Technology

Feature BY MARY LOU JAY ISTOCK.COM/METAMORWORKS When companies introduce new automation and digital technology into their supply chains, they anticipate it will provide benefits like lower costs and increased production. But they’re also concerned about the potential for business disruption during transition. Will they be able to get their products out the door on time? Can key staff members support ...

Feature Autonomous mobile robots can cut time out of labor-intensive fulfillment tasks. When combined with warehouse software, AMRs can improve an operation’s productivity even more. BY SARA PEARSON SPECTER MONOPOLY919/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM With operations increasingly unable to staff adequate labor to achieve their goals for higher throughput and productivity, more companies are turning to autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). These intelligent mobility platforms ...

MHI released the list of finalists for the 2023 MHI Innovation Award. After receiving 156 submissions for this year’s awards, judges comprised of professionals from the material handling and supply chain industry completed the initial vetting process. Four finalists were chosen as the most innovative products in each category—Best New Innovation; Best Innovation of an Existing Product; and Best IT ...

Feature BY MARY LOU JAY ANDREY SUSLOV/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM How good is your company at detecting intrusions into your computer network? Even if you aren’t aware of any problems, hackers may already be in your system and accessing your data. “It’s not at all uncommon that the first time a company knows they’ve been attacked is when the FBI comes and tells ...

By the Numbers In September, Keeper Security released its second annual U.S. Cybersecurity Census, polling 516 information-technology decision-makers at U.S. companies. Here are some key findings. 22% Percentage of U.S. businesses subjected to more than 250 attacks annually, while 12% experience more than 500 attacks per year. 57% Percentage of respondents saying it’s now taking longer to identify and respond ...

Feature BY TOM GRESHAM ISTOCK.COM/2D ILLUSTRATIONS AND PHOTOS The digital supply chain has brought new efficiencies and strengthened connectivity among partners. For companies to remain competitive today, engaging in the digital supply chain simply cannot be avoided. However, the digital supply chain also has brought an array of fresh challenges, including a heightened risk for cyberattacks. A major part of ...

Feature BY SARA PEARSON SPECTER GREENBUTTERFLY/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM One of the key takeaways for companies operating disrupted supply chains during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic (and its aftermath) was how imperative it had become to gain visibility throughout multiple tiers of suppliers—specifically their inbound deliveries. By gaining a more precise view of where a product was enroute, not to mention its ...

By The Numbers DARKO 1981/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM 85% of supply chain leaders have struggled with insufficient digital technologies in the supply chain. Source: McKinsey surveys of global supply leaders, May 15-22, 2020 Four out of five supply chain leaders expect to or already use AI and machine learning for planning. Source: McKinsey survey of global supply chain leaders, May 6-June 3, 2021 The global ...

CEO Update This famous quote has never been truer, yet while managing unpredictable supply chain disruptions and meeting increasing customer demands, many businesses overlook the importance of the worker experience and having a strategic workplace safety program in place. At its core, it’s about caring about your people and creating a culture that they want to be a part of—one ...

Robotic Process Automation Serves as an Intelligent Automation Tool Capable of Increasing Efficiency, Accuracy Feature   BY SARA PEARSON SPECTER SERGEYBITOS/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM Intelligent automation technologies—artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, cloud computing, and more—are increasingly being leveraged within supply chains to help manage the tremendous complexity associated with getting goods into the hands of the ...