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Who would have thought a term like “supply chain”, traditionally reserved for business and boardroom discussions, would become a topic du jour with the average consumer? It has–and not because it’s an overly compelling topic. “Supply chain” is now part of our everyday dialogue because almost everyone felt the impact of interruptions when the pandemic […]

Microsoft’s Power BI has won the scramble to become the standard in the Business Intelligence space.  You might want to stop reading now but let me explain further. I am not saying Power BI has the absolute best feature set. I am not saying Power BI is necessarily the easiest platform to learn. I am […]

Technological innovation will continue to drive the scientific, educational, and business communities forward. There are times when the pure act of innovation allows subsequent applications of a new technology beyond what was originally anticipated. The US Space Program is a classic example of this. CPU processing power and digital storage improvements have launched “Big Data” […]

Authors: Thomas Fitzgerald and Tim Plotner The TUG CONNECTS 2023 Conference brought hundreds of distribution professionals together for a week of interactive networking and education. The educational sessions covered many topics, but the central theme of the conference came down to the need for distributors to focus on synergy and innovation. Innovation can propel companies […]

How can distributors maintain a lean supply chain when marketplace turbulence compels them to buffer for hard times ahead? Before the pandemic, accurate forecasting and demand planning made supply chain management somewhat predictable. Distributors within a lean supply chain were able to deliver more customer value with diversified product inventory while reducing operating expenses.  Since the […]

Distributors equipped with the right technology solutions can reduce costs and operational inefficiencies, boost performance and productivity, enhance their employee experience, and even transform the customer journey. But selecting the right technology is only part of the equation. Your implementation strategy is an important factor in determining how effectively any given solution can impact overall […]

Over the last few years, distributors have had more than their fair share of challenges, ranging from supply chain disruptions and inventory issues to unpredictable consumer behaviors and labor shortages. Many of these challenges may be here to stay, so the businesses that will succeed may be those that revisit their success strategy and take […]

The best distributors in the industry make creating a positive employee experience a top priority. That’s because it’s closely correlated with increased productivity. Moreover, companies with satisfied employees also tend to have happier customers.  Having a positive employee experience is also associated with lower turnover, a greater ability to attract top talent for open positions, […]

If the pandemic taught distributors anything, it was that adaptability and technology are keys to success. Technology is required to operate efficiently and compete effectively. The right solution improves customer service and helps your business save money—improving your bottom line. It will also help you weather the storm of supply chain issues, which have pushed […]

ProMat is the industry’s largest trade event for manufacturing and supply chain innovation.  During this year’s ProMat event hosted by the Material Handling Institute (MHI), attendees from 1,000 of the world’s leading supply chain solution providers gained a front-row seat to what the future holds for manufacturers. Through several hands-on demonstrations and educational seminars, I […]