2. Be Flexible with Schedules. Carriers appreciate shippers that offer flexible schedules, large delivery windows, and fast yard check-in and check-out. Providing flexible appointment times and accepting trucks during “off” hours, such as evenings and weekends, helps carriers better utilize their vehicles and gives them the ability to pick up loads at less busy times.

3. Give Sufficient Lead Time. The more lead time you can provide carriers, the better off you’ll be. This helps carriers schedule their operations more efficiently. Giving your provider weeks of notice—as opposed to days—greatly improves your odds of being accommodated, while firmly positioning you in the “easy to work with” category.

4. Provide Driver Amenities. Truckers spend excessive amounts of time behind the wheel of their rigs. Providing restrooms, break areas, and parking for drivers can go a long way in making your location more desirable.

5. Provide Drop-and-Hook Capability. Drop-and-hook freight is trucker-friendly, as it allows the driver to drop off a load and hook up to a pre-loaded or empty container at the same facility. Drivers are more likely to accept freight from shippers that provide this option because it enables them to spend more time on the road, maximizing their earning potential.

6. Communicate Clearly. Carriers are often frustrated when shippers provide incomplete instructions. That’s why it’s important to maintain clear and consistent communication. Keep carriers informed about any changes to shipments and be readily available to answer questions. An effective solution is to create a link on your company’s website where carriers can easily obtain scheduling and policy procedures. Also, consider hosting regular carrier conferences and solicit feedback to learn about ways that you can improve as a shipper.

7. Minimize Loading/Unloading Wait Times. Each minute that a trucker is stuck at a shipper’s facility is time off the road—time that can’t be utilized for hauling new shipments. Provide convenient access for drivers with a yard that is easy to navigate when coming and going. Additionally, have your equipment and manpower ready to go when a truck arrives. Shippers associated with excessive wait times will have difficulty impressing carriers.

8. Be a Predictable Partner. Carriers like to do business with shippers that are predictable. Strive to be reliable with your shipping volume and avoid last-minute changes. The more predictable you are, the easier it is for carriers to integrate your shipments into their planning.

9. Utilize a TMS Solution. Transportation management system (TMS) technology solutions help carriers increase the predictability of loads, providing them with greater visibility further upstream. This will also help carriers improve their route planning and driver scheduling functions.

10. Focus on Partnerships. Teamwork and relationships really matter in logistics. Recognize that your carriers are supply chain partners that deserve to be treated with the same respect as customers. Working together to identify and solve problems that impact both parties will serve you well in becoming a shipper of choice.

SOURCE: Jagan Reddy, Managing Partner, Netlogistik US

2. Shield your system, protect your data. Transition to a browser-based user interface using APIs or CGI scripts to transfer data to and from the servers via firewalls. Browser-based systems are far more secure—they were initially developed by the U.S. Military to ensure data security and remote access speed.

3. Implement tighter controls on logins. Requiring strong, frequently updated password controls is essential, as is controlling who can create user logins. Monitoring this helps avoid human error that can leave your system vulnerable.

4. Work through Other platforms. Swiftly work through alternative software platforms while you identify the main system issues. This helps reduce the severity of the attack because it enables business continuity with minor impact on your customers. Our experience has shown us that customers who are open to working on alternative platforms significantly minimize their cargo flow disruption.

5. Leverage AI data ingestion tools. Use these tools to conduct major data input. This can replace or substitute for EDI connections in the short term by facilitating the process of importing large, assorted data files from multiple sources into a single, cloud-based storage medium.

6. Secure the main system. Ensure the main system is fully backed up and operational and free of viruses. Returning to the main system prematurely can create additional problems that negatively impact both customers and employees.

7. Vet platforms before an attack. When looking for the right platform, ask key questions, such as: How much of the core business can be supported on this platform? Do you need more than one? Does this align with my business objectives?

8. Integrate an emergency platform into your main system. The fail-over platform, which is a standby system available if the main system fails, should run as a mirror of the live environment. Cyber attacks often result in losing access to current data, which is a huge problem. Transitioning to live data saves an enormous amount of time and minimizes the impact on the customer. Keep in mind that advanced set up reduces transition downtime and helps maintain continuous operations. It is important to establish two-way connectivity between the systems so the backup system is up to date and new data can easily be restored to the original platform. Remember to have a data mirror in place prior to an event; this serves as insurance.

