We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
  • ::COVID-19 COVERAGE::
  • INDUSTRY PRESS ROOM
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • MEDIA FILE
  • Create Account
  • Sign In
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Newsletters
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Subscriptions
    • Podcast
    • Webcasts
    • Blogs
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Best Practices
      • Change Me
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • The Logistics of Defense
      • Logistics Problem Solving
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Public Sector Logistics
      • Two Sides of the Logistics Coin
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • MODEX 2020
    • Upload Your Video
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Subscriptions
    • Podcast
    • Webcasts
    • Blogs
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Best Practices
      • Change Me
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • The Logistics of Defense
      • Logistics Problem Solving
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Public Sector Logistics
      • Two Sides of the Logistics Coin
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • MODEX 2020
    • Upload Your Video
Home » we can see clearly now
inbound

we can see clearly now

July 1, 2005
DC Velocity Staff
No Comments

Those tried and true methods traditionally used to gauge economic trends may not be so, well, true anymore. That observation comes from Fred Smith, chairman, president and CEO of FedEx Corp. Responding to a question about the current economy posed during Bear, Stearns' 2005 Global Transportation Conference in May, Smith said he believed economists often overlook how technology has changed business.

"I think one of the biggest things that the macro-economists miss is the fantastically improved visibility of the supply chain for almost all companies today," Smith said. Instant access to accurate, highly detailed information on materials anywhere in the pipeline, he explained, has enabled companies to react immediately to fluctuations in demand by cutting inventories and making other corrections. As a result, Smith said, "what you actually have happening are little micro recessions and short-term adjustments."

Economists, however, continue to extrapolate those fluctuations in one or two indicators into broader trends. That may have worked perfectly well several years ago, when it took adjustments months to ripple back through the supply chain, Smith said. But now that businesses can instantly correct, leaving the overall economy unaffected, those older forecasting methods may no longer apply.

Technology Cloud & SaaS Enterprise Resource Planning Export-Import Management/GTM Purchasing/Procurement Labor Management Warehousing (WMS & WCS & WES) Track & Trace Systems Transportation & Load Planning (TMS) Business Management & Finance
  • Related Articles

    can you see me now?

    See it now, and save

    now you see it

Recent Articles by DC Velocity Staff

ProMatDX: Facility design in the age of “new” commerce

ProMatDX: Finding sustainable warehouse solutions

ProMatDX 2021: Welcome to Industry 5.0

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Most Popular Articles

  • A look into the future of robotics

  • A primer on warehouse robots

  • Exotec Skypod System Adopted by Gap Inc. to Optimize Returns Process

  • Roadrunner Freight bolsters LTL capabilities with $50 million in new backing

  • Truck driver availability tightens to three-year low, ACT says

Now Playing on DCV-TV

Eb277b97 c776 48f1 98e6 6591f2fc98c2

Are you Considering Using Automated Guided Vehicles or Autonomous Mobile Robots in your Facility?

DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
Flooring is one key component that should be considered for optimal robotic performance on elevated platforms. Gloss, texture, wear, and the condition of the floor can all effect the ability of the robot to run at its peak operating levels. Learn how ResinDek flooring can solve these issues.

FEATURED WHITE PAPERS

  • Special Report: Supply Chain Trends in Retail & Consumer Goods

  • Fortify Your Operational Resilience

  • Cold Storage Automation: Leveraging Advanced Technologies to Meet Increasing Demand

  • The modern warehouse: Maximizing productivity and capacity

View More

Subscribe to DC Velocity Magazine

GET YOUR FREE SUBSCRIPTION
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • NEWSLETTERS
  • ADVERTISING
  • CUSTOMER CARE
  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT
  • STAFF
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Copyright ©2021. All Rights ReservedDesign, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing