I know companies that have the most sophisticated WMS systems connected to excellent TMS systems to arrange their transports and handle their inbound and outbound Supply Chain. One would say an optimal scenario. But a look on their yards shows a different picture. Trucks are queueing up in front of the gate. Across their yard many trailers, either empty or full and are scattered around the yard.

The freight forwarding business is rife with challenges, from narrow profit margins to staying abreast of the latest regulatory and statutory requirements. So the right freight forwarding software can make all the difference – if you know what to look for.

Recently I met an 'aged' forwarder, celebrating its 40th anniversary in the forwarding business. Being over 60 he was proud he was still able to keep up with the latest developments. When I asked him what these latest developments were, he replied with; the electronic AirWayBill was a game-changer as well the move from the typewriter to the word-processor to finally forwarding software. Where he did admit he is using his software still as an automated and more intelligent typewriter.

‘Supply chain vormt belangrijkste risico voor bedrijven wereldwijd’, kopt een artikel op Logistiek onlangs. Bedrijven maken zich steeds vaker zorgen en niet geheel onterecht zou je denken. Veranderende klantbehoeften, technologische ontwikkelingen en digitalisering leggen meer druk op supply chains. De financiële schade kan hoog oplopen bij procesonderbrekingen door verstoringen in de keten. Steeds meer bedrijven zijn zich ervan bewust dat meer inzicht in de supply chain ervoor zorgt dat ze kunnen anticiperen op (mogelijke) vertragingen en problemen kunnen voorkomen. Recent onderzoek van the Business Continuity Institute (BCI) toont echter aan dat organisaties nog een lange weg te gaan hebben tot ze volledig inzicht in hun supply chain hebben.