Supply Chain weekly wrap-up: 4/10/15 – 4/16/15

The power of sustainable supply chain practices

Was it just me, or did you also notice a steady stream of supply chain sustainability stories this week? Perhaps it has something to do with the upcoming Earth Day on April 22^nd. Whatever the reason, I decided it would be fitting to get in on the coverage.

As one of the world’s largest polluters, the global textile industry can certainly benefit from more sustainable supply chain practices. This week, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) released a report detailing the results of a pilot project conducted within the fashion industry. The project focused on helping 33 textile mills in China improve efficiency and make environmentally sound supply chain decisions. The project seems to have been a success, as four major companies and their suppliers were able to reduce their environmental impact while saving $15 million annually.

To read more about this sustainability project, click here.

More Internet of Things Predictions

DHL and Cisco Consulting Services also released the results of a study they conducted together, not on the topic of sustainability, but rather a different topic that is also continually highlighted in the supply chain industry: The Internet of Things (IoT). This “trend report” predicts that there will be 50 billion devices online by 2020, compared to the 15 billion connected devices today. If the economic analysis in the report holds true, the IoT is expected to generate a $1.9 trillion Value at Stake worldwide in supply chain and logistics over the next 10 years.

Higher levels of operational efficiency are expected as a result of more connected devices. This efficiency can be realized in a variety of ways. One example in warehousing would be the use of connected pallets leading to smarter inventory management. Furthermore, in freight transportation, the tracking of goods will become more accurate and secure, and vehicle maintenance checks can be scheduled automatically.

Click here to read the full article.

“Cloud also” or “cloud first” – Either way, manufacturers are latching on

Sticking to the theme of study results this week, the International Data Corporation (IDC) released detailed survey results on the worldwide adoption of cloud computing in manufacturing processes. In their research, the IDC reports that 41% of manufacturers in the United States are accessing IT resources using the public cloud. New survey results indicate that, over the next ten years, manufacturers will become increasingly reliant on enterprise and industry clouds to access information. Furthermore, the fact that the cloud provides manufacturers with the opportunity to easily use data that will be connected from the various sensors throughout the operation with IP-based connectivity, is noted as a significant advantage.

To read more on the survey results, click here.

Have a nice weekend!