Supply Chain management

In the context of globalized flows of goods, supply chains are increasingly transforming into dynamic, data-driven systems. And yet, the more networked and complex a supply chain is, the more susceptible it is to disruption and malfunctions: Digitization is often also considered a gateway for cyberattacks on the supply network. To prevent such occurrences, IT security should be firmly anchored in a company’s DNA and considered from the outset. An information security management system (ISMS) in accordance with ISO/IEC 27001 can become a genuine competitive advantage. In our latest article on the blog, we discuss which criteria are relevant for certification and what companies can do straight away to better protect themselves against cyberattacks.

In the context of globalization and the integration of supply chains across national borders, international transportation has gained in importance. In this context, the organization of goods movements over long distances is increasingly presenting companies with logistical challenges: In order to meet customer expectations and avoid bottlenecks, delays or failures of deliveries, a precise planning and coordination of the numerous processes is necessary. We explain how well-coordinated transport management not only increases the reliability of companies, but can also reduce costs and minimize environmental impact.

Influenced by the disruptions of an increasingly VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous) world, digital technologies are becoming ever more important for supply chain management. Consequently, many companies are repositioning strategically: Topics such as sustainability and risk management are increasingly coming into focus. Transparency and a detailed data overview form the basis for sound decision-making and optimized work processes. In our latest blog post, we discuss how digitization is helping to strengthen the supply chain and what challenges companies are facing in the process.

Ever more companies are placing their strategic focus on meeting sustainability criteria: After all, in addition to the increased requirements on the customer side, there is also a growing number of legal regulations that require ecologically justifiable and resource-preserving actions. Companies that rely on environmental management in accordance with ISO (International Organization for Standardization) norm 14001 therefore have a strategic advantage. In our latest blog article, we discuss the added value that is associated with certification and which criteria are relevant.

Strategic supply chain management is the foundation of a smooth flow of goods and thus the basis for economic efficiency and customer satisfaction. In this context, supply chains are becoming increasingly digital, as the use of innovative technologies and solutions enables the exchange and analysis of data, the automation of processes and tracking in real time. In our latest blog post, we discuss how the application of artificial intelligence (AI) as a disruptive technology supports logistics processes and can make a decisive contribution to optimizing and strengthening supply chains.

Compliance is a key aspect in the logistics environment: It serves to prevent risks and thus to protect companies and their employees. As the topics of sustainability and due diligence are gaining momentum, companies in the B2B and B2C sectors should prepare for increasing transparency requirements along the entire supply chain. We highlight the challenges and benefits of compliance management and explain the technologies that support it.

An increasing number of companies is developing strategies in order to proactively avoid disruptions or failures along the supply chain. The study "Supply chains: Security under pressure – cost-optimized supply chain management for increased resilience" surveyed 320 logistics decision-makers from various countries on the risk assessment and security of their supply chain – with interesting results, also with regard to the effectiveness of preventive measures that had been used.

The challenges of recent years have prompted organizations to put their supply chains to the test and strive to minimize dependencies on established production sites. For example, many companies are currently using a China+1 strategy to expand their supplier network and relocate production or branches to new locations with attractive conditions. We discuss which countries are becoming promising alternatives in the context of diversification efforts, as well as the factors that play a role in the China+1 strategy and the tasks that go hand in hand with it.

Companies are increasingly responsible for ensuring that ethical and sustainable standards are complied with along the entire supply chain. The new EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) clearly regulates who is obliged to submit a sustainability report and what content must be published in accordance with binding standards. While our first blog post on the new EU Sustainability Reporting Directive dealt with the companies affected, deadlines and changes, in Part 2 we delve into the challenges companies face and explain why they definitely benefit from a sustainability report despite the significant effort that is involved in this context.

The consistent availability of goods, perfectly tailored to the needs of consumers, is essential for smoothly functioning supply chains and entrepreneurial efficiency. In order to be able to plan which goods can be delivered when and to what extent, a thorough and transparent warehouse management becomes essential. In our latest blog article, we discuss the specific advantages of systems that are individually tailored to a company’s intralogistics as well as the question, which technologies support warehouse solutions. Further, we explain why optimized warehouse logistics can strengthen the supply chain in the long term.