Topic: Warehouse

The big players continue their aggressive push into the supply chain management software space, using acquisitions and internal technology development to beef up their WMS and TMS offerings, build out planning and optimization, and even add event management to their menus.

Prior to the release of the 21st annual State of Logistics report by the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) at the National Press Club last week, Penske Logistics gave LM an exclusive interview on some of the details. As the principal sponsor of the report, Penske also had some industry insider intelligence to share on the impact made by the two-year recession first felt in 2007.

Over the last couple of weeks, we've been talking to analysts about what they’re seeing in the supply chain technology markets they cover, RFID, voice and warehouse management (WMS) and transportation management (TMS) systems.

Last week, IBM announced that it plans to acquire AT&T subsidiary Sterling Commerce, a provider of business-to-business integration and cross-channel solutions for $1.4 billion. The transaction is expected to close later this year.

Despite economic indicators—and anecdotal reports—indicating to a large degree that the economy is showing signs of a rebound, the most recent results of the Ceridian-UCLA Pulse of Commerce Index (PCI) indicate the green economic shoots may not be as advertised.

We recently shared a few space optimization tricks for using all three dimensions of your warehouse/DC. Now we’re going to focus our attention beyond the storage areas to the more critical operating areas. ?If you’re still out of room, it’s time to pay attention.

According to our 2010 Software User Survey, nearly half of all logistics operations using a WMS are looking to upgrade over the next 12 months. Our technology correspondent explains why and then introduces us to a shipper that’s on the brink of revolutionizing its warehouse operations.

International trade pros advise targeting areas to streamline costs, improve operating efficiencies, and cope with expanding regulations. Now, where should global shippers aim first? Three new reports may help.

The results of our annual study shouldn’t surprise anyone: Spending is down or flat across most supply chain software categories; purchase expectations are lower than they were in 2009; and more shippers are turning to SaaS in lieu of purchase-and-install. Our tech correspondent divulges all of the findings.

Retail giant sets the course for massive greenhouse gas reduction; supply chain analysts applaud the effort.

Faced with new FDA record-keeping requirements, Ce De Candy tossed out its manual systems and turned to information technology to collect information and drive new efficiencies across its logistics operation. And the results have been simply delectable.