Technology

Productivity Increases When Robots Work Alongside People

Collaborative robotic technology is emerging as a tool for picking and other tasks, and the demand in this market is predicted to continue its exponential growth. * By Sheryl S. Jackson * The collaborative robot, or cobot, market is predicted to grow by more than 60 percent this year, according to research by Interact Analysis. The industry was worth less ...

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Technology Payoffs: The ROI for AI, IoT and Advanced Analytics

The supply chain industry has been relatively cautious in adopting technologies. But that’s changing. IoT and predictive analytics, in particular, are providing payoffs for early adopters. * By Mary Lou Jay * The supply chain industry has been relatively cautious in adopting technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), advanced analytics (AA) and artificial intelligence (AI). But that’s changing ...

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Next-Gen Technologies in Action

Next generation (Next-Gen) technologies are being explored for their potential to bring competitive advantage to supply chains as companies cope with the leading operational challenges of increasing customer demands and a shortage of qualified workers. * By Carol Miller * As covered in the fifth annual MHI Annual Industry Report—released at MODEX 2018 last April—11 different next generation (NextGen) technologies ...

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Can Computers Be Wrong?

Computers can only be as right as the people who write the codes and create and input the data. * By Fiona Soltes * Annette Danek, SVP Fulfillment at Penguin Random House, has had the opportunity to learn coding at several different points in her career. Each time, she said, she’s been struck by the amount of power at her ...

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Flexibility in a Robotic World

AGV technologies are going to be more adaptable and better able to improve efficiency, especially when it comes to their ability to support customization. * By Nick Fortuna * Working in a refrigerated warehouse or distribution center should not mean employees have to be as tough as NFL players who take the field in the middle of winter wearing short ...

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Smartphones and the New Cybersecurity Threat They Pose

With the uptick in workforce mobility and access to corporate networks via smartphones comes increased exposure enterprise-wide to cybersecurity threats, including those that originate within the supply chain. * By Carol Miller * Remember when your mobile phone just made phone calls? Today, smartphones/mobile devices are owned by 77% of U.S. adults, according to Pew Research. With them, voice phone ...

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INDUSTRY FOCUS: Food and Beverage

Blockchain is starting to make its way into the food industry, and it is making a big impact. * By Sandy Smith * In recent years, fruits, vegetables and meat products have all been susceptible to some sort of scare. And for good reason. Each year, one in 10 Americans is sickened by food, and 400,000 die. Tracking down the ...

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Q4 2018, MHI Solutions: Cybersecurity in Supply Chains

CEO UPDATE: Overcoming the Digital Risk of NextGen Supply Chains * By George W. Prest, Chief Executive Officer, MHI * Emerging technologies such as IIoT, robotics and artificial intelligence provide exciting opportunities for supply chains. They also mean an exponential growth in the amount of data these supply chains generate. When properly utilized, this data can provide crucial information to improve ...

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Cybersecurity Threats to Supply Chains in an IoT World

While we marvel at IoT technologies that have been implemented globally into the day-to-day operations of manufacturing and supply chain operations, we often quickly lose sight of the potential supply chain risks this tech adds to the equation. * By Doug Reed, MHI Executive Vice President of Strategic Development * While we marvel at internet of things (IoT) technologies that ...

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Hacking: It Can Happen to You

A cyberattack can happen to anyone and any company—even if you have cybersecurity programs in place. Hackers don’t just target big multi-national firms nor do they discriminate based on industry. * By Katie Kuehner-Hebert * A cyberattack can happen to anyone and any company—even if you have cybersecurity programs in place. Hackers don’t just target big multi-national firms nor do ...

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