How do you speed up delivery and lower costs at the same time? Technology is helping shippers move goods more quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively than ever, especially when using transportation management systems, or TMS. These allow companies to manage scheduling, routing, carrier oversight, load tendering and consolidation from a central dashboard. In this podcast, we explore the benefits of using TMS, including its potential to improve customer service.

Senors. Data. Information. It's all coming together in a ton of logistics and supply chain use cases. Self-driving cars are being road tested. Drones are delivering packages to consumers' doorsteps. "Smart glasses" could soon replace your tablet. It doesn't take much imagination to visualize wearable technology reshaping every link in the supply chain as advancements plug us all into the internet of things. This podcast highlights four areas of your business where wearables could have an impact.

The use of sensors in manufacturing, wholesale and supply chain processes is not a new phenomenon. Radio frequency and machine to machine communications has been around awhile. Making these sensors internet-enabled and a little more data centric, however, is an emerging and heavily-invested area. Research backs it up. In 2016, there was over $102 billion being spent. This podcast gives guidance on where and how the internet of things will impact profitability through improved demand planning, better workflows and more accurate asset tracking.

It may be time to take a fresh look at the metrics that matter. We’re in an age of data-driven business decisions, but the manufacturing sector could be lagging. A recent survey found that a large majority (86 percent) of industrial companies do not have an analytics program that includes manufacturing data. Developing sustainable metrics can be daunting, so guidance can help—as can including employees in the process. One expert believes using the wrong metrics can do more harm than good. This podcast gives guidance on where and how to target your metrics, how to develop milestones to track progress and how to improve along the way.

When customers decide to pare down their supply base, you don’t want your company to be on the chopping block. What does a manufacturing customer want in a supplier? This podcast outlines key areas where suppliers can shine, from green practices to meeting international standards for quality and environmental management.

Leading companies are realizing it’s not enough to assess and improve their own habits. They’re looking to the practices of their supply chain, too. Companies who become stronger links in a sustainable supply chain appear more attractive to leading companies. They strengthen relationships with their best customers, attract new customers and increase their competitive advantage. This podcast describes how sustainable practices can help companies do good for the world, reduce costs and increase profits.

The rise of third-party logistics companies, known as 3PLs, provides new options to reduce costs in supply chain operations. They can help you handle the physical and IT aspects of logistics and save you time and money. This podcast explores specific ways they can achieve these goals and gives insights about how to find and partner with quality 3PLs.

Four manufacturing experts share their experiences developing good communications skills over a lifetime. From listening intentionally to working hard to establish face-to-face meetings, ideas for honing communication skills can lead to greater success.

Logistics doesn’t end when products ship to customers. Companies are beginning to pay more attention to why, when, and how products get back to the plant. Here’s how to take a more strategic approach to efficient and cost-effective returns.

As 3-D printing has matured into a more versatile and capable technology since its beginnings in the 1980s, it is transforming relationships between customers and suppliers. To keep up with such dramatic changes, suppliers need to use 3-D printing to their own advantage.