9. Implement a training program. With a small investment in training, employees can quickly learn how to work in a new, unfamiliar environment—which saves time and money in the long run. Conduct training for entire teams while applying a more frequent and comprehensive approach for key users.

10. Conduct occasional fire drills. Practicing how to handle a challenge that requires a calm, swift response ensures the team is prepared during a real-world crisis. There is a reason all children must practice fire drills at school. This is to prevent panic and ensure everyone knows how to quickly transition to a safe environment. The same is true with core systems as well.

Source: Bryn Heimbeck, Co-Founder and President, Trade Tech

2. Ensure consistent quality control. Quality control is not just about your final product; it extends to all aspects of your business. When sourcing components and materials from global suppliers, insist on stringent quality checks to ensure they are meeting your standards, each and every day. This maintains a consistent brand reputation for your company.

3. Verify data accuracy and reliability. Inaccurate supply chain and logistics data can delay shipments, add costs, and hurt your reputation. Your logistics technology platform should have clean, verified data so all supply chain stakeholders can make optimal, informed decisions. Data integrity standards are an effective way to drive supply chain value for your customers and all parties to a shipment.

4. Communicate in a timely manner. From start to finish, transparent and timely communication is key to building trust with customers and supply chain vendor partners. Be a good partner who communicates effectively and resolves issues promptly to avoid supply chain disruptions.

5. Prioritize social responsibility. Engage in community initiatives and support local causes where your company operates. Employees can actively participate in these activities, enhancing your brand’s reputation as a socially responsible organization and doing something good for your community and its people.

6. Build a transparent supply chain. Eliminate siloed communication. Connect internal stakeholders, vendor partners, and customers to simplify and streamline operations, enhance communication, and effectively respond to ongoing market conditions and challenges. Web-based supply chain and logistics technology enhances global connectivity and is available 24/7. Transparent supply chains foster trust and confidence in your brand.

7. Foster supply chain innovation. Encourage innovative solutions that could significantly improve your brand reputation. Innovation can lead to a better customer experience, improve efficiency, and enhance your reputation for being on the cutting-edge of industry advancement and trends.

8. Ensure sustainability. Whether it’s sustainable packaging, transportation and routing choices to reduce your supply chain carbon footprint, or selecting renewable energy sources in your warehouse, you can make eco-conscious decisions that demonstrate your commitment to a greener, healthier future. Your ongoing efforts in developing environmentally friendly solutions is a key way to create a planet-friendly supply chain, as well as enhance your brand reputation.

9. Collaborate on planning. Build a positive brand reputation by developing rapport with vendors and other stakeholders. This leads to better collaboration and mutual support, which serves you well when exceptions occur and supply chain performance relies on resolving these issues quickly. The essence of collaboration, honesty, and respect lays a strong foundation for year-round interactions.

10. Vet your sourcing choices. Your sourcing decisions can have a direct impact on your brand reputation. Ensure that your sourcing decisions include an ethical and sustainable practices review that involves fair labor practices, environmental standards, and community engagement efforts.

SOURCE: Jeff Plumley, Chief Commercial Officer, ASF Logistics

2. Understand the current state. Take stock of current operations. Are processes manual and paper-based or supported by legacy systems that might be functionally robust but aging and technically obsolete? This will influence whether you should simplify or select an advanced system.

3. Get familiar with existing applications. If you have an existing WMS (or multiple), familiarize yourself with the vendor(s) and determine if they have newer systems that you could adopt. Also, an ERP with WMS capabilities might be another route to explore if and where it makes sense.

4. Identify functional essentials. WMS is mature with parity but not equality across WMS offerings. Companies must identify the typically small number of non-standard or differentiating capabilities they absolutely must have, or the system will not work for them. These are not basic features and functions that might show up in an RFP. These are “must haves” that may require customization.

