Supply Chain Insights | Issue Eight

SupplyChainInsights Issue Eight

Supply Chain Investment

News, Trends & Technology for APAC Supply Chain Leaders

How the right strategy can help navigate uncertain times

Contents

Welcome

About The Magazine Published quarterly to a circulation of 20,000 + industry professionals across Australia, New Zealand and the wider Asia-Pacific region, Supply Chain Insights Magazine is focused on helping you solve the complexities of today's supply chain.

The digital magazine highlights the latest trends, operational strategies, technology advancements and best practice within the supply chain and logistics industry.

Welcome to Supply Chain Insights Magazine your primary source of industry news, focused on innovation, technology and knowledge-sharing in the logistics sector.

In this edition, as we grapple with rising interest rates, inflation, surging global oil prices, and evolving consumer behaviours, our focus zeroes in on the pressing challenges of supply chain management.

Industry experts dissect the intricacies of demand forecasting and supply chain evolution.

Emphasising adaptability, automation, and strategic foresight, their insights spotlight the critical role of agile strategies and technology investments in navigating a volatile supply chain landscape.

We also hear from IIMBE's Managing Director, Steve Appleby, on the pressing challenges facing the construction industry, including labour shortages and volatile

material costs. Meanwhile, Deloitte shares insights from a recent Insights survey, revealing that while 89% of global executives express confidence in their supply chains, only 68% of customers agree.

Roy Moody of vWork explores how dispatch technology addresses Australia's driver shortages, centralising delivery data and optimising routes. And Michael Dyson from SOTI elaborates on harnessing mobile device data for optimised operations and a competitive edge in supply chain management.

We hope that you enjoy this edition of our magazine and look forward to hearing your feedback!

For more information or story suggestions, please contact: editor@supplychain-insights.media For advertising enquiries, please contact: advertising@supplychain-insights.media Visit our website: www.supplychain-insights.media

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Contents

In This Issue

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News & Insights

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How Dispatch Tech is Helping Companies Tackle Delivery Driver Shortages

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Case Study: How a Large Manufacturer Seamlessly Moved from Windows to Android Devices in the Warehouse

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Strengthening Supply Chains: Tackling Labour Challenges for Today and Tomorrow's Food & Beverage and Grocery Market

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Navigating Japan’s 2024 Logistics Challenge: Tech Solutions for Truck Driver Overtime Limits

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Unbreaking the Chain: How Digital Technologies are Streamlining Construction Supply Chains

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TMX Transform Taps Former Kroger Exec To Lead North American Business

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Why Ultra-Rugged UHF RFID Sleds Are Now An Ideal Option For Reading Tags In Industrial And Field Environments

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The Power of Device Visibility: Driving Efficiency Beyond Functionality

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The 2023 ASCL Awards Gala Dinner

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Advancing Supply Chain Resilience: Mitigating Future Disruption

Executives Overestimate Customer Trust in Supply Chains

The Resilience of NonDiscretionary Retailers During Periods of Economic Instability

Dematic Ensures John Dee’s Readiness for the Future of Global Beef Supply Chains

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66% of Australian Shoppers Have Had Unsatisfactory Experiences with Online Returns

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Navigating Uncertainty With the Right Supply Chain Strategy

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News

News & Insights Zebra Technologies Named a 2023 IDC MarketScape Leader in Rugged Mobile Devices Company’s current capabilities and future strategies recognised in the 2023 IDC MarketScape vendor assessment report.

Zebra Technologies, a leading digital solution provider enabling businesses to intelligently connect data, assets, and people, announced it has been recognised as a Leader in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Rugged Mobile Devices 2023 Vendor Assessment.

According to the report, “Zebra Technologies offers one of the market's largest ranges of rugged devices and form factors purpose-built for enterprise use cases.”

The report also noted, “Zebra Technologies offers a comprehensive in-house developed solution ecosystem, in addition to a range of enterprise support features and services.

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Enterprise organisations looking to deploy rugged mobile devices that address multiple dedicated use cases in retail, warehousing, manufacturing, healthcare, transportation & logistics, government, and field operations should consider Zebra Technologies on their list as a provider of rugged mobile devices.

The core of Zebra's mobile hardware offerings caters to high-volume scanning and asset management mobile use cases. However, Zebra's portfolio of devices is sufficiently tiered by capability and broad enough to meet a wide variety of enterprise use cases.”

Zebra led the charge for Android as an enterprise-grade OS among rugged device

manufacturers, and its expansive rugged portfolio spans a broad range of hardware, software, and services designed to address the specific needs and challenges of its customers. As a participant in the Android Enterprise Recommended program, Zebra provides best-in-class lifecycle management support for its Android devices backed by best-in-class technical support from Zebra Services. Zebra’s Mobility DNA suite of products and cloud services simplify device deployment and management, OS and software updates, security, loss prevention and application development throughout the device deployment lifecycle. ●

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Fast Fashion – the Invisible Threat to Consumers, Business, and the Environment Recent findings have highlighted the environmental cost of online shopping returns. Analysis by TMX Transform revealed a staggering statistic: more than 55 million pieces of new clothing purchased online in Australia every year end up in landfill.

The convenience of the ‘remote fitting room’ – where consumers order multiple sizes of garments online and return the illfitting ones is backfiring in a colossal way.

Up to two-thirds of these online returns end up in the landfill. Why? For many retailers, it's simply too expensive to repackage and reintegrate these returned items back into the supply chain.

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Considering Australians purchase on average 56 items of clothing each per year, amounting to around 1.1 billion in total and with about 350 million of these purchased online, the scale of this problem is substantial. To illustrate this further, out of the 31% of online clothing purchases, 25% are returned, and a whopping 65% of those returns are discarded.

TMX Transform’s Director of Supply Chain, Jamie Dixon, said the most likely group of consumers to engage in fast fashion were younger Australians, who ironically were the generation most critical of environmental waste.

“Landfill is being loaded with brand new pieces of clothing bought online today,” he said. “Up to 70% of online clothing returns are due to improper fit, known as the remote fitting room dilemma.”

Compounding the issue, the carbon footprint associated with these online transactions—amplified by the significant return rate—is potentially vastly greater than if the same items had been acquired from a physical store. To put this into perspective, in 2022, Australians spent an astounding $13 billion on apparel.

In terms of supply chain issues, fast fashion has now surpassed the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the disruptions from the Russian-Ukraine conflict, becoming the primary concern for TMX's global retail clients. “25% of all emissions stem from the retail sector. We are intensifying the climate crisis merely for the sake of trying on clothes in the comfort of our homes,” Dixon added.

But it's not all doom and gloom – solutions exist. If consumers had more trust in the sizing and fit of online products, they'd order fewer items, reducing both waste and emissions. For TMX’s retail clients, the focus is on refining 'reverse logistics': ensuring efficient processing of returned garments and using return data to prevent unnecessary overproduction.

TMX emphasises the optimisation of delivery management, minimising multiple deliveries to the same customer from identical warehouses. Dixon concludes, “All of this must be done in a way that maintains or even enhances the customer experience.

It is a tightrope, but one that all customers’ hip pockets, and the planet will benefit from the industry globally getting right.” ●

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News

Victoria’s South West Healthcare is Automating New Warehouse to Best Serve Vital Health Services Across the Region Dematic today announced that it is working in partnership with South West Healthcare, the provider of a comprehensive range of health care services to enhance the quality of life for people in South West Victoria, to automate its new Regional Logistics Distribution Centre (RLDC) in Warrnambool.

The new RLDC, which commenced construction in January 2023, is relocating from its original location at the Warrnambool Base hospital campus to make way for the Victorian Government funded Warrnambool Base Hospital redevelopment project at the existing hospital site that includes freeing up space for vital health services within a brand new multi-storey clinical tower.

The RLDC will provide goods, equipment, linen, and warehousing services to the

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Warrnambool Base hospital as well as other public health services in the region.

“We provide more than 150 medical, nursing, mental health, allied health and community health services to the 110,000 people who live across the South West of Victoria and in Warrnambool, one of the fastest-growing regional cities in Victoria,” says South West Healthcare. “We are also the region’s largest employer, with 1,996 people working for South West Healthcare across various locations.”

“Our new RLDC will feature a fully equipped, purpose-built linen service and a fully automated centralised warehouse supporting our varied health services – providing clean linen and health service supplies to public health services in the region. Replacing the existing, outdated facility will provide a safer and more contemporary work environment for the South West Healthcare Linen Services and Supply staff members.”

The Dematic automated order fulfilment solution features an AutoStore™ goodsto-person (GTP) system that provides automation technology innovation with a high level of flexibility for future growth.

The Dematic solution requires a minimal footprint, needing up to 80% less space than an equivalent manual racking layout, which requires clear space for forklifts and personnel in aisles. AutoStore bins stack vertically and don’t need clear aisles.

Items required to fulfil orders arrive

from the AutoStore storage system to the GTP workstations precisely when they are needed. Operators then build orders at the ergonomically designed, high-rate workstations efficiency and safely.

The system is highly configurable and scalable, with the option to add extra modular storage within the AutoStore grid to accommodate future product growth and storage demands.

The Dematic solution will be integrated into South West Healthcare’s host system with Dematic’s warehouse control system software, providing complete system management and optimisation capabilities.

“Dematic integrates our own equipment with other vendor systems using our own expertise in software and controls, and our strong experience and knowledge in project and integration management,” explains Terry Jamieson, Business Development Manager at Dematic. “This allows us to tailor a wide range of innovative systems to customer-specific business and operational requirements to reduce risk, be costeffective and create a successful outcome for organisations such as South West Healthcare. Additionally, with the largest service and support network in Australia for materials handling systems, we can ensure that South West Healthcare’s investment is protected over time and that system up-time is significantly improved.”

The new RLDC is due to be completed in late 2023. ●

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Manhattan Associates Named in Top 5 2023 Singapore Best Workplaces in Technology List Manhattan Associates has been recognised as one of Singapore's Best Workplaces in Technology, ranking 5th on this year's list. In an evaluation across numerous categories, a selection of outstanding workplaces have been ranked as Singapore’s Best Workplaces in Technology according to research and consulting firm, Great Place To Work® Singapore.

The Singapore’s Best Workplaces in Technology list by Great Place To Work® is highly competitive, recognising exceptional companies in the information and communication technologies industry. Over

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the past 30 years, Great Place To Work® have surveyed more than 100 million employees to help organisations around the world identify and build high-trust, high-performing workplace cultures. The selected companies are purpose-driven and adopt a people-first mindset, consistently showing that authentic care and employee well-being need not be compromised for business growth.

