100 years old, the company held a fleet of 12,000 trucks...
Read More
Maintaining Optimal Inventory Levels in Warehouse, Distribution and Fulfillment
The cornerstone of supply chain operations lies in determining and maintaining optimal inventory levels. Striking the right balance between meeting customer demand, minimizing stockouts, and...
Read More
Why Warehouse Design Projects Fail: Understanding Common Pitfalls and Ensuring Success
Warehouse design projects fail often, even though they are critical undertakings that have a significant impact on a company's logistics and operational efficiency. However, these...
Read More
The Delay in Hiring Supply Chain Consultants: Why Wait?
There seems to be a delay in hiring supply chain consultants even within organizations with underperforming warehousing and distribution operations. In today's rapidly evolving and...
Read More
Women Are Populating The Ranks of The Supply Chain
If you attended any sort of supply chain management trade show a couple of decades back, one thing was a given: unlike a concert venue...
Read More
Should You Consider A 3PL
Having a third-party logistics partner could greatly benefit your warehouse as warehousing and logistics are complicated business these days. Long gone are the old, dusty...
Read More
Labor Disputes May Impact Small Parcel Delivery
There are looming labor disputes in the small parcel deliver sector that could impact the supply chain. The United States is currently facing a modern-day...
Read More
Warehouse Worker Wages May Be Stabilizing
There are signs that ever increasing warehouse worker wages may be stabilizing. Ask any warehouse manager and they will tell you that right now, their...
Read More
Centralized Supply Chain Management vs. Decentralized Supply Chain Management
Should your business utilize a centralized supply chain management department or a decentralized supply chain management department? It hasn’t been that long since supply chain...
Read More
Last-Mile Delivery is Driving Supply Chain Innovations
Last-mile delivery is now a key area of focus for many supply chain managers. Ecommerce was already surging prior to the pandemic, but home delivery—done...
Read More
Investment In Tech Is Up
Back in 2019, when the Material Handling Industry (MHI) surveyed its members about planned investment in tech, specifically innovation and supply chain technology, most respondents...
Read More
Forklift Safety
The Industrial Truck Association (ITA) recently held its 10th annual National Forklift Safety Day, convening as a group in Washington, DC, to highlight recommendations from...
Read More
Making The Circular Economy Profitable
Fears and misconceptions have long hampered the supply chain’s ability to launch a circular economy. Yet, if your company needs an incentive to buy into...
Read More
The Rise of The Machines
You can go back to George Orwell’s “1984” if you want to find some of the earliest predictions about the rise of the machines and...
Read More
Autonomous Trucks Facing Legislative Headwinds
Are Autonomous Trucks the future backbone of the supply chain? With a continuing truck driver shortage, many supply chain professionals yearn for the day when...
Read More
Drought Conditions in Panama Canal Disrupting the Supply Chain
Traffic in the Panama Canal is being impacted by severe drought conditions in Central America. Climate change continues to serve as a disruptive factor in...
Read More
Transportation Management Systems for Small Business
You make think that affordable Transportation Management Systems for small business are a unicorn that doesn't really exist. In the overall picture of supply chain...
Read More
The Healthcare Supply Chain: Maintaining Continuity
When the pandemic began in March 2020, the first logistics system to reveal its cracks was healthcare supply chain. Essential personal protective equipment, such as...
Read More
Putting Blockchain Technology to Work in the Supply Chain
Blockchain technology continues to make its imprint on supply chain management. As it evolves in capabilities and as the supply chain adopts it, blockchain is...
Read More
IPEF – Indo-Pacific Economic Framework Agreement
The United States has been working to reduce reliance on China in the past few years, and at the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) meetings held...
Read More
Retailer Debt Hangover from the Pandemic Could Spell Trouble
The pandemic created quite a bit of retailer debt and the effects have yet to be fully felt. It’s been a rough and tumble several...
Read More
Determining the Optimal Inventory Levels for Your Supply Chain
Determining the optimal inventory levels in a warehouse, distribution, or fulfillment operation involves finding a balance between meeting customer demand, minimizing stockouts, and minimizing holding...
Read More
When to Engage a Supply Chain Consultant
When should you call a supply chain consultant in to assist your internal team? While focusing on supply chain management has always held value for...
Read More
Extreme Weather Events: Protecting the Supply Chain
Are you taking steps to mitigate supply chain disruptions due to weather events? While no one can predict when tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, or wildfires will...
Read More
Automated Unloading Systems are Making Life Easier
The use of automated unloading systems (UAS) is on the rise. These systems are essentially robots that can unload or load a truck and they...
Read More
Productivity Quotas Being Banned by States
States have started banning productivity quotas with 5 already banning or considering a ban on productivity quotas. The labor shortage is woven into the fabric...
Read More
Freight Fraud is Growing: How to protect yourself
Incidents of freight fraud are ramping up. How can you protect yourself? Supply chains are inherently dependent on shipping and for years, freight brokers have...
Read More
What is Friendshoring and How Does It Impact the Supply Chain?
Friendshoring, is the trend to partner with nations considered friendly to the United States and its allies. For decades now, the supply chain has operated...
Read More