5. Map end-to-end processes. WMS solutions are good at handling the processes that take place inside a warehouse, but sometimes companies have processes that extend into other areas like manufacturing or omnichannel fulfillment. Understanding the extended process flow and integration needs is critical to success.

6. Consider business projections. A WMS has a long life span. Looking at short, medium, and long-term business projections into the future helps ensure scalability to support the business long term. Under-invest and you could be back looking at a new WMS in a few years. Buy too much and you will under-utilize the system, sometimes for decades.

7. Determine level and types of automation. Consider current and future automation needs and how the WMS will support and integrate with them. Historically, this was easier as material automation was often a significant investment and the cost helped dictate the strategy. Now, with flexible automation like intralogistics smart robots, just about any warehouse could consider automation.

8. Gauge employee readiness. Labor, both operational and IT, is a major challenge for warehouse operations. Evaluate the current composition of your team to ensure the right balance in both the business and technical aspects of deploying a new WMS. Few, if any, companies buy WMS to slash labor, but rather to improve productivity and reduce workforce churn. Aspects like user experience, flexibility, and new ways of working can lead to a more engaged workforce and should be highly rated criteria.

9. Identify improvement opportunities (ROI). It can be notoriously hard to justify the cost after installing a WMS for the first time. Companies must find additional business value for the system, such as labor management, slotting, warehouse redesign or automation. The key is identifying these opportunities and then demonstrating both hard and soft benefits to leadership.

10. Put a sharp eye to budget and financial constraints (TCO). Be brutally honest about financial constraints that could slow or stop an evaluation. Mandating a payback in less than two years might make justifying a new or replacement WMS difficult. The good news is since most WMS purchases are now cloud and SaaS-based, OPEX (an expense that is incurred through normal business operations) can help with capital appropriation. But total cost should be evaluated in both scenarios.

SOURCE: Dwight Klappich, Research Vice President and Fellow; Simon Tunstall, Director Analyst; and Federica Stufano, Sr Principal Analyst, Gartner Supply Chain Practice

2. Automate operational decision-making. Consider an automated planning system that optimizes the work historically released and executed by public warehouse workers. An automated planner orchestrates all the complex inbound and outbound work that must be done, considering all constraints to maximize efficiency. Automated planning helps free the workforce to handle any issues that may pop up.

3. Use a warehouse management system. A WMS tracks and manages inventory accurately. It can prioritize inventory items and allocate space accordingly. A WMS provides real-time visibility into inventory levels, locations, and movements, which reduces stockouts, overstocking, and order fulfillment errors.

4. Streamline order picking. Implement efficient strategies such as batch picking, which allows pickers to efficiently pick multiple orders in a single pass. Zone picking assigns workers to specific zones to reduce travel time. Wave picking divides orders into waves based on priority, size, or destination. Use handheld picking devices or voice technologies to reduce errors and improve speed.

5. Understand automation’s limits. Automation alone may not be the answer. The harsh reality is that automated technology for picking, retrieving, staging, and shipping takes a lot of work and operating expenses to maintain the same amount of output compared to paying traditional labor more.

6. Train and upskill warehouse staff. Ongoing training helps employees learn new techniques and best practices. Training on safety protocols and equipment usage reduces the risk of accidents and injuries. Ongoing training ensures that employees are aware of and compliant with any new regulations that must be adhered to, which reduces fines and legal issues.

7. Measure performance with KPIs. Key performance indicators (KPIs) provide quantifiable metrics that help you assess how well your warehouse operations perform and whether they align with your business goals. Choose relevant metrics such as picking accuracy, order cycle time, on-time delivery, order fill rate, and employee productivity. Regularly review KPIs and adjust based on data and feedback.

8. Eliminate chaos in the yard. Release work intelligently based on labor capacity, inventory availability, and demand. Optimally sequence inbounds and outbounds to proactively expand cross-docking and interleaving. Drive capacity-constrained yard moves—what trailer, where, when—to manage door turn times and reduce detention.

9. Manage intra-campus moves. Shippers often have campuses with multiple buildings with unique process flows. Inventory, receipts, transfers, and shipments must be optimized across multiple buildings with the right timing to minimize touches. Managing intra-campus moves efficiently requires technology that carefully plans and organizes every detail. Each inventory transfer costs between $150 and $500; a reduction in transfers can save millions.