Similarly, Great Place To Work®’s list of Best Workplaces in Singapore evaluates companies based on employee experiences of trust and ability to achieve their full potential through daily innovation, along the company’s values and effectiveness of its leaders to ensure employees are consistently experienced. Companies were only considered if they are a Great Place to Work Certified™ organisation.

Reflecting on this achievement, Richard Wright, Managing Director of Southeast Asia for Manhattan Associates, shared, We are so honoured for Manhattan Associates Singapore to be recognised on Singapore's Best Workplaces list. Moving from 9th place in 2022 to 5th place this year highlights our remarkable progress. It’s a testament to our organisations’ unwavering dedication to fostering a dynamic work culture,” he said.

“Our team thrives on openness, innovation, and collective effort, and this recognition validates the energy our employees invest in driving our success.”

What sets Great Place To Work apart is its unique focus on celebrating organisations that embrace fairness in employee treatment and create an encompassing workplace experience. This approach translates into assessing how effectively companies create an outstanding employee experience that transcends the limitations of factors like race, gender, age, and disability status, fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and included.

"For more than 30 years we have been building a people first work culture. This achievement truly underscores the ethos of collaboration, progress, and positivity that define our workplace culture,” said Richard.

This notable inclusion among Singapore's premier Best Workplaces in Technology reinforces Manhattan Associates' commitment to nurturing an environment that champions enthusiasm, inclusivity, and progress. It reflects the company's dedication to providing an exceptional workplace experience continues to be a cornerstone of its strategic priorities. ●

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Analysis

How Dispatch Tech is Helping Companies Tackle Delivery Driver Shortages support last-mile delivery processes as companies battle the challenges of more fluid workforces.

Centralising critical learned knowledge WRITTEN BY ROY MOODY CEO OF VWORK

It’s estimated that Australia’s transport and logistics workforce will see 4.6% growth between 2021 and 2026, but data compiled by the National Skills Commission shows turnover and recruiting difficulty is substantially higher among truck drivers compared to most other occupations.

As demand for workers in the transport and logistics space is set to exceed supply, companies are facing increasing pressure to think outside the box when it comes to minimising the risks of operational disruption and inconsistent service. Unsurprisingly, the latest ABS figures show reliance on labour-hire workers in the transport space is rising.

In a challenging environment where driver experience and knowledge can’t always be guaranteed, especially when contract workers are becoming increasingly integral to fleet management, implementing the right dispatch technology will be key to ensuring positive last-mile delivery experiences for customers.

In what could be regarded as a seismic shift from reliance on driver knowledge to tech-driven tools, there are several ways dispatch solutions can

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Dispatchers have traditionally relied on the learnings and wisdom of delivery drivers gained from their years of work. For example, this knowledge might include critical information about deliveries and their customers, such as how to load and appropriately store goods in transit, the best drop-off point on larger-scale work sites, and even access codes or precise office locations within buildings. All these factors, although seemingly small in isolation, can have a huge impact on the efficiency of last-mile deliveries and consequently, customer satisfaction.

Sophisticated dispatch solutions ensure critical delivery intelligence is centrally recorded against a customer’s digital profile. In practice, this means dispatchers can confidently assign jobs to drivers who have little prior knowledge with peace of mind they have access to the information required to complete jobs efficiently and to the standard expected by customers. Even if regular deliveries are assigned to different drivers each time, customers can always expect a consistent level of service.

Thinking like a local road user: Real-time route optimisation One of the biggest pitfalls of using labour-hire workers in the last-mile delivery space is that drivers, even though they may be highly experienced in the job, might not be local to the areas they’re required to cover. Traditionally, a lack of local area knowledge can have a huge impact on the efficiency and quality of the last-mile service because drivers may be unaware of typical traffic patterns or even shortcuts.

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Using smart algorithms, a dispatch solution with integrated mapping technology, will optimise delivery routes in real-time to ensure drivers always follow the most efficient path, minimising travel time and reducing carbon footprint.

Giving the customer a voice and transparency In the last-mile delivery space, feeling ‘left in the dark’ around delivery updates or powerless to help drivers facilitate efficient drop-offs or handovers are common customer pain points. As companies navigate high driver turnover or even staff shortages, features such as real-time delivery tracking or allowing customers to message drivers directly will have a positive impact on the efficiency of deliveries as well as the overall customer experience. Regardless of driver experience, customers value superior tracking capabilities and the ability to participate in the journey through direct communication – and it’s fair to say these features are very often responsible for turning what could be a negative customer experience into a positive one.

Integrating delivery tech with other business functions A more fluid workforce, which might be made up of casual or contract delivery drivers, can lead to added complications when it comes to managing invoices and payments for workers. Dispatch solutions that integrate with other business systems like invoicing software can alleviate the headaches and improve accuracy by automatically sharing important information to support accounting practices. The number and nature of jobs undertaken by drivers, the distances travelled, and the time on the road can all be recorded without human intervention, supporting seamless and accurate payment processes.

The transport and logistics industry are booming, no doubt largely driven by the rising demand for fast and efficient goods deliveries. But without bringing dispatch processes into the modern era, the sustainability of growth for some companies may be in question. With the right dispatch solution, companies are enabled to confidently tap into alternative sources of talent while being better equipped to train and develop new and inexperienced delivery drivers, instead of relying on legacy staff. ● For more information, please click here.

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Superior performance.

Maximum productivity.

• Wi-Fi 6 connectivity • Extended range scanning (up to 21.4m) • Ultra rugged 1.8m drop spec • Fit-for-purpose ergonomics • Power three shifts with one battery • Advanced device tracking • Complimentary enterprise browser

Meet the MC33ax SUPPLY CHAIN INSIGHTS

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Industry Update

Executives Overestimate Customer Trust in Supply Chains A recent Deloitte Insights survey report "Is your supply chain trustworthy?" has unveiled that supply chain executives might be overconfident about how much stakeholders trust their supply chain abilities and intentions.

Findings suggest a significant disparity in perception: 89% of executives from over 1,000 large global organisations, who recognise themselves as leading suppliers, are confident that their customers trust their supply chain operations. However, only 68% of the 500 surveyed customers share the same sentiment.

On deeper examination of these perceptions, a clear trust gap emerges: • Reliability in Supply Chains: While 90% of leading suppliers are confident in their reliability, only 65% of customers share this sentiment, revealing a 25% disparity.

• Humanity: Focusing on the just and respectful treatment of workers, customers, and partners, there's a notable 24% gap. Although 91% of leading suppliers believe in their humane practices, only 67% of customers agree.

against pre-pandemic expectations stand to worsen as new supply chain risks emerge," he warned.

• Capability: Concerning the ability to maintain operational consistency, 91% of leading suppliers express confidence. In contrast, only 75% of customers resonate with this belief, marking a 16% variance.

Deloitte’s research also revealed that 44% of all supply chain executives anticipate a supply chain disruption in the upcoming two years, with threats like price volatility, inflation, resource shortages, and geopolitical instability looming.

Deloitte Risk & Financial Advisory Partner and Sustainability, Climate and Equity Leader, James Cascone, emphasises that this trust gap is more significant than executives might realise. This disconnect is especially significant given that many challenges that arose during the COVID-19 pandemic era remain unresolved, even with the best of efforts.

"Unfortunately, such wide gaps in trust indicators like reliability and transparency

Regionally, North American executives are more anxious about financial market instability and inflation, whereas their counterparts in Asia/Pacific and Europe/ Middle East/Africa are more concerned about price volatility.

Michael Bondar from Deloitte Risk & Financial Advisory urges supply chain leaders to bridge this gap, especially in such uncertain times. He acknowledges that leading organisations are taking action to

• Transparency: A trust gap is evident here too. While 85% of leading suppliers vouch for their transparency, just 63% of customers align with this view, resulting in a 22% gap.

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enhance their supply chain's reliability and predictability, emphasising strategies such as developing a digital thread and investing in other advanced technical capabilities.

Interestingly, executives from leading supplier organisations consistently showcased a higher adoption of advanced tools and reported growth. They were almost four times as inclined to utilise predictive analytics for forecasting and to have a fully deployed digital thread. Furthermore, a significant number reported achieving an annual growth rate of 15% or higher and felt that their organisations were resilient to external shocks.

"An intentional focus on building supply chain trust can bring about improvements that go beyond just trust," said Michael.

Terence FOO of Deloitte Southeast Asia reinforced the importance of trust, especially in a volatile market landscape.

"To foster stakeholder trust, executives must prioritise supply chain transparency and visibility, particularly concerning ESG reporting. Elevating humanity, too, can serve as a differentiator in talent acquisition and delivering customer value," he advised. ●

For more information, please click here.

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Analysis

The Resilience of Non-Discretionary Retailers During Periods of Economic Instability WRITTEN BY TMX TRANSFORM

As global economies emerge from COVID-19, market conditions remain a focus.

The Australian economy’s sharp rebound, fuelled by consumer spending in ecommerce, holidays, dining out and entertainment, has been curbed.

Eighteen months later, with eleven consecutive interest rate hikes, the market looks very different – inflation soaring to 7%, property rental prices at record highs, and a cost-of-living crisis that’s frontpage news. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, while ‘growth is returning closer to prepandemic rates, the level of GDP is estimated to have suffered a cumulative loss of $158 billion compared to its pre-pandemic trajectory’. However, not all businesses have been adversely affected. Through these fluctuating economic times, non-discretionary retail has demonstrated far greater resilience compared to the luxury or discretionary sectors.

Understanding Non-Discretionary Businesses Non-discretionary retailers specialise in selling essential goods or services that people require on a regular basis, such as groceries, medications, household essentials, and clothing. Due to their inherent necessity, non-discretionary businesses are less susceptible to changes in consumer spending during unpredictable economic downturns. While these businesses have the advantage of providing essential goods and services, they must navigate specific supply chain challenges to ensure the smooth operations.

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1. Demand Volatility While the demand for non-discretionary goods and services remains relatively stable, demand fluctuations can still occur due to seasonality and unforeseen events. Businesses must anticipate and respond to these fluctuations, preventing stockouts or excess inventory.

2. Inventory Management Maintaining optimal inventory levels is crucial for non-discretionary businesses to avoid carrying costs. Inventory planning, accurate forecasting, and efficient replenishment processes are essential.

