Today's transportation management systems (TMSs) go beyond just transportation functions, extending through the entire enterprise. These systems include basic payment capabilities, auditing and route scheduling, carrier and bid optimization, and collaboration across departments. TMSs are still not widely used, but this article looks at how two companies are benefitting from their use and outlines how to choose a system that meets your needs.

Beginning November 2010, as a subscriber to the GlobalSpec e-Newsletter Supply Chain Integration & Technology, you will receive a newly named e-Newsletter: Material Handling & Supply Chain Technology. The editorial content of this new e-Newsletter covers both supply chain technology and material handling. We hope you look forward to receiving this newly named publication.

With a line of electric and internal combustion forklifts from Cat Lift Trucks and Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks, and now an impressive warehouse product offering from Jungheinrich®, MCFA has a truck built to thrive in any application.

Visit us at www.mcfa.com.

The versatile, stainless steel GVS 2100 is a compact, lightweight vacuum sealer. This quality built vacuum sealer with its 1/4 in. wide upper and lower heating elements and virtually unlimited vacuuming time can vacuum and seal your toughest materials in any length bag at a very affordable price. From Crystal-Vision Packaging Systems.

Pick-to-light systems are now affordable for more than just Fortune 100 giants using systems with 20,000 light modules spread throughout their warehouses. Today's technology, and its proper application, makes the superior picking speed and accuracy provided by light-directed systems cost-effective at smaller facilities as well. Success comes from analyzing inventory requirements to determine the most appropriate uses of pick-to-light.

A Greek clothing company that already uses radio frequency identification (RFID) to track products in its manufacturing and distribution operations now plans to use the technology to provide value-add services in its retail outlets. Capabilities will include intelligent shopping, RFID-based checkout, and product authentication for customers making returns.

Rather than putting new employees in the receiving area, put senior people there to avoid the mistakes that can lead to multiple headaches throughout the warehouse. That's one of 10 simple tips for boosting warehouse efficiency presented in this article. Others include increasing the size of the receiving area, cleaning the warehouse, and implementing cycle counting.

This case study describes a warehouse management solution that minimizes the burden on the company's IT department. Instead of going with a conventional system, the company chose an on-demand software approach. The system provides receiving and put away, inventory control, order fulfillment, shipping, and purchasing capabilities via any Web-connected computer. The iPad was chosen as the mobile user interface because of its easy-to-use touchscreen capabilities

These Kennedy Series Butcher Block Workbenches from BenchDepot are high-quality, durable workbenches offered at costs significantly lower than competitors. The workbench top is made by laminating a series of hardwood strips together and is recommended where other materials might fail due to heavy use.

More than 4,000 businesses use Infor ERP VISUAL because of its affordability, deep end-to-end functionality, low total cost of ownership, flexibility and ease of use. Infor ERP VISUAL is a manufacturing-centric ERP solution that serves the needs of diverse manufacturing business models. Learn more about Infor.

A major manufacturer of sleep products uses EDI to link its 11 production plants to its retail trading partners. A major acquisition and growth in business meant that the company's existing EDI and EPR systems were no longer adequate; and in some cases could not communicate with customers' systems. The new system links numerous elements of EDI, such as purchase orders and invoicing, with the company's new EPR system, without the need for custom programming.

Controlling inbound freight costs represents a big opportunity for savings in many operations, especially those with multiple manufacturing sites and a range of indirect expenses. In particular, indirect expenses tend to get lost in the shuffle between logistics/transportation and corporate purchasing departments — often, no one's in charge. Find out how to identify areas of waste and how to use existing outbound deals to cut costs.

This case study describes how a third party logistics (3PL) provider helped improve efficiency for a major manufacturer of construction equipment. By outsourcing logistics functions the manufacturer was able to focus on its core manufacturing competency. Key to success was the selection of a 3PL company that employed automatic data collection and radio frequency technology.

Knowledge of a potential problem is the key to avoiding that problem. That's why the Freight Performance Measures (FPM) initiative, the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Office of Freight Management and Operations initiated a project to monitor certain key highway locations. The project uses GPS technology and customized software tools to rank congestion at 100 locations. Detailed results are available for each location — mostly urban interchanges.

The UltiMate Medical Mobility Shipping Case is perfect for keeping your supplies in place and providing easy mobility with its pull-out handle and edge casters. The UltiMate is in stock and ready to ship. If Wilson Case doesn't have what you need, they will design it for you at no extra cost.

MPI Label Systems is a manufacturer of RFID labels. We offer solutions for RFID compliance needs from stock sizes and custom label construction. Our experts can recommend the best face stock and adhesive combination for your application as well as the best inlay type. Review various RFID labels available from MPI.

The ways that companies need to think about supply chain management has changed dramatically over the last decade. It used to be that supply chain managers played a mainly functional role that made use of technical proficiency in specific areas, but they had little chance of advancing up the corporate ladder. Today, senior supply chain executives get more respect, but need an expanded skill set that goes far beyond the traditional basics. A video tells the modern supply chain story.

Driving with your high-beams on is key to safety in some situations, and a hazard in others — but how often do you remember to turn them down when others drivers approach? A new system that automatically adjusts headlights depending on existing conditions will solve that problem. The system controls a set of shades on the lights based on both the presence of oncoming cars and vehicles in front of the car in question.

Are You Asking for Quality?

Do you adequately communicate your quality requirements to your manufacturers overseas?