10. Use intelligent warehouse orchestration that integrates with a WMS. Often called WMS accelerators, these tools adapt and rebalance activities based on what happens inside a warehouse in near-real time. WMS accelerators rearrange schedules, review labor requirements, schedule replenishments, cross-dock orders, and ensure shipments arrive on time and in full.

SOURCE: Keith Moore, CEO, AutoScheduler.AI

2. Optimize Warehouse Operations. Consider implementing solutions such as automated sorting and dimensioning, a mobile warehouse management system, conveyor systems, and robotic process automation to speed order fulfillment. A well-designed warehouse layout can also significantly reduce the time it takes to pick and pack orders.

3. Boost Customs Compliance Efficiency. For ecommerce imports into the United States, take advantage of Entry Type 86 or Section 321 to save time and money with faster clearance and minimal manual processing. Automated Border Interface (ABI) software from an experienced provider lets you mass-upload house bills from a simple spreadsheet to expedite the customs release of your packages.

4. Prioritize Real-Time Inventory Tracking. Use RFID tags, barcodes, and other tracking technologies to monitor inventory movement in real time—not just in the warehouse, but at every step of the product journey. This can help prevent stockouts, reduce overstock, improve coordination between agents, and ensure that inventory is replenished quickly.

5. Evaluate Inventory Management. Efficient inventory management is tantamount to ecommerce success. But inventory management techniques are not one-size-fits all. A strategy that works well in one company may not suit another, so it’s important to research and evaluate several options to find the best one—or a combination—for your specific business needs.

6. Implement Effective Returns Management. Don’t neglect the returns process when analyzing efficiency. A streamlined returns process can reduce costs and improve customer satisfaction. Consider centralized return centers, third-party partners, and other techniques to reduce handling. Use analytics to understand return reasons, which can, in turn, inform positive product and process improvements that will reduce future returns.

7. Diversify Supplier Networks. Avoid relying too heavily on a single supplier, carrier, or partner. Building relationships with multiple partners ensures that your ecommerce supply chain remains robust even if one stakeholder faces issues.

8. Set Risk Management Plans. Regularly assess potential risks, such as geopolitical issues, supply chain weaknesses, natural disasters, or labor shortages and strikes. Put contingency plans into place to ensure minimal disruption to your supply chain in case of unforeseen events.

9. Train and Develop Your Staff. As technology and best practices evolve, ensure that your team receives regular training to keep current. A knowledgeable and skilled workforce can adapt to changes more rapidly and ensure the effective management of your logistics and supply chain processes.

10. Regularly Measure and Monitor Ecommerce KPIs. Continuous improvement requires constant measurement and evaluation of ecommerce KPIs (key performance indicators). Regularly review and analyze KPIs such as order turnaround time and accuracy, overstocks, stock-outs, and inventory turnover to proactively identify areas for improvement.

SOURCE: Matthew Fotouhi, Chief Technology Officer, Customs Compliance, Magaya

2. Conduct a cost-benefit analysis. Take stock of your company’s shipping priorities and the value they bring your business. From there, you can best decide on a carrier that balances quality with cost-effectiveness in those areas.

3. Assess ecommerce compatibility. As ecommerce becomes more dominant, many less-than-truckload (LTL) carriers have made a shift into providing residential delivery. If part of your business’s value proposition is white-glove delivery service, you want to select a carrier that is reliable with residential deliveries and offers installation and premium assistance to your end customer.

4. Seek out specialized carriers. Some carriers have certain niches when it comes to the products they ship and the industries they serve. For example, a carrier may have a strong record with food and grocery shipments. Based on your type of business, opt for a carrier with dedicated experience transporting those types of products to ensure proper handling and adherence to regulations.

5. Identify special handling/equipment. Your shipments may require a unique type of care throughout the transit process, such as temperature control, delicate handling or the use of special equipment for larger shipments. The carrier you select must have those capabilities and equipment. Additionally, some carriers offer value-added services, such as assembly and packaging, that you may want to incorporate to enhance your delivery experience.

