Many distributors understand the distinction between improved warehouse operational processes and bar coding, but the overwhelming majority of distributors still ask for bar coding solutions when they really mean to ask “Can you offer me a solution to improve my warehouse operations, seamlessly integrated with Microsoft Dynamics… and I’d also like to automate the data collection from my warehouse so that I can improve data integrity, speed up dock to stock times and improve the order to cash cycle.”

Retailers are focused on balancing tight inventory management and high levels of customer service.  They want to avoid stock outs so as not to lose sales revenue while also avoiding holding too much inventory that is later heavily discounted to move the excess inventory.   Wal-Mart, who is always searching for opportunities to gain efficiencies in their supply chain, recently announced that US vendors shipping to distribution centers must deliver within a four day window leading up to the must-arrive-by-date (MABD). 

Multi-channel merchants like K-Mart / Sears, Target, Costco, Kohls, and several others, are ramping up their online efforts.   Vendors are required to implement EDI to exchange business documents that facilitate cross-channel orders.  Warehouse management and outbound shipping systems have to be tuned to ship to multiple touch points for a single customer account, including drop shipping direct to the consumers address.  The recession forced merchants to focus on effective inventory management which manifested tighter demand sensing throughout the supply chain and information exchange across supply chain partners.  Merchants and vendors inventory on-hand and demand numbers are shared through the exchange of EDI documents and business portals. 

Breaking News: Check out the details at MSDynamicsWorld.com or vSync.  This move marks a shift in viewing EDI as not just a point solution but an integrated component of dynamic, agile,  supply chain management.  Stay tuned for more details but overall, an innovative and strategic approach for mid-market companies.  3PLs and Transportation companies will benefit soon too…

While economic conditions improved a hair for some of us…most distributors didn’t fair so well.  However, all indications – the so-called “experts” predict growth in 2010.   That growth is predicted for the global economy, not North America.  So hang on to your hats folks – here’s what we saw in the distribution market space this year and our predictions for 2010.

Staples has announced changes to their LTL carriers.  If you are a freight collect supplier, you will now see shipments assigned to a new LTL carrier.  The transition from Staples existing LTL providers to their new LTL carriers began on October 5, 2009. If you are a freight collect supplier you will need to assign the correct shipment method to avoid errors on ASN’s and Invoices.

Freight collect suppliers who have questions related to this transition can also contact their Staples Transportation Analyst or email specific questions to inbound.routing@staples.com.