by Elizabeth Hines | Apr 1, 2015 | Big Data, Blog, Data/Analytics, Logistics, Supply Chain
A distribution center struggling with a high number of forklift truck impacts found a way to leverage big data to address a nagging, costly warehouse issue. The company had installed a telematics solution on its forklift trucks, but could not determine the cause of the impacts. The time and location of impacts were known, as well as the identity of the drivers involved, but the company still needed to pull in more data sources for an effective assessment.
Forget for a moment the potential of adopting big data analytics throughout the entire supply chain and consider instead how big data can untangle and integrate seemingly unrelated masses of data to solve small problems in a warehouse or distribution center. That’s exactly what this company did.
By analyzing the link between environmental factors inside the distribution center and the forklift impact records, the culprit was swiftly identified: fast-moving thunderstorms that caused the humidity level to rise so quickly that the dehumidifiers could not keep up, increasing the risk of drivers losing control on the slippery concrete floor. That knowledge helped the company prevent sliding accidents by using a function of the telematics solution to reduce the maximum speed of the trucks when the humidity hit a certain level.
Indeed, distribution centers and warehouses present ideal environments — microcosms — for big data applications. Modern facilities are loaded with sensors and detectors to track every pallet and every piece of material handling equipment in real-time. Managers see the benefits in increased productivity, improved inventory flow, optimized equipment usage, and more. However, for that Eureka moment, organizations should also apply big data analytics across these multiple sources of data to uncover patterns that will drive even more, and perhaps surprising, operational improvements.
Rather than looking at data in isolation, a holistic approach holds significantly more power. Managers typically keep careful track of the performance of lift trucks, batteries, and chargers. But it is not until those entities are reviewed as a single system and matched with data coming off the lift trucks that a new level of revelations can be had.
Look for big data analytics to further raise the IQ of our “smart” warehouses and DCs. Inbound Logistics sums it up this way: “Accessing the right information to make smart decisions in the warehouse is one main reason why the demand for big data has grown so much — and so rapidly — in the distribution sector.”
Do you think distribution center and warehouse managers do enough to leverage big data?
![Boston’s snow logistics [Infographic]](https://fronetics.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Boston-snow-logistics-800x675.png)
by Fronetics | Feb 17, 2015 | Blog, Current Events, Logistics, Strategy
The logistics of Boston’s snow #snowpocalypse
For the past three weeks we have been pretty much like this: shovel, snow blow, tackle commutes, juggle school cancellations, repeat.
Charlotte Wilder expressed the sentiments of many when she penned A Breakup Letter to Snow From the City of Boston. 95.7 inches of snow within 3 weeks is a lot of snow. The sheer amount of snow has forced the city’s public transportation to cancel operations. Schools have been cancelled, several for two weeks or more. Cars have been buried. Businesses have been forced to close. Businesses that have remained opened have realized dismal sales. Boston has opened snow farms and has purchased melting trucks. National Guard troops have been called in to help remove snow. #snowpocalypse 2015.
The snow has complicated the logistics of life. As we, individuals and businesses, complain about the economic, physical, and mental challenges associated with the snow it is important to put things into perspective. NPR’s Barbara Howard’s Blizzard of Perspective does just that.
by Fronetics | Feb 5, 2015 | Blog, Logistics, Strategy, Supply Chain
Think inbound marketing isn’t for the supply chain and logistics industries? Guess again. Here are 5 reasons companies in the supply chain and logistics industries need inbound marketing.
Companies within the supply chain and logistics industries tend to disregard inbound marketing. The reason being they do not think inbound marketing will prove successful. The common objection is that prospects and customers for these industries are not online.
The reality, however, is that inbound marketing can be wildly successful for companies within the supply chain and logistics industries.
Here are five reasons why companies in these industries should use inbound marketing:
1. Customers are online.
B2B buyers are online. 93% of B2B buyers report that they use search engines to research purchase decisions. These buyers go online for a number of reasons including to:
- Learn about new market developments and industry practices;
- Discover new solutions to address a specific problem;
- Address a project or a program being undertaken by their company.