6. Confirm geographical coverage. Verify that the carrier’s routes align with your shipping destinations to drive prompt and reliable delivery for your customers. Furthermore, research the distance between the carrier’s shipment terminals and origin points. A shorter geographical distance will allow for increased operational efficiency and flexibility.

7. Determine retailer relationships. Ensure the LTL carrier you are considering has experience working with large, big-box retailers. These retailers can have unique requirements regarding appointment scheduling, advanced shipment notification, delivery windows and proof of delivery requirements. A carrier with a positive history and amicable working relationship with retailers can help you avoid unnecessary fines and penalties when conducting business with them.

8. Ensure capacity commitments are met. Given that fluctuations in the economy can impact carrier capacity, work with a provider that upholds initial agreements even amidst an uncertain market. This commitment will solidify consistency in your service and prevent disruptions throughout your supply chain.

9. Assess visibility and timely PoD. In today’s logistics landscape, supply chain visibility is imperative for businesses and customers alike. You need a well-equipped carrier that offers real-time tracking and consistency in sending proof of delivery. With these capabilities in place, you can better manage customer expectations and proactively address potential issues.

10. Research claims ratios and history of billing accuracy. Do your due diligence on a carrier’s claims ratios and billing track record. While LTL billing is inherently complex, a proven account of accuracy and a claims ratio under 1% indicates their commitment to preventing interruption to your shipments.

Source: Jeff McDermott, Executive Vice President of Transportation, GEODIS in Americas

2. Have a holistic demand point of view. While each channel has nuances, demand applies to the product holistically, regardless of selling channel. Plan, analyze, and report all sources of demand.

3. Focus on process. A strong assortment justification process can align more than just inventory. It can influence product design to mitigate the cost of over-development, over-assorting, and housing too much inventory, which ultimately reduces profitable revenue.

4. Don’t overlook the 16-18%. Based on historical data, returns are likely to run 16-18% this year. Having a returns strategy and plan is essential for retailers, and they cannot afford to overlook it. It is critical to have a clear view of inventory that is truly available to sell vs. existing somewhere in the pipeline.

5. Leverage data to drive decisions. Ensure your data is accessible, available, and ready for use across the enterprise. Clearly defined data governance and management keeps data ready and secure, eliminates the “justification of the number” and facilitates more efficient and informed decisions.

6. Automate solutions wisely. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are removing much of the guesswork in decision-making. Be sure to develop a plan that takes advantage of those features within your existing technology.

7. Position inventory appropriately. Align inventory and demand from the point of distribution and sale. Push what is needed to be brand-positive and tell the merchandise story at the store. Once established, let sales dictate where and how your replenishment flows.

8. Optimize the technology you own. Owning technology is no guarantee that you are fully realizing its benefits. Implement processes supporting the use of the technology, then review them regularly.

9. Keep an end-to-end perspective. Hold all inventory accountable for expected sales and profit performance—from conception to final sale. Measure this through a series of linked plans, such as corporate sales goals, merchandise financial plans by channel, assortment planning at all levels, demand planning and forecasting, and allocation and replenishment.

10. Don’t lose sight of the goal. Clearly align your business goals with your people, processes, and technology. Conducting a full capabilities assessment of your organization will clearly illustrate the pain points, gaps, and opportunities for growth and improvement along with a timeline to execute, resulting in improved strategies and execution.

SOURCES: Allison McCabe, director of retail technology and Julie Cheney, senior director of retail, enVista.

2. Maintain current safety data sheets. A product’s components, dimensions, and origins impact every process required for safe and compliant shipping, including packaging, labels, documentation, employee training, and more. Maintain current safety data sheets with complete and accurate information for all products you ship to help ensure you comply with all shipping regulations.

3. Keep up to date with regulations. Regulations can differ based on quantity, country, and transportation mode, and can continue to change. So don’t just assume that what was correct one year ago is correct today; stay up to date on the latest regulations to make the necessary changes to your shipping operations.

4. Automate compliance processes. Manual compliance processes are inefficient and can lead to errors that bring about delays, penalties and other interruptions. DG technology can automate and streamline the shipping process by producing documentation, validating shipments against the latest regulations, and more. You can then implement these repeatable and reliable processes across all locations, departments, and supply chain partners.