3. Supply Chain Visibility These businesses often rely on complex supply chains involving multiple suppliers, distributors, and logistics partners. Maintaining visibility is critical to ensure timely deliveries, monitor inventory levels, and address potential bottlenecks.

4. Supplier and Vendor Management Non-discretionary businesses depend on reliable suppliers and vendors to consistently provide essential goods and services. Managing relationships, monitoring quality standards, and ensuring timely deliveries are vital.

5. Regulatory Compliance Non-discretionary businesses often operate in highly regulated industries such as pharmaceuticals, healthcare, and food.

Compliance with industry-specific regulations adds complexity to the supply chain. Noncompliance can result in fines, product recalls, or damage to the brand reputation.

6. Last-Mile Delivery Challenges Timely and efficient last-mile delivery is crucial for non-discretionary businesses, particularly those in the retail and pharmaceutical sectors. Factors such as traffic congestion, weather conditions, and peak periods can pose challenges.

7. Technology Integration Embracing technology is essential for efficient supply chain management. Adopting technologies like warehouse automation, RFID tracking, and real-time analytics can enhance operational efficiency and visibility.

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centre in the Southern Hemisphere, highlighting Coles’ significant investment in a safer, more efficient, sustainable supply chain.

TMX Transform were engaged to develop a highly technical design brief and architectural plans, procure a property, and project manage the delivery of the facility, including the integration of complex automation. Partnering with Coles, Witron, Goodman, and Richard Crookes Construction over five years, the fully functional 66,000 square metre facility allows Coles to handle twice the volume of goods on half the footprint. This is Coles’s biggest technology investment in the company’s 109-year history, with the second automated distribution centre opening in Kemps Creek, NSW in 2024.

Case Study: API

COVID Rebound and the Impacts on Non-Discretionary Businesses The ongoing repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic have had far-reaching effects on nondiscretionary businesses. On one hand, the rebounding economy has brought a surge in consumer spending, providing a potential boost to non-discretionary businesses. On the other, this resurgence in spending has also led to inflationary pressures and increased competition.

While discretionary spending reached unprecedented levels during the post-COVID period, non-discretionary businesses faced the challenge of adapting to changing consumer preferences and market dynamics. To overcome this, non-discretionary businesses must prioritise supply chain optimisation and embrace technological advancements.

Case Study: Coles Supermarkets Australian supermarket giant, Coles Group (Coles), recently partnered with TMX Transform on a new facility in Redbank, Queensland. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology by global leader, Witron, the facility is the largest automated distribution

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Australian Pharmaceutical Industries (API), the parent company of Priceline, has also made substantial changes to its supply chain. Set to be completed by 2024, API’s cutting-edge automation technology centre in Berrinba, Queensland, spanning 30,000 square meters, will support growing pharmaceutical demands, catering to areas as far north as Weipa, as far inland as Mt Isa, and as far south as Coffs Harbour. The new $50 million site will accommodate the distribution of over 2 million items per week.

Executive General Manager, Wholesale and Pharmacy Services, Doug Swan said, “I’m really pleased that we’ve partnered with TMX Transform and Charter Hall on this project. Once operational, the site will be capable of shipping out up to 2 million items per week, supporting the pharmaceutical needs of approximately 1.9 million residents.”

TMX Transform’s Property Director, Jack Moroney said “We have represented API on several projects in recent years and the overriding goal remains to ensure the real estate solutions align with the core business objectives of API now and into the future.” Embracing technology and automation has revolutionised how these retailers achieve operational success and access to market. These case studies exemplify the tangible benefits and outcomes that businesses can attain with TMX Transform, underscoring the importance of investing in supply chain solutions, and embracing warehouse automation.

Implementing Effective Solutions Investing in optimisation is paramount for nondiscretionary businesses aiming to thrive in today’s dynamic market landscape. While full-scale automation is not always necessary for everyone, incorporating technological advancements will help you stay ahead of competitors and future-proof your business. By exploring the benefits and capabilities of integrated, optimised supply chain solutions, non-discretionary businesses can pave the way for improved supply chain performance and long-term success. ● For more information, please click here.

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Analysis

Dematic Ensures John Dee’s Readiness for the Future of Global Beef Supply Chains John Dee is a family-owned Australian company with four generations of experience in producing and selling outstanding beef products that are enjoyed by thousands of customers nationwide and around the world.

Since 1939, the Hart family has established a reputation for quality and service in the beef processing industry. The John Dee brand has a 100 percent commitment to quality and consistency which has been the philosophy of the company since its establishment.

“We've been a beef processor in Warwick since 1945 and today we’ve transformed into a full-blown beef export and processing operation,” explains John Hart, Owner of John Dee, Warwick. “In the early days we sold full sets of meat parts, whereas today we break them up and send different components to Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, the EU, and America.”

John Dee’s processing plant is located in Warwick, Queensland, which is situated on the Darling Downs, just two hours from the port of Brisbane with ready access to prime Southern Downs and New England Tableland cattle.

“The Warwick facility supplies thousands of varieties of beef cuts to more than 145 customers in over 37 export markets, and those numbers are

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only growing. Our recent expansion of our Warwick facility is the largest single investment in the company’s almost 80-year history and supports our business growth and competitiveness during a time when beef exports are rising significantly,” says John.

Manual operations were no longer fit-for-purpose In recent years, John Dee experienced large growth in demand, particularly from export markets, which meant the company had reached a point where it had exceeded its previous storage capacity and operations were too complex for manual handling.

“Meat processing creates a unique scenario, which is very different to many other manufacturing processes,” explains Soeren Schauki, Business Development Manager at Dematic. “The elements that set it apart and led to challenges include the fact that there is essentially a random release of product from manufacturing, which is due to the nature of meat manufacturing involving a mixture of cuts and codes that arrive from production. With one carton of one product released at one time and some products produced in very low quantities, manually processing cartons to orders creates significant challenges around tracking, accuracy, speed, and safety.”

Manual processing was causing inefficient

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a working system, and having a deep understanding of the challenges and problems that John Dee were facing,” says Soeren.

To ensure the success of the project, the upgrade journey was multi-staged and included: • Analysis: an initial analysis of John Dee’s current business, future requirements, and the expected evolution and growth of the business. This was then translated into overall requirements and material flows.

• Design level: the analysis information was used to establish a design level that was uniquely tailored to John Dee’s business.

• Develop alternatives: various design concepts were developed.

• Solution development: a solution was developed together with John Dee, with further elements added to fine tune the solution to be exactly what the business needed now and in the future.

“The significant challenge was the seamless integration between the automated solution and the building.”

procedures which involved double and triple handling of products, unable to absorb the normal fluctuations in John Dee’s production as efficiently as automation could. There was also a lack of visibility and limited tracking of product flow from production to dispatch. All this combined resulted in longer order processing times.

“With the way we’re operating today, trying to get product into the right place at the right time, it's becoming almost impossible to do it by hand,” says John. “The challenges we faced in our previous manual operation was having people that understood all the product codes and then having to pick by hand out of a cold store. With over 10,000 cartons being produced a day, it became a logistical nightmare. We could lose a thousand cartons a year that would go out of date because they couldn't be located.”

The upgrade journey It was clear that John Dee required a facility upgrade that could deliver increased efficiencies, productivity, and visibility. John Dee turned to project partner Wiley and automation solution provider Dematic — investing in systems that would work best for the company’s unique facility and operations.

“We started the project approximately five years ago, from early concepts, lines on a piece of paper, to

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“It was designed inside-out, starting with the automation solution, and tailoring the building to wrap around it. A sophisticated automated conveyor bridge flawlessly integrates the new elements with the existing facility,” explains Suzie Wiley, Managing Director at Wiley.

“The design process had to overcome site constraints like accommodating truck access on a sloping block, ample space for parking and cattle yards, and flood-proofing. Faced with all these challenges Wiley and Dematic delivered this project without any disruption to John Dee's operations."

Optimisation through automation The Dematic Multishuttle® Meat Buffer Storage and Handling System was chosen as the ultimate solution for John Dee’s needs, as it was capable of automating and streamlining operations in sub-zero conditions, while also meeting growth in customer demand.

“Based on Dematic’s Multishuttle Automated Storage and Retrieval System (AS/RS), the solution has been deployed by meat processors in refrigerated environments in ANZ and around the globe,” says Soeren. “The automated solution not only optimises facility operations, but also provides better workplace safety by overcoming the challenges associated with working in harsh temperatures.”

The four-aisle, 30-level Dematic Multishuttle solution automatically stores product cartons coming out of production and builds and sequences the cartons for automated palletisation and direct container loading. Two aisles manage products chilled to -1°C and the other aisles two manage products frozen at -20°C, which reduces reliance on staff to build and lift heavy cartons in these harsh environments.

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Analysis

“Key to the success of the Multishuttle is that each individual carton is accessible, which is fully controlled by the Dematic Warehouse Control System (WCS).”

“The shuttle works as a buffer, as a storage device, as a sequencer, as a sorter, which allows operational flexibility to build customer orders, but also with very high throughput capability. It's a jackof-all-trades,” adds Soeren.

The solution is purpose-designed to enable John Dee to scale up and increase its premium beef export market share. One of the frozen Multishuttle aisles can also be switched to chilled in response to anticipated future growth and advancements in cold supply chain export markets across Asia.

“In working with Dematic for this project, we were able to ensure that we were working with a system that was able to adapt and cater for the future growth of John Dee, with the ability to increase productivity to match significant surges in demand, whilst also providing improved worker safety,” says John.

Results from day one For John Dee, the Dematic Multishuttle Meat Buffer Storage and Handling System has greatly improved operational efficiency, productivity, transparency, and order precision, as well as addressed the needs of an increasingly complex supply chain.

“Our advanced Multishuttle system provides a high performance, accurate, safe and cost-effective automated order fulfilment and despatch processing solution for Australia’s meat industry, and we are very excited to see John Dee reaping the many benefits at their Warwick facility,” says Soeren.

“Once the system was built, it was completely operational at full speed on day one and the throughput of this system is unmatched,” adds Soeren.

The Multishuttle solution provides companies like John Dee a range of advantages over post-production manual distribution and despatch, with multiple aisles for both chilled and frozen environments. The system allows flexibility when catering for capacity variation demand by different markets. These features are beneficial when exporting products to markets where the cold supply chain is anticipated to mature and expand over the next few years, particularly in export markets such as China, Vietnam, and greater Southeast Asia.

