Technology Articles

At Kraft, cash is king
When Kraft Foods needed to cut costs and free up cash, its supply chain organization rose to the challenge. Better inventory turnover played a leading role in boosting cash flow by 20 percent.

Does your company need a supply chain SWAT team?
Kraft's approach to tackling a companywide mandate to free up cash could help you address supply chain issues, too.

Factor future inflation into purchasing now
Supply chain and procurement managers must change their expectations that input prices will continually fall, says one consultant.

Distribution center operating costs decline
A survey conducted by the Supply Chain Consortium finds that DC operating costs as a percentage of revenue have dropped over the last two years.

Who benefits most from optimization tools?
Because asset performance is a top priority for manufacturers, they are likely to get the best return from supply chain-network optimization software.

Supply chain savings at Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart Stores is using supplier scorecarding and strategic sourcing of food products to cut costs worldwide.

Germany gets top marks for international trade logistics
Germany tops the World Bank's ranking of nations' capacity to facilitate international trade logistics.

Companies struggle to build "cash culture"
Many companies that are fighting to free up cash in their supply chains have not taken the necessary steps to make that happen.

New book advises: Give both parties a stake in outsourcing
A new book says that 3PL relationships will improve when both company and supplier have a vested interest in each other's success.

Clearinghouse could help to combat product fraud
A new report recommends several ways manufacturers can monitor their supply chains to detect and prevent adulteration and counterfeiting.

Supply chain education for salespeople
A new course offered by a U.K.-based consulting firm teaches sales representatives to consider the cost consequences before they make delivery promises.