An Introduction to How FTZ Software is Changing FTZ Management for the Better Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) management has a reputation for being complex, especially regarding inventory management. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requires precise inventory recordkeeping and control. Companies operating in an FTZ must track all inventory entering and exiting the zone. Failing to do so can result in fines and, in some cases, losing the ability to operate within a zone.  Fears of this complexity have kept some companies from using the program. However, with concerns about a recession and ..read more

Complex dynamics shape the global automotive industry’s transition towards battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Today, Western automakers face strategic considerations and challenges amid evolving regulatory landscapes, geopolitical tensions, and competitive pressures, particularly considering China’s growing dominance in the BEV sector. Recent media reports have suggested that the White House has been contemplating responding to political and industry feedback by potentially delaying the stringent EPA fuel economy regulations initially set for 2027-2032. This deliberation highlights the acute ..read more

MODEX 2024, one of the largest supply chain trade shows in the USA, held at the sprawling Georgia World Congress Center, brought together supply chain professionals from around the world to explore the latest trends and innovations shaping the industry. Amidst the buzz and dizzying array of massive robotic displays and automated solutions covering an area equivalent to many city blocks, these overarching themes emerged: the imperative of supply chain resilience, agility and sustainability. Key Takeaways from UPS’ Keynote Keynote speaker Bill Seward, head of UPS Global Supply Chain Solutions ..read more

Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the big “buzzwords” of 2024, which is a shame because the technology’s analytical capabilities have a lot to offer supply chain planners – if you can cut through the hype.  I’m never one to jump on the bandwagon with emerging technologies. Sure, they’re cool, and many are worth keeping an eye on, but investing in something that’s flashy and promises to solve all of your problems in a new and exciting way is probably just what it sounds like: too good to be true.  AI and machine learning (ML), however, are a different story because, even thoug ..read more

In today’s era of digital transformation, technology is imperative to mitigate the bullwhip effect within the supply chain. The bullwhip effect illustrates how minor shifts in consumer demand for a product magnify upstream in the supply chain. Thus, it can impact the efficiency of operations and increase inventory carrying costs.  The adoption of demand forecasting tools can help overcome the challenges of demand fluctuation in a timely manner. A reliable system should provide accurate forecasts and recommendations to optimize inventory management and prevent unnecessary costs. If thes ..read more

With the 2024 Spring Product Launch, QAD is unveiling a series of significant enhancements across its comprehensive suite of solutions. These updates are designed to empower customers to evolve into Adaptive Enterprises, aiding them in navigating today’s manufacturing and supply chain challenges. Manufacturers face an array of obstacles, including: Workforce shortages: Critical roles must be filled, and empowering employees is imperative for sustained success. Process inefficiencies: Unoptimized processes can impede productivity and result in costly errors. The imperative for agility: Resp ..read more

Updated: April 4, 2024 Published: July 17, 2021 In today’s competitive food and beverage marketplace, events occur and challenges arise that impact the normal course of business. Things like customers changing orders, ingredients and supplies coming in late or even a packing line randomly going down for a short period of time was called a disruption. In essence, today, these are for the most part just part of the normal day to day business of food manufacturing. Sure, they cause some issues but in essence, these are simply interruptions rather than disruptions. Disruptions tend to be much m ..read more

Introduction Let’s explore the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in progressing your global trade operations, with a specific focus on the process of Product Classification within international transactions. Over the past few years, AI has emerged as a pivotal technology, offering new opportunities to reshape our lives and business operations. Product Classification is complex and AI, particularly in the form of Prescriptive Machine Learning (ML), can enhance your trade team’s efficiency in this aspect of global trade. Your global trade compliance efforts involve numerous business pr ..read more

News broke this February that customs officials in the United States had confiscated thousands of cars made by Volkswagen. The VW brands impacted included Porsche, Bentley and Audi. Authorities claimed that the cars included parts made with forced labor in China’s Xinjiang region.  VW is certainly not the first major automaker to fall afoul of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA). In 2022, a report from Sheffield Hallam University found that every large car manufacturer was at a high risk of sourcing parts linked to Xinjiang. Nor do automotive companies exclusively face this ..read more

Having a good Supply Chain Management (SCM) process is crucial for offering excellent customer service. Research from Gartner found that 83% of businesses believe that the supply chain is key to enhancing customer experience. And one of the keys for a good supply chain management (SCM) is gathering data from various areas of the business. You should then process this data using a well-organized and unified approach. So far, we’ve seen how data is an integral part of the demand planning cycle. However, completing this task becomes complex when multiple systems store demand planning data. Fir ..read more