John Dee’s Multishuttle system working in conjunction with Dematic’s WCS offers full track and trace, where each individual carton is followed throughout the supply chain, meaning that losing product is no longer possible. The WCS also controls the storage duration of all cartons, so that John Dee can set the time each carton can remain in the system. This also helps to improve the shelf life of meat product by making it available earlier and ensuring cold chain compliance is maintained.

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A system built for the future John Dee’s Multishuttle system offers a high level of flexibility. This includes being capable of future changes – such as temperature, codes, order profile and assembly and loading method. It is equipped to meet peaks and surges in demand and has unlimited order assembly flexibility where there are no restrictions on which carton ends up on which pallet. The Dematic software can incorporate a wide variety of different carton retrieval scenarios based on orders, complete sets or by code. The system can now seamlessly accommodate the requirements of varied and frequently changing customer orders. Finally, the system is modular and if required can be easily expanded in the future by scaling up with additional aisles, or the addition of a pallet storage system.

“Through designing the Multishuttle system with flexibility in mind from every angle, we have ensured that the system is well equipped to support John Dee’s operation for many years to come,” adds Soeren.

Following implementation of the new system, John Dee has been able to reduce its reliance on labour, which in a tight labour market, has become difficult to source for harsh cold storage facilities. In doing so, John Dee has lessened the occupational health and safety issues associated with having several employees working in a cold storage environment.

“The system has inbuilt redundancy and if one shuttle requires maintenance, the rest of the system can still operate,” explains Soeren.

Dematic has a residential service person on site at John Dee to ensure the optimal running and uptime of the system. They are on hand for any system requirements, such as replacing shuttles within 15 to 20 minutes.

Delivering global competitiveness The Dematic Multishuttle Meat Buffer Storage and Handling System is capable of meeting John Dee’s requirements and growth trajectory today and well into the future, and the company continues to shape the system to best suit its operations.

The great success of the project is reflected internally by John Dee as a business as well as externally.

“We're very proud to see the whole thing function and see how our staff are getting such a benefit out of it as well. There’s also been a lot of interest from other parties in Australia, and we’ve even had people from overseas come and have a look at it. The system helps John Dee to set ourselves apart in an increasingly competitive global market. Through a streamlined, more efficient process delivering a pristine premium product with full-track-and-trace capability, the Dematic system ensures that John Dee is internationally more competitive in offering our high-quality product to global markets.” concludes John Hart. ●

For more information, please click here.

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Industry Update

66% of Australian Shoppers Have Had Unsatisfactory Experiences with Online Returns Research shows 46% of Australian shoppers have a negative perception of a retailer following online returns issue New research from Manhattan Associates has revealed how online returns processes are shaping the perceptions of Australian retailers, with 66% of Australian shoppers stating they had a less than satisfactory experience with online returns in the past year.

Of those shoppers surveyed, 46% said they now have a negative perception of a retailer following an online returns issue.

Within this group, 32% attribute these difficulties to inadequate communication with the retailer, highlighting a growing disparity between shopper expectations and their perceived experience.

Alarmingly for local retailers, the research also showed that 51% of shoppers were unlikely to continue shopping with a retailer should they encounter a difficult returns process.

including product returns – is a chance to connect with customers, strengthen brand image, and increase the chances of turning one-time buyers into long-term customers."

Interestingly, it wasn’t just poor experiences that would turn shoppers away, but their satisfaction with the returns policy prior to purchase. A substantial 73% of respondents said the ability to return items purchased online to a physical retail store was important when deciding where to shop, highlighting the value of flexibility, choice, and a consistent omnichannel shopping experience.

Additionally, the research also indicated that flexible returns options significantly influenced purchasing decisions, with 39% of shoppers indicating a higher likelihood of shopping online if returns were free. This result emphasises the connection between low-risk shopping and enhanced customer confidence.

"Empowering shoppers with a seamless and easy returns experience is not just about convenience; it's a strategic move to diminish the perceived risks associated with online purchases in an environment where people are increasingly scrutinising how they spend their money,” explained Raghav.

“By offering hassle-free returns, retailers effectively bolster consumer confidence, making online shopping an enticing proposition with reduced uncertainties."

When asked which factor was most

important when making a return, 47% of shoppers highlighted that an easy returns process was paramount, while 25% stated cost of return shipping, and 21% favoured the speed of the return.

Such is the importance that Australian shoppers place on a flexible returns policy, that 48% of shoppers even expressed a willingness to pay a slightly higher price for a product if it meant they would benefit from a smoother returns process.

"The prospect of a challenging returns process adds an unwelcome risk for shoppers today, often deterring potential purchases.

Retailers must recognise that a frictionless returns process isn't just a convenience; it can be the deciding factor in encouraging or discouraging a sale," said Raghav.

To prevent negative shopping experiences, retailers need the right systems and technologies in place.

Today's shoppers demand seamless experiences achievable only through strategic deployment of advanced technologies. Manhattan Active® Omni’s order management and customer service reverse logistics optimisation capabilities can help retailers turn returns from sunk costs into a revenue differentiator in retail through return routing optimisation, omni returns capabilities and automated returns resolution," Raghav concluded. ●

“With escalating inflation and rising interest rates causing people to reconsider discretionary spending, the returns process proves an increasingly crucial aspect of the online shopping experience, significantly influencing a customer's overall experience and their decision to engage with a retailer in future," said Raghav Sibal, Managing Director, Manhattan Associates. “In today’s competitive landscape, retailers must recognise that every positive experience –

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Industry Update

Case Study: How a Large Manufacturer Seamlessly Moved from Windows to Android Devices in the Warehouse A leading manufacturer of paper-based packaging experienced a surge in demand for its sustainably sourced and produced packaging, in line with the movement of companies seeking to mitigate their environmental impact.

The Problem: Legacy Operating System (OS) Reaching End of Life To upgrade the network speed and performance in their warehouse facilities, the company’s IT team decided to implement a wider technology transformation program.

The program focused on replacing the mobile devices used by its teams to register incoming raw materials, manage inventory, and facilitate production and onward shipment of finished products.

Legacy Windows OS on mobile devices led to sluggish performance, hindering productivity and automated applications. Limited connectivity to a device management platform resulted in lost devices and frequent breakdowns. The priority was granting IT real-time visibility and enabling decentralised setup for new devices across dispersed locations.

The Solution: A Transformational Mobility Platform With Windows Mobile approaching end of life, the paper manufacturer decided to standardise its future devices on Zebra Technologies’ barcode scanning and Android mobile computing portfolio – specifically the MC9000 Series Mobile Computers which are tailored for warehousing use.

The manufacturer chose Zebra's MC33xx Series with extended-range scanning (up to 30m) for handheld use, and Zebra's VC80x Vehicle-Mounted Mobile Computer with DS3608-ER Scanner for forklifts, enabling in-cab barcode scanning.

For many warehouse leaders, making the move to a new OS can feel uneasy, with

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operations reliant on intricate systems that have been refined over the past few years. To mitigate customer concerns over changing ecosystems, Zebra created software tools in its Mobility DNA portfolio, strengthening Android as an enterprise-grade OS platform. A core feature of Mobility DNA is All-Touch Terminal Emulation (ATTE), which converts legacy green-screen apps into alltouch interfaces.

In a separate business area, the paper manufacturer needed a new mobile solution to replace outdated devices with a legacy remote desktop application (RDA). Using legacy apps on modern devices posed technical hurdles, such as the HD display conflicting with old VGA screens, solved using Zebra’s ERDP client and maintaining proper resolution for Windows apps on Android.

Supporting its mobile computers is a Zebra OneCare maintenance plan along with Zebra’s VisibilityIQ Device Intelligence Services which provide real-time data on device location, performance, health, and usage patterns (e.g., connectivity and charging) and more.

The Benefits: An Advanced Platform Which Boosts Performance The mobile devices within Zebra’s Android portfolio are backed by an OS platform that’s been hardened and secured for the enterprise. The Mobility DNA tools facilitated the transition without altering the SAP back-end, avoiding costly and timeconsuming changes.

Mobility DNA has delivered other key benefits too. Using StageNow, local depots can easily load apps to their devices to deploy them when they are ready, reducing the need for IT support to attend sites. Furthermore, calls to support have dropped markedly as depots can easily reset and restore their devices themselves.

MC3300 mobile computers are rugged and enterprise-grade, built for warehouse

durability. They provide processing power, ergonomic design, and improved Wi-Fi for efficient, comfortable work.

LifeGuard coverage also ensures the paper manufacturer can keep its devices running for years with guaranteed patch and update support, while VisibilityIQ tracks device location, usage, and health, promoting best practices for maximising investment value. Furthermore, the availability of remote technical support also minimises physical site visits, cutting IT expenses.

“By moving to Android devices in our warehouses, we have enabled our users to use new devices that have the familiarity of their mobile phones. As the IT team, we’ve been delighted by our experience of working with Newbury Data Systems and Zebra Technologies. Problems have been resolved quickly, and the Mobility DNA platform gave us the confidence to transition from Windows to Android and ensured this was a seamless and successful process,” said the paper-based packaging manufacturer’s project lead. ● For more information, please click here.

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Analysis

Navigating Japan’s 2024 Logistics Challenge: Tech Solutions for Truck Driver Overtime Limits WRITTEN BY MANHATTAN ASSOCIATES

Japan’s logistics landscape is on the verge of a transformation. With the introduction of new regulations in 2024, limiting truck driver overtime to 960 hours annually, the nation aims to elevate the welfare of its truckers, diminish accident rates, and improve road safety.

While undeniably well-intentioned, this shift has the potential to disrupt the seamlessly functioning processes of the logistics sector, which is intrinsically linked to the efficiency of truck transportation.

Nonetheless, in confronting these challenges, many are looking towards technological advancements, particularly software solutions, in pursuit of resilience and adaptability.

The New Overtime Model Come 2024, Japanese truck drivers will encounter a stringent restriction, limiting them to 960 hours of overtime annually. This recalibration, while safeguarding the well-being of drivers who have historically worked for extended hours on highways

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Transportation Management Software (TMS), Yard Management Software (YMS), and Warehouse Management Software (WMS), each playing a pivotal role in mitigating the constraints imposed by the new regulations:

1. Transportation Management Software (TMS): A fundamental element in modern logistics, TMS leverages intricate algorithms and live data, offering optimized route charts, efficient scheduling, and adept load allocation. The result? A comprehensive strategy for maximising the utilization of limited trucking hours, enabling drivers to avoid traffic congestion, and guaranteeing timely deliveries.

