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“Open the Gates. We Need More”: How Governments Control the Flow of Goods through Regulations
Soybeans are a high-volume commodity, especially for China, the largest importer of soybeans in the world. China imports around 90% of its soybeans from the United States, Brazil and a few other nations. In [...]
What Does “AI” Even Mean?
My last blog post about artificial intelligence (AI) covered some of the technology’s history, including how engineers, scientists, writers and readers all understood the rise of AI would change everything. Decades later, it [...]
The Ages of Channels
Sales channels have always been evolving. Historically there were middlemen. More recently, there were influencers. Now, the world is entering the third age of channels: the ecosystems. Each age builds on the previous [...]
Pharmaceutical and Life Science Manufacturing: Are You in Control?
Modernizing your supply chain is a worthy goal, and for pharmaceutical and life science companies, a big part of modernization is to outsource manufacturing and other business functions to various trading partners across [...]
“You’re going to be audited”: Automating Your Compliance Audit
Hearing the unwelcome words, “You’re going to be audited,” always sends folks into a frenzy and a flurry of activity. Customs organizations all around the globe have become more and more explicit about their [...]
Good Governance Starts at Home
If your company engages in global trade, you know that you have no choice but to screen every party to an export transaction. Government agencies require you to “know your customer”— as well [...]
The International Language of Trade Gets an Update: Harmonized System Revisions Published
Change is good but often challenging. This is especially true when massive changes occur to regulatory data that affect international commerce. Yet a mammoth change in regulatory guidance occurs every five years that affects [...]
New Options to Overcome Ocean Capacity Shortages for Shippers and Forwarders
Supply chain students worldwide will someday study the “COVID-19 years” with a magnifying glass as intensely as the Industrial Revolution. Yet as a shipper or forwarder living through this, you don’t have the [...]
Rise of AI: Supply Chain Management and the World’s Most Promising Technology
There was a time when artificial intelligence (AI) was the stuff of science fiction writers. Many readers around the world, including me as a young boy, were tantalized by the possibility of a [...]
Better Service and Lower Risks: Product Classification Simplified
E-commerce sales have escalated over the last few years, and reports are showing progressive growth over time. A 2018 study conducted by UPS indicated that significantly high percentages of online buyers across many major [...]
Production Quality and Traceability Have Never Been More Important
Companies that contract some or all of their manufacturing processes often gain financial benefits. However, outsourced manufacturing comes at the cost of reduced supply chain visibility. For instance, when quality issues arise, early [...]
Multi-Enterprise Capabilities Drive Supply Chain Planning Technology Requirements
Gartner Magic Quadrants have long played a key role in how business decision-makers evaluate software vendors. To be recognized in any Magic Quadrant, we believe you must have a strong product and a [...]
Don’t Be Overcome by All the Trade Content Updates
The deluge of challenges we faced in 2020 hasn’t really subsided in 2021, although many of us hoped it would. Still at the forefront, disruptions from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continue to affect [...]
Celebrating Women in Technology for Bringing Value and Vitality to a Crucial Industry
Sometimes a door seems locked, but all it needs is a little push. Sometimes an idea that starts as a “maybe” gains momentum until it’s a tidal wave that carries you beyond imagination’s [...]
Channel Technology Can Improve Your Response to Macroeconomic Conditions
If your company reaches customers through an indirect channel, understanding how it is impacted by external influences is essential. Analyzing the effect of changes in macroeconomic and technological factors can help you gain [...]
Who Doesn’t Love a Good Deal? Easing Duty Drawback for Manufacturers
Retailers know what catches a savvy shopper's attention: Give them a discount, reward dollars, rewards points or even a rebate. Discounts are attractive to companies too. Minimizing international trade duties is one of [...]