General

Fluctuations in raw material prices, new laws, supply chain disruptions – the external conditions for purchasing and procurement are challenging. Companies must continuously find a good balance between costs, quality, sustainability and rapid responses to market changes. Predictive Analytics offers an advanced solution for making precise prognoses and responding effectively to these challenges. In this blog article, we explain how this works and what opportunities it opens up for strategic risk management.

With the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), ever more companies are fulfilling their responsibility to make a positive contribution to ecological and social development. This responsibility also extends to the logistics sector, where issues of sustainability and ethics are coming to the fore: In short, contemporary supply chains should be designed to create long-term ecological, economic and social value, minimize environmental impact and improve the working conditions of people along the supply chain. In this article, we discuss how companies use CSR to design sustainable supply chains and which areas can be optimized.

Digitization has significantly transformed many industries in recent years – not least the freight forwarding sector. Cloud-based platforms in particular are becoming increasingly important in the logistics industry, which is characterized by tight timeframes and complex supply chain activities. Cloud technology enables freight forwarders and other service providers to operate more efficiently by improving communication along the supply chain and thus optimizing processes. So how are operational activities improved through the use of cloud-based systems? And what effect do they have on collaboration across companies and national borders?

Transparency along the supply chain is not only important from an efficiency perspective. It’s also crucial for consumer confidence and sustainable development: After all, modern companies are facing the challenge of ensuring that their supply chain is designed not only efficient in terms of costs and time, but also environmentally and socially responsible. This responsibility requires companies to report transparently on their efforts in order to gain and maintain the trust and support of their stakeholders. In this article, we shed light on the role sustainability reports play in this context.

Geopolitical tensions, new legislation, cyberattacks or natural disasters – global supply chains are constantly exposed to new challenges and risks. A company’s ability to respond effectively to unforeseen events often determines its long-term success. Since the Covid-19-pandemic at the latest, it has become clear that within a supply chain context, resilience is not a luxury, but a necessity for any forward-looking company. In this article, we present five strategies that can be applied to increase the resilience of supply chains.

In our global economy, the management of complex supply chains is crucial to a company’s success. The Supply Chain Operation Reference Model (SCOR model) provides a comprehensive framework for this matter and aims to improve supply chain performance: SCOR was developed by the global non-profit organization Supply Chain Counsil (SCC) and is used worldwide to review and optimize supply chain performance. We explain which parameters the model uses, how it supports strategic risk management and what challenges can arise during implementation.

The logistics industry faces numerous challenges when it comes to reducing the environmental impact of global goods movements. Companies must continually adapt to reduce their environmental impact while remaining economically viable. Many supply chain managers are therefore increasingly shifting their strategic focus towards the so-called Big 5 of sustainability: procurement, packaging, storage, transportation and returns. In this blog article, we explain how each of these areas can contribute to a more environmentally conscious and responsible approach.

The complexity of international trade and the associated logistical challenges are constantly increasing. Cross-border movements of goods are the backbone of our global economy. However, their efficiency and security depend crucially on the ability to track and control shipments accurately. The use of IoT, advanced tracking systems and data analytics is becoming increasingly important to optimize these processes. In this blog article, we explain how providing real-time data and visibility improves the control and monitoring of global supply chains, thus enabling companies to respond proactively to change and strengthen their competitiveness.

The adoption of the European Green Deal marks a turning point in the shaping of our economic future. Through new standards for sustainability, green logistics and environmentally friendly business, Europe is to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050 and decouple its growth from the use of resources. As part of this transformation strategy, existing laws are constantly being adapted or redrafted – with serious implications for global supply chains. We explain what companies can expect and what role digitalization will play in this context.

In cross-border logistics, the ability to transport goods cost-efficiently, quickly and sustainably from origin to destination is crucial. With intermodal transport management that strategically links modes of transportation such as rail, water, air and road, companies can meet complex supply chain requirements. By combining the respective advantages, an intelligent transport system is created that harmonizes ecological and economic efficiency. In our latest article on the blog, we discuss the advantages of intermodal transport management and explain which technologies support the seamless integration of different modes of transportation.