2. Yard Management Software (YMS):

and city roads, also compromises the very flexibility that has been invaluable to the logistics sector.

However, the government’s initiative, grounded in the objective to alleviate fatigue-related accidents, seeks to promote the well-being of drivers enduring prolonged hours on the road.

Understanding Logistical Impacts The introduction of these regulations has stirred concerns within the logistics sector, with potential ramifications including delivery delays and escalating transportation expenditures.

The industry’s dependence on the adaptability of truck drivers to fulfill stringent timelines and accommodate unanticipated demand fluctuations is widely recognised.

The impending limitation on overtime hours poses a tangible threat to the seamless just-in-time delivery systems that are the backbone of numerous enterprises.

Turning to Technology In light of the 2024 logistics conundrum, organisations are progressively embracing technology software solutions. These encompass

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YMS oversees the flow of trucks at warehouse entry and exit points. As 2024 looms with its overtime constraints, YMS's role gains prominence in assuring minimal idle times for trucks, boosting their on-road productivity.

3. Warehouse Management Software (WMS): When the margin for error shrinks, WMS steps in to uphold inventory precision and order accuracy. It serves as a significant advantage for organisations, reducing incorrect deliveries and mitigating the consequences of re-deliveries and returns. WMS ensures every delivery is impactful, particularly when trucking hours are at a premium.

The Way Forward As the 2024 logistical transformation approaches, presenting considerable challenges, it also lays the foundation for inventive solutions and operational refinement. Adopting cutting-edge software tools, like TMS, YMS, and WMS, equips businesses with the means to hone their processes, reduce reliance on overtime, and maintain their position in the market.

Japan's logistics domain, historically adept at innovation, has navigated through challenges in the past. With the industry adapting to the anticipated changes of 2024, ramping up investments in these software-focused solutions becomes essential, aiming not only to meet consumer demands but also to ensure the resilience of the supply chain. ●

For more information, please click here.

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Industry Update

TMX Transform Taps Former Kroger Exec To Lead North American Business

TMX Transform has expanded its global footprint, simultaneously launching operations in North America and naming Jeff Bornino as President of its North American business. Bornino brings with him over two decades of supply chain experience, most of which was spent at Kroger, the world’s largest grocer, where he served as Vice President, Corporate Supply Chain and Inventory & Replenishment.

“TMX Transform combines deep industry experience and advanced supply chain thinking and capabilities with a very practical ‘get it done’ approach,” said Bornino.

Mr. Bornino continued, “It’s a unique and powerful combination that I always searched for, but never quite found in my twenty plus years in the industry. I was especially drawn to TMX’s focus on creating long-term client relationships and the depth and breadth of talent within the team. I’m honored to join TMX Transform and am excited about the positive impact we will have on our North American customers.”

No longer relegated to the background or operating in isolation, a company’s supply chain now demands immediate attention and is the focus in boardrooms worldwide. As a result, companies must integrate supply chain digitisation, visibility, sustainability, and resilience, while also integrating throughout the business.

Travis Erridge, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer at TMX Transform, said,

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“When we established TMX, our mission was simple: to provide real life experience to consulting, providing our customers with tangible outcomes from strategy to execution. Our clients are facing tough economic conditions, increased cost of capital, labour shortages, too much inventory and end-to-end visibility challenges, so we were asked to set up in North America. Our demand is always fuelled by client needs.

Jeff Bornino is a trusted industry leader and is extremely well-positioned to lead us in this important market.”

Combining business strategy with technology, and deep sector expertise gained from supporting some of the world’s leading brands, including BMW, Coca-Cola, Kimberly-Clark, Marks & Spencer, Coles Group Nestle, Nike, Unilever and Uniqlo, TMX Transform is poised to have a profound impact in North America.

Matt Swindells, Chief Operations & Sustainability Officer at Coles, one of the largest supermarket chains in Australia, said, “TMX Transform has been an integral partner for multiple significant projects, including our new, highly automated distribution centres in Queensland and New South Wales – our largest-ever capital investment and the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. I have also known Jeff Bornino for over ten years as we have collaborated on several key projects.

I have tremendous respect for Jeff and am pleased to see his appointment.

to connect supply chain transformation with other critical business functions through strategy and digitisation. The TMX Transform team comprises former customer-side practitioners who provide experienced vision, strategic guidance, and execution to deliver tangible business impact. This approach is particularly crucial in addressing the prevailing technical and supply chain skills gap in North America.

TMX Transform goes beyond conventional methods to solve client problems by leveraging innovative simulation, digital twins, and VR technology.

Powered by TMX intellectual property, these tools allow clients to collaborate, visualize, validate, and test optimised solutions before live implementation. This approach not only quantifies performance indicators, but assesses financial and carbon impacts, and ensures seamless and efficient transformation.

Marcus Carmont, Chief Customer Officer at TMX Transform, said, “Every facet of our business revolves around delivering real value to our customers.

Our customer is the core of what we do, and expanding into North America was in response to calls from our clients. I am pleased to bring our unique model, tailored services, deep expertise and cuttingedge simulation and automation to North American companies.” ●

“It is another in a long line of strategic industry expert hires for TMX Transform.

This consultancy is smart, aggressive, and different.”

In addition to end-to-end supply chain expertise, TMX Transform operates through an integrated business perspective, working

21

A unified supply chain is: Sustainable

Profitable

Possible

Unify distribution, transportation, labour and automation for more efficient, more intelligent, more responsible logistics. When you want to elevate your operations, Manhattan makes it possible.

manh.com/supplychainexecution

SUPPLY CHAIN INSIGHTS

22

Analysis

The Power of Device Visibility: Driving Efficiency Beyond Functionality WRITTEN BY MICHAEL DYSON VP OF SALES, APAC AT SOTI

From the boardroom to the supply chain, from warehouses to delivery routes, mobile devices influence every step of a business’s operations.

While there is no doubt about the enhanced functionality and advantages that digital devices bring, there is a growing realisation in the business community: it's not about the capabilities of the devices but the intelligence they offer.

The data and alerts from devices are becoming increasingly crucial, particularly in supply chain operations where IT teams need real-time insights into inventory, shipments and logistics. In a recent SOTI industry report, When Work is Anywhere: Managing Technology’s Role in the Distributed Workforce, research found that globally, the number of devices used by organisations has grown by 37%. This means access to more data points, more feedback and consequently, more opportunities for businesses to optimise its operations and enhance the decision-making processes.

Consider the analogy of a car dashboard. Packed with symbols and indicators, it provides the driver with an array of information, from fuel efficiency to engine health. If businesses could harness a similar dashboard for their multitude of devices, the operational efficiency could reach unprecedented levels. With visibility comes the power to pre-empt problems, optimise processes and improve productivity.

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In the complex landscape of modern business, extracting valuable information from device feedback has become essential, especially in the context of supply chain management. Here's why:

1. Cost Efficiency and Performance Optimisation: Think of a scenario where a fleet of delivery trucks is monitored for tire pressure to ensure optimal fuel usage. Similarly, when supply chain devices, such as hand-held scanners in warehouses and tablets used for logistics, provide real-time feedback, businesses can act promptly. This proactive approach not only extends the lifespan of the devices but ensures that operations run smoothly, saving costs and maximizing ROI in the long run.

2. Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) in Supply Chains: The heart of a supply chain lies in its ability to transport goods efficiently. Devices that provide real-time tracking and updates ensure that goods are not misplaced and reach their destinations promptly. Just as a tire pressure warning might prevent potential vehicular issues, Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) ensures devices are secure and operating optimally, safeguarding the data they hold. In the supply chain, this data might pertain to delivery times, quantities and routes — information crucial for seamless operations.

3. The Power of Diagnostic Intelligence: In a supply chain, downtime can be costly. Imagine a situation where a critical device in a warehouse malfunction during peak hours. With diagnostic intelligence, potential problems can be identified and rectified before they escalate into major issues.

Just as a car's dashboard might indicate potential engine problems, diagnostic intelligence in supply chain devices can prevent operational hiccups.

Data-Driven Decisions in Supply Chain Management In modern supply chain operations, the flow of goods is matched by the flow of data. If harnessed correctly, this data can lead to enhanced efficiency and more informed decision-making.

Today's devices are rich in data that can be leveraged for continuous improvement.

For instance, by analysing data from handheld scanners, a warehouse can optimise its storage patterns leading to quicker retrieval times.

By understanding data usage patterns on a device used in logistics, businesses can pre-empt potential overages and save on operational costs.

In essence, data from devices allow supply chain operations to transition from being reactive to proactive. By understanding device feedback, businesses can make timely interventions, whether it is replacing a battery or updating a software, ensuring that the supply chain machine runs without disruptions. In today’s interconnected world, supply chains often span across borders. With devices offering real-time feedback, businesses can navigate challenges like customs, varying regulations and geopolitical scenarios, ensuring that goods reach their destination without unnecessary delays.

The future of supply chain management is inherently tied to the power of devices and the insights they provide.

As supply chains become more complex, the need for visibility not just in physical operations but in the digital realm, becomes vital. By harnessing the data and signals from their devices, businesses can ensure not only smoother operations but also a competitive edge in an increasingly challenging marketplace. The era ahead is not just about adding more devices to the mix but about understanding them, decoding their language and acting on their insights for a streamlined, efficient and responsive supply chain. ●

4. Incorporating Printer Management: In supply chains, label and barcode printers play a critical role. They ensure that goods are categorised, stored and transported efficiently.

However, these devices often get overshadowed by more sophisticated tech. Ensuring these printers have equal visibility means understanding their operational status, speed and security, preventing potential bottlenecks in the supply chain.

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For more information, please click here.

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Feature

Navigating Uncertainty With the Right Supply Chain Strategy SUPPLY CHAIN INSIGHTS

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SUPPLY CHAIN INSIGHTS FEATURE

In one of the most challenging periods for global supply chains, retailers have plenty of reasons to cut back on costs. Supply Chain Insights explores why making strategic investments in supply chain infrastructure and processes can not only help to weather shortterm storms but set up businesses for sustained success.

In July this year, the Reserve Bank lifted its official interest rate to 4.1%, a level not seen since early 2012. The bank's board decided to lift the cash rate target for the second month in a row, amid concerns inflation was taking too long to come down.

