Within any logistics network there are vendors, warehouses, distribution centers, service operations, transportation routes and hubs, carriers, freight forwarders, importers, exporters, and more. The idea of optimizing all of it is enough to give anyone a splitting headache.
The goal of optimization is to reduce costs while becoming more efficient. To do this, some companies hire analysts; others employ the latest and greatest technologies. We often think by simply getting advice or upgrading our systems we’ll accomplish our goals, only to find that we come up short. Many seem to forget about communication.
New technologies must either communicate with current technology or replace it all together. If a company hires an expert for advice, that advice needs to be shared and acted upon in all departments.