Technology

Technology (216)

Special Infrastructure Update (video)

virtual computingTechnology is always changing. The current trend is to move more of what was once entirely populated by local and discrete computing devices to virtual instances. The results can be significantly beneficial in terms of management as well as lowering expenses. There are of course, arguments on both sides - some well founded and some strictly based on opinion. The video below takes a lighthearted view of the differences.

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Backup and Security - A Lost Priority

insecurityOne of the first things to do when a computer system is implemented is to make a backup. This probably seems like a simple statement, and one that any enterprise serious about keeping their business alive has accounted for and has put on auto-pilot. But that's exactly the point. Every business has dedicated staff that is fully engaged with the business of their business, and that includes keeping the business functions running despite system failures. But what if those failures take place outside your own walls. Read more...

Getting IT Together

EDI-integrationSupply chain connectivity, transparency, visibility, and overall success depends on connecting the various pieces of your company's IT infrastructure. And yes, EDI is a segment of IT. It's also a segment of logistics, accounting, marketing, and several other functions but since it depends on the movement of data, EDI falls under the broad definition of IT - Information Technology. So how are your IT components connected? Read more...

RFID's Undeniable Advantages

rfid tagWe've been exploring supply chain visibility for some time, and most of the discussion has been around the transactions and understanding the status of the goods as well as the status of the various documents that accompany and enable the transactions. But there's an even deeper level of transparency that is inching its way into the supply chain even though the overall consensus is that there are too many obstacles in the way of full deployment. The use of RFID tags for nearly every consumer product may well be approaching reality. Read more...

Big Uses for Big Data

Big dataIt’s tempting to listen to the hype about ‘Big Data’ and write it off as just another in a long line of ‘Next Big Things’ that’ll soon fizzle out. To do that, though, would be a major mistake. There’s nothing going on in technology that has more potential to transform not only your work, but also your personal life, as Big Data. Read more...

Down the Aisles - Digitally

aislesRetail drives a big portion of the EDI traffic along the supply chain. Whether it’s online retail or brick and mortar retail, the issues are the same. But let’s face it… sometimes it’s just easier to find the product you’re looking for by using a search engine online rather than wandering aimlessly through the aisles of a big box store. Increasingly, retailers are supplementing the in-store experience with apps on shoppers’ mobile devices. Read more...

Combined Data and Visibility

VisibilityHow many distinct systems make up the supply chain? OK, that’s probably an unfair question, so let’s just talk about the number of systems or software applications that make up the supply chain within a single company. The answer is likely to be more than 1 and could easily be as many as 20. If that’s the case how is it possible to actually achieve what we’ve been calling Visibility? Read more...

Social Media in the Supply Chain

social media checkThe end of the supply chain (retail) is probably the only place that makes any sense for any kind of social media activity. At least that's the common belief. What would a supplier, manufacturer, 3PL, or any other part of the supply chain hope to gain from a Facebook page, a Twitter stream, or even a Google+ account? Read more...

Focus on Functionality

cloudAs a supply chain or ecommerce professional, I’m sure you’re weary of hearing about “the cloud”, “big data”, “virtualization”, “mobile apps”, and a bunch of other recent tech buzzwords. Once the hype dissolves over time, they’ll just vanish like a puff of smoke and the IT guys will stop talking about them in the cafeteria, won’t they?

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Clear the Clutter!

office clutterThey have shows on it. Thousands of professionals are hired every year for the sole purpose to get rid of it. Most people hate it, but find a hard time getting rid of it. What am I talking about? Clutter!! Read more...

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