The national inflation indicator accelerated in August, led by surging fuel prices and rising rents.

The consumer price index jumped to 5.2%, which was the first increase in four months, seemingly undoing the recent progress in reducing inflation.

Mounting concerns over a supply deficit after output cuts by Saudia Arabia and Russia have increased global oil prices. Australia has seen a 13.9% rise in fuel prices over the last year, with unleaded petrol prices averaging $2.11 per litre across the country in August, compared to a $1.86 average over the year. Higher fuel prices will only lead to cost increases in other parts of the economy, likely stalling any hope of a cutting of interest rates, which isn’t predicted to happen until March next year.

A combination of factors is leading to Australians tightening their retail spending, with the cost-of-living squeeze meaning more shoppers are prioritising supermarket staples over non-essentials like clothes

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Feature

“Lowering inventory has been a natural reaction because the costs of holding stock at higher level interest rates is becoming a real challenge and roadblock for organisations.”

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and household goods. A recent Commonwealth Bank of Australia report showed spending growth has declined nationally to just 1.3% this year, while national accounts showed the weakest rise in national gross domestic product (GDP) since the September 2021 COVID-19 lockdowns.

How the economy is impacting supply chains Suppliers are dealing with higher operating costs, leading to companies having to renegotiate with suppliers to drive preferential terms or work more closely to drive costs down across both businesses and the overall supply chain.

James Lisica, Supply Chain Futurist and Strategist explains how costs pressures are putting the onus on capital decisions impacting inventory.

“Lowering inventory has been a natural reaction because the costs of holding stock at higher level interest rates is becoming a real challenge and roadblock for organisations. This puts more pressure on companies to have a better understanding of their footprint – a more agile footprint – and better supplier relationships so that they can maximise their industry inventory and be very quick and flexible as to how they position inventory throughout their network,” James said.

Changing consumer habits throws up complications for organisation’s demand forecasting, especially those who are still using traditional demand signals.

Marcus Carmont. CCO at TMX Transform, explains how trying conditions have fundamentally changed decision making in supply chains.

“The predictability of demand for retailers isn’t what it has been in the past. Consumer buying behaviours have changed immeasurably and the ability of businesses to be able to understand how this translates in terms of the operational business requirements is really crystal ball stuff at the moment,” he said.

Standing still is being left behind An efficient and agile supply chain is a top priority for business leaders, with a recognition that a ‘do nothing’ approach isn’t an option. This doesn’t mean every business needs to dive into all the technological bells and whistles at once, but investing in new

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Feature

and emerging technologies which directly improve throughput creates an advantage over competitors.

Capabilities such as visibility, integration, data harmonisation and automation are now table stakes for supply chain success, particularly in retail, pharmaceuticals, and fast-moving consumer goods.

By the same token, mainstream technologies for improving data for better integration and visibility have been around for years – businesses who ignore this simply won’t be able to compete in the new market.

“History is littered with organisations that don't exist anymore because they didn't invest in their supply chains,” James explained.

“Companies like Apple and Amazon who have grown over decades have proven that a capable supply chain can be a competitive advantage. Typically, companies who invest when times are the most challenging are the companies that disrupt markets and grow the quickest. I don’t think any company regardless of the industry can afford to stand still.”

For Lisica, visibility is one of the biggest advantages in an effective supply chain. The pandemic shone a light on the fact that many companies weren’t able to see their own supply chain and know where inventory is, so being able to make decisions by using real time data and analytics is becoming critical to the way that organisations move forward.

Automation on the rise despite financial challenges While there is hope rising general costs will stabilise, Australia’s supply chains are having to cope with a shortage of workers, which in turn puts more pressure on wages and the cost of labour. Vacancy rates for industrial property are at almost-record lows in Sydney and Melbourne, forcing operations to reconsider their networks to avoid the rising cost of land in premium locations.

With increased financing costs for leased equipment and facilities impacting capital availability for broader supply chain ventures,

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some businesses are taking a more risk averse approach to investment. However, automation in the supply chain isn’t slowing down, explains David Lamb, Senior Systems Consultant at Dematic.

“A lot of the business case drivers for automating are sweating the asset,” he notes. “In your facility, you might only be running operations for one shift because it's hard to find people to come in and work from 6:00 PM to 2:00 AM. Installing automation allows you to run that facility 24/7. Secondly, you're saving on lease costs of manual equipment that you may no longer need.

“We are seeing significant footprint challenges.

Typical, manual facilities have wasted space for people to walk up and down aisles or access pick slots. Automation such as AutoStore, ASRS and other technologies are helping to densify footprints, doing more with what you have.”

Flexibility and agility TMX’s Marcus Carmont says developing efficiencies through flexibility is crucial to forward-planning.

“You need to adapt to change in the most practical way possible, which comes in the form of understanding what solution can be best tailored to provide a level of flexibility. Business cases are being more heavily scrutinised and sensitivity analysis is quite exhaustive in terms of businesses now wanting to understand very intimate workings of changes across a range of business decisions.”

David Lamb of Dematic echoes this sentiment.

“Hope is not a strategy, but neither is being able to predict the future. But agility is a strategy. Some of the best performing supply chains test themselves for agility. Forming strategies through asking questions like, what if land availability continues to be really tough and I keep growing? What if I outgrow my manual warehouse? What if my competitors are automating and I'm not? Once businesses start to consider these different scenarios, they can then better plan to build a supply chain around resilience and agility.”

Developing the business case for automation and technology When embarking on any new project, return on investment will be front and centre for supply chain

“Smart businesses are understanding the current climate, but looking beyond that period and exploring what technologies are available in terms of being able to be modular and adapting to change” SUPPLY CHAIN INSIGHTS

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“Typically, companies who invest when times are the most challenging are the companies that disrupt markets and grow the quickest.”

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managers and leaders. Brett Newstead, Director of Sales at Zebra Technologies, says the mentality is shifting, however, to also consider the cost of reduced output from not transforming operations when deciding which investment will provide the most value.

“There's a lot of discussion around opportunities to disrupt and emerge in a stronger position.”

“It does still come back to the state of the business and if they can afford to do so, but we are seeing those changes. We're seeing most are seeking investments that will drive up properly in line sales.

Another key area is reducing shrinkage and balancing out investments because it can be dangerous to invest in just one part of the business.

A lot of companies are viewing supply chain as an opportunity, not just a business-as-usual cycle.”

The dip in consumer spending is creating more competition for companies who are heavily weighted towards discretionary products. As a result, more organisations are looking to adapt and prioritise being more agile – empowering workers to utilise technology which can be adaptable to different areas of the warehouse.

Brett says the business cases are also there for organisations who aren’t particularly risk-taking.

“Being really cost-conscious doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be investing in supply chain, but you should be investing in more mainstream technologies which have been proven to reduce costs and don’t cost as much to implement,” he explains.

Collaboration for future success For business-changing projects such as taking on fixed automation, voice and mobility systems or moving into a new distribution centre, addressing immediate fixes first helps to cement benefits of the change to business outcomes. To plan for the future, however, more businesses are embedding flexibility into business plans, according to TMX Transform’s Marcus Carmont.

“Smart businesses are understanding the current climate, but looking beyond that period and exploring

SUPPLY CHAIN INSIGHTS

what technologies are available in terms of being able to be modular and adapting to change,” he says.

“The supply chain director never had a seat at the board table. Now they do, the challenge is understanding what the future looks like. You almost need to be a clairvoyant to understand what you’re building for, but the way to overcome this is clearly understanding what the business requirements are and therefore understanding how to develop flexibility longer term to be able to accommodate change as and when it comes to play.”

Dematic’s David Lamb says a willingness to share your experience and business needs and a willingness to learn is a crucial mindset to have when taking on fixed automation, a new distribution centre or other advancements.

“Warehouse equipment alone is not a solution.

A warehouse solution is also not an off the shelf commodity, it is custom designed and needs to be suitable for your business.”

Selecting an experienced integration partner and trusting them with all your business processes, all your data, all your growth forecasts is really the best way to ensure the solution that you receive in the end is tailored for the needs of the business.”

Lamb understands it’s easy to be distracted by the cost of individual pieces of equipment, but businesses should consider the whole operation beyond just materials handling. For instance, tailored solutions can do some clever things with really dense automation to save thousands of square meters.

“It’s crucial to pay most attention to the data analysis. Does the integrator understand your business? What about your growth projections? If you are 80% retail today, but in 10 years you might be 80% e-commerce, is the solution that you are designing and implementing going to be suitable for the future of your business? When we ask these questions, we put ourselves in the best position to succeed in an evolving market landscape.” ●

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Analysis

Strengthening Supply Chains: Tackling Labour Challenges for Today and Tomorrow's Food & Beverage and Grocery Market

WRITTEN BY MICHAEL BRADSHAW SENIOR DIRECTOR, INTEGRATED SYSTEMS, ASIA, DEMATIC

Across the diverse Southeast Asia region, there has been a transformation in the way people eat, drink, and shop for what they consume.

This has been accompanied by significant growth from increased urbanisation, changing eating habits and rising disposable incomes, all leading to an increase in the consumption of packaged food and beverage products.

According to a report from McKinsey & Company, the ASEAN region’s more than 600 million people spend $200 billion on groceries each year, but traditional trade still accounts for two-thirds of this total. This strongly indicates that the modern grocery industry has headroom and the opportunity to capture a greater share of shopping needs. The report forecasts growth of 6 to 7 percent a year for modern grocery retail through 2025, making ASEAN one of the fastest-growing and most exciting regions in the world for modern grocers.

In addition to experiencing growth, the sector is also experiencing fast-paced change in the areas

SUPPLY CHAIN INSIGHTS

of technology, digitalisation, sustainability and food security. As a result, the region is witnessing an extraordinary growth in both local and international investments, elevating the F&B and grocery sectors to new heights.

From the integration of eCommerce and mobile applications to the adoption of more sustainable practices, industry leaders continue to employ diverse measures to cater to the evolving needs of the region’s growing middle class.

Combined, increased order volumes and evolving customer tastes and expectations have placed F&B and grocery supply chains across Southeast Asia under more pressure than ever before.

This pressure has forced many businesses across Southeast Asia to acknowledge the shortcomings of their current supply chain operations, leaving them with the challenge of how best to overcome them in order to take advantage of the huge opportunities present in today’s F&B and grocery markets. One significant challenge that is currently a major focus is supply chain labour.