2. 60% of the sales process takes place before they engage your sales rep.
The average customer progresses nearly 60% of the way through the purchase decision-making process before engaging with a sales rep.
Before engaging with a sales rep, customers are turning to the internet and to social media for information. The 2014 UPS B2B Buyers Insight Study found that 68% percent of buyers research supply purchases via supplier website, and 52% use search engines.
3. You can present solutions to your prospects’ problems via social media and content.
When prospects go online they are looking for information and for answers. By creating valuable content and leveraging social media you can attract and engage prospects, and convert these prospects to customers.
4. Inbound marketing is more effective than traditional marketing.
Research conducted by HubSpot found that inbound marketing is more effective than outbound marketing:
- 200% average ROI;
- 62% lower cost head;
- 15% increase in top line revenue.
5. The proof is in the pudding.
Freight logistics company Cerasis decided to make the switch from outbound marketing to inbound marketing. Within 25 months the company gained 98 new customers and increased revenue by 14%.
Fronetics Strategic Advisors is a management consulting firm with a focus on inbound marketing. We create and execute successful strategies for growth and value creation. Unlike other firms, our approach is data driven. We know ROI is important, so we track and measure results to drive success. Read about our approach to inbound marketing, or get in touch.
by Fronetics | Jan 21, 2015 | Blog, Logistics, Strategy, Supply Chain
Share your experience with the use of content within the logistics and supply chain industries.
The amount of content on the internet is astounding, and it is growing by the second (check out One Second on the Internet). 93% of B2B companies are using content marketing and are thereby contributing to the increasing amount of content that is out there.
How do companies within the logistics and supply chain use content? What do companies see as the most effective methods of content creation and content distribution?
Fronetics Strategic Advisors is conducting a brief survey focused on the use of content within the logistics and supply chain industries. The survey will take less than five minutes to complete. All data collected will be used in aggregate and no identifying information will be shared or reported.
A report focused on the survey results will be published in March 2015.
Thank you in advance for your participation.
by Fronetics | Oct 21, 2014 | Blog, Data/Analytics, Marketing, Social Media
Individuals within the logistics and supply chain industries want to learn more about social media ROI. A recent survey conducted by Fronetics found that 81 percent of respondents reported that information on proving social media ROI would be helpful to their company.
Proving social media ROI can seem impossible, but it is not if you put the right framework in place. Here’s how to put that framework in place, and prove social media ROI:
Set goals
Support your goals with SMART objectives. This allows you to track and measure your progress towards meeting your goals.
- Specific: Describe your objectives specific to the results you want. Go deeper than “gain leads” to “achieve a visitor to lead conversion rate of one percent.”
- Measurable: Metrics are essential. You can’t assess your progress towards your goal without metrics.
- Achievable: Make your goal achievable. A visit to lead conversion rate of 10 percent may not be realistic. Your goal of a visitor to lead conversion rate may be more plausible. When setting your objectives, keep reality in check.
- Realistic: As with any job, you need to have the right tools. Make sure that you have the resources, tools, and talent to meet your objectives.
- Timed: Be specific with your objective and incorporate a time frame.
Track and measure
Once you have set your goals and objectives and have identified your key metrics, put a system in place that will track and measure your metrics. At the very least, your metrics should be tracked on a monthly basis.
React
Tracking metrics is not enough. You need to react. Look at your metrics in the context of your goals and objectives. Which efforts are moving you towards your objectives and goals? Which efforts are not supporting your goals and objectives? Can these efforts be tweaked? Should you scrap them and try something new?
Taking a data driven approach is critical to proving ROI.
Wash. Rinse. Repeat.
This process is not static. When you achieve your goals and objectives, set new ones. If you are really struggling to meet your goals and objectives, you may need to revisit them to determine if they need to re-worked.
Proving social media ROI is possible. But it needs to be supported by a framework. Take the time to put a solid framework in place for your business.
