Logistics Insights Podcast

Cross-Docking in Distribution

In this week’s Logistics Insights podcast: Cross-Docking in Distribution
Cross-docking in distribution is often talked about, but there are several types, and it generally takes a robust WMS to well handle the complexity and timing issues. In this episode, we dive deeper into cross-docking.

Understanding the Gartner WMS Critical Capabilities Report

In this week’s Logistics Insights podcast: Understanding the Gartner WMS Critical Capabilities Report.
Different from the WMS Magic Quadrant analysis, the Critical Capabilities report focuses solely on functionality across nine different attributes. Those attributes include core and extended WMS capabilities, adaptability, usability, the ability to support automated material handling systems, and several others.

Using a Statistical Approach to Labor Management in Distribution

Labor is a hot topic distribution right now, with rising wages and labor shortages in most markets.
In fact, a recent survey by Gartner found that for the first time, addressing labor issues was cited as the top reason for investing in DC automation, surpassing reducing operating costs, the traditional driver of material handling systems adoption.
Labor management software can provide a variety of capabilities and benefits to address labor issues in distribution.

Getting Warehouse Management System Demos Right

Software demonstrations are a critical step in selecting a Warehouse Management System or any other logistics software package.
How else are you going to determine the fit of various packages to your operational requirements?
Despite its criticality, it is surprising how often companies don’t really think through the many elements needed to get the demo process right – which in the end means selecting the solution that is right for you both short and long term.
Here are a couple of points...

Lessons from Dozens of Implementations of WMS in the Cloud

Warehouse Management Systems were a little late to the Cloud party but now are the great majority of implementations. Softeon, a tier 1 WMS provider, has successfully deployed Warehouse Management Systems in the Cloud dozens of times. Here are some lessons learned from those successes...

Categorizing Robots for Distribution

At the recent Gartner supply chain symposium in Orlando, it was revealed that the number 1 topic for client inquiries is around robots for distribution.
A recent Gartner survey found that for about two-thirds of companies interested in robotics, the driver for doing so now is to combat labor shortages, not to drive cost reduction, which is very different than just a few years ago.
Gartner has categorized these robots into seven types.

A Preview of a New Report on Distribution Center Technologies

With what appears to be growing interest in automation in distribution, driven by severe labor issues for many shippers and more, Softeon commissioned a survey and report on a variety of topics relevant to materials handling systems and warehouse software.
The report is based on survey data from a wide variety of business sectors, led by retailers and consumer goods companies of all sorts, but many other industry sectors as well.
The full report will be available soon, but here’s a little preview.

Optimizing Order Picking with Carts - Part 2

In our last episode, we discussed some of the ways efficiency can be improved with the right software tools. Here are some more ways you can optimize Cart Picking in ways you may not know about...

Optimizing Order Picking with Carts

How warehouse software can optimize cart picking in ways you probably don’t currently know about.

7 UNcommon Keys to WMS Project Success - Part II

In our last episode, we discussed how Softeon and Thru-Put Partners produced a webinar on the “7 Uncommon Keys to End-End WMS Success.”
We covered the first 4 of those tips, which included:
Understanding WMS Value Upfront
Creating a clear decision-making framework
Getting the demo right, and…
Not wasting time early in the project
This week, the final three uncommon tips...