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Labour challenges across Southeast Asia In the past, conversations about labour in the supply chain environment centred mostly around the cost of labour and how this impacted the overall business’ return on investment (ROI).

Today, the focus has shifted more towards the issue of the availability and reliability of labour required to keep up with the demands of the supply chain, eCommerce, and to maintain business continuity. Labour costs and availability issues can vary widely across Southeast Asia.

In Thailand, for instance, there is a relatively low cost of labour when compared to other international regions. However, the reliability of the workforce is poor, with workers changing jobs frequently for slightly more pay or better conditions, and with high levels of absenteeism being common. This effectively makes the real cost of labour significantly higher when factoring in the additional hidden costs such as overtime, use of casual workers and more frequent onboarding and training of new hires.

Meanwhile, in Korea, recent and ongoing tensions between unions, employers and the government, have driven up the cost of using labour, with employers obliged to meet new conditions.

The city state of Singapore is highly dependent on a large number of foreign workers to support its US$400 billion economy. However, tighter controls on hiring lower-skilled foreign workers have been introduced to prompt companies to improve their productivity and reduce their dependency on foreign workers. Further controls and restrictions are expected in the coming years.

Businesses with supply chain operations that are heavily reliant on a large manual workforce increasingly suffer from the lack of constancy, consistency, availability and reliability associated with labour, as well as an ever increasing cost base.

Automation able to fill the void Finding, retaining and flexing the level of labour necessary to keep up with the growth and demands happening in the F&B and grocery logistics space, while also dealing with increased regulations is becoming increasingly difficult for many businesses in Southeast Asia to manage. The challenges supply chain operators are facing regarding labour are one

of the largest drivers we see today for investment in automated systems. That’s due to the big part automation plays in reducing reliance on labour and the challenges that come along with it.

Disruptive events such as the COVID pandemic have highlighted the vulnerability of many logistics operations with large work forces to external factors.

And the Southeast region is no stranger to disruption.

Over the past few decades, we have become accustomed to disruptions and the corresponding impact on labour, stemming from a range of events from the Asian financial crisis to the global financial crisis, to SARS, bird flu, swine flu, tsunamis and more. Automation enables supply chains to deal with current labour challenges, but also with the resilience deal with the next disruption or change, by building in a high level of resilience and adaptability to their business and operations.

Automation helps businesses to stay ahead of their competition in the highly competitive F&B and grocery environment of Southeast Asia, by increasing agility to respond to changing customer demands and being able to ship orders better, faster, more reliably, and at a lower cost.

With the wide range of supply chain automation options currently available including, automated storage systems, automated guided vehicles and autonomous mobile robots, and highly automated mixed-case palletising systems, there’s certainly no one-size-fits-all approach. It’s best for a F&B or grocery operator to invest the time in understanding their business – where it is and where it is heading or could go – and to work in partnership with a logistics automation specialist to analyse all the information to find the best solution.

The supply chain of the future As the new age of immense growth and innovation in the F&B and grocery sectors continues across Southeast Asia, the supply chain has no choice but to work faster and harder than ever. As labour availability and dependability cannot be guaranteed, supply chain operators are increasingly turning to automation. This enables them to achieve the scalability, resilience and agility required to meet the growing demand for F&B products and to fulfill rising customer expectations. Those operators who can provide the lowest cost, most reliable and fastest delivery and the most accurate order fulfilment, will be best positioned in an increasingly global and fiercely competitive F&B and grocery market. ●

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Analysis

Unbreaking the Chain: How Digital Technologies are Streamlining Construction Supply Chains WRITTEN BY STEVE APPLEBY MANAGING DIRECTOR, IIMBE

As the world recovers from a period of significant global disruption, the construction industry continues to seek new ways to build redundancy into its supply chain while maintaining growth with razor-thin margins.

However, the sector continues to battle with aftershocks well into 2023: increasing demand for infrastructure and housing, labour shortages, rapidly fluctuating material costs, and long, vulnerable supply chains. The crisis has forced the industry to change the way it does business with industry leaders now placing a stronger emphasis on innovation and the adoption of digital technologies for supply chain sustainability.

State of the construction industry A report by Deloitte and Autodesk, the 'State of Digital Adoption in Construction 2023', highlighted that the repercussions of COVID-19 are still being felt by businesses across the construction industry, with over half of businesses citing economic uncertainty as a key challenge they’re currently facing. The same study noted that rising material and labour costs

SUPPLY CHAIN INSIGHTS

are significantly impacting financial viability–the majority of these challenges stemming from supply chain disruptions, causing higher raw material costs.

As construction projects continue to grow in scale and complexity–with contracts sometimes exceeding $10 billion–the stakes have never been higher. Advanced building information modelling (BIM) technologies and tools like digital twinning, have emerged as effective solutions to overcoming many of these challenges by offering ways of optimising planning, enhancing visualisation, and enabling data-driven decision-making throughout the construction life cycle.

Proactive supply chain management More and more companies are realising the advantages of good BIM processes, whether they apply to multiple, complex projects across numerous sites or a single, relatively straightforward project. It ensures all aspects of a build (from the planning to design and construction to operations) are highly efficient and collaborative – and cost effective. A single, comprehensive system tailored to your data requirements that can cover everything from initial concept designs to all aspects of digital construction and ongoing operations while producing scheduling, cost, and sustainability information.

These advanced technologies can accurately forecast the materials and quantities essential for a project. When further integrated with supply chain mapping software, construction firms can also ensure they’re better equipped with contingencies and lessen potential disruptions.

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Streamlining project costs and planning Traditionally, construction has often relied on outdated methods, from CAD drawings that don't provide in-depth project views to supply chain management approaches that fail to mitigate complex, real-time challenges. This is where BIM offers a lifeline. Creating a centralised, intelligent database that contains comprehensive details about a project—from design to materials required,

BIM can facilitate complete alignment among all stakeholders, including architects, engineers, manufacturers, contractors, and clients.

Misunderstandings are minimised, and everyone has clarity from day one.

Integrating BIM with supply chain software provides a 360-degree view of the project’s supply chain. This is a massive leap from conventional reactive approaches. With predictive analytics capabilities, BIM can forecast supply needs and send early warnings. It means you no longer have to deal with unexpected and costly delays due to material shortages.

Necessity inspires innovation BIM has become an indispensable tool in forecasting materials, enhancing supply chain efficiency. As material costs soar, optimising material usage becomes critical not just for budgeting but also for ensuring sufficient inventory levels across a project lifecycle. Through detailed parametric 3D models, BIM offers a digital representation of the entire

construction project, providing an in-depth view of every element down to its individual components.

This dynamic tool also integrates seamlessly with other project management and cost-estimating platforms. This integration not only streamlines material ordering based on real-time data but also allows for efficient budgeting.

BIM's capability to perform layered element analysis results in highly accurate forecasts. For example, a wall in a BIM model isn't just a twodimensional representation but can be dissected into layers of insulation, sheathing, and cladding, each with its own material requirements. This granular approach significantly minimises waste by ensuring that only the exact required quantities are ordered.

Combined with its 4D capabilities, which integrate the project's timeline, BIM helps in phased material ordering, which optimises inventory levels and reduces holding costs in the supply chain. As designs evolve, BIM offers real-time updates, ensuring that material predictions adjust dynamically.

Extending BIM's utility beyond construction BIM’s capabilities extend beyond construction, optimising the supply chain throughout a facility’s lifecycle. It provides detailed visibility into component lifecycles, enabling strategic planning for maintenance, minimising disruptions, and maintaining facility quality.

BIM facilitates strategic procurement, which is aligned with maintenance schedules, and reduces inventory costs.

Integrated with IoT for predictive maintenance, it enhances supply chain agility and reduces downtime.

By enabling precise ordering, BIM promotes sustainability and resource efficiency. It also serves as an effective collaboration hub for stakeholders, ensuring alignment in supply chain activities and seamless communication for maintenance planning.

Don’t let a good crisis go to waste After a turbulent couple of years, a unique opportunity has emerged for the construction industry to re-evaluate their strategies and uncover new opportunities for growth and resilience. While construction sites in 2023 might closely resemble those from a century ago, with manual bricklaying and scaffold towers, the industry is standing on the cusp of a entering a new digital era – transitioning from static paper to dynamic digital-led production. With a strong demand for infrastructure, a skilled labour shortage, and increasing pressure from stakeholders for innovation, the industry is adopting advanced technologies like BIM at an accelerated pace. ●

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Analysis

Why Ultra-Rugged UHF RFID Sleds Are Now An Ideal Option For Reading Tags In Industrial And Field Environments

WRITTEN BY ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES

An increasing number of transportation, logistics, manufacturing, utility, and government operations depend on RFID-generated data — meaning workers need a reliable way to quickly capture and transmit that data.

When customers in factories, warehouses, or distribution centres first consider implementing RFID solutions, they often ask “How much of an investment is needed? And how much time will my team need to spend on this deployment?”

The answer is both factors can be minimised.

Furthermore, not all RFID applications even require fixed readers, further simplifying the process. Many businesses discover that handheld RFID readers, especially RFID sleds that quickly attach to existing mobile computers, can better serve their needs.

This is especially true now that industrial class, ultrarugged UHF RFID handhelds are available.

The task of cycle counting, usually done by individually scanning items, can be time-consuming and error-prone. By using RFID tags on inventory units and attaching an RFID sled to a mobile computer, the same worker can read up to 1,300 tags per second, at a maximum distance of 75 feet/22.9 metres away with the right sled. Many workflows

SUPPLY CHAIN INSIGHTS

that currently rely on individual barcode scans can benefit from RFID technology, making RFID sleds a valuable addition to track and trace solutions.

Common RFID Sled use cases When assets are properly tagged, workers can use an RFID sled on their mobile computers for counting raw materials, locating equipment, and tracking work in progress (WIP) items. Those overseeing returnable transport objects like totes, bins, and pallets can swiftly confirm availability or returns.

In government facilities for example, RFID sleds are useful for traditional inventory management and asset tracking efforts to ensure proper stock levels and positioning.

Remember, supply chain resiliency is just as critical to national defence efforts as it is to the sustainability of humanitarian aid, public health, and utility services.

Beyond counting inventory, RFID sleds can be used to improve cargo loading and package tracing.

In most cases, there’s a worker using a handheld device to scan parts, pallets, or package labels.