5. Don’t assume functionality. Many transportation and warehouse management systems and enterprise resource planning platforms lack the functionality required to fully address dangerous goods shipping processes. Don’t assume your existing systems have the compliance capabilities you need. You may need additional DG-specific software that can often integrate into your existing platforms.

6. Be aware of carrier policy changes. Carriers can impose tighter restrictions than what regulations require, or they can decline shipments altogether. Even if you’re 100% in compliance regarding training, paperwork, and packaging, individual carriers still may not accept your shipment.

7. Invest in quality training. Ensure all employees involved in shipping and handling DG receive the required training in accordance with 49 CFR 172.704. Online interactive and 3D training can help them digest complicated regulations in a more convenient and engaging format. And know where their training records are—that’s the first thing regulators request during an audit.

8. Know what ships with your goods. Compliance doesn’t pertain just to your company’s products; it also pertains to the items shipped with them. This encompasses items such as those used to regulate temperature or track shipments, including dry ice and monitors containing lithium batteries. These are regulated goods themselves and have their own rules and restrictions.

9. Don’t forget about returns. Return shipments must comply with the same hazmat rules as items shipped to consumers, and it’s the shipper’s responsibility to ensure compliance. Establish standardized returns management processes, such as providing compliant packaging with the required labels and markings, shipping all returns via ground transportation, and training customer service representatives to answer customers’ questions about return shipments.

10. Consider partnering with an expert. Shipping DG is complicated. Partner with an industry expert to help make sense of the regulations and implement the necessary processes and systems to ensure compliance across your supply chain.

SOURCE: Brian Beetz, Director of Regulatory Affairs and Corporate Responsibility, Labelmaster

2. Get a cohesive view of all modes. Gaining a seamless view of all transportation modes requires technology that can digest the data and provide a holistic overview of the supply chain. What good are your supply chain processes if you can see where your trucks are in real time but have no idea where your rail or ocean shipments are?

3. Employ AI and ML algorithms. Artificial intelligence and machine learning continuously learn from the collected data and provide details on how to optimize the supply chain. AI empowers organizations to make sense of complex supply chain data, improve forecasting accuracy, optimize operations, and enhance decision-making capabilities, enhancing supply chain visibility and performance.

4. Integrate and synchronize data. Do this across the entire supply chain, from suppliers to end customers. This data needs to exist in a centralized data repository accessible to authorized stakeholders across the supply chain, enabling them to view and utilize the information for decision-making.

5. Deploy advanced analytics. Analyze the collected data and generate actionable insights. So many shippers spend time trying to execute faster, but few really take the time to analyze their data and work better. The right analytics identify trends, optimize processes, predict demand, and mitigate risks. When issues or disruptions occur in the supply chain, advanced analytics can help identify the root causes, enabling stakeholders to understand the underlying factors contributing to problems such as delays, quality issues, or inefficiencies.

6. Consider data visualization. To help people better understand and interpret supply chain information, data is transformed into visual elements like charts or graphs that can be easily comprehended so that viewers quickly grasp insight, trends, and patterns that might not be apparent from the raw data alone.

7. Leverage a technology platform. Find the technology solution that has the expertise of your specific market because the behavior of the consumer products or medical market is different from industrial bulk or break bulk markets. A supply chain visibility platform tailored to your industry can help shippers understand how the market behaves.

8. Implement tracking technologies. GPS, telematics, or other IoT devices sense and monitor the movement and condition of shipments in real time. These technologies provide visibility into the status and location of shipments throughout the transportation process. Shippers can proactively address any shipment issues or exceptions that arise.

9. Use risk-based decision-making. Leverage data analytics, predictive modeling, and proactive measures to identify, assess, prioritize, and mitigate risks that can impact supply chain visibility.

10. Collaborate with suppliers, customers, and other stakeholders. Gain insights about sustainable practices. By working closely with suppliers and promoting transparency, organizations gain visibility into supplier operations, enabling them to assess sustainability performance and make informed sourcing decisions.

SOURCE: Ken Sherman, President, IntelliTrans