Swapping an RFID sled for a handheld barcode scanner would be a breeze, and far easier on workers’ fingers.

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Why RFID Sleds will soon be hot in the cold chain Until recently, RFID sleds couldn't be used confidently in cold chain environments due to durability concerns.

The Zebra RFD90 has set a new standard as the market's first ultra-rugged RFID sled rated for freezers and cold storage. This is vital for the growing need in sectors like food, pharmaceuticals, and cold chain, especially in relation to regulatory compliance.

However, regulatory adherence isn't the sole reason to adopt RFID sleds in areas with inadequate fixed reader coverage. Beyond regulation, a key consideration for all organisations, including cold chain management, is choosing adaptable, scalable, and flexible long-term RFID solutions amidst evolving technology trends.

The overlooked business case for RFID Sleds It’s also worth considering that numerous RFID applications transcend indoor environments where fixed readers are impractical. This holds particularly true in sectors like utility, energy, construction, public safety, and government. For instance, RFID is increasingly the preferred method for tracking assets and maintenance in the field. Tags on pipelines, turbines, fire equipment, and heavy machinery enable efficient status reporting during inspections, repairs, and replacements.

In the government/public sector, consider this: RFID badges on emergency personnel or tagged gear could aid incident commanders in locating rescuers within buildings. RFID also ensures emergency vehicles are adequately equipped before responding to calls. However, for RFID to be effective, field workers need handheld readers that endure harsh conditions like dust storms, rain, and snow.

Ultra-rugged UHF RFID sleds are essential, as they're compatible with workers' existing mobile devices, eliminating the need for an extra device and ensuring seamless job execution.

The ”behind-the-scenes” benefits of RFID Sleds On the front lines, the value proposition for ultrarugged RFID sleds is clear. They allow for fast, accurate capture of data from thousands of faraway RFID tags each minute, which means workers may not have to walk – or stop – as much to count inventory or take as long to locate items. On the back end, though, RFID sleds offer similar efficiency gains, as they can be remotely configured and

SUPPLY CHAIN INSIGHTS

managed by IT teams anytime, whether the devices are online or offline.

The Zebra RFD90 sleds can be configured while actively in use, either through the mobile computer or via the 123RFID Mobile app, which facilitates over-the-air updates via Wi-Fi 6. Configuration is also possible using the 123RFID Desktop app when connected to USB or Ethernet cradles for charging, regardless of host mobile computer connectivity.

Why Zebra RFD90 Ultra Rugged Sleds are the right choice for many RFID applications Three distinctive features of Zebra's new RFD90 ultra-rugged RFID sleds that could captivate decision-makers' interest are: 1. They’re built to outperform the competition, which includes other handheld RFID readers and sleds.

Developed with robust industrial engineering and materials, the RFD90 sleds boast exceptional durability, featuring dual IP65 and IP67 sealing alongside a 6-foot/1.8-metre drop-to-concrete rating. When combined with an IP67 mobile computer, they form a fully sealed RFID solution.

With industry-leading read rates, these sleds consistently outpace competitors by up to 30% in optimised read ranges. The quick-release 7,000 mAh battery ensures full-shift longevity and easy charging via various cradle setups, even when disconnected from the host mobile computer.

2. They are designed to outlast your current mobile computers and smartphones and adapt to the next generation with ease when the time is right.

The RFD90 sleds feature changeable eConnex adaptors, Bluetooth® 5.3, and NFC tap-to-pair capabilities, allowing seamless connections with present and future devices. Adaptor changes can be done on-site by workers or managers, eliminating the need for IT retrofitting. Similar to Zebra's RFD40 Premium RFID Sleds, the ultrarugged RFD90 versions are also compatible with the OtterBox uniVERSE ecosystem, simplifying attachment and removal of a wide range of Android and iOS smartphones (for non-fully rugged/sealed RFID solutions).

3. They deliver outstanding connectivity to information and workflow systems and the flexibility needed to ensure workers can get their jobs done right, time after time. The RFD90 stands out with its unique tri-function trigger, serving as an RFID reader, barcode scanner (SE4750 or SE4850 with IntelliFocus), and more.

With regulatory certification in 115+ countries, it seamlessly connects to host mobile computers, facilitating data integration for enhanced business efficiency, continuity, and accountability. ●

For more information, please click here.

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Special Event

The 2023 ASCL Awards Gala Dinner The Australian Supply Chain and Logistics Awards (ASCLA) Gala Dinner, hosted by the Supply Chain and Logistics Association of Australia (SCLAA), will be held on the 10th of November, 2023 in Sydney.

The ASCLA brings together industry professionals, thought leaders, and champions of excellence to celebrate innovation, collaboration, and outstanding achievements in the supply chain, logistics, and transport industries.

Event Details

Date: Friday, 10th November

Reserve your tickets now at www.ascla. com.au and prepare for an evening of celebration and inspiration.

Time: 6pm (for pre-dinner drinks & canapés)

The ASCLA is supported by sponsors Malec Transport and Logistics, Interoll, Americold, Gamma Solutions, CoRsafe, nti, BlueYonder, TMX, HDL Insurance Brokers, Wisetech Global, Colin Biggers & Paisley Lawyers, Biarri Commercial Mathematics, and Intermodal Australia.

Venue: Grand Ballroom, The Fullerton, Sydney

The ASCLA Awards have been a beacon of excellence for 61 years, and for the last two decades, the SCLAA has had the honour of hosting these prestigious awards. These accolades are not just the most sought after and recognised in the industry, but they are also the most influential. The ASCLA Awards Gala Dinner serves as a testament to the industry's resilience, creativity, and unwavering commitment to advancement.

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Justin Carnaby Head of Logistics, AS Colour

Order Fulfilment Down to a Tee AS Colour achieves 344% increased throughput per worker with GTP “game-changer”

When AS Colour started out, the trend was for tight tees and baggy pants. But while clothing fashion trends come and go, the trend that doesn’t change is that customers want their orders delivered on time and accurately.

Dematic’s Multishuttle Goods-to-Person (GTP) fulfilment system enables AS Colour to process orders with higher productivity, faster and with increased accuracy, down to the sequence of items in the package. As a result, AS Colour has seen a big increase in sales as customers see how fast and accurately their orders reach them.

Learn more at dematic.com/as-colour

Scan to see the video!

Dematic.com/as-colour +65 6229 4500 or +61 2 9486 5555 info.anz@dematic.com

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Industry Update

Advancing Supply Chain Resilience: Mitigating Future Disruption will continue operations in the face of disruptions. They may involve backup suppliers, alternative transportation routes, or emergency inventory.

WRITTEN BY TOWFIQUE RAHMAN AND SANJOY KUMAR PAUL UTS BUSINESS SCHOOL, UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY SYDNEY, SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

5. Risk Management as a Continuous Process: Organisations must invest in risk management practices to identify and mitigate potential risks. Risk assessments, scenario planning, and regular evaluations of the supply chain’s vulnerability can help organisations proactively address threats.

Supply chains have long been the backbone of global commerce. However, in recent years, supply chains have become increasingly complex and vulnerable to local and global disruptions. From the widespread effects of the COVID-19 pandemic to frequent natural disasters and geopolitical unrest, it has become increasingly evident that a robust supply chain isn’t just about efficiency – it’s about resilience.

6. Harness the Power of AI and ML: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) provide dynamic tools to analyse vast amounts of data. From forecasting demand surges to pinpointing potential bottlenecks, these technologies are reshaping the supply chain landscape.

Understanding Today’s Vulnerabilities Modern supply chains are incredibly intricate.

Spanning multiple countries and involving numerous suppliers, manufacturers, logistics providers and distributors, a single point of failure across a supply chain can have cascading effects. Localised disruptions, whether they’re a result of a global pandemic, political unrest, or trade restrictions, can have global implications.

As many organisations favour strategies like the just-in-time inventory system for its cost-effectiveness, they inadvertently reduce their buffer against potential supply shocks, making them prone to shortages during interruptions.

Building Resilient Supply Chains To enhance supply chain resilience there are several strategies and technologies that must be employed: 1. Diversify and Decentralise: Relying on a single supplier or manufacturing facility is a recipe for disaster. Diversifying sources and locations can help reduce the risk of disruptions. For instance, a company sourcing electronic components from

SUPPLY CHAIN INSIGHTS

The Road Ahead

different countries, including local sources, can better withstand regional disruptions.

2. Embrace Digital Visibility: Enhanced visibility throughout the supply chain is paramount. Advanced technologies like digital twins, IoT sensors, blockchain, and data analytics can provide real-time insights into the status of goods and potential disruptions. This visibility allows organisations to respond proactively rather than reactively.

3. Collaboration is Key: Effective communication and collaboration among all supply chain stakeholders are essential.

Technologies like collaborative platforms, cloud computing, and real-time messaging systems enable quick information sharing and decision-making, facilitating a coordinated response to disruptions.

4. Plan, Plan, Plan: Having well-defined contingency plans in place is crucial. These plans should outline how the organisation

In a world witnessing ever-increasing complexities and disruptions, the imperative for organisations to strengthen supply chain resilience is pivotal. The journey towards resilient supply chains is marked by the adoption of diverse strategies, cuttingedge technologies, and robust plans, positioning organisations to effectively mitigate disruptions and seize emerging opportunities. Though challenges are inherent, particularly around substantial initial investments and complexities within supply chains, they offer the potential for long-term strategic advantages and opportunities for improvement.

Lastly, change management remains a critical element, fostering an organisational culture where the importance of resilience is understood, and new processes are embraced enthusiastically. As organisations navigate this evolving landscape, supply chain resilience emerges as a catalyst for sustaining customer satisfaction, mitigating risks, and securing a competitive edge in turbulent times. ●

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Next Issue

Look out for the next issue For all of your latest supply chain industry news, be sure to join our community on LinkedIn

Look out for the next edition of Supply Chain Insights, where we will be taking a detailed look at the issue of “Bridging the Skills Gap in the Modern Supply Chain”.

Facing a shortage of skilled staff in the supply chain sector is undoubtedly a challenge, but could it also be a gateway to opportunity?

How can organisations leverage cutting-edge technologies and innovative strategies to not

only weather the current storm but also lay a foundation for greater future success? As the sector continues to evolve, those businesses that can adeptly bridge the skills gap will undoubtedly be the ones leading the way.

For more information or story suggestions, please contact: editor@supplychain-insights.media For advertising enquiries, please contact: advertising@supplychain-insights.media

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